The time has finally come when the hours spent listening to your favorite bands and admiring your idols have inspired you to go in search of your first electric guitar. You are only one step away from fame, but you are missing the guitar with this question: which electric guitar to start?

The goal is to find the one that will make you want to play, learn and progress. But during your research, you may be confronted with many parameters that can become a source of confusion.

We will help you better understand these instruments during your tests, by exploring the characteristics to remember so you can find the guitar made for you.

Ergonomics and playing comfort

The first point to observe is the overall ergonomics of the guitar. Is it pleasant to hold? Are all the frets easily accessible? Is it too heavy? Do you look like Jimmy Page in front of the mirror?
Ideally, for a beginner it is wise to go for a well balanced and versatile guitar. The “strat” shapes (based on the Stratocaster ) are an excellent example: they provide a pleasant playing with easy access to the high frets , as well as a light body that allows you to hold it comfortably sitting or standing.
Depending on individual preferences, other styles of electric guitars may be fine for a beginner. As long as they are not too heavy, especially for the youngest.

Sonic versatility of the guitar

After ergonomics and comfort, study the sonic versatility of the guitar. How many microphones does she have? Are they single or double coil? What settings does it make?
Guitars with a combination of 2 or 3 pickups are a great choice for getting started. Generally they integrate a 3 or 5 position selector , which will allow you to explore the sound differences according to the activated microphones.

Tuning outfit

A key point when choosing your guitar is to listen to how well it holds the tuning in place and to study how the strings change .
The guitar is an instrument that needs to be tuned daily and its strings changed relatively often. For your first choice, choose the one that has standard tuning mechanics and an intuitive string change .

And the look?

Technically, the look has very little influence on the sound of an electric guitar. However, it is the very first thing that we distinguish. Often, it is also a capital parameter in the choice of an electric guitar: it is what makes it special and personal.
If Slash or Zakk Wylde are your guitar-heros, the Gibson Les Paul (or Epiphone ) will catch your eye, or if you’ve been rocked by Eric Clapton or Dire Straits, the Fender Stratocaster will reveal the secrets of their sounds. Do you want to follow in the footsteps of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani? Take a look at the Ibanez .
A first electric guitar must first of all appeal to the person who will play it . And its look is the first thing that’ll make you want to plug it in.

Choose an amp

That’s it, you have your first guitar in your hands and you are ready to become the next Jimi Hendrix. You strike a nice E chord, and there, nothing. Not enough to ignite Woodstock.
Indeed, an electric guitar that is not plugged in is not the most satisfying instrument to play. To boost the microphones and get their full potential, you need an amplifier . Some models offer a multitude of clean and saturated sounds , with all kinds of effects to add.
The choice of amp is as important as the guitar: the two form a collaboration that will define your final sound.

What budget to consider?

Should we aim for a low price, or invest in a higher-end one with more qualities? When it comes to choosing your first guitar, there is no one choice more justified than the other.
The entry-level guitars will allow you to familiarize yourself with the instrument. Over time, they will allow you to better identify the type of guitar that suits you. The Yamaha Pacifica or Squier Affinity are superb series that integrate the points listed above.
On the other hand, the high-end models are a wise investment in the longer term. Note that the more meticulously designed a guitar, the more pleasant it will be to play and the more it will facilitate your learning. We can mention the Player series from Fender , or the PRS SE .

In terms of amplifiers, transistor models such as the digital Boss Katana or Yamaha THR offer a powerful and practical solution, with many sounds and effects, all at a very attractive price.

Do not hesitate to contact one of our specialists for more information on electric guitars, and to discover our wide choice of electric guitars on our site or in our store!