Best Electric Guitars for Beginners in 2022

Features to Look for in Electric Guitars for Beginners

Body Shape - The shape of an electric guitar is similar to acoustic ones, but they tend to be a little more elaborate around the neck. The most important aspect of an electric guitar for beginners is to find a shape that is comfortable for you to hold. Iconic body shapes include a variety of Fender and Gibson but also more intricate ones such as Charvel. Most electric guitars for beginners stick to the classic shapes, and you should stick to those until you learn how to play properly.

Material - Most electric guitars, whether for beginners or pros, are made of some type of wood or a combination of woods. It is not uncommon to find the body is made of one wood, with the neck/fingerboard and head being made of different woods. These woods are referred to as tonewoods as they have the ability to tonal properties. Each type of wood's uniqueness will lend to the tones and sounds that the guitar can produce. Some popular tonewoods for the body are basswood, mahogany, or maple. Wood for the fingerboard is usually made from ebony or rosewood.

The tuning keys can be made from steel or die-cast chrome, but new materials are always being tried.

Pickups - The pickup on an electric guitar is a small device that transforms vibrations into electricity. They are strategically placed on the body of the guitar just under the strings. The purpose of the pickup is to create the sound and send them to be amplified via the amp. Some electric guitars for beginners may have a single-coil pickup, which can have a clean, crisp sound. While multiple coil pickups, often called humbuckers, have two out-of-phase coils that produce a warmer, smoother tone.

Bridge - The bridge of an electric guitar supports the strings and transforms the vibrations of the strings being played, and amplifies them, so you hear the music. There are two main types of bridges for electric guitars, and they are Fixed or Tremolo. Tremolo features the vibrato bar that produces those vibrating and echoing sounds, while the fixed bridges help produce a crisper sound and offer more stability.

Tuners - All string instruments have tuners. They are basically the little knobs situated at the head of an instrument like an electric guitar, and their purpose is to facilitate the adjustment of the strings to create a crisper sound. Electric guitars for beginners can have 4 to 6 strings, and each string will have its own tuner. They can be configured on either side of the head or situated on one side of an angled head.

Tuning an electric guitar takes a well-trained ear so if you are looking at electric guitars for beginners, look for a bundle that also includes a digital tuner. You simply clip the tuner to the guitar and play the string. The LED display will tell whether the note that is being played is too flat or too sharp, so you can adjust the string, play it again and continue until the LED display shows that your electric guitar is properly tuned.

Strings - The best electric guitars for beginners will come in kits or bundles, and this includes a full set of strings. They may already be installed on the guitar, but in many cases, you will need to do this yourself. Knowing how to string a guitar is tricky so if you aren't sure, leave it for someone who knows what they are doing.

When it comes to the number of strings, most electric guitars come with six strings. However, some may only have four. When you start looking at professional electric guitars, you may be staring at one with eight or twelve strings. However, as we are talking about electric guitars for beginners, it's best to stick with the standard number of strings, which would be six strings.

Weight - The typical weight of an electric guitar for beginners can range from six to ten pounds or even more. The main factor determining weight is the type of wood the guitar is made from. Suppose you are looking at buying a starter electric guitar for a young person. The lighter, the better. Otherwise, it may start to feel heavy fast, and this means the musician is more likely to put the guitar down more often rather than keep playing.

Durability - Whether you are buying an electric guitar for a beginner or an expert, you want this instrument to last as long as possible. The more enthusiastic the player, the more use it will see. Even cheap electric guitars for beginners cost a pretty penny, so you want it to be well made so that it will last. Look for a guitar that is made from quality woods that have been put together nicely.

Performance - It may be an electric guitar for beginners, but that does not mean you should settle for something that sounds awful. The whole purpose of learning to play an electric guitar is to astound your friends, and yourself, with gorgeous music. Performance is not something you want to compromise on. How an electric guitar performs can make or break you. If it sounds really good, you're more likely to continue learning and playing. If the sound is nasty, you're going to put the guitar down very often and pick it up less and less. The performance will depend on the materials that make up the guitar, the quality of the strings as well as the quality of the amplifier. All of these things work together to create the awe-inspiring music we've come to love from an electric guitar.

Electric Guitar For Beginners FAQ

Q: Is electric guitar hard to learn?

A: Electric guitars are relatively easy to play, especially compared to an acoustic guitar. The strings are usually lighter to the touch, as you don't need to fret the chords. Like all instruments, practice is the key to success. Some people are gifted when it comes to music and will learn how to play a basic tune in a few lessons. Others may take weeks or even months before they can play anything in tune.

Professional lessons can be expensive, and if you don't live in a city with all the amenities, you may not have access to a professional teacher. Fortunately, you can learn how to play an electric guitar on your own. The internet is full of practical lessons, and learning how to play the electric guitar is one of them. At the very least, you will learn the basics, and once you master these, you can move on to bigger and better tunes.

Q: Should I learn acoustic or electric guitar first?

A: An electric guitar is much easier to learn than an acoustic, and you can certainly go straight to learning how to play the electric. However, professional musicians and teachers will tell you that it is always best to learn how to play the acoustic guitar first. The acoustic guitar is harder to play, but it will strengthen your hands and fingers. Once you master the acoustic, the electric will feel so much easier. At the end of the day, it's up to you. If you want to go straight to learning how to play an electric guitar, go right ahead.

Q: How much should I spend on my first electric guitar?

A: This is open to a lot of debate. The amount you spend on your first electric guitar will depend on how committed you are to learning and playing. More importantly, it will depend on your budget. A serviceable electric guitar can be purchased for around $100. Don't expect a great performance from an electric guitar at this price. The sound won't necessarily be bad, but it may not be very good either.

With that in mind, you don't need to go for a high-end electric guitar for your first one. Good starter electric guitars can be found at mid-range prices.

Q: Are electric guitars waterproof?

A: Generally speaking, electric guitars are not waterproof. The key term here is "electric" guitars, and one of the first things we learned in science class is that electricity and water simply do not mix. In fact, most manufacturers will not only recommend you never get your electric guitar wet, but they will also go one step further and recommend you don't even clean your guitar with a damp cloth. The electrical component aside, you don't want to damage the stunning finish of your guitar. Use a soft, dry cloth and only use the cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer.

The best electric guitar for beginners is the ones that the player will not want to put down. There is something magical about mastering the art of playing a musical instrument, so whether learning to play the electric guitar has been something you’ve always dreamed of doing, or you have a young person in your circle who would love to learn, any one of the electric guitars in this selection will quickly get you playing like a rock star.

Sources:

1. 5 Benefits Of Learning Guitar - Liberty Park Music
2. 100+ Easy Guitar Songs For Beginners | Chord Charts & Tabs Included (2019) - Merriam Music
3. Can You Teach Yourself To Play Guitar? - Center Stage Guitar Academy
4. How To Choose The Best Electric Guitar | A Beginner's Guide - Guitar Center