If you’re just starting to learn the guitar, you’ve probably already asked yourself a few questions:

  • Which guitar should I buy?
  • What’s the best amp, and what do all those numbers mean?
  • What leads (cables) will I actually need?
  • Do I need effects pedals — and if so, which ones?

These are some of the most common questions I hear from new students, so in this guide I’ll walk you through everything you need to get started on the right foot, without wasting money on gear you don’t need yet..

How to Choose Your First Guitar

The most important thing when buying your first guitar is comfort. If the guitar doesn’t feel right in your hands, you’re far less likely to want to pick it up and practise.

Guitars for Young Beginners

For younger players, a 3/4-size acoustic guitar with nylon strings is usually the best starting point. Nylon strings are gentler on young fingers than steel strings, and a full-size guitar can often be too heavy or awkward for a smaller player to handle comfortably.

Guitars for Older Beginners (Age 10+)

Once a student reaches around 10 years old, a full-size electric or acoustic guitar becomes a more practical choice. Whether you go electric or acoustic really comes down to the style of music you want to play:

  • Classical or flamenco guitar should always be played on a nylon-string acoustic for the best tone and technique.
  • Popular acoustic styles (pop, folk, singer-songwriter) are best suited to a steel-string acoustic.
  • Rock, blues, metal, or pop lead work points you toward an electric guitar.

Choosing an Electric Guitar Shape

Stick to a classic, comfortable body shape rather than something unusual or “stage-designed.” You’ll likely be sitting down and practising for long stretches, so comfort matters far more than looks when you’re starting out.

What to Look for in a Beginner Guitar

When trying out guitars, check for:

  • Good tuning stability — the guitar should hold its tune well.
  • Low action — a minimal gap between the strings and the neck (without fret buzz) makes the guitar much easier to play, since you won’t need to press as hard to sound each note.
  • Tonewood quality — the type of wood used affects both tone and price. Premium woods like mahogany tend to push the price up.

Recommended Beginner Guitars

Choosing a Beginner Guitar Amp

Guitar amps come in a huge range of sizes and power outputs. For beginners, the Roland Cube is an excellent choice — it’s reliable, affordable, and comes with a handful of built-in effects to experiment with.

Roland Cube amps are available in different wattages. As a rule of thumb, the higher the wattage, the louder the amp — so pick a size that suits where you’ll be practising, unless you’re keen to test your neighbours’ patience!

Essential Guitar Accessories for Beginners

Beyond the guitar and amp, there are a couple of small but essential items every beginner needs.

Guitar Lead (Cable)

Guitar leads come in various lengths, so think about how much room you’ll need to move around while playing. As with most gear, spending a little more usually gets you better build quality and a longer-lasting cable. Planet Waves leads are a solid, reliable choice for beginners and beyond.

Guitar Tuner

A reliable tuner is non-negotiable if you want to sound good from day one. Korg and Boss both make affordable, accurate tuners that are ideal for beginners.

Do Beginners Need Effects Pedals?

Short answer: not right away. When you’re just starting out, it’s best to focus on developing solid technique on a clean, unprocessed tone. Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can start exploring pedals like overdrive, delay, or chorus to shape your sound further.

Final Thoughts

Getting started on guitar doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Focus on:

  1. A guitar that’s comfortable and appropriately sized for you
  2. A simple, reliable beginner amp
  3. A good-quality lead and tuner
  4. Holding off on effects pedals until you’ve built up your core skills

Get these essentials right, and you’ll have everything you need to start learning with confidence. For more details on lessons check out my Contact Page.

Scroll to Top