What's The Best Beginner Guitar? Electric, Acoustic or Classical?

In this video I discuss why I think the best beginner guitar for people to start on is an electric guitar. There are reasons why you might want to start on a classical on steel sting acoustic but for most people I think an electric is the best choice to get going. I explain why in the video, let me know your thoughts in the comments! :)

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[tak-el-uc]

Buy a guitar? That is the problem with people today. Expect things to be done for them. When I was a wee lad, I told my dad I wanted a guitar. Did he run out and buy me one? Heck no. He gave me a mahogany seed to grow my own wood and a shovel to dig ore for strings. Can I play yet? Heck no but in another 20 temperate growing seasons, I will be ready to start building my guitar.

[stephengilbert]

The irony is that " beginner acoustic guitars" are the worse guitar for the beginner to learn on . Good comprehensive advise from Justin.

[abelincoln]

Learning to "mute" the strings helps a new player on electrics. Learning how to play songs (that they "like") right off the bat keeps new players interested. My two pence/cents. Great video, Brother..

[dudemanismadcool]

if you are going to get a beginner acoustic, just go with a yamaha. Even the cheaper models are very playable.

[hosamfikry]

Take this guy seriously! His guitar course app is amazing. I'm in stage 6 and I love his structure

[tracymeyerhofer]

I tried to learn on a cheap acoustic guitar 30 years ago. Like many people in this situation, I quit because I had no idea the high action made the guitar unplayable. Recently I decided to give it a try again and have a Squire Stratocaster package guitar on sale for the holidays. I can’t believe the difference! And with your classes Justin, I’m in 7th Guitar Heaven! Great video!

[radosawwalkowski]

I guess that you should start with a guitar that attracts you. For example if you really like to play some acoustic songs and like the way acoustic sounds and looks, you should go with an acoustic. If an electric guitar attracts you, get an electric guitar. It will motivate you more and even not hurt your purse, because you get what you love :D

[charliefoxtrottherd]

I had a student bring in their new acoustic and this is no exaggeration, I measured the action off the 17th fret and it was just under 1/2"! From the body was 3/4" and almost unplayable. It was a Fender that was priced @ $135 off the rack. She said that she was having issues with it and I let her use my Martin 00 and she could not only play all the chords I had her practicing but she almost mastered the dreaded bar chord on her first try. My 00 is set up like a Strat, so that shows you how much of a difference it makes on a new player. I showed her parents and when they saw how good she played on my Martin, they knew it was either pony up for a better instrument or stop wasting money on lessons.

[jamesamin]

Thank You ! Now it makes some much sense. Several years ago I bought a really cheap acoustic guitar, but I rarely could consistently get the cords clear enough, I never realized it could be the action. So of course I gave up and gave it away. However now that I'm considering a guitar for my young daughter, electric makes more sense. Time to go Christmas shopping.

[aishanamoura]

I felt so happy when you said that you started with a classical guitar because I recently bought a classical and then I felt like regreting..cause I can't buy another one at the moment. Your video made my night!🤍

[jlglink]

Watches videos


Justin says get a electric before acoustic

Me:it’s all according to plan

[goosegander]

Great advice for beginners, Justin. A playable instrument is what a beginner needs for a first guitar. The rest will come later as you learn what you like. When I started, the music studio provided a rental acoustic for 6 weeks. I then convinced my parents to buy me a semi acoustic electric Harmony Rocket. Wish I still had that guitar now. Was great for practice without an amp, louder than a solid body but quiet enough to not wake my parents when playing late at night. Did not realize at the time how good it was for entry level guitar.

[fabianopiovan]

electric guitar is far easier to play than an acoustic guitar, especially that wonderful suhr

[RockStarOscarStern]

As we all know Electric Guitars (or any Electric instrument) are physically the easiest ones to start with because the action is easier, and the flatter body makes it feel more comfortable.

[RockStarOscarStern]

Justin Guitar, even though Electric Guitar is the most begginer friendly, some Electric Guitars have neck's who's width is the same as a Classical (7 String turned into a Wide Neck 6 String) cause it's ideal for those who have bigger hands. The advantage of a Wide Neck Electric Guitar over a Classical Guitar is that you have a lower action & lighter gauge strings.

[liotcik]

While watching your video I gave a guitar to my wife and asked to try C-chord (she never played before). The guitars were electric stratocaster and classic Yamaha C70 with nylon strings. She was more successful with classic guitar playing this chord, due to bigger distance between strings, and bigger string diameter, not cutting so sharp finger tips. Electric action is set to 2.2 and 1.6mm. So average action. Classic guitar has high action, no adjustment, just as comes from a store. So even I with some experience can more complicated stuff on electric, complete beginner was more successful with classic. But thanks for the video we had good time with my wife playing the guitars :)

[tak-el-uc]

One more piece of advice on steel stringed acoustic guitars is that getting a smaller thinner guitar than the "standard" dreadnought size makes sense for most beginners. It mitigates the craning your neck to see the fretboard and strumming/picking arm being at an awkward angle that Justin mentioned.

[ermesborgnino]

THIS VIDEO was huge for me. Everything you said applied to me. Doesn't get any better than that. Thank you so much.

[hykclvz]

I'm a beginner and thinking which one should I go for.
This answered all my questions.
Thanks for the video.

[BrianEllison-fctp]

Took your advice, took my Fender CD60 to my local music store, had my string action lowered and went to a 10m diadora string. It is so much easier to play, and now I can practice my barre chords, which were almost impossible near the nut before adjustments were made... thanks Justin