GuitarTech.org
Guitar gear advice that feels calm, useful, and buyable.
Clear beginner setup help, small gear recommendations, and practical fixes for players who want the guitar to feel better without getting buried in specs.
Simple rule: buy the small thing that removes the friction first.
What should I buy first?Choose the problem you are trying to solve.
The best first purchase depends on what is actually stopping you from playing. Start here, then buy only what helps.
I just bought my first electric guitar
Get the practical basics: tuner, picks, cable, spare strings, strap, stand, and a quiet practice option.
I am missing the basic accessories
See what actually matters first and what can wait until later.
I need small useful purchases
Low-cost gear can be the best first move when it fixes a daily annoyance.
Best first path
Do not overbuy before the guitar is easy to play.
A lot of beginner gear advice jumps too fast into pedals, amps, and expensive upgrades. GuitarTech keeps the first step smaller: make the guitar usable, stable, and easy to pick up every day.
- Start with tuning, strings, picks, cable, and a stand.
- Buy a setup tool only if you understand the adjustment.
- Use a local repair tech for fret, wiring, or structural issues.
Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate, GuitarTech may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Popular buying answers.
These pages are written for the exact moment before someone buys the wrong thing.
Do electric guitars come with cables?
What is normally included, what is often missing, and what cable to buy first.
Beginner accessory kit
A practical starter-kit route for players who want fewer separate decisions.
Best guitar gifts under CAD 25
Useful small gear that is easy to buy and likely to get used.
Why GuitarTech should be easy to trust.
This is a focused advice site, not a fake storefront. The job is to explain the problem, show the practical first move, and disclose clearly when a link may earn money.
The recommendation rule
If the cheaper, simpler item solves the problem, that is the recommendation. Bigger upgrades only make sense when they remove a real limitation.
What should I buy with my first electric guitar?One important limit.
GuitarTech can help you understand setup basics and buying decisions. It is not a replacement for a good local repair tech when a guitar has loose frets, structural damage, electrical failure, or an adjustment you are not comfortable making.