Electric Guitar Buying Guide for Beginners
An electric guitar is often easier on the fingers than an acoustic. The strings are thinner and sit closer to the neck. The hard part is choosing one, because there are so many shapes. Here is how to narrow it down.
The three classic shapes
Most electric guitars follow one of three designs. The Stratocaster shape has a contoured body, three pickups and a tremolo arm. It covers a lot of ground, from clean pop to blues and rock. The Telecaster shape is simpler: a flat slab body, two pickups and a bright, direct sound loved in country and rock. The Les Paul shape has a thicker body and two humbucking pickups for a warmer, heavier sound.
Single coil or humbucker
Pickups are the magnets under the strings that turn string movement into sound. Single coil pickups are bright and clear. Humbuckers are thicker and quieter when you turn the gain up. Neither is better. If you like a clean, glassy sound, lean to single coils. If you want heavier rock sounds, lean to humbuckers. A guitar with both, often labeled HSS, gives you a bit of each.
Smaller guitars for smaller players
A full size electric guitar can be a long reach for a child. A short scale guitar brings the frets closer together and weighs less, which makes the first months much easier.
What else you need
An electric guitar needs an amplifier and a cable before it makes much sound. You will also want a tuner, a strap and a few picks. A starter pack puts most of that in one box, which is the simple way to begin.
When to spend more
A beginner guitar from a major maker is a real instrument, not a toy. Spending more buys better pickups, hardware that holds tune longer and a nicer feel on the neck. If you already know you will stick with it, a step-up guitar can be the last one you need for years.
Setup matters on electrics too
String height, neck relief and intonation decide how an electric guitar feels and whether chords sound in tune up the neck. We set up every guitar on our bench in Athens, Tennessee before it ships. You can read what that covers on our setup page.
Browse all of our electric guitars, or call us at (423) 462-1894 and we will help you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to start playing electric guitar?
A guitar an amplifier and a cable plus a tuner a strap and a few picks. A starter pack puts most of that in one box.
Are single coil or humbucker pickups better for beginners?
Neither is better. Single coils are bright and clear and humbuckers are thicker. An HSS guitar gives you both.
Is electric guitar easier than acoustic?
It is often easier on the fingers because the strings are thinner and sit closer to the neck.
