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What’s the Best Guitar starter Pack for Me?

Learning to play the guitar is never going to be a bad idea. But if you’re a complete beginner, picking out your first guitar and all the accessories you’ll need with it can be a bit of a headache. Luckily, there are plenty of starter packs out there so you can easily set yourself up in one shot. But what usually comes in a Guitar Starter Pack and why should you get one? We answer these questions and more in this Guitar Starter Pack Buyer’s Guide. If you have a question and can’t find the answer here, feel free to contact us!

1. Classical, Acoustic, or Electric Guitar?

Acoustic

  • The classical guitar (seen on the left) is also known as the Spanish guitar and has nylon strings that are usually played with the fingers for a warm sound. To play classical or more traditional folk music, this is the best choice. But you can also play other music with a classical guitar.
  • The acoustic guitar (seen on the right) has steel strings and can be played with the fingers or a plectrum. This kind of guitar has a sparkling, powerful sound and the strings have a less flexible feel than with a classical guitar, which can be less comfortable for beginners. Many singer-songwriters (like Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, etc) play an acoustic guitar.

Electric

  • The electric guitar (seen in the middle), unlike acoustic guitars, doesn’t have a big hollow body, so needs to be connected to an amplifier. Any kind of music, from pop to metal can be played on an electric guitar and since the strings have a light, more flexible feel, they are really comfortable for a beginner.

 Electric Guitar Starter Packs
 Classical Guitar Starter Packs
 Acoustic Guitar Starter Packs

 More About the Electric Guitar
 More About the Classical Guitar
 More About the Acoustic Guitar
 Electric or Acoustic Guitar: Where's the Best Place to Start?

Classical, Acoustic, or Electric Guitar?

2. Do I Need An Amplifier and Any Cables?

  • If you’re going for an acoustic or classical guitar, then you won’t need an amplifier or any cables. With these models the big hollow body serves as a kind of amplifier and gives the instrument enough natural volume.
  • An electric guitar has a solid wooden body fitted with magnetic pickups and doesn’t have much natural volume so does need to be plugged into an amplifier using a 6.3mm mono jack cable. These days, you can also get much smaller, more portable amplifiers, and even headphone amplifiers.

 Electric Guitar Starter Packs
 Classical Guitar Starter Packs
 Acoustic Guitar Starter Packs

 More About Guitar Amplifiers

2. Do I Need An Amplifier and Any Cables?

3. Do I Need a Tuner?

There are two ways to tune up a guitar: by ear or with the help of a tuner. Most beginners will definitely want to use a tuner, since it can take quite a few years before your ear is trained. The most popular, compact, and cheap version is the clip-on tuner which simply clips onto the headstock of the guitar.

 Electric Guitar Starter Packs
 Classical Guitar Starter Packs
 Acoustic Guitar Starter Packs

 More About Tuners

Do I Need a Tuner?

4. Do I Need a Guitar Strap?

A guitar strap is a popular accessory no matter what kind of guitar you play. Using a strap comes with a lot of advantages. For a start, you can use one to play standing up. If you prefer to play seated, then you may not necessarily need one, but it’s worth noting that a strap can help evenly distribute the weight of the instrument across your shoulders and back. A guitar strap doesn’t just make playing your guitar more comfortable but encourages a healthier playing posture so you can avoid back or shoulder pain.

Note: classical guitars are traditionally played sitting down. As such, they don’t have the little bolts (strap buttons) needed to secure a guitar strap.

 Electric Guitar Starter Packs
 Classical Guitar Starter Packs
 Acoustic Guitar Starter Packs

 More About Guitar Straps

Heb ik een gitaarband nodig?

5. Do I Need a Guitar Stand?

It’s always useful to have a guitar stand handy so you can safely set your guitar down when you’ve finished playing and keep it in a corner or against a wall where it’s less likely to get knocked. With a stand, you can also keep your guitar on display, and since they usually have a fold-up design, they can be easily carried to rehearsals and gigs. If you live with young children, excited dogs, or an adventurous cat, a guitar wall bracket is a good alternative, or a gig bag or case.

 Electric Guitar Starter Packs
 Classical Guitar Starter Packs
 Acoustic Guitar Starter Packs

 More About Guitar Stands

Do I Need a Guitar Stand?

6. Do I Need a Case or Bag?

If you’re taking guitar lessons or regularly jamming with mates, then a bag or case for your guitar is a handy way to get your guitar there safely. The benefits of using a bag (or gig bag) are that they’re much lighter than a case, you can usually carry them like a backpack, and they tend to be the cheaper option. On the other hand, a hardshell case will always offer the best protection against damage and rain.

 Electric Guitar Starter Packs
 Classical Guitar Starter Packs
 Acoustic Guitar Starter Packs

Do I Need a Case or Bag?

7. Do I Need Plectrums?

The classical guitar is usually plucked with the fingers, while the steel-string acoustic and electric guitar is often played with a plectrum, but you can also play them with your fingers. Strumming chords with a plectrum delivers a much more powerful sound.

There are countless different kinds of plectrums. The material, shape, and thickness of a plectrum all has an influence over how it sounds and how it feels when you’re playing. To find the kind of plectrum that you like the most, it’s best to try as many different ones as you can. You can start by getting a pack of various different ones so you can try out a few in one go.

 Electric Guitar Starter Packs
 Classical Guitar Starter Packs
 Acoustic Guitar Starter Packs

 More About Plectrums

Do I Need Plectrums?

8. Do I Need Extra Strings?

Whenever you buy a new guitar, it’ll already come with strings installed. Since the guitar has maybe travelled a long way from the factory before it gets to you (and the strings are often not the greatest quality), they might already be a little old and worn out and not sound all that great, so it’s always wise to change the strings for new ones. This will not only freshen up the sound but improve playing comfort. Also, your strings will always wear out eventually, whether you play often or not, so it’s always worth having a spare pack. Luckily, new packs of strings are pretty cheap.

 Electric Guitar Starter Packs
 Classical Guitar Starter Packs
 Acoustic Guitar Starter Packs

 More About Electric Guitar Strings
 More About Acoustic Guitar Strings

8. Waarmee kan een elektrische gitaar worden versterkt?

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