So your kids, or perhaps even you, have decided you want to learn how to play the guitar.  That’s amazing news and a great start.  However, without actually getting hold of a guitar, you’re not going to get very far with your newfound ambition to be the next world famous rock star!

But where do you start?  Given that there are literally hundreds of thousands of guitar makers around the world, and even more types of guitar to purchase, it goes without saying that it’s an absolute minefield even for the most skilled of musicians.   And for guitar newcomers, finding, choosing and purchasing the right type of guitar for your needs can understandably be very overwhelming – and expensive if you get it wrong.  Plus, making the right decision can, in many cases, mean the difference between students continuing to learn happily and giving up.  Choosing the wrong type of instrument really can hinder a student’s chances of learning successfully.

Every make and model of guitar differs significantly, which is one of the reasons it’s so important you make an informed decision when purchasing your first guitar.  You need to select a guitar which is right for your body size, shape and musical tastes.  Where guitars are concerned, one size definitely does not fit all!

Obviously, we would suggest doing lots of research and, of course, the team at Guitar School can help you through the maze.  However, intuition also plays a large part in the guitar you will ultimately select.  Liking it, the way it feels, the way it plays and sounds, and its ease to use are all essential points to take into consideration.

These days, almost every budget instrument is made in China. Whilst they are often cheap and cheerful, the upside is that it means you won't have to spend hundreds of pounds to find out later that you would rather learn how to play the piano or drums!  It’s also worth pointing out that ‘toy’ type guitars are an absolute ‘no-no’.  We’ve lost count of the amount of times new students have rocked up to their first lesson proudly brandishing a famous children’s cartoon character branded guitar their parents have purchased via the internet, or even from a toy shop.  Our tutors are then left with the unenviable task of having to tell the parent that the instrument is unsatisfactory (which, quite frankly, is putting mildly!).

So let’s take a look at our top picks.  Here is a list of Guitar School’s favourite guitars for younger and older beginners – which won’t break the bank!

Palma PL12 1/2 size acoustic guitar £45.99 - for ages 4-7
Palma PL34 3/4 size acoustic guitar £49.99 - for ages 7-12
Palma PL44 full size acoustic guitar £64.99 - for ages 12 and above
Encore ENC120 1/2 size acoustic guitar pack £69.99 - for ages 4-7
Encore ENC340 3/4 size guitar pack £69.99 - for ages 7-12
Encore ENC44 full size acoustic guitar pack £99.99 - for ages 12 and above
Encore E375 Blaster series 3/4 size electric guitar £119.99 - for ages 7-12
Encore E6 Blaster series full size electric guitar £119.99 - for ages 12 and above
Encore EWP-100 full size acoustic guitar £99.99 - for ages 12 onwards
Falcon FG100 full size acoustic guitar £69.99 - for ages 12 onwards

Furthermore, we would like to point out that all brand new guitars bought from Guitar School come with a free set up and service, which means you will save over £30.  This is great news as it means the whole process, from start to finish, is almost entirely free of stress – and you are certain to get exactly the right sort of model which is set up, ready and raring for action!

To find out more about buying the ideal guitar or for information on guitar lessons, get in touch by calling 01244 536 888 or via the details on our CONTACT page.