I don’t even know anyone who hasn’t thought of playing guitar at least once in their lifetime, but I think you need something more apart from a mere desire. You need dedication, passion and a lot of free time – unless you have the combination of these three, I’m guessing you won’t be able to achieve your goals. But there’s one last ingredient for that potion – you do also need a capable guitar that will make the difficult road of learning a bit easier.
You could choose anything your heart desires, but there’s a reason why there are dedicated guitars for beginners – they are more budget-friendly and are comfortable for your fingers. Ideally, it would be better to go for a starter kit as it usually includes everything you might need as a novice. Today we’re going to list down the best beginner electric guitar packages so that you can check out all the wonderful options you have. Let’s begin this journey and hop on the guitar-playing path together!
Top 10 Best Beginner Electric Guitar Packages
Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster Beginner Pack
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If you want to get yourself a nice deal, then you should definitely check out Squier by Fender Affinity Series Stratocaster Beginner Pack. It includes the majority of accessories and gear that you’ll need as a beginner, which is always an amazing thing. You’ll get an Affinity Strat with the pickup configuration of HSS (a single humbucker and two single-coils). It has a poplar body, c-shape maple neck, and Indian laurel fretboard. It also has a tremolo bridge, which will help you achieve wonderful sustain.
Though it’s not the best guitar in the whole world, it’s really comfortable to play and happens to be a perfect option for novices. Apart from the guitar, you do also get a 15 watt Fender Frontman 15G combo that will be a useful tool for everyday practices. The package also includes a gig bag, picks, a guitar strap, a cable and a 3-month subscription to Fender Play. Is it the best electric guitar starter kit? – I can’t tell you exactly, but it’s definitely one of those!
Pros:
- Includes useful gear and accessories
- Affordable
- The guitar is easy to play
Cons:
- The strings might not be in perfect condition (the chances are you’d have to change them anyway)
- The sound isn’t as flexible as one might have wished
Yamaha Gigmaker EG
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Yamaha’s affordable electric guitars are the treat all beginners should experience. They are even more attractive as part of various packages as they become even cheaper. Gigmaker Electric is one of those starter kits that you should definitely get your hands on. It’s an amazing value for the money – a real bargain that any novice can easily save up for. The pack includes PAC012, which isn’t the best electric you’ll ever find, but it gets the job done perfectly.
Its tone is versatile enough to help you learn all the basics and maybe even figure out what you want to play. It comes with a tremolo bar, which will show you how this device works, yet it doesn’t have a high quality and might interfere with the tune of your strings. Along with the guitar, you’ll get a 20watt amplifier with two channels, a gig bag, a cable (if you’re lucky), some picks, guitar strap, an electric tuner (which works really well), strings and a DVD that will give you some instructions in the beginning. As you can see, the Gigmaker Electric starter pack is your key to becoming a gig master!
Pros:
- Wonderful sound
- Decent build quality
- Included accessories work great
Cons:
- The package might not include the cable as it’s promised
- The tremolo will get your strings out of tune
LyxPro Full Size Electric Guitar with 20w Amp
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Let’s face it – we can’t pay less than 200 bucks for a pack and expect to receive something out of this world. As a beginner, you might not be familiar with how everything works here, but trust me, there’s no way you’ll get a Les Paul or Strat quality at this price range. What you’ll get is an excellent deal that will be enough for you till you refine your skills. LyxPro Full Size Electric Guitar Pack is a spot-on option for everyone who is just starting out. The included guitar might have some build quality issues – the finish is thin and the frets might not be smooth either.
But that’s a common thing at this price point, so it’s definitely not a deal-breaker. The sound is rich enough to help you in the beginning – novices need something to get inspired about, too. The 20watt combo has a headphone jack that will make it possible to have silent practices – after all, we don’t want our family members to run away due to the noise we’re making before we actually learn something. And the best part? – you also get a digital clip-on tuner, strings, two picks, a strap, and a gig bag.
Pros:
- Extremely affordable
- Beginner-friendly
- Included gear and accessories are decent
Cons:
- Some issues with build quality
- The pickups aren’t the best
Maestro by Gibson Electric Guitar Starter Package
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I’m sure you have already heard of Gibson even if you’re taking your first steps into the world of guitars. Though the one we’re about to discuss isn’t their best, it’s truly a nice piece to try out. Maestro Electric Guitar Starter Package can be a great option for those who aren’t sure if they really want to play guitar. The included electric will guide you through that process and help you make the final decision. It’s also a wonderful piece for anyone who has no idea what they are doing and needs something that they won’t feel too bad about if it breaks or scratches (because of the price you’re paying).
In other words, it’s suitable for anyone who’s interested in a non-professional deal. Maestro by Gibson Electric Guitar Starter Package includes an amp and a number of accessories that will be handy during everyday utilization. What else could we possibly need?
Pros:
- The included guitar sounds good
- Great value for money
- Perfect for beginners or those on the budget
Cons:
- Can’t hold tuning for a long time
- You’ll have to change the strings (which isn’t surprising)
Sawtooth ES Electric Guitar Rockin’ Beginner’s Pack
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As a huge fan of guitar effects, I always get reminded of my beloved tremolo when I come across this brand. Sawtooth is a waveform that creates the spikiest type of effect and enables you to achieve unique and diverse tones. The reason why this happens isn’t just due to a mere resemblance in the names, it’s the result of everything this manufacturer stands for. Their guitars always have something extraordinary hidden up their sleeves – this time it’s the unexpected tone and quality for the price.
ES Electric Guitar comes in a Rockin’ Beginner’s Pack, providing you with the ability to purchase everything you’ll need at once. The guitar itself has a c-shape maple neck, tremolo bridge and three single-coil pickups. Sounds impressive, ha? Wait until you hold it in your hands and create your first notes. The rest of the package isn’t so bad either – you’ll get a clip-on tuner, a gig bag, some picks, a strap, a guitar stand, a cable, 10-watt amplifier, and an online lesson. I’m sure now you don’t have any doubts about Sawtooth ES Electric Guitar Rockin’ Beginner’s Pack being one of the best beginner electric guitar packages.
Pros:
- Versatile guitar
- Includes all the essential accessories
- Affordable price
Cons:
- The cord might create some noise
Stagg ESURF 250 US Surfstar Electric Guitar & Amplifier Package
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I can’t tell you how many times I have thought about an ultimate guitar pack, something that would turn out to be the best electric guitar starter kit. Well, I’d be lying if I told you I came up with an actual set, but I did start researching the market a lot more. Along that way, somewhere in the smaller corners of the web, I found the Stagg ESURF 250 US Surfstar pack. It included the guitar that I really liked in terms of sound, and came with some extras that were useful in practice.
The included electric has an interesting tonal background – the sound is rich enough to satisfy the needs of a beginner. It’s true, though, that the construction might have some flaws, but that’s something we should be used to at this point. The pack comes with a small combo that has an overdrive switch. With the latter, you get the chance to experiment with some girth and learn how to add even more dimension to the sound. If you go for Stagg ESURF 250 US Surfstat kit, you’ll also get a tuner, strings, a gig bag, and a CD with some helpful lessons and instructions.
Pros:
- Great value for money
- The guitar has beautiful design
- Comfortable to play
Cons:
- Might have some issues with construction
- Doesn’t include picks and some of the essential accessories
Glen Burton GE320BCO-CBS Classic LP-Style Electric Guitar
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I don’t know about you, but Les Paul was the guy who motivated me to start playing the guitar. I have been dreaming about his models since then, but originals have always been too expensive for me. Lucky for me, almost every brand is recreating these guitars now and we can get a decent copy for an affordable price. What’s even better is that the axe I’m about to show you comes as a package deal. Glen Burton’s GE320BCO-CBS kit includes a guitar that is better than expected. It does have its flaws, but, on the whole, the construction is quite solid.
The sound isn’t an authentic Les Paul, but it comes as close as it’s possible at this price range. The amp, which is also a part of the package, has 10 watts of power, which means it will become an indispensable practice tool. The rest of the accessories are a typical deal, with a tuner, strings, picks, etc. As you can see, simplicity is what makes Glen Burton GE320BCO-CBS so great!
Pros:
- The guitar has decent pickups
- You’ll get the Les Paul feel
- Excellent value for money
Cons:
- The bridge might have some buzz
- Tuning pegs can’t hold the tune that well
Vault Electric Guitar Bundle with Amplifier
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If you still haven’t found what you were looking for, here’s one more wonderful deal for you. Vault Electric Guitar Bundle is something you should get if you pay attention to the design of your electric. It might not have the appearance of the axe that costs 2000 bucks, but it certainly looks eye-catching. It comes in different finishes, so you can choose whichever your heart navigates towards. It’s something you or your kid would brag about with their friends, which is the opportunity we hardly ever want to miss.
The amplifier has only 10 watts of power, but it’s more than enough for practice. But you can always get a better one once you start playing more seriously. For beginner purposes, it’s perfectly fine. This bundle comes with a gig bag, a cable, a strap, a tuner, strings, picks, and Austin Bazaar polishing cloth. Sounds interesting, ha?
Pros:
- The guitar has attractive design
- The whole pack has decent quality
- Affordable
Cons:
- Might have fret buzz
Silvertone Citation Electric Guitar and Amp Package
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Whether you’re looking for the best electric guitar starter kit or you simply want an affordable guitar to modify, Silvertone Citation Electric Guitar and Amp Package is an excellent deal. It’s so cheap that you literally have nothing to lose. But the quality is way beyond the price point, which is why it’s so amazing. The Smart II amplifier has 20 watts of power – it doesn’t have high volumes, but I don’t think you’ll need that as a beginner.
It’s great for practicing purposes as it has a 3-band EQ, switchable overdrive, and a 6” speaker. The guitar looks interesting as well. It has a classic design that is really comfortable to the hands. Its double cutaways will enable you to reach the strings easily throughout the whole fretboard, getting you started on various techniques from the very beginning. The tuner and cord might not have good quality, but they can still be useful.
If not, you can always purchase better ones, they aren’t expensive after all. And for those who have never played the guitar before, Silvertone Citation Electric Guitar and Amp Package also include a chord chart. Learning has never been easier!
Pros:
- Easy to play
- Decent sound
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- You’ll have to even out the frets and maybe even adjust some of them
- The cord doesn’t have good quality and might cause noise
ZENY 39″ Full Size Electric Guitar with Amp
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I’m sure most of you are quite skeptical of 100 bucks bundles, but you should always be open-minded and try out the ones that are promising. You should never approach such deals with negativity because you might enjoy them more than you initially expected. I’ll be honest, I didn’t have high hopes about the Zeny 39” Full-Size Electric Guitar pack either, but it turned out quite impressive. No, you’re not getting a professional-level beast. What you’re getting is a comfortable, cheap and easy-to-play beginner guitar.
The actual instrument has a solid construction – you might see some uneven fret ends, but that’s virtually unavoidable. The most important part is that the pickups have decent quality and the sound ends up being quite nice, as well. The weakest part of this package is probably the amplifier, which gets distorted easily and can’t handle higher volumes. But let’s not forget that you’re paying very little money for this, so we can’t be too critical. On the whole, Zeny 39” Full Size Electric Guitar pack will serve you well until you are ready for an upgrade.
Pros:
- The pickups are decent
- Solid construction
- Many extras for a such a low cost
Cons:
- The amp could have been better
- Uneven frets
How to choose the best electric guitar starter kit?
We have already discussed so many exciting options that I’m sure you’re a bit baffled. It’s not easy to make a decision when you get distracted by countless packs and guitars. It’s twice as hard for beginners, as they don’t have any experience and have no idea what to go for. I will try to make your job a bit easier and give you some tips. I really hope they can help!
The guitar itself
As you have probably noticed, the majority of the bundles we have shown you are affordable. That means two things: they are accessible and they are cheap. The guitars that are included in beginner packs don’t usually have the best quality in the whole world and let’s face it, you’ll probably still beat the crap out of it. It’s a guitar that you’ll always love and cherish, but it’s the one you will definitely outgrow. As you mature, you can do some modifications or take a simpler path and purchase a better option. But for now, these packages have guitars that will do an excellent job for you as a novice.
When choosing a guitar, you should pay attention to its shape, weight and neck. You don’t want to pick out something that’s too heavy because it will strain your muscles – they aren’t used to such pressure yet. It’s better to go for an electric that has at least one cutaway as it will give you access to all the frets and strings. The shape of the neck matters as well – if you go for something too wide or thick, you’ll have a hard time nailing those chords. And trust me, learning to play guitar is a difficult task on its own.
The amp
When it comes to the amp, keeping low expectations is a key, too. The majority of them will do the given task decently but don’t ask them to be extremely loud or pristine clean. That’s simply unrealistic. At lower volumes (that you usually need during practice), they will be fine. Beware of the wattage, the number of channels and the number of options it gives you. The more they offer, the more things you can experiment with along the way. Even the best beginner electric guitar packages might not have powerful amps and that’s something we should get on board with.
Other accessories
Other accessories that you’re likely to come across are a gig bag, a strap, picks, strings, a stand, a tuner, wrenches, and some online lessons. This is probably where you risk the least, as the majority of them will still work no matter what. At least they will till you’re a beginner. The best electric guitar starter kit will have every essential item and that’s something you should look out for.
Conclusion
It’s hard to express with words how happy I am that you’re here. If you’re reading this article, it means you’re about to start a journey that will change your life for the better. You might become a legendary musician, or you might give up somewhere in the middle. But either way, you’ll experience the excitement of nailing your first song, creating your first piece or performing on stage for the first time. Being a beginner is a beautiful thing as it means you’ll feel a number of new emotions. The main thing is to enjoy it! If you don’t, then maybe guitar isn’t for you. I listed down the best beginner electric guitar packages so that you’d be able to make a reasonable decision. I hope that’s what you’ll do. Good luck!