So you've decided to learn guitar. Excellent choice. But before you can play a single chord, you're faced with one of the most debated questions in music:
Should I start on acoustic or electric?
Here's the honest answer — it depends on what you want to play. Let's break it down.
Acoustic Guitar: The Safe Default
For most beginners, acoustic is the right starting point. Here's why:
- No extra gear required. You pick it up and play. No amp, no cables, no power socket.
- Builds finger strength faster. Acoustic strings have higher action (distance from strings to fretboard) which is harder on your fingers initially but builds calluses faster.
- More portable. Chuck it in a case and play anywhere — bedroom, garden, friend's house.
- Lower total cost. A decent acoustic starter setup costs £120–£180. Electric with an amp starts at £250+.
The most recommended beginner acoustic in the UK is the Yamaha F310 — see our Guitar Starter Kit for the full recommendation.
Electric Guitar: Better for Certain Styles
If you know you want to play rock, metal, or blues, electric might be the better call:
- Lower action = easier to play. Electric strings sit closer to the fretboard, meaning less finger pressure needed. Great if finger soreness is putting you off.
- Sounds like your favourite songs. If you want to sound like Jimi Hendrix, you need an electric. Simple.
- More tonal variety. Amps, pedals, and pickups let you dial in almost any sound.
The downside: you need an amp. A cheap amp (£40–£80) is fine to start, but it's more gear, more money, and more stuff in your room.
Our Recommendation
Start acoustic unless you have a strong reason not to. The skills transfer perfectly to electric later — and going the other way (electric first, then acoustic) is considerably harder because acoustic demands more from your fingers.
Once you've been playing 6–12 months, you'll know exactly what style you're into, and switching or adding an electric will be an informed decision rather than a guess.
What About Classical Guitar?
Classical guitars have nylon strings (vs steel on acoustic/electric) which are much kinder to fingers. They're ideal for fingerpicking and classical music — but the wider neck makes chord shapes harder for small hands, and the sound doesn't suit most popular music styles. Skip it unless you specifically want to play classical or flamenco.
Ready to buy? Check our handpicked Guitar Starter Kit → with Amazon UK links for every item on this list.