Top 3 Beginner Electric Guitars
Yamaha PAC112JL — $499 (was $575)
Store: MusicWorks
Pickups: HSS | Bridge: Tremolo | Frets: 22
Left-Handed: Available (PAC112JL - same price at MusicWorks)
Why Choose: Best build quality, most reliable long-term investment
Best For: All genres, clean tones, blues, rock, pop
Ibanez GRX70QA — $495
Store: Music Works
Pickups: HSH | Bridge: Tremolo | Frets: 24
Left-Handed: Available but $595 (GRX70QAL at Music Works - $100 more)
Why Choose: Most versatile pickup configuration
Best For: Rock, metal, funk, alternative, all-around use
Artist AP59GT90 Gold Top — $449
Store: Direct from artistguitars.co.nz only
Pickups: Stacked P90s (coil-split) | Bridge: Fixed | Frets: 22
Left-Handed: ❌ Not available in this model
Why Choose: Best Les Paul-style value, excellent build quality, no tremolo hassles
Best For: Classic rock, blues, indie, vintage tones
Note: Online-only purchase - you cannot try before buying
Guitars to Avoid in This Price Range
Generic "Starter Packs" from No-Name Brands
Examples: Enya, Aiersi, SX, Catalina, Glarry
Price: ~$199–$449
Where Found: Trade Me, AliExpress
Problems: Poor factory setups, cheap electronics, necks warp easily
Warning: Barely playable without major repairs, even if they look nice
Squier Bullet/Mini Strat (Older Models)
Price: ~$349–$469
Available: Various NZ retailers
Problems: Inconsistent quality, weak tuners, poor intonation, tremolo issues
Note: Newer Squier Sonic Series is much better
Random Online-Only Brands
Examples: Donner, LyxPro, Pyle, Vangoa
Where Found: Amazon, AliExpress imports
Problems: No NZ service support, cheap parts, unstable necks
Warning: May look flashy but sound and feel terrible
Red Flags to Watch For:
- • Too many "extras" bundled cheap (gig bag, tuner, amp, picks = red flag)
- • Unknown brand with no NZ service support
- • No wood specifications listed
- • Vague pickup descriptions like "dual pickup" or "sound-enhanced"
- • Tremolo + bad tuners + no setup = unstable mess
- • Price seems "too good to be true" for what's included
Secondhand Guitar Options
Good News: Quality Secondhand Guitars Are Available
You can find excellent deals on used guitars in New Zealand, often saving $100-200 off retail prices. Many guitars barely show wear and can be great value for beginners.
Best Places to Look:
- • Trade Me (with caution)
- • Music store trade-ins
- • Local guitar groups/forums
- • Guitar-specific classifieds
Avoid Facebook Marketplace - limited buyer protection and higher scam risk
What to Look For:
- • Yamaha, Ibanez, Fender brands
- • Photos showing all angles
- • Honest descriptions of condition
- • Local pickup available
Secondhand Safety Tips
Red Flags to Avoid:
- • No in-person inspection allowed
- • Price seems too good to be true
- • Seller won't provide more photos
- • Vague or evasive answers about condition
- • Pressure to buy immediately
- • Facebook sellers with no ratings/reviews
Smart Buying Tips:
- • Always inspect in person before buying
- • Test all electronics (pickups, knobs, jack)
- • Check neck straightness and fret condition
- • Meet in safe, public locations
- • Research the guitar's retail price first
Amps & Effects Options
What is an Amplifier?
An amplifier (or "amp") is essential for electric guitars. Unlike acoustic guitars, electric guitars make almost no sound on their own. The amp takes the weak electrical signal from your guitar pickups and makes it loud enough to hear. All amps also shape your guitar's tone - from clean, clear sounds to distorted rock tones.
Essential: Choose One Amp
| Image | Amp | Price | Where to Buy | Power/Volume | Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Blackstar Debut 10E | $189 | Rockshop | 10W - practice to small jams | Clean + light overdrive, tape delay, headphone out | Lessons, practice, jazz/pop/light rock |
 | Boss Katana Mini | $199 | Rockshop | 7W - surprisingly loud | Clean + 2 distortion levels, battery powered, headphone out | Portable practice, travel, rock/metal |
 | Orange Crush 20RT | $269 | Rockshop | 20W - most headroom/volume | Clean + heavy distortion, reverb, tuner, headphone out | Rock/blues, regular jamming, built-in effects |
Essential Accessories — $30
Must Have (included in budget):
- Guitar Cable — $20 (3m instrument cable)
- Pick Set — $10 (4-5 picks, different thicknesses)
Total: $30
These are the absolute essentials. The cable connects your guitar to the amp, and picks are needed for most playing styles. You literally cannot play electric guitar without these.
Optional Extras (not in budget):
- Guitar Strap — $30 (if you want to play standing)
- Tuner — $20 (clip-on chromatic tuner)
Strap: Only needed if you plan to play standing up. Most beginners start sitting down.
Tuner: Free smartphone tuner apps work just as well (Guitar Tuna, etc.).
Guitar & Amp Setups
| Price Level | Guitar + Amp | Ready to Play |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | Artist AP59GT90 + Blackstar Debut 10E ($449 + $189 = $638) | $668 ($638 + $30 accessories) |
| Most Expensive | Yamaha PAC112JL + Orange Crush 20RT ($499 + $269 = $768) | $798 ($768 + $30 accessories) |
Price Range: These recommended beginner setups range from $668 to $798 ready to play with essential accessories included.
Where to Buy in New Zealand
- MusicWorks (musicworks.co.nz) — Stocks Yamaha and Ibanez guitars, Zoom effects, accessories
- Artist Guitars (artistguitars.co.nz) — Artist brand guitars, accessories, direct-to-consumer only (no physical stores)
- Rockshop (rockshop.co.nz) — Stocks Blackstar, Boss, and Orange amps, Zoom effects, accessories
Effects Unit — $249
What is an Amp Modeler?
The Zoom G1X Four is an amp modeler - it digitally recreates the sound of famous amplifiers (like Fender, Marshall, Orange) plus effects pedals all in one unit. Instead of buying separate effects pedals that cost $100-200 each, you get 70+ effects AND 13 different amp sounds in a single device. It plugs between your guitar and amp, letting you access countless guitar tones.
Recommended Effects Unit:
- Zoom G1X Four — $229 (Available at: Rockshop, MusicWorks)
- Extra Guitar Cable — $20 (for Guitar → Zoom → Amp connection)
- Total: $249
Features:
- 70+ built-in effects (distortion, delay, reverb, wah, etc.)
- 13 amp models (Fender, Marshall, Orange styles)
- Expression pedal for real-time control
- 30-second looper + 68 rhythm patterns
- 50 memory slots for custom patches
- Built-in tuner + aux input for music
Setup:
Guitar → Zoom G1X → Amp
For amp modeling: Use the amp's clean channel and let the Zoom handle all amp sounds and effects.
For effects only: Use the amp's dirty/distortion sound and add Zoom effects on top.
Alternative: Can also be used with headphones (bypassing the amp entirely).
Why not just use the Zoom with headphones?
Headphones are good for quiet practice, but you'll want a proper amp for the full guitar experience. Amps give you physical sound waves you can feel, better dynamics and response, and the ability to play with others or perform. Plus, many guitar techniques and playing styles are best learned through an amp's natural feedback and room sound.
Budget Priority: If you can only afford an amp OR the effects unit, I'd suggest the amp. You can always add effects later, but you need an amp to properly hear and develop your playing.
Why the Zoom G1X Four Amp Modeler?
This amp modeler is perfect for beginners because it gives you access to famous guitar sounds without buying expensive gear. You get Marshall stack distortion, Fender clean tones, Orange rock sounds, plus 70+ effects all in one unit. Individual effect pedals cost $100-200 each, and different amps cost thousands - this gives you all those sounds for $229.
Complete setups with effects: $917 (cheapest) to $1,047 (most expensive) including the Zoom G1X Four and extra cable.
Questions about gear choices?
Feel free to discuss these recommendations during your lesson or contact me for personalized advice based on your musical goals.
Guide compiled from current NZ retailer pricing and student feedback - Updated June 2025