Table of Contents
- Squier Sonic Series — Affordable, Reliable, Iconic
- Squier Classic Vibe Series — Vintage Feel Without the Vintage Price
- PRS SE Series — Premium Feel Without Premium Prices
- Gretsch Electromatic Series — Big Sound, Big Vibe
- ESP LTD 200-Series — High Performance for Rock & Metal Players
- Ibanez Artcore Series — Affordable Semi-Hollow Greatness
- Taylor 1-Series — The Perfect Introduction to Modern Acoustics
- Taylor GS Mini — Small Body, Big Sound
- Martin X Series — Legendary Tone, Beginner Budget
Starting your guitar journey should be exciting—not overwhelming. Between body shapes, tonewoods, electronics, scale lengths, and endless opinions online, choosing your first guitar can feel like information overload fast.
At Vera Guitars, we help new and aspiring players every single day. After decades of collective experience (and more guitars purchased than we’d ever admit publicly), we’ve narrowed down the best beginner-friendly options that deliver real quality, real tone, and real playability—without blowing past the $1,000 mark.
Below is a curated, modern, no-nonsense guide to the best beginner guitars, broken down by category. Everything listed here is reliable, comfortable, and built to inspire long-term growth.
Electric Guitars
Squier Sonic Series — Affordable, Reliable, Iconic
If there’s a “first electric guitar” Hall of Fame, the Squier Affinity line is already in it. For almost 30 years, countless players found their footing on an Affinity Stratocaster—there’s a reason the line continues to dominate entry-level lists today.
Why it works for beginners:
Comfortable body shapes
Lightweight, easy to handle
Modern two-point tremolo on the Strat
Five-way switching = lots of tones to explore
Options like Strat, Tele, Jaguar, Starcaster, and even Jazz Bass
Best pick: The Sonic Stratocaster. Tons of tones, classic feel, easy to play, and endlessly customizable as you grow.
Squier Sonic® Stratocaster® HSS Tahitian Coral
$230.99
Vibrant Style with Versatile Pickup Power The Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS in Tahitian Coral blends eye-catching color with real player features. Built with a gloss poplar body, comfy satin maple neck (9.5″ radius), and the classic HSS pickup layout (two… read more
Squier Classic Vibe Series — Vintage Feel Without the Vintage Price
The Classic Vibe series is widely considered the “best value in guitars.” This line is where Squier stopped being seen as just “entry level” and became a genuine alternative to pricier Fender models.
Why it stands out:
Alnico pickups (huge step up from ceramic)
Vintage-correct features and finishes
Higher build quality than typical beginner gear
Best pick: The Classic Vibe ‘60s Jazzmaster.
You get the real Rhythm Circuit—something even certain Fender models don’t offer at this price—plus beautiful finishes, smooth feel, and that unmistakable offset vibe.
Other great CV models under $1k include:
Bass VI
’70s Telecaster Deluxe
PRS SE Series — Premium Feel Without Premium Prices
If you want something not Fender-shaped, the PRS SE Series is the perfect gateway into a different sonic world. PRS guitars are known for comfort, precision, and gorgeous finishes, and the SE lineup captures that spirit perfectly.
Why beginners love them:
Ultra-comfortable neck shapes
Modern, reliable hardware
Versatility from clean to heavy
Coil-split options on many models
Best pick: PRS SE DGT
Modeled after the David Grissom signature, the SE DGT offers:
Vintage-voiced humbuckers
Coil split
Dual-volume control layout
PRS tremolo
Stunning maple top
It’s a Swiss-army knife of tone and playability.
SE DGT McCarty Tobacco Sunburst
$979.00
PRS SE DGT (David Grissom Trem) - Tobacco SunburstExperience the legendary tone and feel of David Grissom's signature model with the PRS SE DGT in Tobacco Sunburst. Available at Vera Guitars in Charlotte, NC, this guitar brings David Grissom's signature… read more
Gretsch Electromatic Series — Big Sound, Big Vibe
Gretsch guitars helped shape early rock and roll, country, indie, rockabilly, and more. The Electromatic series brings that legendary sound into an affordable range without sacrificing the Gretsch identity.
Why they’re great first guitars:
Chambered bodies (lightweight + resonant)
Filter’Tron pickups = chime, growl, clarity
Bigsby systems on many models
Timeless style
Best pick: The Silver Sparkle Jet.
Chambered mahogany, dual Filter’Trons, Bigsby B50, and enough aesthetic presence to light up any stage.
G5230T Electromatic® Sparkle Jet™ FT Single-Cut with Bigsby® - Silver Sparkle
$789.99
Gretsch G5230T Electromatic® Sparkle Jet™ FT Single-Cut with Bigsby® - Silver SparkleExperience pure Jet power with the Gretsch G5230T Electromatic Sparkle Jet FT in Silver Sparkle. Available at Vera Guitars in Charlotte, NC, this stunning guitar delivers the hallmark Gretsch… read more
ESP LTD 200-Series — High Performance for Rock & Metal Players
If your playlist leans toward Metallica, Pantera, or modern heavy genres, the LTD 200 Series offers incredible build quality for the price.
Why they’re perfect for heavy players:
Fast necks
High-output pickups
Excellent fretwork
Tons of finishes and shapes
Best pick: The LTD EX-201.
Mahogany body, slim U-profile neck, coil-splittable humbucker, and a silhouette that just begs for riffs.
LTD TE-200 Black - Demo
$449.00
$499.00
LTD TE-200 Black - DemoExperience versatile tone and classic style with the LTD TE-200 in Black. Available at Vera Guitars in Charlotte, NC, this demo unit is a great guitar for rock, classic rock, country, blues, and more. With its… read more
Ibanez Artcore Series — Affordable Semi-Hollow Greatness
Ibanez may be most famous for shredders, but their semi-hollow Artcore series is a home run for players who want warmth, clarity, and versatility.
Why beginners love Artcore models:
Jazz to rock versatility
Lightweight and resonant
Smooth necks
Beautiful aesthetics
Best pick: AS93SP
Laminated linden, Flying Fingers pickups, vine inlay—tons of tone and personality without breaking the bank.
AS93ZWNT - Artcore Expressionist Hollowbody Electric Guitar
$699.99
Ibanez AS93ZWNT - Artcore Expressionist Hollowbody Electric GuitarExperience the rich, resonant tone and timeless elegance of the Ibanez AS93ZWNT Artcore Expressionist, a premium hollowbody electric guitar that delivers classic jazz and blues tones with modern playability. Available at VERA Guitars… read more
Acoustic Guitars
Taylor 1-Series — The Perfect Introduction to Modern Acoustics
If you’re ready to invest in a quality acoustic that will last for decades, Taylor’s 1-Series is the sweet spot of affordability and performance.
Why they’re standout beginner acoustics:
Torrefied solid spruce tops
Sapele back and sides
Ebony fingerboards
Taylor Expression 2 electronics
Consistency and comfort
Best pick: The Taylor 114ce.
Balanced, articulate, and comfortable—the perfect “first real acoustic.”
114ce
$799.00
The Taylor 114ce is an outstanding value acoustic-electric guitar that combines premium tonewoods and modern features with everyday playability. With a torrefied spruce top and layered sapele back and sides, this Grand Auditorium-body instrument delivers warmth, clarity and articulation across… read more
Taylor GS Mini — Small Body, Big Sound
Easily one of the most popular acoustic models on Earth—and for good reason. The GS Mini is compact, comfortable, and surprisingly powerful.
Why it works for beginners:
Easy to hold
Shorter scale = easier fretting
Ton of tone for the size
Wide range of woods and finishes
Best pick: GS Mini Spruce/Sapele
Warm, punchy, open—an incredible all-around starter.
GS Mini Sapele
$499.00
Compact Travel Guitar with Sapele WarmthThe Taylor GS Mini Sapele acoustic guitar delivers authentic Taylor craftsmanship in a travel-friendly size. Featuring a solid spruce top and layered sapele back and sides, this compact guitar offers rich, warm tone with excellent… read more
Martin X Series — Legendary Tone, Beginner Budget
Martin invented the dreadnought and OM shapes that define acoustic music to this day. With the X Series, you get Martin tone and feel without Martin prices.
Why it’s a great first Martin:
Sustainable HPL back and sides
Solid tops
Loud, punchy, expressive tone
Iconic Martin shaping
Best pick: 000-X2E
Focused, articulate, and tonally reminiscent of exotic woods—without the cost of exotic woods.
000-X2E BRAZ
$749.00
The remastered Martin 000-X2E Brazilian is built for musicians who want comfort, reliability, and classic Martin tone in an affordable acoustic-electric package. With its hand-rubbed satin spruce top, abalone-pattern rosette, and striking Brazilian rosewood HPL back and sides, this 000-size… read more
Final Thoughts — The Best Guitar Is the One You Play
If you’ve made it this far, you’re already better equipped than 90% of new guitar shoppers. Any guitar on this list can be the perfect first instrument as long as it inspires you, fits your budget, and makes you want to pick it up every day.
When you’re ready to choose—or want to try them for yourself—come see us at Vera Guitars. We’ll help you find the guitar that feels like yours.
