Best Electric Guitar Starter Gear for Aspiring Musicians: Skip the Beginner Kits and Dive In

For new guitar enthusiasts, the challenge of choosing your first electric guitar and accompanying gear can feel overwhelming. Many dive into the world with a pre-packaged beginner guitar set, only to find they lack the quality and versatility needed for real growth. In this article, we’ll explore alternative options that can help you start your journey with joy and confidence.

Why You Should Avoid Beginner Guitar Kits

Beginner guitar kits, often sold by larger brands like Epiphone and Squier, are designed to be easy and affordable. However, these kits typically come with low-quality components that fail to deliver a satisfying sound. Some common issues include:

Basic amplifier units with limited functionality (no reverb, overdrive, etc.) Poor-quality build materials not designed for long-term use Limited sound options, making the learning curve more difficult

Regardless of the brand, these kits often leave beginners frustrated and uninterested in continuing their musical journey. Once you start learning important techniques like hitting those ‘cowboy chords’ (power chords), a subpar setup can be incredibly demotivating.

A Better Approach: Visiting the Local Pawn Shop

For a more satisfying and cost-effective start, consider visiting a local pawn shop. Pawn shops often offer a wide range of used and near-new guitars at great prices, and you have the opportunity to try them out before committing.

What to Look for in a Pawn Shop Guitar?

When shopping at a pawn shop, focus on the following:

A decent used electric guitar with a good pickup and solid build. A solidbody guitar with a humbucker pickup is a good choice for beginners as it offers a well-rounded sound. A low-powered digital amplifier with a variety of effects (e.g., reverb, chorus, flanger, distortion, tremolo). Look for models that offer a clean/equalizer tone control and a few basic distortion options. A decent effects pedal that you can plug headphones into, allowing for late-night playing without disturbing others.

In my personal experience, a pawn shop can yield excellent deals. For example, a small digital amp with the desired effects cost me ￡39, and it was in mint condition, without a single scratch. This amp has been perfect for late-night practice without bothering my neighbors.

Historical Perspective: My Journey with Guitar

I started my guitar journey 40 years ago with a 3/4 sized plywood electric guitar for ￡15. Despite the budget constraints, this guitar helped me master the 'cowboy chords' by resting my chin on the plywood body. Months later, my brother purchased me a practice amp for ￡36, but it sounded terrible. My first real investment in an electric guitar was a ￡165 solidbody model with a spring reverb and overdrive—a luxury at the time.

Later, to enhance my setup, I invested in some quality analogue stomp boxes: a Pearl Analogue Delay to replace the unreliable Copicat tape echo I bought secondhand and a Chorus pedal. These days, a digital amp with built-in effects is much more affordable, offering a comprehensive sound setup at a fraction of the cost of separate individual pedals.

Choosing Between Epiphone and Squier

When deciding between Epiphone and Squier, both are reputable brands that offer solid starter options. Look for mid-priced models that may have been owned by less patient beginners. Mid-range options like the Epiphone Les Paul or the Squier Classic Vibe are great for learning and performing well, provided you have the dedication to practice.

Conclusion

While beginner guitar kits are widely available, they often fall short in terms of quality and versatility. Instead, consider checking out pawn shops for used guitars and amplifiers. You can find great deals on high-quality gear, save money, and boost your musical journey. Happy playing!