” 1. Book lessons. Check.
2. Get an instrument and learning book. Ahhh…?”
Before you purchase an instrument or book, let us guide you.
Books
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Beginner Guitarists use either Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1 or Hal Leonard Guitar for Kids Book 1.
We use “London College of Music” Acoustic Grade books for the guitar which can be found online by various sellers.
Ukulele
Our most recommended ukuleles:
Beginner/Basic Artist UKB1 Ukulele (Soprano) $65 free postage + 13 Inch scale + solid quality + carry bag + great for beginners + timeless natural wood/white combo + nylon binding will keep it from chipping like popular painted standard (Mahalo) ukes | Premium Artist UKT200CEQ Ukulele (Tenor) $219 free postage + 17 Inch scale +Electrics for amplification + Solid wood top for superior sound/tone + includes hard case + Build is stunning |
Instruments
Firstly, Department Stores = not a great idea (i.e. Aldi, Kmart, Target, Big W, JB HiFi)
Department stores don’t typically offer their apparent value, we’ve found that poor quality is not worth the apparent saving, often the price is the same for a far superior instrument.
We recommend Australian-owned Artist Store for almost all instruments, we love our own Artist products and have recommended them for years. They have hit a proven sweet spot in terms of quality of construction, value, cost & customer experience. While they only have one showroom (in St Peters), this allows them to use their warehouse to give you better value for money.
Acoustic Guitar – Nylon String
Great for young beginners
Nylon string guitars are is the ideal young beginners’ as they are softer on your fingers and hands than steel strings.
| Guitar Age-Size Guide |
| Kindergarten: UKB1 Ukulele Year 2 (or late Year 1): CL12 Nylon String Guitar Year 4 (or late Year 3): CL34 Nylon String Guitar Year 5/6: Small body Steel String guitar (not a Dreadnought) Unless focusing on Classical style guitar, then upgrade to premium Classical guitar. |
We recommend the quality Artist CL range (better than industry standard Valencia, plus extras). Often a case, strap, plectrums & a tuner can add up to another $100+. Artist’s CL guitars include all of these items to save your time and money. The included guitar bags are the best we have seen included are here, are padded and more durable than most cases on the market.
Older beginner or classical guitar enthusiast
If you are an older beginner than a steel-string guitar might be more suited. If you’re taking you’d like to take your classical playing more seriously we’d recommend upgrading to one of Artist’s more premium Classical guitars.
<strong>6-8yrs (<125cm tall)</strong>
| RECOMMENDED ★★★★☆(4.0/5) CL12 $115 1/2 Size Classical guitar pack + as CL44 |
Valencia & department store guitars are not recommended.
Hohner, Yamaha or Ibanez are okay but you typically won’t get the same value.
<strong>8-13yrs (125-165cm tall)</strong>
| RECOMMENDED ★★★★☆(4.0/5) CL34 $115 3/4 Size Classical guitar pack + as CL44 |
Valencia & department store guitars are not recommended. Hohner, Yamaha or Ibanez are okay but you typically won’t get the same value.
| RECOMMENDED ★★★★☆(4.0/5) CL44S $125 Full-Size classical guitar pack + as CL44 + Slimmer neck for easier playing & smaller hands. |
Acoustic Guitar – Nylon String
<strong>12yrs+ (165cm+)</strong>
<strong>13+ (165cm+)</strong>
| RECOMMENDED ★★★★☆(4.0/5) CL44 $125 Full-Size Classical guitar pack + built-in tuner you won’t lose + Back-pack style bag + strap pins + spare set of strings + 2 picks + Great build quality & value for money + Low action for easy playability + great after-sales support + free postage | HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ★★★★★ CS180CEQ+B $368 Classical Guitar Solid Top with Cutaway + Solid Spruce wood top for clearer, brighter tone + Superior wood quality and build + Pick-up EQ/tuner + High-grade bag | HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ★★★★★ HG39303CEQ+B $388 Classical Guitar Solid Cedar Top Cutaway +Ultimate mellow Spanish tone. + Superior wood quality & traditional Spanish heel build + Pick-up EQ/tuner + Bag + Solid cedar top +EQ&tuner for amplification + High-grade bag |
<strong>Accessories</strong>
| Gift ideas /useful add-ons | ||
 CLASSICAL Guitar Accessory Pack $45 + Precision Tuner + Guitar Stand + CLASSICAL Guitar Capo + Strings | MUS004 – $39 Strong, supported & seamless | MUS006 – $21 Light & portable |
Acoustic Guitar – Steel String
Steel-strings are harder on hands and not recommended for young players starting out. These guitars are recommended for upper Primary, High School and Adult students, but younger students can still move to steel-string after starting on nylon-strings.
It’s worth considering the longevity of a premium model, particularly for older or more advanced players who will be performing.
Note: We almost always recommend against buying larger to grow into. You can play a smaller guitar with bigger hands but small hands can only reach so far.
| Beginner and Premium Steel String Guitars | ||
| 15+/Adults (165cm+) | ||
| ACE RECOMMENDED ★★★★☆(4.0/5)  LSPCEQ Natural/Blue/Black $179 Full-Size “Dreadnought” Acoustic-Electric with Cutaway guitar pack + Pick-up EQ/tuner + Padded bag + Strap & picks + 1 set of spare strings Also in: LSPCEQ Utimate Pack Black $200 LSPCEQ Utimate Pack Blue $200 + Capo + Guitar Stand + 5 sets of strings | ACE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ★★★★★(5/5)  DS120CEQ $349 ($319 no bag) Solid top full-size Dreadnought Acoustic guitar. Spruce top and big body give it a bright yet deep tone. + High-grade bag + High-level pick-up EQ/tuner + Quality build & sound | ACE BEST OF THE BEST ★★★★★☆(5+/5)  OMS7SEQ $868 ($799 no case) Worth around $1500+ in our opinion. Solid wood top & back + Hard-case + High-end Pick-up EQ/tuner + Top quality, tone and sound |
| 12-15+/Adults (120-165cm) | ||
| ACE RECOMMENDED ★★★★☆(4.0/5)  LSPSCEQ pack (also in Natural Colour) $169 Black $179 Natural Small body Acoustic Electric with Cutaway pack Good quality, great sound. + Pick-up EQ/tuner + Padded bag + Strap & picks + 1 set of spare strings | ACE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ★★★★★  OMC200CEQ (Link broken, copy the code, then search here. $349 Solid top, OM smaller body size. Beautiful depth of tone and clarity. Not as loud or chunky as a Dreadnought. + High-level pick-up EQ/tuner + Quality build & sound | |
| 5-12+ (100-120cm) | ||
| ACE RECOMMENDED ★★★★☆(4.0/5)  LSP34EQ Ultimate Pack $205 (no pack: $169) Standard pack not available. Great quality and small 3/4 body and scale for small hands or travelling. Great deal with the bonuses: + Pick-up EQ/tuner + Padded bag + Capo + Guitar Stand + Strap & picks + 5 sets of strings Also available with no pack: LSP34EQ $169 | ACE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ★★★★★  Little Artist $277 (RRP: $449) no bag: $249 Perfect traveller. Solid spruce top for strength and next level tone/sound. Great deal for this level of quality. + Quality build & sound + High-level pick-up EQ/tuner + Tuner + High-grade bag | |
| Gift ideas/Add-ons | ||
 $39 + Precision Tuner + Guitar Stand + Steel String Capo + Strings | ||
 MUS006 – $21 Light & portable | ||
 MUS004 – $39 Strong, supported & seamless |
As with all guitar, regular practice will make the pain go away in a matter of weeks.
ELECTRIC GUITARS[ps2id id=’electric’ target=”h4 { color: yellow }”/]
An excellent variety of electric guitar packs are another thing you can find at the Artist Store.
From $180 +$60 for an amp
BASS GUITARS[ps2id id=’bass’ target=”h2 { color: yellow }”/]
The Artist Store also sell an especially good mix of bass guitars, we own one and love it.
From $170 +$50 for an amp
VIOLINS[ps2id id=’violin’ target=”h2 { color: yellow }”/]
If you need a good beginner Violin, the Artist Store has you covered.
From $120
DRUM KITS[ps2id id=’drums’ target=”h2 { color: yellow }”/]
Love loud drums? Or maybe a silent electric drum kit? Artist Store has unbeatable value drum kits.
Junior from $240
Full size from $380
Electric from $500
MICROPHONES[ps2id id=’mics’ target=”h2 { color: yellow }”/]
Find great microphones at the Artist Store.
PIANOS[ps2id id=’piano’ target=”h2 { color: yellow }”/]
Which piano? While they start at about $130 for a very basic 61 key “keyboard”. You can opt for a more piano-like “electric piano” keyboard which starts around $300 for 61 keys, this will aid the development of expression and technique much more quickly and more effectively.
Furthermore, $550 will get you a long-lasting, good quality full weighted 88 keys that really does everything you will ever need. You can move to $1000s for a high-end electric piano or traditional upright or grand piano which lifts the whole experience significantly. Unfortunately, Artist doesn’t offer much in the way of pianos so we’ve put together the list below.
UNDER $150
Casio LK-120 61 Key Keyboard – $128 (from JB HiFi)
Electric keyboards are maybe the most affordable way to start learning. But we recommend upgrading to a weighted piano keyboard as soon as possible. Probably the only exception to the department store golden rule.
UNDER $300
Yamaha NP12 61 Key Weighted Piano Keyboard – $299 (from Better Music)
Possibly the best for a budget with its reliable quality and a more natural feel for playing but still limited in size, and extra $100 will get you to the 76 keys, which is probably an even better deal.
UNDER $600
Casio CDP-130 full 88-Key Digital Piano – $549 (from JB HiFI)
While you can get started for less than $550, the high quality, excellent key response and the beautiful sound make this segment a real sweet spot for learning the piano. It will go the distance too with its full 88 keys.
OVER $600
Upright and Grand Pianos
Finally, if you’re looking for an excellent range of premium pianos, Sydney Piano Centre is worth an online or in-store visit in Parramatta NSW.
If you would like to see something else included or have any questions please contact us at hello@acemusic.com.au.
All prices were accurate at the time of publishing and may change without notice.
Are looking for lessons? Get in touch with us at hello@acemusic.com.au and register here.
We hope you found our guide helpful.
Ace Music Academy Team