Learning to play a guitar is an amazing adventure. For a beginner, you need to choose the right equipment for a fun, simple learning process. Whether you’re into acoustic or electric guitars, there are a few essential pieces of equipment you need. In this guide we’re going to walk you through what gear you need to get started with, like a Line 6 Catalyst amplifier, and some tips on how to pick affordable but good gear.
Choosing Between Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Choosing the right type of guitar is the first step of your guitar-playing journey. Acoustic and electric guitars are both great, and when choosing, it is important to consider what you want to be playing and what you want to sound like.
Acoustic Guitars for Beginners
If you’re looking for a simple, versatile instrument, an acoustic guitar is a great place to start. Because it requires no external amplifiers, it’s a simpler option for newbies. Folk, country or classical music styles are best suited to acoustic guitars.
Electric Guitars for Beginners
If you’re into rock, metal or blues, an electric guitar would be more appropriate for you. The other good option is an electric guitar that needs a guitar amplifier to produce and amplify the sound. If you choose an electric one, you may as well go for a quality amp such as Line 6 Catalyst, which is good for sound and versatility for beginners.
Essential Accessories: Picks, Tuners, and More
After you’ve picked your guitar, you’ll need a few other pieces of equipment to help you play and practice effectively.
Guitar Picks: A Small Investment for Big Impact
There are different thicknesses of picks, each for a different style of play. Medium picks are a good place to start for beginners, as they offer a lot of control while still being comfortable to use. Having a few picks on hand is a good idea as they can wear down fast.
Tuners: Keeping Your Guitar in Tune
Every guitarist needs to tune. If you are a beginner, an electronic tuner is the best way to get your guitar in tune. Simple to use and inexpensive, clip-on tuners are a good choice, while pedal tuners are best for electric guitar players who use pedals or amps.
Guitar Cases: Protecting Your Investment
At home or when you take your guitar to lessons, a case is an absolute must. Because electric guitars are the more fragile of the two, hard plastic cases are the best way to protect them. For an acoustic guitar, a soft case might be sufficient for basic protection.
Amplifiers: Finding the Right One for Electric Guitars
If you decide to go for an electric guitar, you will need to purchase an amplifier. It amplifies the sound of the guitar and can have a big impact on the tone overall.
The simpler and more versatile an amplifier is, the better when you are buying one for beginners. Buy a small inexpensive model with effects built in such as reverb and distortion. For home practice, shoot for 10-20 watts. Solid state amplifiers are a good choice that is reliable and user friendly. Go test sound quality in store to make sure it works with your guitar and music style.
Get Ready to Play
The right equipment is the first step to a great guitar playing experience, and a huge difference between the right and wrong equipment. If you’re looking for simplicity in an acoustic guitar or versatility from an electric guitar with an amp, then spend your money on good quality gear that matches your musical style or goals. Start your journey with your guitar without having to spend a fortune on picks, tuners and more. Above all else, have fun learning and playing your guitar. It will be a means for endless creativity and self expression.
What do you think of our equipment essentials list? Let us know in the comments, on Facebook, Instagram, or by tweeting us @thehoneypop!
Need more of this kind of content in your life? You can check our other related music posts here.
