Buying Your First Guitar

1. Choosing the Instrument

Acoustic Guitar

• Best for: Strumming songs, singer-songwriter styles, and anyone who just wants to grab and play.

• What to look for:

• Smaller body sizes (sometimes called “parlour” or “3/4”) are easier for younger players.

• Nylon-string “classical” guitars are softer on the fingers; steel-strings are brighter and louder.

• Price guide: £90–£150 gets you a good starter acoustic that stays in tune.

Electric Guitar

• Best for: Rock, pop, and students who want to plug in and play with different sounds.

• What to look for:

• A light, comfortable body.

• Simple controls — one or two knobs is fine.

• Price guide: £120–£180 is enough for a solid beginner model. Many come in starter packs with an amp included.

Bass Guitar

• Best for: Students who like rhythm, groove, and playing in bands.

• What to look for:

• A standard 4-string bass.

• “Short-scale” basses are easier for smaller hands.

• Price guide: £150–£200 for a beginner bass, often with a small practice amp in a bundle.

2. Amps (for electric and bass)

Not every beginner needs an amp right away, but they do make learning more fun (and allow headphone practice).

• Electric guitar amps: Small “practice amps” usually cost £50–£80.

• Bass amps: Starter bass amps begin around £80–£100.

• Headphones: Plug in to keep the noise down — any set of over-ear headphones will work.

3. Must-Have Accessories

• Strap: Helps hold the guitar comfortably — about £10.

• Lead (cable): To connect the guitar or bass to the amp — about £10.

• Tuner: A clip-on tuner makes tuning quick and easy — about £10.

• Spare strings: Around £5–£10 a pack. Always good to have.

• Case or gig bag: Keeps the instrument safe on the way to lessons — from £15–£20.

👉 Many starter packs include some of these already, which helps keep the cost down.

4. Where to Buy

• Music shops: Great for trying instruments and getting advice.

• Trusted online stores: e.g. Andertons, GAK, PMT Online, Gear4Music.

• Tip: Avoid toy-shop guitars — they often don’t stay in tune, which makes learning harder and less fun.

5. Beginner Bundles (All-in-One Shopping Lists)

🎸 Acoustic Guitar Setup (approx. £150 total)

• Acoustic guitar: £100–£130

• Clip-on tuner: £10

• Padded gig bag: £20

• Spare strings: £8

• Strap: £10

👉 No amp needed. Simple, portable, and ready to go.

🎸 Electric Guitar Setup (approx. £180–£200 total)

• Electric guitar: £120–£150

• Practice amp (with headphone socket): £50–£70

• Guitar lead (cable): £10

• Strap: £10

• Tuner: £10

• Spare strings: £8

👉 Often available in starter packs (guitar + amp + strap + cable + tuner) for around £180.

🎸 Bass Guitar Setup (approx. £200 total)

• Bass guitar: £150–£180

• Small bass amp: £80–£100

• Bass lead (cable): £10

• Strap: £10

• Tuner: £10

👉 Some starter packs include both bass + amp together, which keeps it simple.

💡 Top Tip for Parents

Starter packs are usually the easiest and cheapest way to get everything at once. Just make sure it’s from a proper music retailer (not a toy shop), so the instrument stays in tune and feels good to play.

🎸 In short: A beginner guitar or bass, a small amp (if needed), and a few simple accessories are all you need to start making music confidently — without breaking the bank.