This is our review of the Best Electric Guitar Starter Kit.
I began ‘playing’ guitar many years ago with a starter pack. In fact, the amp I used is in this review!
It’s very important to choose a reliable starter pack. Buying nasty cheap products will ultimately end up in the beginner guitarist quitting. Cheap guitars won’t stay in tune, they’re set up badly and some woods bend after a year or so.
…but that’s what I’m here for.
After reviewing many starter packs for the electric guitar, my recommendation for the best beginner guitarist starter pack is the Squier Stratocaster Electric Guitar Pack.
I’ve made my decisions on the following criteria:
- Budget
- Quality
- Essential Extras
- Longevity
- Suitability
Now there are hundreds of packs out there today, and 85% of them are garbage. I understand we all have different needs and budgets to think about. So, I’ve whittled my review down to 5 trustworthy starter packs that will see you on your way.
Quick View-The Best Electric Guitar Starter Kits
- Squier Stratocaster Electric Guitar Pack–Best Overall
- LyxPro Electric Guitar Starter Pack–Best Budget Deal
- Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar–Best Sounding
- Ibanez IJRG220Z Electric Guitar Package–Best Midprice Pack
- Epiphone Slash “AFD” Les Paul-Performance–Best Premium
8 Tips To Consider For Beginner Buying
- Pay attention to the neck size and weight. Look out for the term ‘Slim Neck’. This is perfect for children and beginners. If the guitar is too heavy a child won’t be comfortable.
- Look out for poorly made guitars, you’ll end up buying twice. We’ve reviewed plenty of suitable guitars for your needs above.
- You don’t need to spend a small fortune but set aside some money for essential extras like spare strings and a decent tuner.
- Online Lessons vs Tutor? If you can’t stretch for a personal tutor then that’s the perfect option, but use all resources available. There are some good beginner guitar videos online at justinguitar.
- Have a place in mind for practice. A decent upright chair, with no arms. A quiet place away from distraction (if possible). If you’re starting out, give yourself the best chance to succeed.
- Get the best guitar for your budget. Don’t go any lower. Poorer quality instruments often don’t stay in tune and won’t last long. They may end up bending or becoming completely useless.
- Stay away from the overly decorated guitars, the more paint, and rubbish they’ve splashed over it, it’s probably hiding the cheap nasty build. If it’s too good to be true, IT IS.
- Check for Warranty, in general, my recommendations have a safety net in case something happens. Click my links to check for the Warranty.
Let’s get on with the reviews:
1 – Squier Stratocaster Electric Guitar Pack
Best Overall Electric Guitar Starter Kit
- Free 3 Month Fender Play
- Rights to Use The Real Fender Strat Build Specifications
- Comes with Awesome Fender Frontline Amp
- Perfect For Rock, Blues, Country, Folk & Funk
- Great Build Quality and Lastability
- Classic 6-Way Pickup Selector Switch
- Free Gig Bag
Beginners can now get their hands on the legendary electric guitar without having to spend big money on a ‘Fender’.
There are lots of Stratocaster-shaped copies out there on the market, but none are in partnership with Fender. Squire is ‘true value for money’.
Squire provides budget versions of Fender guitars. Squire has the rights to use the real Fender Strat specifications.
So, although you won’t be getting the hardware and perks of the authentic Fender Strat. You’ll still be guaranteed the outstanding build quality and blueprint of a real Fender guitar. This in itself is why Squire is the most popular entry guitar in today’s market.
“If you’re looking to take the guitar seriously, then this Fender Squire guitar is hands down your best choice”
A major benefit for me is the inclusion of the Fender Frontman Amp. These are by far superior to any other ‘starter pack amp’.
With the combination of the amp and the Squire, and this pack is within your budget. I would strongly recommend it.
Authority Guitar has a thorough review on the Fender Frontman 10G Electric Guitar Amp within our Best Mini Guitar Amp article if you’re interested? See no. 7 in our 12 Best Low Priced Reliable Mini Amps.
With an added FREE 3 month Fender play lessons, you can’t go wrong. What a superb package to start your journey with.
Pack Includes:
Stratocaster Electric Guitar/ Squier Frontman 10G Amplifier/ Padded Gig Bag/ 10′ Instrument Cable/ Fender Guitar Strap/ Fender Guitar Picks/ Free 3-Month Fender Play Subscription
2- LyxPro Electric Guitar Starter Kit
Best Starter Guitar on a Lower Budget
- Great For A Tight Budget
- Lots Of Accessories
- 20W Meaty Amp
- Solid Wood Build
- Comes In Black, Blue, Natural, Pink, Red & Sunburst
- Free Gig Bag
If you are looking for the ideal ‘straight outta the box’ gift for a budding guitarist, then the Lyx Pro guitar pack is an easy option.
Six stunning colors in which to choose from, with a bag full of essential extras. All this for a very affordable price.
As the body is produced from solid wood, it’s easily my no.1 choice of starter guitar around this price.
Solid wood gives the player so much more depth in a tone that no other manufacturer can compete with.
The tones of the amp are of good quality. The clean channel is crystal clear and carries pretty well.
The drive switch allows you to get your heavy riffs out and act like the Rock God that we all want to be.
A real nice gift for the beginner guitarist looking for a foot in the door. A very popular product in today’s market. It’s no-nonsense, straight out of the box, plugin, and play starter kit. Fun value=10/10.
Note to any parents: The 20W amplifier is LOUD!
Pack Includes:
39 inch Electric Guitar/ Lyx AGL 20W Amp with Cable/ Tuner (Clip On)/ Instruction Book (Teaching how to tune)/A Pack of Strings/ x2 Picks- Shoulder Strap
3-Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar Pack
Best Sounding Guitar At Mid Range Price
- Free Online Lessons from eMedia
- Epiphone Electar 10-watt amp with a 6” speaker
- Suits: Rock, Blues Rock, Punk Players
- Big Seller
- Great Dual Humbucking Tones
- Free Gig Bag
This standard Les Paul Epiphone kit is among the most popular and almost came out as my favorite overall.
A Beautiful looking sunburst guitar that also comes in ebony with a good array of extras.
You’ll get a 10W ‘Electar’ 62 speaker amp, which is more than enough to smash out those meaty rock riffs.
A clean and overdrive button for different styles of playing when the household has had enough of your beefcake riffs.
The guitar itself is an Epiphone Les Paul Special II and is famous for its monstrous tones thanks to the double humbuckers and its solid wood body build.
It’s worth knowing the humbuckers are pretty damn good considering the cost of this overall package.
The Epiphone Les Paul can cover a variety of styles and tones. It’s the workhorse of the Rock World.
You can see the classic Les Paul body which is one, if not the most popular guitar shape in guitar history. If you love rock music, Les Paul rock music, this is where you start.
Epiphone is a reliable and huge manufacturer in the starter to intermediate guitar world. Definitely my favorite sounding guitar in the review.
Pack includes:
Epiphone Les Paul Special II LTD electric guitar/ Epiphone 10 watt Electar Guitar Amp/ Guitar Lessons downloadable from eMedia-Covering every style of guitar/ Easy to carry Gigbag/ 10 foot Guitar Cable/ Clip on guitar tuner/ Guitar Strap/ Medium Picks
4-Ibanez IJRG220Z Electric Guitar Package
Best Guitar Pack For: Punk Rock, Chugging, Heavy Metal & Rock
- Sweet 10W Ibanez IBZ1G amplifier
- Value For Money
- Trem Bridge & Whammy Bar
- Great Looking Guitar
- Jumbo Sized Frets
- Free Gig Bag
This is by far the best looking guitar in the review. An absolute slab of rock guitar in the form of this classy glossy black, well-built ideal starter kit for the heavy rock ax-wielding riffmeister.
As far as getting your money’s worth the Classic double-cutaway RG bodied style guitar comes with a 10 watt Ibanez IBZ1G Amp. Also comes fitted with a headphone jack so you can play as long as you like into the night without upsetting anyone.
Unlike the guitars before, the Ibanez comes fitted with smoking humbuckers which are suited for the player who loves the lightning-quick power chords, overdriven riffs, and face-melting lead solos.
Don’t forget the tremolo Bridge and whammy bar. This allows you to bend and create some pretty space-like guitar sounds.
The Jumbo frets are ideal for complete beginners and will aid big-fingered players.
The jump start package is more than a convincing starter package for the beginner who’s into punk rock and metal.
Pack Includes:
Electric Guitar10-Watt Amplifier/ Gig BagTuner/ Strap/ Cable/ Picks/ Accessories Pouch
5-Epiphone Slash “AFD” Les Paul Performance
Best Premier Starter Guitar Pack
- Designed By Slash Himself!
- Flamed Maple Veneer Finish
- Upgraded Accessories
- Amp has a Mid Control
- Built-In E Tuner
- Free Gig Bag
The Slash AFD (Appetite For Destruction) is inspired by the custom Les Paul (which is one of the Daddies of the Les Paul electric guitar).
The stunning amber finish, maple veneer finish and single layer of ivory binding, and dark cherry back and side are the same as the original.
The ceramic plus zebra coil humbuckers are modeled on the late 50s Les Paul and sought-after vintage models.
Unlike any other guitar in this review, the bridge pickup mounting ring has a built-in E tuner. This will certainly be a benefit for a starter player.
You won’t be needing to unplug and get your handheld tuner out between every song.
The Epiphone AFD features premium all-metal hardware with the legendary tune o matic bridge and tailpiece. By far the best quality of build in my article. But that reflects in the price of the little beaut.
The amp is also not to be ignored. With the Custom designed ‘Snakepit’ logo, this 15watt, 8” speaker can deliver a cool midrange crunch, just like you get on many Guns N Roses tunes.
It also supports some pretty chimey clear tones and the full-on ‘lets go mental’ classic over-driven sounds.
A superbly made, tasty looking RIFF machine. Another big seller and reputable Epiphone guitar if you’re looking for that something a little more special.
Pack includes:
Electric Guitar15-Watt Combo Guitar Amplifier/ Premium gig bag with Slash’s “Snakepit” logo3/ Dunlop Tortex Slash signature picks in three colors (white, black, and purple)/ Guitar strap/ Epiphone 1/4″ standard guitar cable/ Free online lessons from eMedia
Something To Remember
Are Starter Packs Worth The Money?
Yes! they serve a purpose most definitely.
These days the quality of build of starter kit equipment is improving all the time.
A starter pack is an ideal way to get a beginner into making some noise and enjoying learning the guitar.
Bear in mind, guitar starter packs are generally low in price. You shouldn’t be expecting amazing tones of equipment worthy of a more expensive model. But they’re certainly good enough for live shows and move you forwards in the correct manner.
Buying an expensive guitar doesn’t automatically mean you’ll succeed any quicker.
It’s like anything, you have to build your gear up as you go along. Buying a decent starter kit is the first step to succeeding.
Give yourself or a loved one the best possible chance of succeeding from the very start.
How Do I Choose The Right One For Me?
Within the first few seconds, you’ll know if you like the guitar visually. You get that gut feeling.
What guitar do your heroes play? You can find a less expensive version of their guitar.
Playing the guitar you really like the look of is very important. You always want to get to the stage where you can’t walk past it without picking it up. That’s how you get good at guitar.
What type of music do you like? If you want to sound like a certain genre or style, do some research and look at what brand of guitar is being played on that record.
For instance, here are some basic examples of guitars that play certain genres best:
Blues: Stratocaster, Les Paul
Rock: Stratocaster, Les Paul, Ibanez,
Heavy Metal: Ibanez, Les Paul
Punk: Stratocaster, Ibanez
Don’t Overlook The Small Print
Pay attention to what people are saying about a certain guitar. Watch videos of ‘real people’ playing that guitar. Do you like the tone?
You’re looking to play this guitar every day in the beginning, so make sure you do your research before parting with your hard-earned cash (that’s what we’re here for!).
The Guitar is the most expensive part of the pack, so make sure that is the one you want.
The extras aren’t generally great in starter packs but can be replaced for a small price at a later date. Don’t be swayed by the number of accessories in a kit.
Overall
Find a balance between what you can afford, what you like, and what you think suits your needs.
Go with your gut instinct, that’s how i’ve always decided.
The Easy Way, But Not The Smart Way
The easy route would be to save up enough money to buy a well-known branded guitar, visit the local store and buy it.
Surely this is the best way, as I’m paying for a quality branded instrument? Actually no! just because a manufacturer produces the best most popular (adult) guitar. That doesn’t automatically mean they build a good beginner or child’s guitar.
Is It Better To Buy The Guitar And Amp Separately?
Buying a kit separately will cost more. I would recommend buying a ‘starter kit’ to see if the player is going to stick to the task of learning the guitar first.
There’s no harm in looking around and comparing amplifier prices. But this might become a little overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for.
Generally, the starter kits are ideal for you to plug in and play. Not having to worry about anything else. No hassles, just concentrate on learning and having fun.
After 6 months if you fancy a tone upgrade, then look around for a better amp. I would safely say buying a starter pack is definitely going to be cheaper in the long run.
