Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Drums Week 25
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Guitar Amps
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Artist news
  • Drums
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Santana on Beck
  • Friday, I'm in Love
  • Knopfler's 4-note secret
  • 95k+ free music samples
Recommended reading
A Fender Player II Stratocaster and Telecaster on a white piece of wood with lots of holes in it
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars under $1,000/£1,000 in 2025: My top picks for players of all styles
Jason Isbell plays a Martin dreadnought onstage in Norway
Artists Jason Isbell has some advice for any young player who has just bought their first acoustic guitar
Taylor GS Mini on a black wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best 3/4 acoustic guitars 2025: Portable playability from Taylor, Martin, Yamaha, and more
The newly refreshed Classic Series from Squier reworks vintage Fender-inspired electric and bass guitars for beginners and budget-conscious players.
Guitars Squier channels the Fender archive for 10 stunning yet affordable news Classic Vibe models
native instruments
Music Production Tutorials "As nuanced as the real thing, but only if you know what you're doing": The ultimate guide to plugin guitars
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
Acoustic Guitars From Parlour to Jumbo: The beginner's guide to acoustic guitar body shapes (and which one is right for you)
  1. Guitars

Six of the best: beginner's guitar gear

News
By Guitarist ( 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

The magazine for serious players image
The magazine for serious players
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
A Fender Player II Stratocaster and Telecaster on a white piece of wood with lots of holes in it
Best electric guitars under $1,000/£1,000 in 2025: My top picks for players of all styles
Jason Isbell plays a Martin dreadnought onstage in Norway
Jason Isbell has some advice for any young player who has just bought their first acoustic guitar
Taylor GS Mini on a black wooden floor
Best 3/4 acoustic guitars 2025: Portable playability from Taylor, Martin, Yamaha, and more
The newly refreshed Classic Series from Squier reworks vintage Fender-inspired electric and bass guitars for beginners and budget-conscious players.
Squier channels the Fender archive for 10 stunning yet affordable news Classic Vibe models
native instruments
"As nuanced as the real thing, but only if you know what you're doing": The ultimate guide to plugin guitars
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
Latest in Guitars
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
PRS Guitars' new limited edition Custom 24 Satin photographed at the brand's Maryland factory with wood blanks in the background.
PRS swaps maple for mango to give its “flagship” Custom 24 a 40th anniversary satin nitro makeover
Jimi and Billy in 1968
“I was playing the Fender Strat that Jimi Hendrix gave me”: Billy Gibbons on the making of ZZ Top's greatest blues song
Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) takes to the air with the Gibson ES-345 that has been missing since Back To The Future wrapped in 1985. On the right, a teaser of a forthcoming Gibson replica of the guitar.
Cesar Gueikian teases Gibson Custom Shop replica of Marty McFly’s “1955” Back To The Future ES-345
The newly refreshed Classic Series from Squier reworks vintage Fender-inspired electric and bass guitars for beginners and budget-conscious players.
Squier channels the Fender archive for 10 stunning yet affordable news Classic Vibe models
Harley Benton Head Switcher; this black single-footswitch pedal is an affordable switching solution for players with two amp heads sharing one speaker cabinet, and is here photographed against a blue gradient background.
Harley Benton unveils sub-$100 solution for players with two tube amps sharing same speaker cabinet
Latest in News
Photo of Mike JOYCE and SMITHS and MORRISSEY and Andy ROURKE and Johnny MARR; L-R: Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce (drums), Morrissey, Johnny Marr (playing Gibson ES-335 guitar), performing live on The Tube
“This book truly conveys what it felt like to be a member of the Smiths”: Mike Joyce’s memoir to be published in November
Jack Antonoff attends the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020
“He kind of approaches records like a plumber…”: Bartees Strange on super producer Jack Antonoff
k20
"We asked ourselves, what if we could rebuild the legendary K2000 V.A.S.T. synthesizer, but using today’s technology?": Kurzweil's K2061 and K2088 synths are now shipping
Forwards Festival Barry Can't Swim
Forwards Festival 2025 review: Orbital, Barry Can’t Swim, Olivia Dean, Jorja Smith and more
Bruce Springsteen
“There’s a lot of good music left”: Springsteen releases Born To Run out-take onto streaming platforms
Beatie Wolfe and Brian Eno
“A strange new land with a human living and feeling its way through its mysterious spaces”: Welcome to Brian Eno and Beatie Wolfe’s new album

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

  • 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...