{"id":10031307,"date":"2026-09-10T14:40:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T12:40:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thomann.de\/blog\/en\/?p=10031307"},"modified":"2026-09-15T09:46:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T07:46:26","slug":"how-to-choose-your-first-electric-guitar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thomannmusic.com\/blog\/learn\/how-to-choose-your-first-electric-guitar\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose Your First Electric Guitar \u2013 a Complete Guide for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So you\u2019ve made up your mind: you want to learn to play the guitar \u2013 specifically, the electric guitar. Great choice! But before you can rock out, shred, or play the funky sounds, blues licks, driving riffs and wild solos you\u2019re dreaming of, you need to choose the right instrument. The huge range of electric guitars can seem a bit overwhelming, but it gives you the chance to pick your very own dream instrument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Thomann<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This guide will tell you everything you need to know to choose your first guitar, without getting bogged down in technical details or spending more than you need to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key factors to consider when choosing your first guitar<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
What style of music do you want to play?<\/td><\/tr>
How comfortable are the body and neck?<\/td><\/tr>
How high is the string action, and how good is the playability?<\/td><\/tr>
What sort of sound are you looking for from the pickups?<\/td><\/tr>
What is your budget for the instrument and accessories?<\/td><\/tr>
An overview of the most popular guitar models<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Key Factor #1 for Choosing an Electric Guitar: What Style of Music Do You Want to Play?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The design of the electric guitar \u2013 from the body to the neck joint, neck, and headstock, right down to the type of wood \u2013 affects playing comfort and sound just as much as the choice of pickups, the presence or absence of a tremolo, and many other details. Ultimately, these differences are the reason why many electric guitars are, at least broadly speaking, associated with certain musical styles. However, there are also \u2018all-rounders\u2019 that are versatile enough to be used in a variety of styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rock & Metal \u2013 the Sound of Humbuckers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start straight away with the harder styles. Rock and metal thrive on a fat, warm and distorted guitar sound with plenty of punch. To achieve this, the pickups are crucial. Most rock guitarists opt for so-called humbuckers. These are double-coil pickups which, firstly, deliver the desired punch and, secondly, effectively suppress annoying mains hum even at higher volumes. In metal, active humbuckers with higher output are often used to take this up another notch.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Blues & Classic Rock \u2013Single-Coils Take Centre Stage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, blues and classic rock rely on a clear and bluesy guitar sound. Instruments fitted with single-coil pickups are therefore particularly popular in these genres. Popular examples include S-style, double-cut or T-style guitars, such as the Stratocaster or Telecaster, some of which can be surprisingly affordable. These electric guitars are renowned for their crisp, versatile and, as a result, assertive sound.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Pop and Indie \u2013 Mixing different Pickups for Versatility<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Away from the mainstream, guitarists often prioritise originality, versatility and the ability to create their own style. In other words: they don\u2019t want to be pigeonholed; instead, they want to sound unique. Electric guitars featuring a mix of single-coil and humbucker pickups are ideal for this. Indie bands in particular often opt for electric guitars that venture off the beaten path.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Key Factor #2: Body and Neck \u2013 Comfort Comes First<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The tonal foundation of an electric guitar is defined by the body shape and contouring, the dimensions of the neck \u2013 namely the scale length and width \u2013 and the neck profile. It\u2019s all about playing comfort \u2013 specifically, how easily you can reach certain notes without straining. For beginners, this is a crucial factor depending on their age and height. If you\u2019re about to buy your first electric guitar, always bear in mind: it\u2019s not you who should adapt to the instrument. Instead, the instrument should suit you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose the Right Neck & Body Size<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For younger players (approx. 6\u201311 years old), there are so-called short-scale instruments with a shorter neck scale and a smaller body. This makes fingering much easier. What\u2019s more, these instruments are considerably lighter and thus easier on the shoulders and spine, particularly for beginners whose bodies are still developing. A standard Stratocaster has a scale length of 648 mm, whilst short-scale instruments range from around 480 mm to 580 mm.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Neck Profile and Width \u2013 Got Small or Large Hands?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Guitar necks vary not only in length, but also in width and, above all, thickness. As a general rule, narrow necks are often easier to play for beginners and guitarists with smaller hands and fingers, particularly as the fingers still need to get used to stretching and spreading out when playing chords and scales. Wider necks, on the other hand, are better suited to playing chords, as the strings are slightly further apart, giving the fingers more space. In reality, however, the thickness of the neck is a far more important factor than the width. Whilst a neck with a slimmer profile suits beginners with smaller fingers, you\u2019ll benefit from a thicker neck profile if you have larger hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Body Shape and Weight \u2013 Watch out for your Shoulders and Back<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not just the shape of the body that determines how comfortable a guitar is to play, but also the weight. Ultimately, only you can judge whether the shape \u2013 with its design, cut-outs, contours and so on \u2013 meets your expectations. Can you hold it comfortably whilst sitting or standing? Does the electric guitar sit comfortably against your body? If so, it might be the right one for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weight, on the other hand, is a factor you shouldn\u2019t underestimate. Due to the density of the woods used in their construction, some guitars weigh in at over four kilograms \u2013 a weight that can put a considerable strain on your shoulders when standing up. To complicate matters even more, the weight also affects the sound. The rule of thumb is: the heavier the body, the more powerful and sustain-rich the sound. But for the sake of your shoulders, you can also compensate for such nuances with additional equipment such as effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, not all manufacturers list the weight of their guitars in the product specifications. The experts in our electric guitar department will be happy to help you. Just get in touch!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Factor #3: String Action & Playability<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The string action (how high the strings sit above the fretboard) affects how easy or difficult the guitar is to play. If the string action is too high, it becomes difficult to fret the strings. If the strings are too low, they will buzz when you play. In principle, none of this is a problem, as the string action can be adjusted at any time \u2013 most electric guitars allow for adjusting the height of each string individually. With a bit of experience, you can even do this yourself using the right tools. The neck angle can also be adjusted. However, if you\u2019re not yet experienced, it\u2019s best not to attempt this yourself; instead, have it done by a qualified professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"erste<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Key Factor #4: Pickups \u2013 the Sound Makers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The pickups are largely responsible for the sound of your electric guitar. There are four main types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n