Disclosure: Fency Music, linked on this page, is our sister store. Liverpool Music does not currently earn affiliate commission from any retailer mentioned here.

Your first electric guitar has one job: to make you want to pick it up again tomorrow. It does not need to be expensive, and it does not need a famous name. It needs to stay in tune, feel comfortable in your hands and sound good enough that playing is fun. The trouble is that shop pages are full of guitars at almost the same price, all claiming to be perfect for beginners.

I am a songwriter, and I build FencyGuitar, a guitar learning app, so the question I care about most is which guitars keep new players playing. This list covers nine electric guitars that make sense for beginners in the UK, with prices checked on 31 October 2026, mostly at guitarguitar. I have not played every guitar here, so the notes draw on specifications, owner reports and long standing reputation, and I will be clear about what each one gets wrong.

Top 3: Electric Guitars for Beginners

Below are all nine picks, followed by a guide to choosing a first guitar, what else you need to buy and how to avoid the common mistakes.

9 Best Electric Guitars for Beginners Right Now

1. Yamaha Pacifica 112V

The Yamaha Pacifica 112V has been recommended to beginners for years, and it has earned that. It was £289 at guitarguitar in most colours. You get an alder body, a bolt on maple neck, a 25.5 inch scale and an HSS pickup layout: two single coils and a bridge humbucker, with Alnico V magnets. Listings also describe a push pull coil split on the tone control, which gives you an extra thinner sound from the bridge pickup.

That combination covers a surprising range. The neck and middle pickups give you clean, Strat like tones, and the humbucker gives you a thicker sound for rock. A new player rarely knows what they will want to play in a year, so a guitar that does a bit of everything is a safe choice.

Yamaha's consistency is the other reason it stays on these lists. At this price, some guitars arrive with sharp fret ends or a poorly cut nut. Owner reports on the 112V are unusually steady on this point, though you should still check any guitar when it arrives.

Who should skip this: players on a very tight budget, and anyone who wants the heavy look and sound of a Les Paul.

Models Worth Checking Out

2. Squier Sonic Stratocaster

The Squier Sonic Stratocaster is the cheapest proper way into the Strat shape, at £159 to £189 at guitarguitar depending on finish. It has a poplar body, a slim C shape maple neck, three ceramic single coils and a tremolo bridge.

For beginners, the appeal is simple. It looks like the guitar many of your heroes play, it is light, and it costs less than most alternatives. A Strat's five way switch gives you plenty of sounds to explore, and the contoured body is comfortable to hold for long practice sessions.

The ceramic pickups are the weak point. They are fine for clean sounds and light drive, but they can sound thin and noisy with heavy distortion. The tremolo can also pull the strings out of tune if you use it hard. Our Squier vs Epiphone comparison looks at these trade offs in more detail.

Who should skip this: players who want high gain metal, and anyone who will be annoyed by occasional tuning drift.

Models Worth Checking Out

3. Ibanez GRX40

The Ibanez GRX40 is the pick for beginners who already know they love rock and metal. It was £179 at guitarguitar. It has a pointed body shape, a thin, fast feeling neck and an HSS layout with a tremolo bridge.

Ibanez built its reputation on slim necks, and that matters for new players. A thin neck makes it easy to reach around and suits smaller hands, although some players prefer something chunkier to hold on to. The look also matters more than people admit: if you love how your guitar looks, you are more likely to pick it up.

It is not the most versatile guitar on this list, and its pickups are basic. But for riffs, power chords and learning the songs that made you want to play in the first place, it does the job at a very fair price.

Who should skip this: players who want a vintage look, or who mainly play clean chords and indie.

Models Worth Checking Out

4. Yamaha Pacifica 012

The Yamaha Pacifica 012 is the cheaper sibling of the 112V, at £199 at guitarguitar. It keeps the same basic shape and HSS layout, with simpler hardware and pickups. If the £289 price of the 112V is out of reach, this gives you much of the same sensible design for £90 less.

It sits in a crowded price band, with the Squier Sonic and the Ibanez GRX range nearby. Choose it if you want a versatile HSS guitar and care more about Yamaha's dependable build than about a famous headstock shape.

The trade off is simple: a less refined feel than the 112V, and pickups that sound more basic. For a first year of learning, that is rarely a problem.

Who should skip this: players who can stretch to the 112V. The extra £90 is well spent if you can find it.

5. Epiphone Les Paul Tribute

If the guitar in your head is a Les Paul, buy a Les Paul. The Epiphone Les Paul Tribute was listed at £249 when I last checked, and it is the most complete cheap Les Paul around, with a mahogany body and neck, two humbuckers, and the full four control layout.

The sound is thick and warm, ideal for rock, punk and riff based songwriting. The catch is weight. Les Pauls are heavier than Strats, and that is noticeable for younger players or anyone standing for long periods. The scale is also shorter, at 24.75 inches, which makes bends a little easier.

If you are deciding between shapes, our guide to single coil vs humbucker pickups explains the difference in sound, and our Gibson vs Epiphone Les Paul comparison shows how the range grows if you stick with the brand.

Who should skip this: anyone sensitive to weight, and younger players.

6. Squier Sonic Mustang

The Squier Sonic Mustang, at £149 to £189 at guitarguitar, is the small guitar on this list that adults can still enjoy. It has a shorter scale than a Strat, so the frets sit closer together and the strings feel a little softer. That makes it a strong choice for teenagers, younger players and anyone with smaller hands.

The body is compact and light, which is lovely for sitting on the sofa. It has an offset look that suits indie and alternative players, and the Sonic Mustang HH version adds two humbuckers for thicker sounds.

The same caveats apply as with other Sonic models: the pickups are basic and the hardware is budget grade. But a guitar that fits your body is worth far more to a beginner than a slightly better pickup.

Who should skip this: tall players or anyone with big hands, who may find it cramped.

7. Ibanez GRGM21M miKro

For younger children, the Ibanez GRGM21M miKro is one of the best short scale options. It was £189 at guitarguitar. It is a proper electric guitar in a smaller size, with a scale of about 22 inches, so small hands can reach the chords.

Many parents buy a full size guitar for a child and watch them struggle. A guitar that fits is much more encouraging. The miKro feels like a real instrument rather than a toy, and it should last until the player is ready for something bigger.

Who should skip this: adults and older teenagers, unless you specifically want a travel guitar.

8. EastCoast ST1 Electric Guitar Pack

The EastCoast ST1 Electric Guitar Pack was on offer at £139 at guitarguitar, in several colours and a left handed version. EastCoast is the shop's own brand, and the pack includes the guitar and the basics you need to start.

I include it because some families need to spend as little as possible, and a pack removes the guesswork. The quality of the included amp and accessories in any cheap pack will be basic, and you will probably want to replace them first. But as a way of finding out whether someone will stick with guitar, it is a reasonable low risk option.

Who should skip this: anyone who can afford a Pacifica or Squier and buy a better amp separately.

9. Ibanez GSA60

The Ibanez GSA60, at £229 at guitarguitar, is an alternative for players who want something a little different. It has a rounded double cutaway body with a slightly vintage feel and a three pickup layout. It suits players who like the look of Ibanez's more classic designs and want a change from the usual Strat shape.

It is a reliable, light guitar, and it can cover clean tones and rock. Availability varies by colour, so check before you get attached to a finish.

Who should skip this: players set on a specific classic shape.

Honourable Mentions

Squier Sonic Esquire H. A simple one pickup guitar at £149 to £189. Fewer controls can be a real advantage for beginners.

Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster Mustang Micro Pack. A step up guitar bundled with a Fender headphone amp and gig bag, at £339.

Yamaha Pacifica 112J II. A newer budget Pacifica at £229 that sits between the 012 and the 112V.

Used guitars. A used Pacifica or Squier Classic Vibe can be one of the best deals in music. Our guide to buying a used guitar in the UK explains how to check one.

How to Choose Your First Electric Guitar

Start with the music you love

This is the most important rule. If your favourite players use a Strat, buy a Strat shape. If they use a Les Paul, buy that. Beginners stick with instruments that make them feel connected to the music they love.

Choose the right size

Most adults are fine on a full size guitar. Younger children need a short scale. As a rough guide, a guitar should feel comfortable sitting down, with your strumming arm relaxed and your fretting hand able to reach the first fret without leaning.

Single coils or humbuckers

Single coils sound bright and clear, and suit clean chords, indie, funk and blues. Humbuckers sound thicker and handle distortion better, which suits rock and metal. An HSS guitar has both, which is why so many first guitars use that layout.

Fixed bridge or tremolo

A tremolo bridge lets you bend pitch with a bar, but it can make a guitar harder to keep in tune and harder to restring. A fixed bridge is simpler and more stable. If you are unsure, a fixed bridge is the easier first choice.

Neck shape and weight

Slim necks suit fast playing and smaller hands. Fuller necks suit players who like something to hold on to. Weight matters too. A heavy guitar feels fine for ten minutes and tiring after an hour.

Left handed players

Left handed guitars are harder to find and sometimes cost more. Squier, Yamaha, Ibanez and EastCoast all offer left handed models, but colour choice is limited. If you are left handed, try holding a guitar both ways before deciding.

What Else Do You Need?

A guitar is only part of the cost. Budget for these.

An amp or headphone amp. You need something to hear your guitar through. Our best practice amps roundup covers good first amps from around £90. If you mostly play late at night, a plug in headphone amp is cheaper. Fency Music, our sister store, carries the M-VAVE MINI-X, a small plug in unit with amp tones, effects and Bluetooth for playing along with backing tracks.

Headphones. If you practise quietly, our best guitar headphones guide can help.

A tuner. Many amps include one, and phone apps work too. A clip on tuner is cheap and useful.

A cable, picks and a strap. Basic, but easy to forget.

A setup. Many cheap guitars feel better after a small adjustment. Our guide on how to set up a cheap guitar explains what is involved.

A gig bag. If your guitar does not come with one, buy one. It protects the guitar and makes it easier to take to lessons.

Packs or Separate Buying?

Starter packs include a guitar, amp, cable and bag at one price. They are convenient, especially as gifts, and the guitars in them are often the same as those sold alone. The Squier Sonic Stratocaster Pack was £239 to £269.99, and Ibanez sells packs with Blackstar ID:Core amps from around £299.

The weak spot is usually the amp. Small pack amps can sound thin and may be the first thing you replace. If your budget allows, buying a better amp separately often sounds better for a similar total cost. If you want to keep things simple, a pack is a perfectly good way to begin.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Buying the cheapest guitar online from an unknown seller. Very cheap no name guitars can have sharp frets, high action and poor tuning stability, which makes learning harder.

Buying a guitar that is too big. Discomfort is one of the main reasons children stop playing.

Spending everything on the guitar. A £400 guitar through a terrible amp will sound worse than a £200 guitar through a good one.

Choosing by specs alone. Comfort and looks matter more in your first year than wood types.

Ignoring returns policies. Buy from a shop that will take the guitar back if there is a problem.

Your First Few Weeks

Getting the guitar is the easy part. A few habits make a big difference.

Keep it out of the case. A guitar on a stand gets played. A guitar in a case does not.

Tune it every time. An out of tune guitar makes even correct chords sound wrong, which is discouraging.

Practise little and often. Ten minutes a day beats an hour on Sunday. From my work on FencyGuitar, I have come to believe this is the single biggest predictor of who keeps going.

Learn songs early. Scales have their place, but playing real songs is what keeps people motivated.

Expect sore fingers. Fingertips hurt for the first few weeks, then toughen up. Lighter strings can help.

Record yourself. A short phone clip every few weeks shows how far you have come. Our guide to recording guitar at home covers simple ways to do it.

Matching a Guitar to the Music You Love

Indie and alternative. Offset shapes and single coils suit this music. The Squier Sonic Mustang and Sonic Telecaster both look and sound the part.

Classic rock and blues. A Strat or Les Paul shape is the natural choice. The Yamaha Pacifica 112V covers both sounds well, and the Epiphone Les Paul Tribute gives you the real shape.

Punk. Simple is best. A single humbucker guitar such as the Squier Sonic Esquire H, or a Les Paul style guitar, is all you need.

Metal. A slim neck, a humbucker in the bridge and a pointed body are the usual recipe. The Ibanez GRX40 and GRG121DX are built for it.

Pop and funk. Single coils give you the clean, tight rhythm sound these styles rely on. A Strat shape with its in between pickup positions is ideal.

Songwriting. A versatile HSS guitar lets you try ideas in different styles, which is useful when you do not yet know what kind of writer you are.

Buying in a Shop or Online

If you can get to a guitar shop, go. Holding a few guitars tells you more than any review, and you will quickly notice which necks and weights suit you. You do not need to be able to play. Just hold it, sitting and standing, and see how it feels.

If you buy online, use a UK retailer with a clear returns policy. When the guitar arrives, check for sharp fret ends, see if it stays in tune, and plug it in to test every pickup position. Keep the packaging until you are sure.

Will You Outgrow It?

A good first guitar can last for years. Many players keep their first Pacifica or Squier long after buying something better, as a spare or a guitar to experiment on. If you do want to upgrade, a better amp and a proper setup often make a bigger difference than a new guitar. When the time comes, our Squier vs Epiphone comparison shows the next steps in each range, and our best multi effects pedals roundup covers ways to expand your sound without replacing anything.

What I Don't Like About Beginner Guitars

Budget pickups. Most guitars under £200 use basic ceramic pickups that sound thin and noisy with high gain.

Inconsistent setups. Two guitars of the same model can feel quite different. Factory setups at this price vary, and many benefit from adjustment.

Sharp fret ends. Cheap guitars can have rough frets, especially in dry UK winters when central heating shrinks the fingerboard slightly.

Tuning stability. Budget tremolo bridges and tuners can make staying in tune harder than it should be.

Poor pack amps. Many starter packs put their budget into the guitar and leave the amp as an afterthought.

Who Should Skip This List

FAQ

What is the best electric guitar for a complete beginner?

The best electric guitar for most complete beginners is the Yamaha Pacifica 112V at around £289. It is well built, comfortable and versatile, with single coils and a humbucker. If your budget is tighter, the Squier Sonic Stratocaster at £159 and the Yamaha Pacifica 012 at £199 are both sensible choices.

Is electric guitar harder to learn than acoustic?

Electric guitar is usually easier on the fingers than acoustic, because the strings are lighter and the action is lower. You do need an amp or headphone amp, which adds cost and complexity. Most people should start on the type of guitar used in the music they love.

How much should I spend on my first electric guitar?

Most beginners should spend between £150 and £300 on a first electric guitar. Below that, quality can make learning harder. Above that, you pay for improvements a beginner may not notice yet. Keep at least £100 back for an amp or headphone amp, a cable and a tuner.

Should I buy a guitar pack or separate items?

A pack is convenient and good value if you want everything at once, especially as a gift. The included amp is usually the weakest part. If your budget allows, buying a guitar and a better amp separately usually sounds better for a similar total cost.

Can adults learn on a short scale guitar?

Yes, adults can learn on a short scale guitar, especially if they have smaller hands. Short scales put the frets closer together and make the strings feel softer. Models such as the Squier Sonic Mustang suit many adults. Taller players or those with large hands may prefer a full scale.

The Bottom End

The best first electric guitar is the one that fits your body, suits the music you love and makes you want to play tomorrow. For most people, that is the Yamaha Pacifica 112V. If money is tight, the Squier Sonic Stratocaster is a fine start, and the Ibanez GRX40 suits rock fans well. Buy from a shop with a fair returns policy, keep some budget for a decent amp, and get the guitar set up properly. Then leave it on a stand where you can see it, and let the habit do the rest.