Electric Guitar: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

There’s plenty of guitar brands out there. Too many, to be honest. And they all do things slightly differently. You have the top brass: Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, and PRS. 

And then you have more affordable brands like Harley Benton, Epiphone, Squier, and Yamaha. 

You’ll want to be looking at brands like Harley Benton, Epiphone, Squier, and other more affordable brands. As a beginner, there’s no point spending thousands on a high-end guitar you cannot play. 

Here’s a breakdown of all the most well known and respected electric guitar brands that we A) recommend and rate, and B) should be on your radar as a new player. 

Fender: The Cool Kid on the Block

Fender is the brand to beat right now. It’s a legacy brand, sure, but unlike Gibson, Fender moves with the times. It listens to players, adjusts and evolves with the demands of modern guitarists. 

It does custom shop, mainline models, and Player Series models for the aspiring guitarist that doesn’t want to spend $1000+. 

And then you have its Squier brand which is where you’ll find affordable versions of its mainline models – from teles to strats to the Jazzmaster and the Mustang. 

• They invented the Stratocaster and Telecaster, two of the most iconic electric guitars ever.
• Their guitars are known for their bright, crisp tones and versatility.
• From Jimi Hendrix to John Mayer, countless legends have rocked Fenders.

Fender guitars are great for genres like rock, blues, country, and pop. If you want that classic “twang,” Fender’s your brand.

Gibson: The Timeless Classic

Gibson’s about as iconic as it gets with electric guitars. Ask 100 people what they think of when you say, “electric guitar”, and a good 70% of them will see a Gibson Les Paul in their mind’s eye. 

Played by the greats and loved by nearly all who own one, Gibson is currently the biggest guitar brand on the planet with a 30% share of the market. 

But its guitars are HELLA expensive. You’ll pay over $800 for the most basic-bitch Gibson.

But don’t do that; for the same money you can get much, much more bang for your buck by going with a high-end, Inspired By Gibson models from Epiphone. 

• They’re the creators of the legendary Les Paul and SG models.
• Gibson guitars are known for their warm, rich tones and amazing sustain.
• Rock gods like Jimmy Page and Slash have made Gibson guitars famous.

If you’re into rock, metal, or blues, a Gibson might be your dream guitar. But you’ll probably have to wait until either your record goes platinum or you open your first dental practice before you can afford one…

Ibanez: The Speed Demon

Now, let’s talk about Ibanez. If Fender is the cool kid and Gibson is the classic rocker, Ibanez is the speed demon that loves to shred.

And unlike Gibson and Fender (to an extent), Ibanez makes guitars for players at every stage of their journey – from its budget, beginner models right they way up to its high-end, professional models.

If you like choice, exotic pickups, fast necks, and you want to play fast, Ibanez is a great brand to get acquainted with.

Here’s why:

• They’re known for their fast, thin necks that are perfect for lightning-quick solos.
• Ibanez guitars often feature high-output pickups great for heavy genres.
• Their RG series is a favorite among metal and hard rock players.

If you dream of playing blistering solos or chunky metal riffs, Ibanez might be your jam.

Schecter: The Heavy Hitter

Last but not least, we’ve got Schecter. These guys are like the new kid in school who showed up one day and immediately started turning heads.

Schecter operates in the middle to upper end of the premium segment of the market. You’ll pay anywhere from $600 to $2000 for a Schecter guitar. The quality of Schecter’s guitars, on all levels of its pricing spectrum, however, is what really sets them apart.

I’m basically a Schecter fanboy; they’re all I really play. I love them and, for the money, I don’t think there’s a better option on the market right now.

Here’s the scoop:

• Schecter guitars are built with heavy music in mind.
• They’re known for their high-quality construction and aggressive looks.
• Models like the C-1 and Hellraiser are favorites in the metal and hard rock scenes.

If you want to chug out some heavy riffs or play some face-melting solos, Schecter’s got your back.

Other Noteworthy Brands: The Supporting Cast

Of course, these aren’t the only players in the game. There are tons of other great brands out there:

• Epiphone: Gibson’s more affordable sister brand. Great quality at lower prices.
• PRS (Paul Reed Smith): Known for their beautiful finishes and versatile sounds.
• Yamaha: Makes solid, reliable guitars great for beginners and pros alike.

Remember, no single brand is the “best.” Each has its strengths, and the right one for you depends on your playing style, the genres you love, and what feels good in your hands.