Buying your first guitar is straightforward if you know what to focus on. Most people overthink the brand and underthink everything else. This guide covers what actually matters.
The goal is simple: get a guitar that's easy to play and keeps you coming back to it.
Start with the music you want to play
This determines everything. If you want to play acoustic music — folk, singer-songwriter, fingerpicking — get an acoustic. If you want to play electric music — rock, blues, jazz, anything with an amp — get an electric.
Don't let anyone talk you into acoustic "to start." Start with what you actually want to play. You'll practice more and quit less.
Set a realistic budget
For a first guitar, $200–$400 is a solid range. Below $200, quality control becomes inconsistent — you may get an instrument that's genuinely hard to play. Above $400, you're paying for features you won't use yet.
Used guitars in this range often outperform new guitars at the same price. A used $300 guitar that's been properly set up will play better than a new $300 guitar that hasn't. More on that in the What Guitar Should I Buy as a Beginner? page.
Acoustic guitars — what to know
For acoustics, the main variables are body size and tonewoods. For a beginner, body size matters more — a smaller body (000, parlor, or grand auditorium) is easier to hold and more comfortable to play for most people. Dreadnoughts are common but can be unwieldy for smaller players.
Solid top acoustics sound better and improve with age. Laminate tops are more durable and less expensive. For a first guitar, either is fine.
Electric guitars — what to know
For electrics, you'll need an amp. Budget for both together. A $300 guitar and a $100 practice amp is a better starting point than a $400 guitar with no amp.
Body style affects comfort more than tone at the beginner level. Stratocaster-style guitars are lighter and comfortable for most players. Les Paul-style guitars are heavier but have a different feel some players prefer. Try both if you can.
Get it set up before you start
Most new guitars — even good ones — don't come set up from the factory. Action is often too high, intonation is off, and nut slots haven't been touched.
A guitar setup before your first lesson makes the guitar easier to play and helps you progress faster. This is one of the most overlooked steps for beginners — and it matters even more in Upstate NY, where seasonal humidity shifts affect how guitars play.
Not sure if you need one? See Do I Need a Guitar Setup?
Try before you buy if you can
If you're near Glens Falls, come in. We carry used guitars that have been evaluated for playability before going on the floor. You can try them, ask questions, and leave with something that actually works for you — without pressure.
If you're buying online, use a retailer with a return policy and plan to have it set up when it arrives.
What about lessons?
A few lessons at the start makes a significant difference. A teacher catches bad habits before they get ingrained. If you're in the Glens Falls area, we offer in-person guitar lessons at the shop. Our instructor works with beginners regularly.
The short version
- Play what you want to play — acoustic or electric
- Budget $200–$400
- Consider used
- Get it set up before you start
- Try it in person if you can
Come in during shop hours and play a few.
Paul's Guitar Hideout is located at The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, NY. Use the Cooper Street entrance and take the stairs up. If you need assistance, give us a call and we'll come down.
The Shirt Factory
71 Lawrence St., Suite 201B, 2nd Floor
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Wednesday–Sunday, 12–5pm
(518) 217-8695 · info@paulsguitarhideout.com