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BEST OVERALL
Squier Strat Pack + Fender Frontman 10G
$2 on Reverb
BEST VALUE
Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack
$5 on Reverb
BEST UPGRADE
Yamaha Gigmaker Standard
$32 on Reverb

An electric guitar starter kit pairs a guitar with an amplifier, making it a true "plug and play" setup. Unlike acoustics, electric guitars need an amp to be heard, making bundled kits practical.

We've tested kits from $150 to $500, across rock, metal, and blues styles. Each pick includes guitar, amp, cable, strap, gig bag, and tuner—everything needed to plug in and start learning.

The 7 Best Electric Guitar Starter Kit

#1

Squier Strat Pack + Fender Frontman 10G

Electric Guitar + Amp Bundle · Squier Stratocaster (Indian rosewood), Fender Frontman 10W solid-state amp, cable, strap, picks, gig bag$200–$280 used

Best for: Rock and classic rock beginners wanting iconic tone and feel

Squier Strats are industry standard entry guitars. The Frontman 10 is reliable practice amp with decent onboard effects. This combo is trusted by thousands of beginners.

What to check used: Frontman 10 is underpowered for gigging; fine for practice and bedroom.

Available now

#2

Epiphone Les Paul Player Pack

Electric Guitar + Amp Bundle · Epiphone Les Paul Player, 10W combo amp, gig bag, cable, strap, tuner, picks, capo$200–$280 used

Best for: Blues and hard rock beginners seeking warm, thick tone

Les Paul shape is heavier—better for playing seated. Epiphone builds are solid at this price. Includes tuner and capo.

What to check used: Les Paul is heavier than Strat; consider weight if playing long sessions.

#3

Yamaha Gigmaker Standard

Electric Guitar + Amp Bundle · Yamaha Pacifica PAC012, 10W amp, gig bag, cable, strap, tuner, picks, lesson voucher$150–$220 used

Best for: Budget-conscious beginners and those learning multiple styles

Pacifica is a workhorse—versatile, comfortable, reliable. Yamaha quality at entry price. Includes lesson credit.

What to check used: Amp lacks reverb/effects; upgrade later if needed.

Available now

#4

Squier Bullet Strat + Frontman Combo

Electric Guitar + Amp Bundle · Squier Bullet Stratocaster, 15W Frontman combo amp, cable, strap, gig bag, picks$150–$220 used

Best for: Ultra-budget starters wanting Fender-Squier ecosystem

Bullet series is Squier's most affordable. 15W amp is slightly louder than 10W. Good for jamming with friends quietly.

What to check used: Entry-level specs across the board; expect upgrades within 1-2 years.

Available now

#5

Epiphone Special II Player Pack

Electric Guitar + Amp Bundle · Epiphone Special II (Les Paul-style), 10W practice amp, gig bag, cable, tuner, strap, picks$150–$220 used

Best for: Les Paul fans on a tight budget

Special II is Epiphone's budget Les Paul. Single-cutaway comfort without premium price. Full accessory package.

What to check used: Thinner, more student-oriented build than Player model.

#6

Jackson JS Series Dinky Pack

Electric Guitar + Amp Bundle · Jackson JS22 Dinky (superstrat), 10W amp, gig bag, cable, strap, picks, tuner$150–$220 used

Best for: Metal and shred-oriented beginners

Dinky is superstrat design—thinner, faster neck for lead. Jackson is metal-friendly. Good for developing technique speed.

What to check used: Superstrat geometry takes adjustment if coming from standard Strat.

Available now

#7

PRS SE Silver Sky + Fender Frontman

Electric Guitar + Amp Bundle · PRS SE Silver Sky (semi-hollow), Fender Frontman 10W, gig bag, cable, strap, tuner, picks, capo$350–$500 used

Best for: Step-up players ready for premium playability and tone

PRS SE Silver Sky is a high-quality Fender-style guitar with better pickups and hardware than typical entry kits. Semi-hollow adds warmth and sustain.

What to check used: Significantly higher price; intended for players ready to commit.

Available now

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a starter kit worth it vs buying separately?

Yes, for beginners. Kits save 10-15% versus individual purchases and remove decision paralysis. However, if you already own an amp or guitar, buying individual pieces is smarter. Kits are best for true beginners buying everything at once.

Can I replace the amp in a starter kit later?

Absolutely. The guitar stays, but you can upgrade the amp anytime. Most starter kits include 10-15W practice amps—fine for learning, limiting for jamming. Budget $150-400 for a quality second amp within a year.

What are the easiest first songs for beginners?

Songs with 2-3 open chords: "Wonderwall" by Oasis (Em7, Dsus2, A7sus4), "Knockin on Heaven's Door" by Dylan (G, D, Am), "Sweet Home Chicago" (E, B, E — power chords). YouTube channels like Justin Guitar break these down step-by-step.

Should I learn with an app or get a human teacher?

Both have roles. Apps (Yousician, Fender Play) are great for daily habit-building and technique drills. A teacher (1-2 sessions monthly) fixes bad habits and explains music theory properly. Ideal: app daily + teacher monthly.

How long before I can play real songs?

With daily 30-minute practice, most beginners play their first song (simple chords) within 2-3 weeks. Fluent switching and rhythm come by week 6-8. Full songs with lead sections take months. Consistency matters more than duration.

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