Beginner Guitar Gear Checklist (Printable)
What to buy, in order, and what to skip until later. Free, no signup needed.
Quick answer
Day one you need a guitar that fits you, a tuner, picks and a spare set of strings. Electric players also need an amp (or a headphone amp) and a cable. Everything else can wait until you know you'll keep playing.
Day one: essentials
- ☐ A guitar that fits you - beginner acoustics, beginner electrics, small hands, kids' sizes. Unsure which type? Electric vs acoustic. See our pick: Fender CD-60S (acoustic). See our pick: Yamaha PAC012 (electric).
- ☐ A tuner - clip-on, or our free online tuner (best clip-on tuners). See our pick: Snark ST-2 clip-on.
- ☐ Picks - a variety pack, so you can find a thickness you like (picks). See our pick: Dunlop PVP101 variety pack.
- ☐ Spare strings - one set, matched to your guitar type (best strings for beginners). Never put steel strings on a classical guitar. See our pick: D'Addario EJ16 (acoustic). See our pick: Elixir NANOWEB 9-42 (electric).
Electric guitar only
- ☐ An amp or headphone amp - check whether it has drive and effects built in before buying pedals (practice amps - no-amp options). See our pick: Fender Mustang LT25.
- ☐ An instrument cable (cables) - not needed if you use a plug-in headphone amp. See our pick: Fender Professional 10ft.
Soon (first month or two)
- ☐ A stand or wall hanger - a guitar you can see gets played more (stands & hangers). See our pick: Hercules GS414B Plus stand.
- ☐ A strap if you'll play standing (how to fit one). See our pick: Ernie Ball Polypro strap.
- ☐ A gig bag if the guitar leaves the house (do you need a case?). See our pick: Gator GB-4G acoustic gig bag.
- ☐ Acoustic in a dry climate or heated home? A case humidifier (care & humidifiers).
Later - skip these at first
- ☐ Pedals (what to buy first, if anything).
- ☐ Capo - useful for many songs, not essential on day one (do you need one?).
- ☐ Upgraded tuners, pickups or expensive cables.
Before you pay
- ☐ Budget the whole setup, not just the guitar (setup budget - cost calculator).
- ☐ Buying used? Run the used guitar checklist.
- ☐ Lessons too? Note when any free trial ends - several auto-renew into paid plans (free trials compared).
Go deeper before you buy
- Acoustics: budget acoustics - dreadnought vs concert - solid top vs laminate - travel guitars
- Electrics: starter packages - left-handed guitars
- Strings: phosphor bronze vs 80/20 - Elixir vs Ernie Ball - Nanoweb vs Optiweb - what gauge?
- Capos: acoustic vs electric capos
- Avoid wasted money: beginner mistakes that waste money
- Buying a gift? gift guide - Christmas - birthday - Father's Day - under $25
- Starting at school age? back-to-school guitar guide
Built from our gear guides, which carry maker-verified prices and check dates. Not hands-on testing. Full version with explanations: accessories checklist and what to buy first.