2025 Guitar Buying Guide– Updated Regularly.
Guitar & Gear Buying Guide from Rob. I’ve extensively used, set up, and repaired all the gear on this list — that’s why it made the cut. Want more info or personalized advice?
Give me a call 757-575-4604
BOOKS: USE MY LINKS and SAVE
Progressive GUITAR BOOK 1 for up 10yo Kids https://amzn.to/4p1trR2
Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1 for 10yo+ https://amzn.to/4r1OJQo
🎸 ELECTRIC GUITAR PLAYERS: USE MY LINKS and SAVE
The Squier Debut Stratocaster is a comfortable, great-looking guitar that’s perfect for beginners. It has a slightly thinner body, an easy-to-play neck, and comes in some awesome colors that really capture that rock vibe — all at a budget-friendly price. Get it here: https://amzn.to/43qtFsB
Pair it with the Spark GO smart amp, and you’ve got a powerhouse setup in a tiny package. The Spark GO is small enough to fit in your hand, runs on a built-in battery, and gives you access to thousands of classic guitar tones and effects. Get it here: https://amzn.to/479n9aL
You need a guitar cable for your electric guitar kit. This two pack is a great starting cable. You always need a spare to connect to different gear. So this one is great. Get yours here: https://amzn.to/47iFzWU
Together, the Squier Debut Strat and Spark GO make the perfect starter combo for new rockers — and you can usually get both for around $250–$325, depending on sales.
If all this feels like a lot — no worries! Just email me. I help all my students (and readers!) for free with a personal guitar-shopping session.
🔥 NEED A SMALL GUITAR for Smaller PLAYERS? USE MY LINKS and SAVE
If your rocker is on the younger side and needs a smaller guitar, check out the Squier Mini Jazzmaster. It costs about $50 more than the Squier Debut, but you’re getting a noticeable upgrade — with a better nut, improved overall build quality, and upgraded potentiometers. It’s a great choice for kids or smaller players who still want that classic rock feel. Get it here: https://amzn.to/3WNdSQV
If your rocker is on the younger side and needs a smaller guitar, check out the Squier Mini Stratocaster. It costs about $50 more than the Squier Debut, but you’re getting a noticeable upgrade — with a better nut, improved overall build quality, and upgraded potentiometers. It’s a great choice for kids or smaller players who still want that classic rock feel. Get it here: https://amzn.to/3KRRnYC
🔥 Are you a LEFT Handed Player? USE MY LINKS and SAVE
The Ibanez AZ 40 series is another great option FOR LEFT AND RIGHT HAND PLAYERS— a modern take on the original Stratocaster design. These guitars rock hard and usually cost less than comparable models. They’re a total sleeper buy… and a total win. LEFTY’s choose the Left Handed option at checkout. Get it here: https://amzn.to/3JhyzBq
🔥 Want an Upgraded Experience? USE MY LINKS and SAVE
If you want something a little more expensive, look these series of guitars.
Lots of Colors and pickup options to choose from! If you’re getting serious about guitar and want something with all the bells and whistles without breaking the bank, check out the Squier Classic Vibe series or the Epiphone Les Paul Modern and SG Modern models. These guitars deliver pro-level tone and style at a price that still makes sense.
Electric Guitar Strings
D’Addario Guitar Strings – XL Nickel Electric Guitar Strings – EXL110: A bit bigger gauge of strings are great for beginners because they limit bending, which makes your chords play more in tune than the super skinny 9’s or 8’s. I suggest a set of 10’s for everyone. I use them myself.
Elixir Acoustic Guitar Phosphor Bronze Strings with NANOWEB Coating – Light (.012-.053) These strings are a great high performance string that I love to use. The coating helps the string last longer by protecting it from grime and dirt.
⚡ACOUSTIC PLAYERS: USE MY LINKS and SAVE
For adult-sized rockers:
The Gretsch Jim Dandy series is a fantastic choice. You can pick up a parlor, Dreadnaught, or OM-sized guitar for about $180–$200, and they even offer upgraded options with electronic pickups for around $280. With so many options and great quality at this price, it’s hard to go wrong. Get it here: https://amzn.to/47weWyQ
For younger players:
The Cordoba Mini II is a small acoustic guitar with nylon strings, perfect for tiny hands. Its wide neck gives fingers plenty of space for learning chords, and it produces a loud yet delicate sound. With a variety of finishes, these guitars range from $150–$300 — any option in this series is an excellent buy. Get it here: https://amzn.to/4nfm8nM
Another great option for young players who prefer steel strings:
The Yamaha FJ Jr 2 is a 3/4 scale acoustic, smaller than a full-size guitar but larger than the Cordoba Mini II. The shorter scale length makes the steel strings much easier to play, so young players can practice comfortably. This model is a solid choice for around $200. Get it here: https://amzn.to/479qLJR
Acoustic Guitar Strings
D’Addario EJ16 Guitar Strings – Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings – 12-53 Light. This is my go to string. Great price, great tone, and they look good. They tarnish pretty quickly, but sound bright and full for a long time. Get these at 1/2 the price of the Elixir’s.
D’Addario Acoustic Guitar Strings, XT Phosphor Bronze Coated, XTAPB1253, Light Gauge 12-53 This is my go to string. Great price, great tone, and they look good. They tarnish pretty quickly, but sound bright and full for a long time. Get these at 1/2 the price of the Elixir’s.
I can Help You Shop AND Set UP Your New GUITAR do it plays Great!
💀 Personalized Shopping Experience
I’ll help you buy a guitar if you sign up for five (5) lessons. It’s that simple. We will head to the guitar shop together, look around, play, and more. I’ll let you know my thoughts and help you make a great informed decision about amps, guitars, acoustics, accessories, strings, and more.
💪 Get a Guitar SETUP.
You will need a setup, new or used, every guitar needs a proper setup. This is more important if the guitar is used. I can help you with that. I provide a full range of guitar repair and maintenance services and provide awesome setups. If you want your guitar to feel and play well, get a setup.
$40 Tune-Up with Standard Strings
This service includes a full basic setup to improve overall feel and playability. I’ll adjust your truss rod, measure and evaluate your string action at both the nut and the 12th fret, remove the old strings, polish your frets to a smooth medium luster, and clean and oil the fretboard. Finally, I’ll restring your guitar with standard-gauge strings appropriate for your instrument and playing style.
$90 Full Setup with Premium Strings
Everything in the standard tune-up plus a full action and playability overhaul. I’ll set your action at the 12th fret by reshaping or lowering the saddle (or adjusting it on an electric), fine-tune your nut action by sanding and shaping the string slots, and polish the nut for smooth tuning. I’ll also check for any issues with the tuning machines, inspect the tremolo system on electrics, and look over the internal braces on an acoustic.
To finish it off, I clean and polish your frets to a high gloss for a smooth feel, then restring your guitar with premium coated strings sized appropriately for your instrument and personal playing style.
😎 Amp, pedal, and Loopers: USE MY LINKS and SAVE
Amps:
Positive Grid Spark MINI. An Upgrade to the Spark GO with all the bells and whistles including a built in battery. You will absolutely love the Positive Grid Spark Amps.
Fender Mustang LT25 Guitar Amp, 25-Watt Combo Amp. This is a great amp all around, especially for beginners. It has lots of tones and effects and will sound great without breaking the bank.
Loopers and Pedals
NUX Loop Core Stereo Guitar Looper Pedal with 6 hours recording time and synchro Drum! This new pedal from NUX is awesome. The Screen is easy to see, the controls are simple, and the addition of drums means you can jam along to a full band sound all by yourself.
HeadRush Flex Prime – Guitar and Bass Multi Effects Pedal. I love this pedal. It does everything except drums, All the amp sounds! With over 60 effects, including delay, chorus, reverb, modulation and more, this is my favorite pedal for any AMP. Just plug it in and creat your perfect sound or use one of the awesome 230 preset sounds.
Singular Sound BeatBuddy MINI 2: Hands Free Drum Machine Guitar Effect Pedal. It’s a drum machine in a guitar pedal, enabling full hands-free, creative control of the beat. Add fills, transitions and stop while you play your instrument.
Donner Pocket-X Multi Effects Guitar Pedal Guitar/Bass AMP Modeler Multi Effects Processor. Multifunctional Guitar Pedal: The PocketX is a comprehensive toolkit for guitarists and bassists, featuring 6 effects modules including noise gate, boost, and compressor, plus 20 preamp, 3-band EQ, 7 modulations, 5 delays, 6 reverbs, and 20 IR CAB slots for unparalleled sound customization.