Buying Guide
How to Buy an Electric Guitar Kit
This short guide helps you pick the right electric guitar kit quickly. It focuses on what matters most: sound, playability, essentials included, where to buy, and mistakes to avoid so you can start playing without delay.
Key factors to consider
Budget and value:
- Entry kits typically land in the $150 to $250 range and include a guitar, a small amp, and basic accessories.
- Midrange starter bundles can run $250 to $400 and often offer better hardware, a more reliable amp, and longer warranties.
- Choose pickup type based on style: humbuckers for thicker, high-gain tones; single coils for bright, clear sounds; HSS for versatility.
- Check neck profile (slim C is common for beginners), number of frets (21 or 22), and body weight. Maple necks and laurel or high-density fingerboards affect feel.
- Bedroom practice amps are usually 10 to 15 watts with small speakers and headphone outputs. They are fine for practice but not for live gigs.
- Good kits include a gig bag, cable, strap, extra strings, picks, basic tools, and sometimes free lesson subscriptions or warranties.
Types and who they suit
Starter bundles with a practice amp:
- Best for absolute beginners who want a single purchase that gets them playing right away.
- Good for players who already own amplification or want to upgrade to a higher quality amp later.
- Tremolo bridges give stylistic vibrato but need setup and maintenance; fixed bridges are simpler and more stable for beginners.
- Solid-body designs are common for rock and metal; thinner, lightweight bodies are easier for younger players.
Important features and specs to check
Pickups and switching:
- Note the pickup layout (H, S, HSS, SSS) and whether a 3 or 5-way switch is included for tone options.
- Body wood affects weight and tone; poplar and paulownia are common on affordable instruments. Look for stable tuners and chrome-accent hardware.
- Wattage, speaker size, EQ controls, drive or gain switch, and a headphone output for quiet practice.
- Check fret finishing, nut quality, action height out of the box, and whether the kit includes an Allen key or tremolo arm for adjustments.
- Gig bag, spare strings, picks, stand, and included lessons or warranty increase long-term value and save immediate additional purchases.
Where to buy, common mistakes to avoid, and expert tips
Online vs retail:
- Buy online for better selection, pricing, and customer reviews; confirm return policy, warranty, and shipping status before purchase.
- Buy in-store when you want to test playability and get hands-on advice; bring headphones if trying amps.
- Picking solely on looks without checking how the neck feels or how the amp sounds.
- Expecting a tiny practice amp to replace a gig amp.
- Skipping a professional setup; even inexpensive guitars benefit greatly from proper intonation and action adjustment.
- Budget a small additional amount for a professional setup or at least a good clip-on tuner and quality strap.
- If you need one guitar to cover many styles choose HSS or HSH configurations for flexibility.
- Look for kits that include spare strings and a padded bag to protect the instrument during the first months of ownership.
- Check stock and shipping notes; limited stock items may be worth purchasing quickly if they match your needs.
Final Thoughts
Choose a kit that balances price, playability, and included extras. If you are starting out, prioritize a comfortable neck, a versatile pickup configuration, and a practice amp with a headphone jack. Plan for a setup after purchase to get the best tone and playability, and buy from a seller with clear returns and warranty information so you can get started with confidence.
