Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Christine McVie's masterpiece
  • Macca vs Phil Collins
  • Music theory tricks
  • Kiss From a Rose
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Yes
  1. Guitars

Six of the best: beginner's guitar gear

News
By Guitarist
Published 19 February 2014

Great investments for guitar newbies...

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster

Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster

Why buy it? It looks cool, it’s great value – and no matter where you take your guitar- playing career, you’ll always find a use for the unusual Fideli’Tron/ Telecaster tone combination.

We said: “Dangerously tempting – and it’s also a fantastic platform for mods and upgrades.”

Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster review

For more information visit the official Fender website.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Vox StompLab IG

Vox StompLab IG

Why buy it? It’s an inexpensive, ideal introduction to the world of guitar effects and amp modelling that can be used in rehearsals or for home headphone practice.

We said: “Excellent for just plugging in and having access to a massive range of sounds for practice, and it’s portable with it.”

Vox StompLab IG review

For more information visit the official Vox website.

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Line 6 POD HD500X

Line 6 POD HD500X

Why buy it? It may not be cheap, but it’s conceivable that this incredibly versatile effects-and amp-modelling unit could be the only purchase you ever need to make for live and recording use.

We said: “The sound modelling is excellent throughout, with authentic-sounding amps and a huge spread of quality effects.”

Line 6 POD HD500X review

For more information visit the official Line 6 website.

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Focusrite iTrack Solo

Focusrite iTrack Solo

Why buy it? Sooner or later, you’ll want to plug into your tablet or computer to record. Focusrite has a good reputation, and this interface is built to last.

We said: “Dead easy to use, this could be your ideal choice for recording electric guitar and bass, acoustic and vocals.”

Focusrite iTrack Solo review

For more information visit the official Focusrite website.

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Blackstar ID:60TVP

Blackstar ID:60TVP

Why buy it? When you’re starting out on guitar, you should experiment with all kinds of styles and tones. The Guitarist Gold award-winning ID:60TVP covers the whole sonic spectrum brilliantly for practice, rehearsal, recording and gigging.

We said: “The wealth of features, astounding tone, quality and price earns our highest accolade.”

For more information visit the official Blackstar website.

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Sigma S000M-15

Sigma S000M-15

Why buy it? Learning to play acoustic alongside electric will work wonders for your technique and progress, and Sigma’s electros are unbeatable value.

We said: “Classic looks, quality build, excellent playability and evocative sounds both acoustically and plugged in.”

Sigma S000M-15 review

For more information visit the official Sigma website.

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Guitarist
Guitarist
Social Links Navigation

Guitarist is the longest established UK guitar magazine, offering gear reviews, artist interviews, techniques lessons and loads more, in print, on tablet and on smartphones
Digital: http://bit.ly/GuitaristiOS
If you love guitars, you'll love Guitarist. Find us in print, on Newsstand for iPad, iPhone and other digital readers

Read more
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
Best audio interfaces: IK Multimedia AXE IO
Audio Interfaces Best guitar audio interfaces 2026: Get studio-quality tones at home
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 
A guitar VST running in Kontakt player on a computer
Plugins Best guitar VSTs 2026: Get the best simulated guitar tones for your next production
 
 
A worn, dirty pedalboard with a variety of different guitar pedals
Pedalboards Best pedalboards 2026: top choice 'boards for guitarists
 
 
Blackstar Beam Mini
Guitar Amps Best desktop amps 2026: Lightweight and portable practice solutions for guitarists of all abilities
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Crazy Tube Circuits White Whale Junior
Guitar Pedals Crazy Tube Circuits White Whale Junior review
 
 
EarthQuaker Devices Towers
Guitar Pedals “An excellent example of the genre’s shifting atmospheric soundscapes”: EarthQuaker Devices Towers review
 
 
Simon & Garfunkel perform on Ready Steady Go in 1966
Artists The melancholy classic that made Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel the world’s hottest songwriting duo
 
 
Gretsch G6134T-58 Limited Edition Penguin Pale Blue Pearl
Guitars Gretsch unveils a high-end dream machine: a Penguin refreshed in limited run Pale Blue Pearl finish
 
 
Jam Pedals Tiny Amp Destroyer
Artists Stu Mackenzie and Jam Pedals team up to bring you the secret behind his KGWL guitar tone
 
 
Warm Audio Dirty Boy Jr Booster
Guitar Pedals “It starts out polite but then gets loud, dirty and nasty”: Warm Audio Dirty Boy Jr Booster review
 
 
Latest in News
Donna Lewis Bei "Rsh Gold Verleihung" In Kiel 010297 . (Photo by Franziska Krug/Getty Images)
Artists How going back to her Korg M1 demo helped Donna Lewis to create one of the biggest US hits of 1996
 
 
Aston Origin deal
Microphones I've recorded everything from vocals to guitars with this unbelievably versatile mic – and it just plummeted to only $79. That's so cheap I had to check the price twice
 
 
Human brain listens to yellow headphones isolated view on blue background 3d render image
Artists Where's your head at? It's MusicRadar's Quiz of the Week #18!
 
 
Ariana Grande live looper
Artists Ariana Grande’s live looping moment on her Eternal Sunshine tour isn't her first
 
 
wrist sequencer
Tech Someone put a chiptune synth and 16-step sequencer in a watch - and it looks as bonkers as it sounds
 
 
Jack White and Charley Crockett composite image
Singers & Songwriters “You get in the Lamborghini and put your kids in private school”: Charlie Crockett gets personal with Jack White
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...