2025 Guitar Guide for Beginners to Intermediate Players
The Complete Guide to Buying a Guitar
Marc Levesque
1/7/2025 • 4 min read
2025 Guitar Recommendation
Here’s our list of exclusive guitar recommendations, updated for 2025. We’ve got top picks for acoustic guitars, ukuleles, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Each guitar on this list provides great value for beginners and intermediate players. We hope you will find one that inspires your guitar lesson and practice!
Table of Contents
Acoustic Guitar
The Best Overall Option: Yamaha FG800J
- Solid Spruce Top
- Great Features
- Warm, Balanced Tone
- Comfortable Body
- Affordable
- Big for Younger or Smaller Players
- No Pickup
The Yamaha FG800J is a fresh addition to Yamaha’s FG Series, offering a timeless design, reliable performance, and affordability. Its traditional dreadnought body, solid spruce top, and nato back and sides with a glossy finish make it a top pick for beginners.
What really sets the FG800J apart, especially below $250 USD price point, is the solid spruce top. It’s not something you see often in this range—most guitars here use laminate tops, which don’t quite match the depth and richness you get with a solid top.
If you’re after a warm, balanced tone that suits classic dreadnought playing styles, this guitar won’t disappoint. Sure, it might not match the brilliance of higher-end guitars, but it offers solid quality, great playability, and real value for anyone starting out or looking for an affordable choice.
For those who find the frame big or who prefer a slimmer neck, check out the Yamaha FS800 from the same series. It offers a smaller body with a sound that’s less deep and loud compared to the FG800J.
The Best Option Under $200: Fender CD-60S
Start your first lesson for free with exceptional guitar teachers. No contracts ever.
The Best Option With a Bigger Budget: Yamaha LS6
Bass Guitar
The Best Overall Option: Ibanez SR300E
- Great Sound
- Solid Build
- Slim Neck
- Versatile
- Affordable
- Too Slim for Some Players
Lightweight and solidly built, the Ibanez SR300E is a favorite for beginner and intermediate bass players. It’s known for delivering a punchy, clean sound compared to different brands or models. Perfect for energetic bassists, it’s easy to play and highly versatile thanks to its onboard “switchboard,” which offers quick access to a variety of tones and styles.
The slim neck design may not suit everyone, as some players find the Yamaha TRBX304 (below) more comfortable. Still, the Ibanez SR300E remains an excellent choice for its price range.
The Yamaha TRBX304 is a popular starter bass with a slightly higher price tag than the Ibanez SR300E. Many players appreciate its comfortable design, though its tone is often described as less punchy or crisp. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference.
The Best Overall Option for Amplifier: Fender Rumble 40
- Great Volume
- Portable
- Excellent Value for Long Term Use
- Reliable Brand
- Not Budget-friendly
To play an electric bass guitar, you’ll need an amplifier as well. A bass amp amplifies the sounds of low-pitched instruments, making them audible to audiences. A small combo amp is great for home practice, but for rehearsals or gigs, a larger one is necessary. Here’s one of the top-rated amplifiers recommended by bass players.
For practice purposes, the Fender Rumble 40 is an excellent choice for volume, features, weight, and value. There are cheaper options like the Fender Rumble 25, but many players agree that the difference between the 25 and 40 is significant. If possible, it’s worth waiting to invest in the Rumble 40, but if you’re on a budget, the Rumble 25 is still a good starting point, and you can always upgrade later!
Electric Guitar
The Best Overall Option: Yamaha Pacifica PAC012
- Easy to Play
- Versatile
- Comfortable
- Stable Tuning
- Affordable
- Not Suited for Heavy Music
- Minor Issues with Finish
The Yamaha Pacifica PAC012 is well-loved among beginners for its excellent price point, versatile tone, and reliable construction. Its sound works perfectly in genres like blues and classic rock.
Featuring a solid pickup design and an excellent bridge system, Yamaha PAC012 a great fit for most guitar players—except those looking for heavy, distorted metal tones. For that, the Jackson JS Series Dinky JS22-7 might be a better option.
Overall, the Yamaha PAC012 has solid, reliable hardware that makes it easy to play and enjoy. Its tuners work well, so you won’t need to spend too much time adjusting them. If you also want to experiment with different genres or just play around with sounds, Pacifica 012 is a great fit.
Ukulele
One common question among beginners is whether to start with a ukulele or a guitar. The ukulele stands out for its portability and simplicity, making it an excellent gateway to string instruments. Although the chords are different, the skills of strumming and fingerpicking can smoothly transition to guitar learning in the future.
That said, if your ultimate goal is to master the guitar, we recommend starting with it directly. The ukulele is particularly well-suited for young children aged 5 to 8, offering a comfortable and fun learning experience. For kids 8 and older, the guitar might be a better fit, as it develops the strength and reach necessary for more advanced techniques.
The Best Overall Option: Kala KA-S Soprano Ukulele
- Easy to Play
- Solid Build
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Tone Limit
The Kala KA-S Soprano Ukulele is an excellent option for those seeking a well-crafted, high-quality ukulele at an affordable price. Perfect for players becoming more serious about their ukulele journey, this starter ukulele is both budget-friendly and dependable, making this instrument a top pick.
This size is ideal for children learning ukulele before guitar or those with smaller hands. For adults or anyone seeking a slightly larger instrument and deeper tone, consider the Kala KA-C Concert Ukulele listed below.
Where Can I Buy Guitars?
We’ve listed guitars available on Amazon since it’s a convenient choice for most people. If you prefer a hands-on experience, visiting a local music store is a great way to explore different options, get expert advice, and find the sound that suits you.
You can also check out specialized websites like Guitar Center and Sweetwater. They offer reliable options with plenty of detailed reviews, making it easier to choose something within your budget.
For a more affordable option, consider buying a second-hand guitar. This works especially well for experienced players looking to upgrade or try something new. Beginners may find the process a bit more challenging but still worth exploring.
How Much Do Guitar Lessons Cost?
Guitar lessons generally cost between $40-$90 per hour, but costs can vary widely depending on the teacher’s education and performing level, the location, lesson length and whether they are in-person or online.
The average price for a one-hour guitar lesson is USD $70. Live online lessons using Zoom or Skype charge between $30-50 for a half hour lesson. Local private one-on-one guitar lessons range from $35-55 for a half hour lesson, while in-person group lessons can cost $25 for a half hour lesson.
Learn everything about guitar lessons cost: How much do guitar lessons cost?
Final Thoughts - Get a Free Trial
We hope you found your ideal guitar through this article. Finding the right guitar isn’t easy and requires some research, but once you find one that fits your budget and style, you’re good to go! Plus, as you become more serious about playing, you can always upgrade to a better one later.
Still have questions? At Lesson With You, we can help match you with the best guitar instructor, with no contracts required. Start a free 30-minute trial and begin your guitar journey today!
Explore our music lessons
Interested in a certain style?
Musical Theatre Singing Lessons | Classical singing Lessons | Rock singing Lessons | Country singing Lessons | Pop Singing Lessons
Classical Guitar Lessons | Acoustic Guitar Lessons | Jazz Guitar Lessons | Rock Guitar Lessons | Electric Guitar Lessons | R&B Guitar Lessons
Marc Levesque
Marc Levesque is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where he studied Piano Performance and Arts Administration, receiving both Bachelor's and Master's degrees before attending Carnegie Mellon University to study educational technology. As a pianist, Marc made his debut with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra at age 15, playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2., and he has performed at various summer programs and festivals across the United States, Italy, and Croatia. Marc is a co-founder of Lesson With You, which fully combines his love of music, technology, and education.