Essential Gear for Guitar Beginners:

What Do I Need to Get Started?

What You'll Learn From This Blog

  • What size of Instrument is best for you

  • What type of guitar is easiest to play

  • Recomendations on guitars for all budgets

  • All other equipment you need

  • Gift Ideas

About My Experience

After years of playing, teaching and performing I've gathered some valuable insights, and I'd like to share my

personal recommendations on essential gear for guitarists.

In my experience, you don't have to break the bank, but investing wisely in the right equipment can save you both time and money. Remember the old saying, "Buy cheap, buy twice."

Before we dive in, I want to be upfront about our affiliate association.

I'm a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

If you make a purchase through the links on this website, I earn a small commission.

Rest assured, this won't impact your checkout process in any way.

Listed are products that I have either owned or played, and I know are very good.

I have seen many students buy cheaper or equivalent products only for them to break or not work as they should.

I'm not saying you must buy these, but they are tried and tested and can save you money down the line.

What size of Instrument is best for you?

Firstly, there are three main types of guitars: Acoustic, Classical, and Electric.

Each comes in different sizes: 1/2, 3/4, and Full.

Generally, depending on the age and height of the person, I would start with the following guide:

1/4 size - 4-6 years or 3ft 9″ in Height

1/2 size - 6-8 years or 4ft 3″ in Height

3/4 size - 8-11 years or 4ft 11" in Height

Full size from 11 years or from 5ft 3" in Height

But which type is best for you?

Please read through the pros and cons, as well as click on the pictures for my recommendations on what to buy below, with different budgets.

PROS & CONS for each type of guitar

(recommendations after)

ELECTRIC Guitars

PROS

  • You can practice without amp (super quiet)

  • Has the flexability to play loud

  • Easy to play

  • Shallow neck easier to mute strings

CONS

  • Works out more expensive with amplifier

CLASSICAL Guitars

PROS

  • Generally cheaper to buy

  • No need for amp

  • Lighter and softer strings for fingers

CONS

  • Wide neck makes it harder to mute strings when strumming.

ACOUSTIC Guitars

PROS

  • Louder that classical

  • Easy to mute strings when strumming

  • No need or an amp

CONS

  • Harder on fingers

  • Body shapes makes it harder to find one that feels comfortable

My TOP PICKS

The Guitar Kit

If your starting off this is a great buy!

You can upgrade later down the line when you get to full size

(11 years or from 5ft 3" in height)

PROS

  • Affordable

  • Comes with everything you need to get started

CONS

  • Not the best quality

  • You'll need to upgrade items fairly soon.

TIME TO UPGRADE?

My TOP PICKS

Electric Guitars

3/4 size - Fender Squire mini £129 (click on pic)

Full Size - £200

Full Size - £300-£400

  • Fantastic quality for the price

  • Great playbility

  • Pickups sound amazing

  • A guitar that will serve you for years

To protect your instrument you need a case!

3/4 size padded Case to fit the mini

- £36

Great Gift idea

Song Book:

This is a great song book that can supplement any learning you are doing and is a great gidt. Highly recommened the spiral-bound version

Here are my personal picks for essential gear every guitarist should have:

Capo:

In my gig bag, a capo is a must. It's a versatile tool that allows me to effortlessly switch between keys.

#1 - PREMIUM Capo

#2 - Great Value, Great Quality Capo

Tuner:

Staying in tune is a priority for me. While there are free tuning apps, I find clip-on tuners to be faster, more accurate, and adaptable to noisy environments.

You can also calabrate to different Hz which is important on certain songs.

#1 PREMIUM Clip On Tuners

#2 Great Value, Great Quality Clip On Tuner

Spare Batteries:

I always keep spare batteries handy for my tuners. It's a small investment for peace of mind.

Plectrums:

I like to have a variety of plectrums with different thicknesses. Quality plectrums can significantly impact your playing.

These are a great choice to discover what size, material and thickness you prefer.

Organization:

These items help me stay organized, track my practice progress, and keep my music sheets in order:

Practice Journal

Display folder

Essential to keep sheets organised, protected and easy to find! No more lost and damaged sheets!

Guitar Cable:

I prefer using a high-quality guitar cable. They are built to last, and I've had mine for years.

Guitar Strings:

I buy string sets for my acoustic, electric, and classical guitars. It's cost-effective and ensures I always have backup strings.

ELECTRIC GUITAR

ACOUSTIC GUITAR

String Winder:

This tool is a time-saver when I'm changing strings.

Metronome:

Playing in time is just as important as staying in tune. A metronome is a valuable tool to help me maintain the right tempo.

Budget: I often use free metronome apps, with "The Metronome by Soundbreener" being my go-to choice.

Premium: For a more professional feel, I use a Wittner Metronome made in Germany, which I've had for 25 years and still love.

Additional Accessories:

Straps and guitar stands are more personal choices based on aesthetics, materials, and functionality. I recommend Hercules Stands for sturdy guitar stands.

I hope you find my recommendations useful. Stay tuned for my upcoming blog on guitar recommendations.

Disclosure: Once again, I want to be transparent about my affiliate relationship. I'm a part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which means I earn a small commission from your purchases through my affiliate links. This commission won't affect your checkout process in any way, and your support is greatly appreciated.

3/4 size - Typically I wouldn't spend a great deal on these as everyone will grow out of these. You can then upgrade to guitars below this.

But this is a great set to get you started.

Age 7-12 (rough guide)

If you want a FULL Size starter kit that has it all I would go for the fender one. I will say the quality of each item is not as good.

If I was going to recomended seperate items v starter kit. I will always choice seperate. But these are great value and they make an easier purchase and it's a great gift.

UPGRADE PATH

This would be either an amazing upgrade from your first guitar.

Depending on style are both timeless classics that are exceptional guitars for the price.

If you want to upgrade from here I would say the options are endless. I would encourage you to vist a guitar shop to try lots of guitars out based on your style.

I would say to get anything better that above your budget would need to go to £550 and above

Full Size Electric Guitar Case

  • 12mm padding

  • Durable Neck Strap secures guitar to keep it in place

  • 6 Pockets Spacious Room

LET'S GET LOUD - (altough you don't have to straight away!)

Great amps that would pair nicely with these guitars. Great sounds from both!

Classical Guitar Bag with 10mm of padding!

Acoustic Gig Bag - Plenty of padding

I'm a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase through the links on this website, I earn a small commission. Rest assured, this won't impact your checkout process in any way.