Best electric guitars for beginners (UK)
The Ashby S-Standard is the easiest guitar to recommend to a new player. Spend a little more on the Ashby T-Deluxe if you already know you like a brighter sound.
Published 9 Nov 2026
Quick picks
- Ashby S-Standard EDIT'S PICK · Most beginners · around £249
- Brennan Junior BEST VALUE · Younger players and smaller hands · around £159
- Ashby T-Deluxe · Players who like a bright, twangy sound · around £379
No. 1 · EDIT'S PICK
Ashby S-Standard
around £249 (price checked 9 Nov 2026)
A classic double-cutaway electric with three single-coil pickups and a comfortable neck.
Why we picked it
Reviewers praise its build quality and setup out of the box, which matters most for a first guitar.
Best for: Most beginners
Skip it if: You want a heavy, high-gain sound for metal.
Retailer links coming soon.
No. 2 · BEST VALUE
Brennan Junior
around £159 (price checked 9 Nov 2026)
A short-scale electric that's lighter and easier to reach around.
Why we picked it
Owners and teachers rate it as the most comfortable guitar for small hands at this price.
Best for: Younger players and smaller hands
Skip it if: You're over six feet and want a full-scale neck.
Retailer links coming soon.
No. 3
Ashby T-Deluxe
around £379 (price checked 9 Nov 2026)
A single-cutaway electric with two pickups and a solid ash body.
Why we picked it
It's the step-up guitar reviewers say you won't outgrow quickly.
Best for: Players who like a bright, twangy sound
Skip it if: You want a thick, warm tone.
Retailer links coming soon.
How we chose
This is sample content. The brands and products in this guide are made up, to show how a Top 10 page looks.
We looked at electric guitars under £400 sold by UK retailers, favouring models that reviewers and teachers say are well set up out of the box, since a badly set-up guitar is the quickest way to put a beginner off.
Sources
FAQs
Should a beginner buy an electric or an acoustic guitar?
An electric is usually easier to play at first, because the strings are lighter. You'll need an amp or headphone amp as well.
Last updated 9 Nov 2026.