Playing comfort
A guitar that is easy to handle helps you progress faster. The neck should not feel too thick, access to the frets should remain natural and the instrument should make you want to practise regularly.
Quelle guitare électrique choisir pour débuter ?
Buying guide
Choosing your first electric guitar can seem complicated: body shape, pickups, comfort, amp, accessories, budget… This guide helps you understand the essential criteria for buying a guitar suited to your level, your musical style and the way you play.
Which electric guitar should you choose as a beginner?
For beginners, the best electric guitar is not necessarily the most expensive one. Above all, it is the guitar that makes you want to play regularly, feels comfortable in your hands and allows you to explore several styles without feeling limited too quickly.
Before choosing a model, you need to look at three essential points: the guitar shape, the type of pickups and playing comfort. Then you need to think about the amp and the essential accessories required to start in good conditions.
In simple terms:
For a successful first purchase, it is better to choose a reliable, comfortable and versatile guitar, paired with an amp suitable for home use and a minimum set of accessories: cable, tuner, picks and possibly a strap.
The important criteria for a first electric guitar
Sound versatility
For beginners, a guitar that can cover several styles is often more interesting than a model that is too specialised. An HSS configuration, for example, lets you move from clean tones to more rock-oriented sounds.
Stability
Good tuning stability, a reliable bridge and decent machine heads help avoid frustration. A beginner should be able to focus on playing, not on technical problems.
The right amp
An electric guitar needs an amp. For home playing, it is better to choose an amp with manageable volume, headphone output, built-in effects or modelling sounds.
The main families of electric guitars
Not all electric guitars serve the same purpose. Some are very versatile, while others are more focused on rock, blues, metal or modern sounds. Here are the main differences to know before buying.
| Guitar type | Character | For which styles? | For beginners? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Strat type | Versatile, comfortable, clean and rock tones | Pop, rock, blues, funk, variety, learning | Excellent choice to start with |
| Single cut / Les Paul type | Thicker, warmer and more powerful sound | Rock, hard rock, blues, riffs, solos | Very good choice if you like rock tones |
| Modern double cut | More advanced, upper-fret access, sustain, comfort | Rock, fusion, modern blues, studio, stage | Very good if the budget allows you to aim higher |
Our recommended guitars to start properly
Here are three interesting guitar profiles to start with, depending on your musical style, budget and level of expectation.
The most versatile
Cort G250 SE
An excellent choice for starting seriously. Its HSS configuration provides clean, crunch and rock tones while maintaining good playing comfort.
- Versatile HSS configuration
- Roasted maple neck and fingerboard
- Very suitable for learning several styles
- A solid base to progress without needing to change too quickly
For rock
Cort CR100
A guitar with a warmer and more powerful character, ideal if you like riffs, rock tones, distortion and single cut style guitars.
- Mahogany body
- Two Powersound humbuckers
- Thicker and more rock-oriented sound
- Good option for blues, rock and hard rock
To progress further
Cort M600
A more accomplished guitar, suitable for a motivated beginner or a player who wants a more serious, stable and inspiring instrument right away.
- Mahogany body with flamed maple veneer
- Set mahogany neck
- Two Cort Voiced Tone VTH-59 humbuckers
- Locking machine heads
Which amp should you choose with a first electric guitar?
An electric guitar only reveals its full potential with a suitable amp. For beginners, the goal is not necessarily to have lots of power, but to get a pleasant sound at low volume, a headphone output if possible, and simple controls.
Home & headphones
Mooer SD30i
A modern and practical amp for starting at home. It offers amp modelling, built-in effects, headphone output, Bluetooth, USB-C and a rechargeable battery.
- 30 W stereo with 2 x 4" speakers
- 52 amp models
- 126 built-in effects
- Headphone output, Bluetooth and USB-C
Tube sound
Laney Cub-Super12
A more traditional tube amp, ideal for guitarists who want to move towards a real organic, dynamic and warm sound, while keeping a low-power mode.
- 15 W tube amp with <1 W mode
- 12" HH Custom speaker
- Built-in digital reverb
- Very good choice for blues, rock and home studio
Our advice:
For a very first simple setup, the Mooer SD30i is the most practical option. If you are already looking for a real tube sound and want to keep your amp for a long time, the Laney Cub-Super12 is a more upgradeable option.
The essential accessories to get started
Many beginners only think about the guitar, but you also need a few accessories. Without an instrument cable and a tuner, it is impossible to start properly.
Instrument jack cable
A jack cable connects the guitar to the amp. For beginners, a 3-metre cable is often enough to play comfortably at home.
Fzone FT22 tuner
A clip-on tuner is essential. It lets you tune your guitar quickly before each session, without needing a mobile app.
View the FT22 tunerWhich electric guitar should you choose according to your profile?
The right choice mainly depends on your musical style, your budget and your desire to progress quickly.
I do not know yet what style I want to play: which guitar should I choose?
Choose a versatile guitar like the Cort G250 SE. Its HSS configuration lets you explore several sound worlds: clean tones, blues, pop, rock and moderate distortion.
View the Cort G250 SEI mainly want to play rock: which model should I choose?
The Cort CR100 is more suitable if you like thick tones, riffs, distortion and single cut style guitars.
View the Cort CR100I want a more serious guitar right from the start: what should I choose?
The Cort M600 is more advanced. It suits a very motivated beginner or a guitarist who wants a more stable, higher-quality and longer-lasting instrument.
View the Cort M600Which amp should I choose for home playing?
For home playing, the Mooer SD30i is very practical thanks to its effects, amp models, headphone output and rechargeable battery.
View the Mooer SD30iIs a tube amp useful for beginners?
It is not mandatory, but it is interesting if you want a more organic sound right away and an amp you can keep for a long time. The Laney Cub-Super12 is a more upgradeable option.
View the Laney Cub-Super12Our advice for a successful first purchase
If you are a complete beginner, the most important thing is to choose a guitar that you like visually, that remains comfortable, and that does not lock you into a single musical style. A guitar that is too difficult to play or too specialised can slow down motivation.
For most beginners, a versatile guitar like the Cort G250 SE with a modern amp like the Mooer SD30i makes a very coherent setup. If you are drawn to thicker rock sounds, the Cort CR100 will be more suitable. And if you want to invest directly in a more serious guitar, the Cort M600 is an excellent option for long-term progress.
Ready to choose your first electric guitar?
Discover our selection of guitars, amps and accessories to start electric guitar properly.