Expert Guitar Reviews Since 2024

Find the Perfect Guitar for Your Journey

In-depth reviews, honest comparisons, and beginner-to-pro guides. We test every guitar ourselves — no paid placements, just expert opinions you can trust.

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🔥 Editor's Picks This Month
Fender Player Stratocaster
Electric · Beginner–Intermediate
$849 ★★★★★
Best All-Round In Stock
Yamaha FG800
Acoustic · Beginner
$249 ★★★★½
Best Budget Pick
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Electric · Advanced
$2,499 ★★★★★
Premium Choice

* Prices via Amazon Associates & Sweetwater affiliate program

🎸 Guitars tested in-house
🚫 No sponsored reviews
🔄 Updated monthly
✅ Affiliate disclosure on all pages
⭐ 4.9 reader rating
Buying Guides & Reviews

Find the Right Guitar for You

Every guitar we recommend has been physically tested by our team. We compare tone, build quality, and value before making any recommendation.

Editor's Choice Fender Player Stratocaster electric guitar
Electric Guitar
Fender Player Stratocaster Review (2024)
The perfect all-rounder for players moving past the beginner stage. Three single-coil pickups deliver Fender's iconic bright, glassy tone.
$849 on Sweetwater
★ 4.9
Read Full Review + Buy →
Best Value Yamaha FG800 acoustic guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Yamaha FG800 — Best Budget Acoustic 2024
Yamaha's FG800 punches way above its price point. Solid spruce top, rosewood fingerboard — you'd expect to pay twice as much.
$249 on Amazon
★ 4.8
Read Full Review + Buy →
Premium Gibson Les Paul Standard electric guitar
Electric Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s Review
The Les Paul Standard remains the benchmark for humbucker-loaded electrics. Rich, warm sustain and legendary build quality.
$2,499 on Guitar Center
★ 5.0
Read Full Review + Buy →
Beginner Pick Best beginner guitars under $200
Acoustic · Beginner
Best Guitars for Beginners Under $200 (2024)
We tested 14 entry-level guitars and ranked them on playability, tone, and durability. Here are the ones worth your money.
From $119 various retailers
★ Editor's List
See Full Rankings →
Best Bass Squier Affinity Jazz Bass
Bass Guitar
Squier Affinity Jazz Bass — Beginner's Bass 2024
For aspiring bassists, the Squier Affinity Jazz is the smart buy. Versatile pickups, great neck feel, and Fender heritage at a third of the cost.
$329 on Sweetwater
★ 4.7
Read Full Review + Buy →
Top Classical Cordoba C5 classical guitar
Classical Guitar
Cordoba C5 Classical Guitar — Honest Review
Warm cedar top, traditional fan bracing, and nylon strings that sing. The Cordoba C5 is the gateway to classical playing done right.
$419 on Amazon
★ 4.8
Read Full Review + Buy →
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Everything You Need to Play Better

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Buying Guides
Expert comparisons to help you spend wisely — from starter bundles to pro-level instruments.
42 GUIDES
  • Best Acoustic Guitars 2024
  • Best Electric Under $500
  • Stratocaster vs Les Paul
  • Guitar Starter Kits Ranked
🎓
Learn to Play
From your very first chord to advanced soloing — structured lessons for every level.
68 LESSONS
  • How to Hold a Guitar Pick
  • First 5 Chords Every Beginner Needs
  • How to Read Guitar Tabs
  • Barre Chords Made Easy
🔧
Gear & Setup
Amps, pedals, strings, tuners, and everything between your guitar and great tone.
35 ARTICLES
  • Best Guitar Amps Under $300
  • Top 10 Overdrive Pedals
  • How to Change Guitar Strings
  • Best Guitar Tuners 2024
🎶
Genre Playbooks
Master your genre — the gear, techniques, and idols that define blues, metal, jazz, and more.
24 PLAYBOOKS
  • Blues Guitar: Complete Guide
  • Metal Guitar Techniques
  • Jazz Chord Voicings
  • Fingerpicking for Folk
Featured Guide
Best beginner guitar guide
Buying Guide

The Best Guitar for Beginners in 2024 — We Tested 22 Models

We spent three months testing 22 beginner guitars across all price ranges, playing styles, and body types. Our picks aren't based on brand deals — they're based on what actually sounds good and lasts beyond the first year of playing.

  • ✓ Best overall beginner guitar under $300
  • ✓ Best acoustic vs electric for starters
  • ✓ What to buy alongside your first guitar
Read the Full Guide →
MK
Marcus Kelly
Lead Reviewer · 14 years guitar experience
Free Tool

Not Sure What to Buy?

Answer 4 quick questions and we'll match you to the perfect guitar — including where to get the best price right now.

Guitar Finder Quiz
Find Your Perfect Match in 60 Seconds

No email required. We'll recommend 2–3 guitars that match your budget, style, and skill level — with links to the best current prices from our affiliate partners.

★ Used by 12,000+ players this year
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★ Updated with current pricing weekly
QUESTION 1 OF 4
What kind of music do you want to play?
QUESTION 2 OF 4
What's your current skill level?
QUESTION 3 OF 4
What's your budget?
QUESTION 4 OF 4
Where will you mainly play?

🎸 Your Top Match: Fender Player Stratocaster

Based on your answers, we recommend the Player Stratocaster as your primary pick — versatile enough for your style, great build quality, and right in your budget range. Check current prices below.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Best Beginner Guitars Compared

We break down the top picks head-to-head so you can see exactly what you're getting for your money.

Guitar Price Type Solid Top Warranty Best For Our Rating
Yamaha FG800 Top Pick $249 Acoustic ✓ Spruce 1 Year All-round beginners 9.4 / 10
Fender CD-60S $229 Acoustic ✓ Spruce 2 Years Strumming, pop/folk 9.1 / 10
Squier Stratocaster Pack $299 Electric ✗ Laminate 1 Year Rock beginners 8.8 / 10
Epiphone Les Paul Standard $499 Electric ✗ Laminate Limited Blues, rock, hard rock 9.0 / 10
Cordoba C5 $419 Classical ✓ Cedar 1 Year Classical, fingerpicking 9.2 / 10

* Prices are approximate and may vary. We earn a commission from affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure →

Learn & Improve

Latest from the Blog

Tutorials, gear explainers, and pro tips updated every week.

Guitar chord finger placement
Lesson
How to Play Your First 5 Guitar Chords (With Diagrams)
Learn G, C, D, Em and Am — the five chords that unlock hundreds of songs. Includes finger positioning diagrams and common beginner mistakes to avoid.
Marcus Kelly 8 min read
Guitar amplifier
Review
Boss Katana 50 MkII Amp Review — Best Practice Amp of 2024?
The Katana 50 has dominated the budget amp market for years. Does the MkII fix its weaknesses? We plug in for a full test.
Sarah Ng 12 min read
Guitar strings close up
Gear
How Often Should You Change Guitar Strings? (And Which Ones to Buy)
Most beginners change strings far too rarely. Here's the real answer — plus our top picks for acoustic, electric, and classical strings at every price point.
Tom Alves 6 min read
Guitar fretboard scales
Lesson
Guitar Scales for Beginners: The Only 3 You Actually Need
You don't need to learn 20 scales. Master the pentatonic minor, major scale, and blues scale and you'll be able to solo over almost anything.
Marcus Kelly 10 min read
Acoustic vs electric guitar
Comparison
Acoustic vs Electric Guitar: Which Should a Beginner Buy?
The most common question we get. The honest answer depends on what music you love — here's how to decide in under 5 minutes.
Sarah Ng 7 min read
Guitar setup and action adjustment
Setup
Guitar Action Too High? How to Fix It at Home (Step by Step)
High action makes a guitar painfully hard to play. Many beginners quit over this — but it's fixable in 30 minutes with basic tools. Here's exactly how.
Tom Alves 9 min read
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