Embarking on your musical journey with the electric guitar can be both exhilarating and daunting. With a plethora of choices flooding the market, zeroing in on the perfect beginner’s electric guitar can be a challenge. Factors like body shape, neck profile, pickups, hardware, and, of course, the price, play a crucial role in your decision-making process.
To simplify your quest, we’ve curated a list of the top 10 electric guitars for beginners in 2023. These guitars not only offer affordability but also ensure ease of play and impeccable sound quality across various genres and styles. Let’s dive in!
1. Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster: This is a classic guitar that has been used by many famous musicians, such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and David Gilmour. It has a sleek and comfortable body shape, a smooth maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, and three single-coil pickups that deliver a bright and versatile tone.
It also has a tremolo bridge that allows you to create vibrato effects with the whammy bar. The Fender Squier Bullet Stratocaster is a great guitar for beginners who want to play rock, blues, pop, or country music.
2. Yamaha Pacifica 112V: This is another popular guitar that has a similar design to the Fender Stratocaster, but with some differences. It has a slightly thicker alder body that provides more sustain and resonance, a bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, and two single-coil pickups and one humbucker pickup that offer more tonal options.
It also has a vintage-style tremolo bridge that is stable and easy to use. The Yamaha Pacifica 112V is a versatile guitar that can handle anything from clean to distorted sounds.
3. Epiphone Les Paul SL: This is a budget-friendly version of the legendary Gibson Les Paul, which is one of the most iconic guitars in history. It has a lightweight poplar body with a slim taper mahogany neck and a rosewood fingerboard.
It has two single-coil pickups that produce a warm and rich tone with plenty of bite and clarity. It also has a wraparound bridge that provides good intonation and tuning stability. The Epiphone Les Paul SL is a simple and elegant guitar that is ideal for beginners who want to play rock, metal, or blues music.
4. Ibanez GRX70QA: This is a modern and stylish guitar that has a distinctive look and sound. It has a basswood body with a quilted maple top that gives it a stunning appearance, a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, and three pickups: two humbuckers and one single-coil.
It also has a FAT-6 tremolo bridge that lets you create dive bombs and other effects with the whammy bar. The Ibanez GRX70QA is a powerful and expressive guitar that is suitable for beginners who want to play hard rock, metal, or alternative music.
5. Squier Affinity Telecaster: This is another classic guitar that has been used by many influential musicians, such as Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, and Joe Strummer. It has a solid alder body with a single cutaway shape, a maple neck with a maple fingerboard, and two single-coil pickups that deliver a bright and twangy tone.
It also has a fixed bridge that provides excellent sustain and tuning stability. The Squier Affinity Telecaster is a simple and reliable guitar that is perfect for beginners who want to play country, rockabilly, or indie music.
6. Jackson JS22 Dinky: This is an aggressive and sleek guitar that has a fast and smooth playability. It has a basswood body with an arched top shape, a bolt-on maple neck with an amaranth fingerboard, and two humbucker pickups that produce a heavy and punchy tone. It also has a double-locking tremolo bridge that ensures your tuning stays in place even when you use the whammy bar extensively. The Jackson JS22 Dinky is an impressive guitar that is designed for beginners who want to play metal, shred, or progressive music.
7. Epiphone SG Special VE: This is another affordable version of the famous Gibson SG, which is known for its distinctive double-horned shape and its association with rock legends like Angus Young, Tony Iommi, and Pete Townshend.
It has a poplar body with an okoume neck and a rosewood fingerboard. It has two humbucker pickups that deliver a fat and crunchy tone with plenty of sustain and power. It also has a stopbar tailpiece that provides good intonation and tuning stability. The Epiphone SG Special VE is an awesome guitar that is great for beginners who want to play hard rock, classic rock, or punk music.
8. Cort G100 OPB: This is an attractive and affordable guitar that has a vintage vibe and a modern feel. It has a poplar body with an open pore finish that enhances the natural wood grain, a hard maple neck with a jatoba fingerboard, and three single-coil pickups that offer a clear and crisp tone. It also has a fixed bridge that provides good sustain and tuning stability. The Cort G100 OPB is a charming guitar that is ideal for beginners who want to play pop, funk, or jazz music.
9. Harley Benton ST-20: This is a low-cost guitar that has a decent quality and performance. It has a basswood body with a gloss finish, a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, and three single-coil pickups that provide a bright and balanced tone. It also has a vintage-style tremolo bridge that allows you to create vibrato effects with the whammy bar. The Harley Benton ST-20 is a basic guitar that is suitable for beginners who want to learn the basics of electric guitar playing.
10. ESP LTD EC-10: This is a cool and edgy guitar that has a smooth and comfortable playability. It has a basswood body with a single cutaway shape, a bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, and two humbucker pickups that deliver a warm and rich tone with plenty of distortion and crunch. It also has a tune-o-matic bridge with a stopbar tailpiece that provides good intonation and tuning stability. The ESP LTD EC-10 is a stylish guitar that is excellent for beginners who want to play rock, metal, or grunge music.
FAQs:
Q: What factors should I consider when buying my first electric guitar? A: Consider the guitar’s body shape, neck profile, pickups, hardware, and your budget.
Q: Do I need to buy an amplifier with my electric guitar? A: Yes, an amplifier is essential to project the sound of an electric guitar.
Q: How often should I replace the strings on my electric guitar? A: It’s recommended to change strings every 3-4 months, depending on usage.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right electric guitar as a beginner sets the tone for your musical journey. While the options are vast, focusing on your musical preferences, comfort, and budget can guide you to the perfect pick. Remember, the journey of mastering the guitar is a marathon, not a sprint. So, pick up that guitar, plug in, and let the music flow!
