To choose a guitar, check seven things before you buy: the type (acoustic, classical or electric), the body size, the string type, the action (string height), the tuning stability, whether it comes as a complete pack, and your budget. Get these right and your first guitar will be comfortable, stay in tune and keep you practising instead of putting you off. This guide walks through each check in order, with realistic Indian price points, so you can shortlist with confidence rather than guessing.
1. Decide the type of guitar first
The single most important decision is the type, because it flows directly from the music you want to play and it sets everything else — the sound, the feel and the cost. Classical (nylon-string) guitars are the gentlest to learn on and suit fingerstyle, film songs and quiet home practice; steel-string acoustics are louder and brighter for strumming and singer-songwriter styles; electrics are built for rock, blues, metal and lead, but they need an amplifier and cable to be heard at all. Rather than starting from a budget, start from the sound already in your head and let that narrow the field for you. If you mostly want to sing along at home, a nylon or steel acoustic is the natural pick; if you dream of riffs and solos, plan for a complete electric setup from the outset.
2. Match the body size to the player
A guitar that is too big is the quiet reason many beginners give up, because it is awkward to cradle and the reach to the frets feels impossible. Adults and most teenagers are comfortable on a full-size (4/4) instrument, but younger children need a smaller body so their arm can wrap around it and their fretting hand can reach the neck without straining. As a rough guide, ages 5–8 suit a 1/4 size, ages 8–12 a 3/4 size, and older children move up to full size — the SoloArt Junior 3/4 Pack (₹7,999) is a correctly-scaled option for that in-between stage. The best test costs nothing: sit the player down with the guitar for a minute, and if they have to stretch or perch it awkwardly, size down.
3. Choose the right string type for comfort
Strings decide how the first few weeks feel on your fingertips, and that comfort has a direct effect on whether you keep practising or quietly give up. Nylon strings (on classical guitars) are soft and forgiving, which is why they are so often recommended for absolute beginners and for children whose fingers are still tender. Steel strings are brighter and louder but bite harder until your fingertips toughen up, so they reward a little patience and are better suited to strumming styles. Electric-guitar strings sit between the two and are usually the easiest steel strings to press because the action is low — just remember you will not hear them properly without an amplifier plugged in.
4. Check the action (string height)
The "action" is how high the strings sit above the fretboard, and it is the make-or-break comfort factor that never shows up in a product photo. High action means you have to press hard to make a clean note, which quickly tires the hand and convinces new players they simply "can't do it," when the real culprit is the setup. A well-adjusted guitar lets the strings press down with little effort, so notes ring clearly and chords are far less painful to hold. When you are buying online, this is exactly why it pays to choose a seller that inspects and sets up its instruments rather than shipping them straight from the carton.
5. Confirm it holds its tuning
A guitar that drifts out of tune within minutes is deeply discouraging, because a beginner cannot yet tell whether the wrong sound is their playing or the instrument. Good tuning stability comes down to decent tuning machines (the geared pegs at the head) and properly seated strings, both of which toy-grade guitars tend to skimp on. Before you commit, look for guitars described as having reliable die-cast or geared tuners, and plan to use a clip-on tuner or a tuning app every day in the early weeks. If a guitar cannot stay in tune long enough to finish a single song, no amount of practice will make it sound right.
6. Prefer a complete pack over a bare guitar
A bare guitar on a listing almost always looks cheaper than it really is, because it still needs several parts before you can genuinely use it. You will want a tuner, spare strings, a strap, picks and a padded bag to protect it — and for an electric, an amplifier and cable on top of all that. A complete starter pack folds those essentials into one predictable price and guarantees the pieces work together, which removes the "what else do I need?" confusion that traps so many first-time buyers. The SoloArt Classic Guitar Pack (₹9,999) is a good acoustic example, while the GigKit Electric Guitar Pack (₹24,999) bundles the amp and cable an electric beginner cannot do without.
7. Set a realistic budget for your first guitar
Budget comes last on purpose, because the checks above tell you what you actually need before you decide what to spend. For most first-timers in India, the sweet spot is a complete pack in the ₹7,000–₹15,000 range, which avoids frustrating toy-grade instruments without paying for refinements a beginner cannot yet use. Electrics naturally cost more once the amp is included, so budget a little higher if that is your path. The table below maps common budgets to what they realistically buy, followed by a plain-English verdict on each band.
| Budget | What you realistically get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Under ₹3,000 | Toy-grade build, poor tuning, few or no accessories | Best avoided |
| ₹7,000 – ₹10,000 | A properly playable acoustic or classical, usually as a pack | Most beginners and kids |
| ₹10,000 – ₹15,000 | Better woods and tuners on acoustic, or an entry electric pack | Keen learners |
| ₹24,000 – ₹35,000 | A complete electric setup with amp, cable and accessories | Rock and lead players |
Notice that the cheapest row is a warning rather than an option — the small saving is usually cancelled out by an instrument that puts you off the whole idea. If you want this budget question broken down purely from a first-timer's angle, read our companion guide on how to choose a guitar for beginners, which covers the one right starter pick in more detail.
Putting the seven checks together
Run through the checks in order and the decision almost makes itself: pick the type from the music you love, size it to the player, choose comfortable strings, insist on good action and tuning stability, buy it as a complete pack, and land in the ₹7,000–₹15,000 band for an acoustic or ₹24,000-plus for a full electric setup. Do not over-optimise any single check at the expense of the others — a beautiful guitar that is too big, or a cheap one that will not stay in tune, still fails the real test of keeping you practising. When two options tie, favour the one from a seller that sets up its instruments and offers clear returns, because that support is worth more than a small price difference. You can see curated, playability-checked options across every type on the guitar collection.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose my first guitar?
Choose your first guitar by checking seven things: type, body size, string type, action, tuning stability, whether it comes as a complete pack, and your budget. Start from the music you want to play, then aim for a comfortable, well-set-up instrument in the ₹7,000–₹15,000 range.
Should a beginner start on acoustic or electric?
Acoustic — especially nylon-string classical — is the simplest and most affordable start because it needs nothing else to make sound. Choose electric only if the music you love demands it, and if so, buy a complete pack that includes an amp and cable.
What size guitar should I buy?
Adults and most teenagers are comfortable on a full-size (4/4) guitar, while younger children need a 1/4 or 3/4 size to reach the neck comfortably. The quickest test is to sit with the guitar — if the player has to stretch or perch it awkwardly, size down.
Why does the action matter so much?
The action is the height of the strings above the fretboard, and high action makes a guitar tiring and painful to play. Because it never shows in a photo, it is easy to overlook online, which is why buying from a seller that sets up its instruments matters for beginners.
Is a starter pack a good way to choose a first guitar?
Yes — for most beginners a complete pack is the smartest choice because it bundles the tuner, strings, strap, picks and bag (plus an amp for electric) at one predictable price. It guarantees the parts work together and lets you start playing the day it arrives.
Ready to choose your first guitar? Explore The PlayMix's curated guitar collection — including complete, playability-checked starter packs from ₹7,499 — and start playing the day it arrives.
