In the Christmas season, it can never hurt to get a few ideas for gifts! And as a tutor working in a guitar shop, I see plenty of guitars getting bought as Christmas gifts! So if you are thinking of what to get an aspiring guitarist for Christmas to get them start on a musical path, here are what I would consider some of the best beginner guitars available! The criteria I will be using to compile this list is a combination of value for money alongside general affordability as well as versatility in the guitar.
Yamaha Pacifica 112V YNS
To start off, we have the Yamaha Pacifica, I have seen a few of these in my time as guitar tutor and have been consistently impressed by the quality especially considering the generally low price! From £200 to £250 brand new you get a nice and eye catching alder body against a white pick guard, a humbucker pick up in the bridge and two single coil pick ups in the middle and neck positions that all have great and clear tones. Much like the Stratocaster it draws a great deal of inspiration from (who can blame them really?) it also comes complete with a whammy bar and "vintage tremolo" bridge. A great starter guitar with the needed bells and whistles!
Squire Affinity Stratocaster
Speaking of Stratocasters, of course Fender have their affordable range, Squier and it's brilliantly varied Affinity series. The best aspect of the Affinity series in my eyes is the amount of variety you can get within a very small cost range, going from a simple 3 single coil set up with a maple neck all the way to a humbucker bridge and middle and neck position single coils, plain black to flame maple body, maple to Laurel fingerboards, all of that only ranging from £200 to £250. Hard to question the variety you're getting for the money! So, whether the rock star to be in question is wanting a clanky, twangy single coil tone or an all rock humbucker tone, you are catered for!
EastCoast ST1
For those on a proper bargain hunt, the EastCoast ST1 (everyone loves that Strat it seems!) is one of the most affordable beginner guitars I could find, sold for roughly £100 and £150 in some starter kits alongside amps, straps and cables. It is a simple and modest design with three single coil pickups, maple fingerboard and a tradition Stratocaster style vibrato bridge, available in black, red, blue, pink and a creamy vintage white.
Squire Bullet Telecaster
Return of the Squire! This time with their even more affordable Bullet Telecaster! If the Stratocaster style guitars aren't up your alley you may be glad to see the Telecaster has a very affordable model, priced at roughly £140, you get that classic and iconic "Tele twang" as well as some classic rock tones! It is simple and effective with two single coil pickups, three way pick up switch and a classic look, featuring a laurel fingerboard alongside it's brown sunburst finish and off white pick guard.
Epiphone Les Paul Special
Last of all, we have the Epiphone Les Paul Special, providing one of the most iconic guitar models with only a £150 price tag. Set and ready to rock with two humbucker pickups, a three way pickup toggle switch, tunomatic bridge (my personal favourite type of bridge), a satin finish available in black, "cherry vintage" and tobacco sunburst designs. A great deal of stylistic and tonal versatility for a great price!
And there we have it, five solid and affordable beginner guitars, perfect for budding musicians this this Christmas and all other times of year! For anyone who has been on the hunt, I hope this has been helpful! One last brand to mention is Harley Benton as they have a massive amount of affordable and high quality guitars of different styles, so if nothing on here suits, give them a look! In the meantime, play loud, stay safe and I will see you all soon!
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