Whether you are picking one up for the first time or you are a seasoned veteran, the guitar you choose is vital. Maybe you have the talent but no instrument or maybe you are a beginner just looking for some guidance in the right direction. Welcome to your ultimate guide for deciding which guitar is best for you.
When deciding on the right guitar, there are a few variables to consider. Upstart guitarists may have trouble picking between an electric guitar and an acoustic guitar, let alone a particular brand. So, whether you are a beginner or an expert, this guide will provide the answers you will need to pick the right guitar and become a great musician.
Led Zeppelin was not formed in a day and Jimi Hendrix was not born with a guitar in his hand. It all takes time and practice, but a handyman will never be the best handyman without the right tools. Get your journey started on the right foot and follow these tips and tricks to find which guitar is best for you.
Choosing Between an Electric Guitar and an Acoustic Guitar
For beginners, the argument can be made for either choice. Some would argue that the electric guitar is easier to play primarily due to its strings. The strings on an electric guitar are thinner and feel softer on your fingers than acoustic strings because electric guitars use magnetic metal strings to create a louder and more powerful sound.
Another factor that beginners should consider is the size of their instrument. Acoustic guitars tend to be thicker and may feel uncomfortable to hold at first. Most beginner electric guitars are flat and are easier to hold and strum. The good news is that many manufacturers are designing thinner guitars to make it easier on beginner players.
The truth is that there is no wrong answer when deciding which guitar is easier to play. It comes down to your preferences. There has never been a better time to begin to play guitar as manufacturers are designing guitars for all skill levels and there is an unlimited amount of resources available to teach you to play on either instrument.
While both options are suitable for beginners, many argue that the acoustic is actually the best to learn on. Even many of the world’s greatest guitarists started on the acoustic before moving towards the electric. Find your local guitar shop and test out a few chords or songs on each and decide which instrument is right for you!
Learning on an Acoustic Guitar
In the previous section, it was discussed that the choice of guitar is in the preference. For more advanced players, you probably have a better idea of what you work best with, but beginning players may need more guidance. Here are some of the reasons why the acoustic guitar is the route to go if you are a beginner.
- Less equipment
- More affordable
- More short-scale variety
- Focuses on learning chords more
The common theme you will notice in the reasons listed above is that acoustic guitars require less initial commitment. You can assume right off the bat that most beginner electric guitars are more expensive than acoustic just based on the electric factor and the equipment that comes along with it.
If you are someone that is interested in learning to play the guitar but is not ready to fully commit to it in the long-term, the acoustic guitar is the choice for you. If you are not familiar with some of the details of the factors listed above, the next section will dive into these reasons a bit more.
Acoustic Benefits
Acoustic guitars have a lot of benefits. There is a reason why most guitar lessons begin with learning the acoustic guitar. The acoustic guitar will give your music its sound in its purest and most stripped-down form. Let us go further into why the acoustic guitar may be the best choice to start with.
Electric guitars have more variables than just picking up the ax and strumming away. You need an amp to plug your guitar to. If you want to experiment right off the bat, you will also need equipment like effect pedals. The acoustic guitar typically requires nothing more than the instrument itself and your hands to play with.
Aside from the acoustic guitar typically being more affordable than the electric, the cost of equipment on the electric guitar alone will bump your initial cost up. Even acoustic strings are usually cheaper than electric strings. Simply put, an electric guitar is more of an initial financial investment than an acoustic.
The acoustic guitar is the guitar in its most basic form. Electric guitars are designed for eccentric players that love the ability to rock hard and mess with the sounds of their instrument. Your main focus on the acoustic guitar will be to just learn how to play the instrument and from there you will be able to seamlessly transition towards the electric.
Learning on an Electric Guitar
Although the case for the acoustic guitar is a strong one, it once again comes down to preference. Several advantages will make you lean towards the electric guitar, especially if you are an impatient player. Here are some of the more prominent advantages of starting on an electric guitar.
- Compactness
- More volume control
- Effects and sounds variety
If the initial commitment is not an issue for you, the advantages of an electric guitar are tenfold. Most people that are inspired to learn the instrument get inspired watching some of their favorite rock bands and imagining themselves as the wild guitarist throwing down a guitar solo to a crowd of 40,000 people!
If this sounds like you, you probably want to skip the softer acoustic sound and get right to business with the louder and more in your face sound of the electric guitar. This next section will go further into detail on why the electric guitar is the choice for you if you want to initially get a bit crazier with your sound!
Benefits of an Electric Guitar
It is time to be the rockstar you have always aspired to be. The possibilities on a guitar are endless, but an electric guitar can take you even further than you ever imagined. Tune-up that guitar and turn your amp up because it is time to rock and roll! Let us dive further into the benefits of the electric guitar!
There are several guitar bodies to choose from, but the majority of them are flat-bodied and easy to play with. Your arms and hands should be in a comfortable position, closer to your body than if you were playing on an acoustic guitar which is generally designed to be wider to give off a louder echo and sound.
Let us face it, sometimes you just wanna play loud. The problem with the acoustic guitar is that the typical model does not come with the option to plug into an amplifier, thus taking away from the power of that Metallica riff you have been working on for weeks. The electric guitar gives you the ability to play as loud or as soft as you want.
There is an idea that all electric guitars are loud and thus if you live in an apartment or any home with thin walls, you may be met with noise complaints. The beauty of the electric guitar and its amp is that you can adjust the volume to fit whatever situation you are playing in. Whether you are playing a lullaby or a solo, the options are endless!
Electric vs Acoustic Overview
As you can see, there are strong cases to be made for both sides. The acoustic side offers less risk at a more affordable price, while the electric side offers more early upside and variety with sound. It comes down to what sound you enjoy more and what kind of investment you are willing to make early on.
The good news is that both sides offer beginner instruments designed to make your initial experience that much easier. The Squier Bullet Telecaster and the Epiphone Les Paul are two of the best electric guitar options for someone who is just starting. The best part about each model is that you do not have to compromise its style and look!
For acoustic players, the Rogue RA-090 Dreadnought and the Yamaha F335 are great affordable models that also offer their stylish look and design. Guitar shopping does not have to be expensive and with the proper research, you will find a guitar that is the best fit for you.
| Electric Guitar Benefits | Acoustic Guitar Benefits |
| Instant sound variety | Typically less expensive |
| Softer strings | Practical |
| More compact body | Focuses more on learning the instrument |
For Skilled Players
The article has focused mainly on beginner guitarists, but skilled players may be wondering what is the best for them as well. For experienced guitarists, you may even consider investing in both. It is never a bad idea to diversify your sound and feel comfortable on both sides of the spectrum.
Though the chords on both guitars are the same, the same cannot be said for the sound and feel. Most experienced guitarists will admit to being able to play both instruments but feeling more comfortable on one over the other. If this sounds like you, consider investing in a variety of guitars to get the most out of your playing abilities.
For musicians, it is recommended to use a blend of both when producing music. Diversity in your sound will bring the most out of your music and will give listeners more to look out for when listening to your music. Even the heaviest of rock bands such as Metallica and Slayer incorporate the acoustic guitar into the albums!
Now that the case has been made for acoustic and electric guitars for beginners and skilled players, it is time to discuss what brands are best for you. The next half of this article will discuss some of the best guitar brands to look for and will hopefully give a better idea of which guitar is best for you!
Best Electric Guitar Brands For You
Despite what you have been told before, not all guitars are built the same. Sure, they all serve a similar purpose, but what would be the point of so many manufacturers creating their guitars if they did not each bring something unique to the party. Even the biggest rockstars in the world carry around multiple guitars that each have a purpose.
- Gibson
- Epiphone
- Squier
- Yamaha
- Fender
These are some of the best and most popular guitar brands in the world. If you have ever watched videos of your favorite guitarists laying down their solos and riffs, they were probably using one of these brands. So, if you want to look like Jimmy Page or Keith Richards, these are the guitar brands to invest in!
Always keep in mind that just because your favorite rockstar loves their guitar, it may not be the same for you. Different players of different skill levels will all feel different levels of comfort on a guitar. Before making your final decision on any of these brands, do the testing yourself and make sure you are comfortable with your final choice.
Just like choosing between acoustic and electric guitars, one of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a brand is comfort and preference. It probably is not enough to look like a rockstar if you cannot sound like one too. This next section will go over the pros and cons of some of these brands.
Gibson
The Gibson guitar brand is arguably the most iconic in the world. Some of the most legendary guitarists in rock & roll history have had Gibson guitars in their arsenal. Jimmy Page, Jimmy Hendrix, and Slash are just some of the icons that were famous for their commitment to using Gibson guitars.
So, if you want to look and feel like a rockstar, Gibson is certainly made for you. If you are not all about the look and glamour, Gibson may still be for you anyway. After all, these legendary guitarists would not have looked and played like rockstars if their equipment was not up to par.
Gibson guitars are typically more suited for experienced players. The width of the guitar neck and the weight of the instrument can throw beginners off at first. Although the quality of the guitar is great, they come at a steep asking price. The brand’s iconic legacy drives up the price and most models are usually over a thousand dollars.
However, if the price is not a significant factor for you, you would be happy to know that you would be paying a premium price for a quality product. Gibsons are made out of some of the strongest materials in the world and can last decades without losing their sound. If you go the Gibson route, you may never have to go another route again.
Epiphone
Epiphone is a great option for beginner guitarists. Earlier in the article, it was mentioned that their Les Paul model is one of the best models for entry-level players, but it is not the only great beginner option they offer. The best part about the Epiphone is that its designs are just as sleek as their Gibson counterparts.
Epiphone and Gibson do differ in a few aspects, however. Gibson guitars are marketed towards more experienced and famous guitarists that can afford their custom made instrument, while Epiphone mass produces their model to a more general population. So, no, the sound on an Epiphone will not sound as crisp and dynamic as a Gibson.
The Epiphone’s longevity does not come close to the Gibson’s but it will deliver great sound for a decent amount of time. Simply put, you get what you pay for, but in the case of the Epiphone, the price is not only affordable, but the product is quality enough to turn you from a beginner to a skilled guitarist in no time!
Fender
Alongside Gibson, Fender is a brand that you have probably heard of in the past. Fender’s have been used by some of the greatest guitarists in the world and have one of the most recognizable looks in the industry. Fenders have a slimmer and easier initial playing style compared to Gibsons.
- Brightness
- Design
- Weight
- Sound
These are some of the distinguishable factors that separate a Fender from a Gibson. This is another guitar that is marketed more towards experienced players, but one that is a bit friendlier to practice on if you are a beginner. The price point is similar to a Gibson, so consider looking elsewhere if you are not ready to financially commit.
Squier
Just as the Epiphone is the beginner’s version of the Gibson, Fender has its own beginners version in Squier. The look of a Squier is similar to Fender, but the quality diminishes. The wood used for Squier guitars is of a much lower quality than the Fender and you will often feel it in your sound.
Price-wise, you will be looking at a similar number to the Epiphone, but some argue you would be taking a lesser quality product. Squier’s share a purpose and that purpose is to give beginning players an instrument to learn on. You may not always get the clean sound you want to hear, but this will transition you into nicer and better guitars.
Best Acoustic Guitar Brands For You
Any manufacturer that designs electric guitars more than likely also creates acoustic guitars. However, just because a brand makes a great electric guitar, that does not mean they make the best acoustic. The following are some of the best acoustic guitar brands to consider.
- Seagull
- Gibson
- Martin
- Yamaha
While all these brands also make electric guitars, some of these brands specialize in their acoustic guitars. As always, personal preference is a significant factor when deciding which brand to go with, but you can use the following section to get a better idea of which guitar is best for you!
Seagull
Seagull guitars are amongst the highest rated guitars in the world. They are handcrafted and hail from Quebec, Canada. While not the most famous brand in the world, Seagull’s product more than makes up for its lack of notoriety. The Seagull S6 Original model is one of the top-rated guitars for beginners.
What separates Seagull from its competitors is its attention to eco-friendly details. Their guitars are made entirely from wood that is 100 percent from sustainable sources. Seagull guitars have a clean look to match a clean sound. They are not the cheapest brand in the market, but they make quality guitars for beginners and experts.
Gibson
Although the iconic Gibson electric guitar was discussed earlier in the article, Gibson was making acoustic guitars long before Hendrix first picked up their instrument. The quality of the Gibson acoustic guitar speaks for itself. Unlink the electric version, however, the Gibson acoustic is much friendlier to beginning players.
The issue with investing in a Gibson guitar once again stems from its price. Even a beginner’s version of an acoustic guitar would run you up to a thousand dollars. With Gibson, you will not have to worry about longevity or sound, but it is up to you to decide whether you want to make the financial commitment.
Martin
Martin is one of the oldest brands in the industry. It originated in 1833 and may say its creator, Christian Frederick Martin, created the first-ever acoustic guitar. So, if you are someone who values history and mystique, Martin is a great brand to look into. Some of the artists who have famously used Martin guitars include:
- Ed Sheeran
- John Mayer
- Bob Dylan
- David Crosby
- Chris Cornell
Martin guitars are tailored towards skilled players who can afford higher price points. The Martin D-200 Deluxe model costs a staggering $119,999! They do have much more affordable models that average around a thousand dollars. If you are looking for quality, sound, and history, Martin makes the guitar for you.
Yamaha
Yamaha is among the most ideal brands for entry-level guitarists. They have long been the sponsoring brand of guitar classes everywhere. You do not often see many musicians use Yamaha guitars, but that does not mean they are not of great quality. Yamaha branded itself as the guitar brand for students but has since expanded.
Yamaha guitars are made in bulk and because they produce such a massive amount of guitars, the quality of the build and sound is diminished a bit. This is primarily the truth for beginner models as Yamaha also makes quality top-shelf guitars as well. Consider Yamaha if you are a beginner or an instructor buying guitars for students to practice on.
One of the benefits of Yamaha guitars is that they are easily accessible for entry-level students. If a Yamaha guitar is what got you to the promise land and you developed a level of comfort learning and playing on it, you may not need to switch brands. Remember, comfort and feel are vital factors when picking your ideal guitar.
Electric and Acoustic Brands Overview
Preference is everything when deciding which guitar is best for you. What some guitarists may find important may completely differ from what you prioritize. Even the greatest guitarists of all time experienced a lot of trial and error before deciding what works best for them. If your top priorities include any of the following:
- History
- Design
- Sound quality
- Brand value
Then Gibson, Fender, and Martin are the brands for you. If your priorities line up more with:
- Affordability
- Practicality
- Easier to play on
Then Epiphone, Squier, Seagull, and Yamaha are the choices for you. These are only some of a plethora of manufacturers to choose from and the possibilities are endless because at the end of the day, what matters most when deciding which guitar is best for you, is the way you feel when you are playing it.
The Most Important Factors to Consider
If you grew up watching acts like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, and many more, you probably have an idea of what you want to look like on stage playing for a crowd of people. The guitar makes the guitarist just as much as the guitarist makes the guitar.
However, do not be fooled by what you see in videos and concerts. You do not have to pay rockstar money to sound like a rockstar. The right guitar is out there for you and you will not necessarily have to spend a king’s ransom to attain it. Make sure to write down your priorities when guitar shopping and it will make your experience easier.
Would you buy a car without test driving it? Probably not. Keep this same mentality for your guitar. Shop around and spend some time playing and getting accustomed to the way you feel holding different models and brands. It may take no longer than a couple chords to realize when you have found the one.
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