Best brands of electric guitar for beginners

If you're shopping the brands of electric guitar, the same names keep coming up: Fender, Gibson, PRS, Ibanez, Gretsch, Epiphone and Rickenbacker. A brand tells you less than you'd expect about how a guitar plays, though. Fender and Gibson can both make a great instrument, and their models feel and sound different. This guide sorts the big names by what you're trying to do, then points to Amazon models that fit common budgets and playing styles.

How we researched

We compared eight Amazon listings for electric guitars, plus four published sources: a brand directory on guitar-list, MusicRadar's roundup of the best electric guitars, a Sweetwater article on noteworthy brands, and a MusicStreet post on guitar brands. The Quora answers in the results had no usable content, so we left them out. Brand claims come from published text, and Amazon ratings and price tiers are used only as listed. This guide compares products using manufacturer specifications, current Amazon listings and owner reviews; we did not test them hands-on.

Short answer

Start with Fender if you want a wide range of models and a clear sound identity. MusicStreet says Fender guitars have shaped musical genres. For a first electric on a budget, the Fender Squier Debut Stratocaster is the pick to start with. It sits in the $100–$300 tier and has 4.6 stars from 2,500 ratings on Amazon. If you want a different voice, the Epiphone SG Special offers an SG-style alternative in the same tier.

Buying criteria, in order of weight

1. Playing style and sound. Body shape and pickup type matter most: single-coil Strat-style guitars sound different from humbucker-equipped models.
2. Playability and build. MusicRadar scores each guitar it reviews for build, playability and sound, so look for these ratings before you buy.
3. Price tier. Choose within the budget you can afford. Tiers here come from Amazon listings.
4. Owner ratings on Amazon. A star rating means more with a large count behind it.

How we chose

We ranked brands and models by the criteria above, in that order. Our evidence is published specifications and review text from MusicRadar and MusicStreet, brand lists from guitar-list and Sweetwater, and the Amazon ratings and price tiers as listed. We did not claim any hands-on use. Prices and listings change, so check the live Amazon page before you buy, and we update this guide when products or prices change.

Fender Squier Debut Stratocaster: the budget starting point

This is best for beginners who want a Stratocaster-style guitar without a large outlay. Sweetwater's brand roundup lists Squier alongside Fender, Gibson and Epiphone, so you're buying into a recognised name. On Amazon it has 4.6 stars from 2,500 ratings and 300+ bought in the past month. Twangwise may earn a commission if you buy through the link below; the price you pay does not change.

Fender Squier Debut Stratocaster Beginner Electric Guitar

The drawback is that our material gives no specs for this listing. Check the scale length, the pickups and what's included before you buy. A kit version is also listed, with 4.8 stars from 977 ratings on Amazon. That kit is a separate item, so read its contents carefully before comparing the two.

Epiphone SG Special: an SG-style alternative

This suits players who want a different voice from a Strat. Epiphone appears in the brand lists we checked. The Epiphone SG Special has 4.5 stars from 744 ratings on Amazon and sits in the $100–$300 tier. Its body and pickups are not described in our material, so confirm them on the listing before you commit.

Epiphone SG Special Electric Guitar

The drawback is that the rating count gives a reasonable sample, but the listing alone does not tell you what owners praise or complain about. Read a few recent reviews for the specific pattern before you decide.

Fender Standard Stratocaster: the step up for Strat players

This is best for Strat players who want a Fender-branded model and can spend over $300. Its Amazon listing shows 4.4 stars from 58 ratings, a small sample, so treat that number as a rough signal only. For specs and who it suits, read our Fender Standard Stratocaster guide. For a benchmark, MusicRadar's top Strat is the American Professional II, which has a 25.5-inch scale, 22 frets and three V-Mod II single-coil pickups. MusicRadar rated it 4.5 out of 5 for build, playability, sound and overall, per MusicRadar's electric guitar roundup. That is one expert verdict, not owner data.

Fender Standard Stratocaster

The drawback is the small rating sample, and the Amazon listing does not give the same detailed specs we have for the American Professional II.

How to choose

If you're a beginner on a tight budget, pick the Squier Debut Stratocaster. If you want a different sound in the same price tier, pick the Epiphone SG Special. If you're a Strat player who wants a Fender model and can spend over $300, pick the Fender Standard Stratocaster. If you want MusicRadar's top Strat, the American Professional II, note that our Amazon data does not include it, so this guide doesn't link to it.

Skip the top tier if you're not sure you'll keep playing. A cheaper model gets you started without a big commitment.

FAQ

What are the top ten guitar brands?

Our sources don't give a ranked top ten. The lists we checked name Gibson, Fender, PRS, Ibanez, Gretsch, Yamaha, ESP, Epiphone, Rickenbacker, Squier and Jackson, so start with those.

What are the 8 types of guitars?

Our material doesn't cover guitar types, so this guide sticks to electric guitars. For the brands here, body shape and pickups matter most.

Which guitar is easiest for beginners?

MusicRadar's best-for-beginners pick is the Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Among the Amazon listings here, the Squier Debut Stratocaster is the budget choice with the most ratings in its tier.

What guitar brands start with the letter F?

From the brand lists we checked, Fender is the main one that starts with F. Squier is listed as its own name.

Conclusion

For most beginners, the Fender Squier Debut Stratocaster is the most practical start. It's in the $100–$300 tier and has strong ratings on Amazon. If you want a Gibson-style sound, the Epiphone SG Special is the next step. Check specs and ratings on the live Amazon page before you buy.

Sources

• guitar-list brand directory
• MusicRadar: the best electric guitars
• Sweetwater: noteworthy electric guitar brands
• MusicStreet: guitar brands for musicians