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  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Our Instructors
    • Performances & Events
  • Music Lesson Options
  • Music Lesson Pricing
  • Student Resources
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    • COVID19 Waiver
    • Guitar Recommendations
    • Keyboard Recommendations
    • Lesson Policy
    • The Music Notes Blog
    • Piano Care & Moving
  • Sign Up Today!

Buying a guitar

Now that you have officially registered for private lessons, it's time to make sure that you have the most well-equipped guitar to ensure that you get the most out of your time with your instructor! To begin, the best thing to do is visit your local guitar or music shop to work with a professional to ensure your student is matched with the appropriately sized instrument.


When looking for the best acoustic guitar for a beginner, price is obviously an important consideration. While a cheaper option may seem like a good idea, they're actually often times not worth the cost. In fact, a cheaper guitar may actually cost you more in the long run! With that being said, purchasing a quality instrument doesn't mean you need to break the bank! Below, you will find all the information you need to find the guitar that best fits your personal needs & budget!

Download This Info here!

Keeping your guitar in good condition is important too. Make sure you’re storing it in its case, away from extreme temperature changes, and change the strings every few months to keep it sounding and feeling great. You’d be surprised how amazing an ‘inexpensive’ guitar can feel and sound!


Luke Frees, LBB&C Instructor

Luke Frees Chicago Guitar Lessons

What to look for

Tonewood- Solid vs. HPL:

One way manufacturers can cut costs and make guitars less expensive is through the use of HPL; but this isn't necessarily a bad thing! HPL is short of High Pressure Laminate. Essentially, this is a very solid and durable composite wood that is a cheaper alternative to solid wood. Manufacturers use this to keep costs down without sacrificing the quality of the instrument. HPL is also resistant to weather and climate changes, meaning that the instrument is less likely to crack or go out of tune when the seasons change. It also produces a generally brighter sound and is less prone to becoming "muddy" or "dampened". 

Notable Brands:

Cordoba, Epiphone, Fender, Ibanez, Martin, Taylor, or Yamaha

Tuners, Cases, and Capos:

Guitar tuners, cases, and capos are necessary tools and equipment you will need as you begin your lessons. Continue below to learn more about the options our studio recommends! 

guitars WE RECOMMEND FOR LESSONS

A specialty retailer like Guitar Center or Sam Ash are great options to visit because their sales staff are often times musicians themselves, and will be able to give you personal recommendations! A local music store would also be a great option for this same reason. Avoid big box retailers like Target or Walmart who may advertise a complete box set as a "starter kit", when in reality, these instruments are often ill-equipped and simply toys.

Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Dreadnought

WHERE TO BUY: 

Sweetwater Epiphone

Fender CD-602 Acoustic Dreadnought

WHERE TO BUY: 

Amazon Guitar Center

Ibanez PN15 Parlor Size Acoustic Guitar

WHERE TO BUY: 

Guitar Center Amazon

Yamaha FG800 Acoustic Dreadnought

WHERE TO BUY: 

Sweetwater Guitar Center

Additional equipment

Tuners

Tuners

Tuners

Snark ST-8     KORG TM60BK

Cases

Tuners

Tuners

Cahaya 41 Inch Soft Case   Gearluck Hard Case

Capos

Tuners

Capos

 Tanmus 3in 1 Zinc     Wingo Guitar Capo

Anthony Essenmacher Chicago Guitar Lessons

"It is really important that, when you're looking into buying a guitar, you make the effort to go into a store to hold and play the instrument- even if you've never played one before! It really depends on what you feel comfortable playing.


Anthony Essenmacher, LBB&C Instructor

 *Some links above are affiliate links, which means we are given a small amount of commission if you click on and make purchases through them.  Doing so is no additional cost to you, but it does help Lessons By Brooke & Company.

Copyright © 2025 Lessons By Brooke & Company, LLC. - All Rights Reserved.


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