Best first buy: if you only buy the basics, get a tuner, cable, picks, and spare strings first.
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Short answer: usually no. Some beginner guitar bundles include a cable, but many standalone electric guitars do not. If you are buying your first electric guitar, assume you need to buy a separate instrument cable unless the listing clearly says one is included.

The cable is the small thing people forget until the guitar arrives. You need one to connect the guitar to an amp, audio interface, or headphone practice device.
What cable should a beginner buy?
For home practice, a regular 10-foot instrument cable is usually the safe first buy. It gives you enough room to sit or stand without turning the room into a cable mess.
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What else is often missing?
- Picks: buy a small mixed pack so you can test thickness.
- Tuner: a clip-on tuner is faster than using an app every time.
- Stand: if the guitar is visible and easy to grab, you practice more.
- Spare strings: useful once the factory strings feel dull or one breaks.
For a complete first-buy checklist, use the Beginner Guitar Starter Kit Canada guide.
Beginner gear that removes practice friction
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