Recommended Instruments
- Saphrox Studios
- Feb 5, 2017
- 5 min read
We are often asked for recommendations on which instrument a beginner should start with. There are many brands, models, sizes and all at differing prices. It can sometimes be quite overwhelming. The following selection of instruments can obviously vary from unit to unit, but in our opinion have always been satisfactory.
Before we start our breakdown, we would like to just to add to your thought process.
Cheap is often cheap for a reason...
A low price may not be the deal its all cracked up to be. Often we have seen obscure brands that have been incredible inexpensive to buy, but ultimately are difficult to play, and do not hold their tuning. This will result in an massive uphill struggle when taking your first steps to learning guitar. Although a guitar can be adjusted to play better, and tuning stability can be improved, it all comes at a cost that can be many times the price of the original instrument, and it simply is not worth it.
Support your local music retail store...
With the world now increasingly wired in and internet shopping just so tempting, it's always easy to buy online. We get it, and yes we've all done it, but we still need the stores on the local high street. Often the price is a little higher, but the service and advice the staff can offer is invaluable. When it comes to a string snapping, or actually playing an instrument before purchasing, the internet just can't compete. Often your local store will be more than happy to be competitive on price, and sometimes they may be able to match those extremely low deals, but please don't break them. When you need their help, and you will need their help one day, make sure they are still in business.*End of lecture :)
Nylon String Guitars
Otherwise known as Classical or Spanish Guitars. They come in a range of sizes with strings suitable for young beginners. The strings are mainly manufactored from nylon, which will tune to pitch at a much lower tension. The lower tension makes it easier for little fingers to squeeze the strings, and also means the neck of the guitar doesn't need to be reinforced. This reduces manufacturing costs and ultimately retail prices.
We have looked at the various brands and have been impressed with the Stagg guitar packages. They offer fantastic value and include many useful accessories.
Size: 1/4
Brand: Stagg
Model: C505 Pack
Age Suitability : 5/6 years old (dependant on size of student)
About: The package includes a 1/4 size guitar with a basswood top. A set of pitch pipes. A guitar bag, and a spare set of strings. The guitar is only available in a natural finish when purchasing the package.
The guitar is also available as a single item, and comes in a range of colours: Black, Blue and Natural.
Similar Brands: Jose Ferrer
Size: 1/2
Brand: Stagg
Model: C510 Pack
Age Suitability : 7/8 years old (dependant on size of student)
About: The package includes a 1/2 size guitar with a basswood top. A set of pitch pipes. A guitar bag, and a spare set of strings. The guitar is only available in a natural finish when purchasing the package.
The guitar is also available as a single item, and comes in a range of colours: Black, Blue, Red and Natural.
Similar Brands: Jose Ferrer
Size: 3/4
Brand: Stagg
Model: C430 M Nat Pack
Age Suitability : 9/10 years old (dependant on size of student)
About: The package includes a 3/4 size guitar with a lindon top. A clip-on chromatic electronic tuner and a guitar bag with two shoulder straps. The guitar is only available in a natural finish when purchasing the package.
The guitar is also available as a single item, and comes in a range of colours: Black, Blue, Red and Natural.
Similar Brands: Jose Ferrer
Size: 4/4
Brand: Stagg
Model: C440 M Nat Pack
Age Suitability : 10 and up (dependant on size of student)
About: The package includes a 4/4 size guitar with a lindon top. A clip-on chromatic electronic tuner and a guitar bag with two shoulder straps. The guitar is only available in a natural finish when purchasing the package.
The guitar is also available as a single item, and comes in a range of colours: Black, Blue, Red and Natural.
Similar Brands: Jose Ferrer, Admira, Yamaha
Steel String Guitars
Also known as Acoustic or Western Guitars. They come in a range of shapes and colours. The strings are mainly manufactored from steel, which will tune to pitch at a much higher tension. The higher tension and material produces a very bright sound, but is a little tougher on your fingers.
The tone is more suited to your standard pop and rock tones
After looking at many brands we are often impressed by the Yamaha F310 starter pack. So far we haven't seen a bad instrument. They are built well, play well and produce an acceptable tone.
Size: 4/4
Brand: Yamaha
Model: F310 Pack
Age Suitability : 12 upwards (dependant on size of student)
About: The package includes a 4/4 size guitar. An electronic tuner, strap, soft case, spare strings, plectrums and even an instructional DVD
The guitar is also available as a single item, and comes in a range of colours: Tobacco Brown Sunburst, Cherry Sunburst and Natural.
Similar Brands: Fender, Ibanez
*Also see advice on strap locks at bottom of page
Electric Guitars
The world of electric guitars is a big and crazy one. Not only do you need to find an instrument that feels and plays well, but you also need to do the same with the amp.
Again we have tried many options, and would recommend the Squire Affinity Pack. Squire is sub-brand of the mighty Fender guitar company. The guitar included in the pack is built well, and the amp does all that is needed for a beginner.
Size: 4/4
Brand: Fender Squire
Model: Affinity Pack
Age Suitability : 12 upwards (dependant on size of student)
About: The package includes a 4/4 size guitar. An amp, electronic tuner, strap, soft case, spare strings, plectrums and even an instructional DVD
The guitar is also available as a single item, and comes in a range of colours: Black, Sunburst, Red, Grey, Green, Orange
Similar Brands: Ibanez
*Also see advice on strap locks at bottom of page
Strap Lock
If you have a strap fitted to your guitar, and the strap can remain attached while the guitar is in its case, invest in a strap lock. The simple device does as the name suggests and lock the strap on to the strap pins. This stops the strap coming of unexpectedly, and your guitar plummeting to the floor.
Jim Dunlop make the Lok Strap, and retails at about £1.75 per lock. You will need one lock per strap pin.
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