Beginners - Which Guitar?

Your choice will largely depend on the type of music you wish to play. Take a look at the information below to understand the main options.

A classical nylon string guitar is a delicate, subtle instrument and is gentle on the fingers. If you’re interested in modern music you may find that the sound lacks projection. It has been used to great effect by performers like John Williams (classical) and Paco DeLucia (Flamenco). More modern users include Jose Feliciano on ‘California Dreaming’ and Sting on ‘Fragile’. Try the Yamaha range for value for money and build quality.

A steel strung acoustic is a good option for those most interested in all types of modern music including folk, blues, jazz and slide. With lighter gauge strings it can provide an excellent introduction to electric guitar. To enjoy the sound try James Taylor or Nirvana unplugged. It’s worth taking a look at Fender’s Squier range and Yamaha who produce starter packs that represent good value. If you have a little more money to spend try Gibson, Martin or Taylor.

Take a look at our review of the Taylor Baby for some further advice.

An electric guitar offers the player the opportunity to play a wide range of music from blues, jazz and rock to heavy metal, but you will need to purchase an amplifier of some sort. Good brands at reasonable prices include the Fender Squier range, Epiphone, Yamaha and Vintage.