- A very versatile instrument that can accommodate most styles and genres
- The guitar is an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate players
- The instrument's construction and kit accessories are high quality for a player pack
- Comes with a free 3-month subscription to Fender's online guitar lessons
- Versatile tone perfect for a wide range of genres
- This Stratocaster is the perfect beginner's guitar for kids and adults with smaller hands
- The less string tension of short-scale guitars makes fretting is less painful for new players
- Learning chords is effortless on this guitar
- Awesome Les Paul sound for an entry-level price
- Cool built-in tuner makes tuning easy and convienient
- Thin body and lightweight design is very comfortable
- Great rock n' roll tone
Choosing the correct electric guitar kits doesn’t have to be hard
Are you a beginner guitarist looking for the best electric guitar starter kit to learn guitar? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
This blog post will discuss the different electric guitar starter kits available and recommend the best one for beginners for all musical genres and playing styles.
So we’ve got you covered whether you’re into classic rock, metal, punk, pop, jazz, or whatever floats your boat!
Keep reading to learn more…
The Best Electric Guitar Start Packs in 2024 at a Glance
- Editor’s Choice:
Squier Affinity Strat HSS - Best Value:
Yamaha GigMaker Electric Guitar Starter Kit - Best for Small Hands and Kids:
Squier by Fender Short Scale (24″) Stratocaster - Best for Aspiring Rock Players:
Epiphone Slash “AFD” Les Paul Performance Pack - Best for Aspiring Metal Players:
Dean Custom Zone - Best for Aspiring Punk Rockers:
Epiphone Billie Joe Armstrong
Looking for an electric guitar that can do it all? Look no further than the Squier Affinity Strat HSS. This best-selling guitar offers quality sound and playability at a great price. With its versatile tone and build quality, you'll be blown away by what this little guitar can do. So grab one today and start rocking!
The starter pack includes:
- Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster HSS with Tremolo Bar
- Frontman 15g Amplifier
- Gig bag
- Guitar Cable
- Free Fender Play subscription for 3 months
- Guitar Strap
- Guitar Picks
Suppose you’re looking for an electric guitar that can play a wide range of genres and doesn’t sacrifice quality. In that case, the Squier Affinity Strat HSS Starter Pack is for you.
There’s a reason why this Stratocaster-style guitar has been a best seller Squier/Fender for years. While many starter pack electric guitars lack quality and have poor playability, Squier has nailed the balance between budget and quality. You can grow with this guitar as you advance your playing skills.
This electric guitar stands out from other player packs because of the build quality and the versatility of tones you can get from this guitar.
The hardware of this guitar is higher quality than most on this list. This is important because it improves the playability and tone of your instrument. However, this guitar’s tremolo system can cause some trouble with changing strings and tuning stability. You can get this fixed by adjusting, but beginner guitar players will often become overwhelmed with this.
The Squier Affinity Strat HSS is equipped with three pick-ups. Two single-coil pick-ups and a humbucker pick-up.
Single-coil pick-ups give you that classic jangly, bright strat tone you have heard on countless records. Suppose you like John Mayer, Eric Clapton, John Frusciante, Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In that case, the tones of this guitar will strike all the right chords of what you like.
However, one of the issues with single-coil pick-ups is that they are noisy, especially when playing with distortion for hard rock and metal.
This is where the bridge humbucker shines. The humbucker helps reduce extra noise while engaging the overdrive button of the included Frontman 15g Amplifier.
Beginners will find the Squier Affinity Strat HSS comfortable and easy to play. The guitar is lightweight, thin, and has a nice belly cut for additional “hugginess” against your body.
The slim c-shape neck has a thin feel, making the guitar easier for new players, female guitarists, and kids to fret.
The accessories with this electric guitar starter pack are all quality, except for the guitar cable. This is something that users have noted needed to be replaced the fastest. However, this is a common problem that you will find in most electric guitar starter packs.
The Frontman 15g Amplifier is a suitable amp for practice. The tone of the amp is one-dimensional and hard to mess up. This makes it extremely forgiving for new players, but it doesn’t allow much tonal tweaking.
It also has a headphone jack for silent practice, a welcome feature for those who have roommates, lives in apartments, or are buying this for their child.
So, what’s the verdict? The Squier Affinity Strat HSS Guitar Pack is one of the best options for beginning guitar players. It offers many tonal options, making it versatile for any style of music you might want to play. And at this price point, it’s an incredible value.
If you’re in the market for your first guitar, check out the Squier Affinity Strat HSS guitar pack today!
- An extremely versatile electric guitar that suits a wide range of genres and playing styles
- The construction of the guitar and accessories are of good quality
- The guitar can grow with you as your skills grow
- Thin and lightweight
- Comes with a 3-month free trial of Fender Play online lessons
- The headphone jack on the amplifier is great for practicing at anytime in the day or night
- The distortion tones of the amplifier are muddy
- This pack doesn't come with a tuner
- The handle on the amp doesn't fit large hands
- Tremolo bridge system can create headaches with tuning and string changes
- Not the best option if you're looking for metal genres
- Guitar cable generally needs to get replaced quickly
- More expensive than others on the list
The Yamaha Pacifica guitar included in this electric guitar pack offers excellent tone and construction. This makes it perfect for any player looking to jump into the world of electric guitars. With everything you need to start playing right away, the GigMaker is a great value for the money.
The starter pack includes:
- Yamaha PAC012 Pacifica Electric Guitar with Whammy Bar
- Yamaha GA 15 II Guitar Amp
- Gig bag
- Digital Tuner
- Guitar Cable
- Instructional DVD
- Guitar Strap
- Extra Strings
- Guitar Picks
Looking for an electric guitar starter kit that won’t break the bank? The Yamaha GigMaker is an excellent option for budget-minded guitar players. With everything you need to get started playing, the GigMaker is a great value for the money.
You’ll notice a familiarity between the Yamaha Pacifica guitar included in this electric guitar pack and the Squier by Fender Stratocaster. And honestly, the guitars are almost identical in feature set. What sets them apart is name brand, construction, and tone.
Yamaha guitars have been in the musical instrument game longer than Fender but often get overshadowed by brands like Fender. Fender is the largest guitar manufacturer globally. Based on name recognition, new players usually get swayed to go with a guitar in the Fender lineup.
However, Yamaha makes some of the most consistent, high-quality guitars for all budgets, especially beginner musical instruments.
The Yamaha Pacifica is arguably one of the best electric guitars on this list. The build quality is highly consistent, so you don’t have to worry about getting a lemon when you order online. And the playability and sound of the guitar are much better than most starter pack guitars you’ll find.
It didn’t get my top nomination because the instrument cable that comes with this starter pack is lousy quality. Also, the lessons included should be online and not on a DVD. Honestly, who watches DVDs anymore?!!
The tone of this guitar differs from the Squier by Fender by being a little more balanced and subdued. It isn’t as “spanky” as the Fender, but this difference isn’t good or bad, and a beginner guitar player will not notice.
This guitar does come with a digital tuner. Still, one of the biggest complaints about this electric guitar pack is that it’s low-quality and hard to use.
If you are looking for an electric guitar starter kit that offers the best value for your money, look no further than the Yamaha GigMaker. This kit comes with everything you need to get started playing right away, and it’s an excellent option for those who want to save a little bit of money without sacrificing quality.
- Budget-friendly and high quality for a beginners electric guitar kit
- Comes with everything you need to start playing
- Versatile tonal options with humbucking pick-up and two single-coil pick-ups
- Beginners will find the guitar comfortable and easy to play
- Guitar cable is low-quality
- The tuner can be challenging to use for beginners and not work properly
- Distortion tone is a bit thin for heavy genres like extreme metal
- Online lessons would be better than an instructional DVD for most people
The Squier by Fender Short Scale Stratocaster is perfect for new guitar players with smaller hands. Its versatile tone makes it ideal for a wide range of genres, and its 24" scale length ensures a slinky feel that makes fretting the strings easier and learning chords a breeze.
This starter pack includes:
- Squier Short Scale Stratocaster with Hardtail Bridge
- Squier Frontman 10g Amplifier
- Gig Bag
- Guitar Cable
- Digital Chromatic Tuner
- Picks
- 3 Free Months of Fender Play Online Classes
- Guitar Strap
Most people think the bigger the guitar, the better it will sound. This isn’t always the case, as evidenced by Fender’s Squier Short Scale (24″) Stratocaster. Despite its small size, this guitar packs a punch, making it perfect for kids and adult guitar players with smaller hands. Its versatile tone makes it ideal for a wide range of genres.
Most full-size electric guitars have a scale length of 25.5″. This scale length has its benefits, but it can make the guitar feel too long, with the frets too far apart and the neck too big for smaller players and those with small hands.
While 24″ compared to 25.5″ in scale length of the Squier by Fender Short Scale Stratocaster may seem small, it makes a noticeable impact.
The guitar feels more compact in your arms, and the shorter length creates less string tension. This makes the strings more “slinky” and makes fretting the strings easier. This is a huge benefit for new players as it will be less painful to play as you build your callouses.
One drawback of short-scale guitars is that playing up the neck can get cramped because the spacing of the frets gets very narrow.
The short-scale Fender Stratocaster has three single-coil pick-ups, a single-tone knob, and volume control. The guitar’s tone is that classic jangly strat tone, but because the pick-ups are single-coil, you get lots of extra noise when you play in overdrive.
This guitar is not for players who want to play more hard rock and metal style guitar. The included Frontman 10G amp pairs nicely with the guitar for clean tones but can be dark and muddy when playing with distortion.
Suppose you’re looking for a great guitar that is comfortable and easy to play for kids and adults with small hands. In that case, the Squier by Fender Short Scale Stratocaster is worth considering.
This guitar has a beautiful tone and is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to play the guitar. It also has three free months of Fender Play, so learning is fun and easy. So what are you waiting for? Buy today!
- Has a comfortable, lightweight, and classic body design
- Versatile tones
- Free 3-months of Fender Play subscription
- Less string tension makes learning less painful on the fingers
- Chords are easier to learn
- Staying in tune can be an issue
- Sharp edges on the neck and fingerboard
- Single-coil can be extra noisy when in overdrive
- The guitar cable it comes with is low quality
- Not a great guitar or amp for metal
What makes this guitar special is the unique ceramic plus zebra-coil humbucking pick-ups, which give a powerful and aggressive tone perfect for rock music. With everything you need to start playing right out of the box, the Epiphone Slash AFD Les Paul Performance Pack is the ideal choice for aspiring rock players.
This starter pack includes:
- Slash Epiphone Les Paul Guitar
- Slash “Snakepit-15” Amplifier
- Guitar Cable
- eMusic Online Guitar Lessons
- Slash Signature Picks
- Gig Bag
- Guitar Strap
Looking to get into rock playing? The Epiphone Slash Appetite for Destruction (AFD) Les Paul Performance Pack is the perfect way to start.
This guitar pack has everything you need to get started playing rock guitar, featuring a Les Paul Special-II body style with dual humbuckers and a Tune-o-Matic bridge. Plus, it comes with the Slash “Snakepit-15” 15-watt guitar amp, so you can start jamming immediately!
This guitar stands out from the others on this list because it comes equipped with two ceramic plus zebra-coil humbucking pick-ups. These pick-ups give the guitar a powerful and aggressive tone, perfect for rock music.
The body is thin and lightweight, and the amber flamed-maple top isn’t designed for subtlety. This guitar is meant to be loud and turn heads.
The high-gain nature of this guitar makes it perfect for guitarists who are practicing their scales and want to develop their lead guitar skills.
Another fun feature of the AFD Les Paul is a built-in tuner in the bridge pick-up, so you will never be without a tuner and have to guess if you’re in tune.
The hardware on this Epiphone guitar is good quality; however, some people have complained that the tuners slip and the guitar goes out of tune quickly. So get ready to use that built-in tuner often!
This guitar shines with the high-gain tones of rock n’ roll. However, when you roll back the volume and tone knobs, you can get nice clean tones from this electric guitar. While I recommend one of the Stratocasters on this list for more glassy clean tones, this guitar does versatility well.
If you’re an aspiring hard rock guitarist and want a great guitar to start with, the Slash Epiphone AFD Les Paul Player Pack is a great option. It’s lightweight and comfortable to hold, making it easy for beginners to play. And with its powerful tone, this guitar can take your playing to the next level. So don’t wait any longer – buy today and start rocking out!
- Great sounding rock n' roll tones
- Built-in tuner to guitar is a nice touch
- Great Les Paul sound for an affordable price
- Lightweight and thin body make it very comfortable to play
- Online lessons from eMedia is a great bonus compared to a DVD
- Auxillary in for amplifier makes it so you can play along to your favorite songs
- The neck pick-up is a little dark and muddy sounding
- The amplifier construction is lower-quality and can have some issues
- Clean tones aren't as good as other electric guitars on this list
- Included guitar cable isn't great
- Expensive
Looking to start playing metal guitar? Look no further than the Dean Custom Zone! This all-in-one starter pack has everything you need to get going, including a dual-humbucker guitar that's perfect for shredding solos and crushing riffs. Plus, the fast playability and thin neck make it easy to get around on this beast of a guitar.
This starter pack includes:
- Dean CZONE Electric Guitar
- Dean MS-10G Guitar Amp
- Electronic clip-on tuner
- Guitar Strap
- Guitar Cable
- Guitar picks
- Gig bag
There’s a lot to love about metal guitar playing. The crunch of the overdriven amps, the low end of the down-tuned guitars, and the screaming solos all make for an incredibly exhilarating sound. The all-in-ones solution of the Dean Custom Zone makes it the best electric guitar starter pack if you want to play metal.
With its dual DMT Design Humbuckers, this guitar screams through heavy riffs and shredding solos while also being articulate and clear. The 14″ radius of the maple neck has high-speed playability and feels thin in your hands.
The extreme cutaway of the guitar also makes reaching those upper frets a breeze.
The Dean MS-10G Guitar amp is a suitable beginner practice amp, but the tones you get from it are flat and one-dimensional. The distortion channel is gritty and fuzzy, and the clean sound is dull.
While this guitar is the best beginner’s guitar specifically aimed at metal players, it isn’t all good. Dean’s utilizes pretty cheap material in this guitar’s build, most notably the plastic neck nut.
Plastic nuts absorb the strings’ vibration and can make the guitar sound less lively and dull.
However, for the price and accessories included, you will be hard-pressed to find a better option specifically geared towards metal guitarists.
If you are an aspiring metal guitar player who wants a guitar that feels light, fast, and easy to play, the Dean Custom Zone is the perfect option for you. Every design feature on this guitar has been made with shredders in mind, and it comes with everything you will need to get started.
So what are you waiting for? Buy your Dean Custom Zone today!
- Dean designed this guitar to be highly shreddable
- Lightweight and 14" radius makes for a comfortable neck for up-and-down-the-neck playing
- Clear and articulate when in overdrive
- The double-cutaway body design makes accessing upper frets easy
- No lessons included like other packs
- Clean tones leave a lot to be desired
- The hardware on the guitar isn't high quality
- The amp holds you back from the full potential of the guitar
The Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior stand out because it features only one P90 single-coil pick-up. While this may make the guitar a one-trick pony, it creates a very streamlined guitar with a unique tone all its own. If you're looking for an instrument that will let you unleash your inner punk, then look no further.
This starter pack includes:
- Billie Joe Armstrong designed Les Paul Junior
- 15-watt Epiphone amp
- Electronic Clip-On Tuner
- Guitar Strap
- Gig Bag
- Guitar Cable
- Guitar Picks
Punk rock is all about attitude, and no guitar embodies that better than the Epiphone Billie Joe Armstrong.
Designed with the legendary Green Day frontman, this instrument is perfect for anyone who wants to channel their inner punk. With its distinctive looks and powerful sound, the Epiphone Billie Joe Armstrong is the ideal choice for any aspiring punk rocker.
The Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior stands out because the guitar features only one P90 single-coil pick-up. While this may make the guitar a one-trick pony, it creates a streamlined guitar that doesn’t distract. Just plug in, play, and have some fun!
The P90 pick-ups have a very sharp and aggressive tone that cuts through the mix, and this will be either a sound you love or hate. Suppose you’re looking for flexibility, genre-bending, and clean tones. In that case, this guitar is not the one you should be looking at.
The neck has a slim feel in hand, making playing chords very comfortable for beginners.
While this starter pack can be out of the price range of most beginner guitarists’ budget, you are getting a better than usual player-pack guitar. The punky amplifier you get with the purchase is also suitable for practicing and comes with a headphone jack for quiet practice. However, like most player pack amplifiers, this will be one of the first things you want to upgrade (besides the guitar cable).
If you’re an aspiring punk rocker looking for the perfect guitar, look no further than the Epiphone Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior.
This starter pack comes with everything you need to get started, and it features a unique P90 single-coil pick-up that gives your music a raw and edgy sound. So what are you waiting for? Buy today and start shredding!
- Sounds is articulate and focused when playing with distortion
- The simple design makes it highly forgiving for beginners
- The slim neck design is comfortable for new guitar players
- Factory setup is generally good on this guitar
- Not a versatile guitar
- If you're looking for clean tones, you're better suited with another guitar
- Some cheap materials, like a plastic nut and no-name tuners, is disappointing for the price
- Expensive
FAQ
As a beginner, should I buy an electric guitar starter kit?
If you’re a beginner, buying an electric guitar starter kit is one of the best ways to get started.
Most starter kits include everything you need to start, including a guitar, amp, and instructional materials. They’re also typically cheaper than buying each piece of gear separately. So if you’re unsure whether you want to stick with playing the guitar, a starter kit is an excellent way to find out.
However, sometimes an acoustic guitar is a better option for new guitar players.
Acoustic guitars don’t need the amp and all the extra accessories. They often are a better way to learn. Check out my reviews of the best beginner acoustic guitars here.
What should I look for in electric guitar starter packs?
When looking for an electric guitar starter pack, you’ll want to consider the quality of the guitar, the amp, and the accessories that come with it. You’ll also want to make sure you find a pack tailored to your aspirational playing style.
For example, if you want to play punk rock, you’ll want to find a starter pack that includes a guitar designed for that style of music.
If you’re unsure what type of music you want to play, then going with a design like a Stratocaster will give you the most flexibility in your playing.
Should I buy things separately instead?
It depends on what you need. If you’re just starting out, buying a pack that includes an electric guitar, an amplifier, a cable, and some picks might be a good idea. That way, you’ll have everything you need to get started.
However, you will want to invest in better-quality gear as you progress. You will get much better products by purchasing individually.
Can more experienced players buy a starter pack?
Yes, more experienced players can buy an electric guitar starter pack. However, it’s essential to realize that a starter pack is designed for beginners and may not be the best choice for someone with some skills.
One of the benefits of buying a starter pack is getting everything you need in one package, including the guitar, amp, and accessories. This can be convenient if you’re just starting out and don’t know much about guitar equipment. It can also be an excellent way to save money if you’re on a budget.
However, some people find that a starter pack doesn’t have all the features they need or doesn’t offer the guitar sounds they’re looking for.
Are the components of electric guitar starter packs high quality?
Generally speaking, the components of electric guitar starter packs are not high quality. The guitars are often made with low-quality materials. The amps tend to be very basic and don’t have a great tone.
That said, there are some exceptions to this rule. A few starter packs on the market include guitars and amps made with better-quality materials and sound pretty good.
So if you’re looking for an electric guitar starter pack, it’s essential to do your research and make sure you buy one from a reputable manufacturer.
What should I do if I can’t decide between the different electric guitar starter kits?
If you’re having trouble deciding between electric guitar starter kits, the best thing to do is think about what type of music you want to play.
If you’re interested in playing rock or blues music, you’ll want a rugged and versatile guitar like a Les Paul. If country or folk music is your style, then a Stratocaster might be a better option.
Once you’ve decided on the type of guitar you want, it’s important to choose the right starter kit.
Some kits come with everything you need to get started. In contrast, others require additional purchases like an amplifier and/or guitar cable. Make sure to read the product descriptions carefully to know what’s included.
How much should I spend on an electric guitar starter pack?
It depends on what you want to use the electric guitar for. If you’re just starting and aren’t sure if you’ll stick with it, I recommend spending around $200-$300. This will get you a decent guitar and amplifier that will allow you to explore a variety of sounds.
Are electric guitar starter packs good for kids?
There is no definitive answer to this question since it depends on the child’s interests and abilities. Electric guitar starter packs can be a great way for kids to get interested in music and learn the basics of playing an instrument.
The best starter packs will include everything a kid needs to start playing, such as a guitar, amp, and instructional materials.
Choosing an appropriate pack for the child’s age and skill level is important. It’s also critical to make sure that the child is interested in learning how to play guitar.
However, if your child is between the ages of 6-8, maybe a 1/2-sized guitar is a better option. Check out my reviews on the
best ones here.
To Recap
So, if you’re looking for the best electric guitar starter kit for beginners, don’t overlook the Squier Affinity Stratocaster HSS. It’s an excellent choice for any new player and won’t break the bank. This pack is hard to beat with its features, quality, and affordability.
If you’re ready to take your guitar playing to the next level, be sure to buy today by clicking this link.
- A very versatile instrument that can accommodate most styles and genres
- The guitar is an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate players
- The instrument's construction and kit accessories are high quality for a player pack
- Comes with a free 3-month subscription to Fender's online guitar lessons
- Versatile tone perfect for a wide range of genres
- This Stratocaster is the perfect beginner's guitar for kids and adults with smaller hands
- The less string tension of short-scale guitars makes fretting is less painful for new players
- Learning chords is effortless on this guitar
- Awesome Les Paul sound for an entry-level price
- Cool built-in tuner makes tuning easy and convienient
- Thin body and lightweight design is very comfortable
- Great rock n' roll tone
