Looking for a high-quality starter guitar? Whatever style you want to play — rock, pop, funk, jazz or anything beyond — EastCoast have you covered!
The vast EastCoast line-up encompasses electric guitars, acoustics and basses. And with this guide, we'll walk you through every single model so that you can find the right instrument for yourself or a family member. Let's get started!
Many models make up the EastCoast line-up. So, to make it easier for you to navigate to the instrument that takes your fancy from just a glance, simply click on one of the interactive tiles below to skip to that section! If you want to read about each and every guitar that EastCoast has to offer, scroll down the page as normal:
Shopping for a first guitar can be a little bit tricky — whether it's for yourself, for a family member, or for a friend. This is especially true if you’re unfamiliar with how a guitar works, as it means that you might be unsure about which features to look out for. Luckily for you, we’ve put together this helpful guide that highlights a company which, we believe, creates the best beginner guitars on the market — EastCoast!
There are lots of big musical instrument brands that make decent starter guitars. However, there aren’t many companies that actually specialise in manufacturing beginner instruments only. EastCoast is one of those few. They design their guitars in a cost-effective way without sacrificing quality; ensuring that customers get the most for their money.
EastCoast starter instruments come in all shapes and sizes. Loosely based on some of the world's most recognisable guitar designs, EastCoast’s models have a familiar look and punch far above their weight — carrying the spirit of the instruments that they're inspired by but at just a fraction of the price!
From timeless T-type and S-style electric guitars all the way up to classy semi-hollows, amazing acoustics and bombastic basses — EastCoast caters for practically all aspiring musicians. Their instruments are versatile, easy to play, and stay in tune great. This means that beginners can have a rock-solid guitar that'll last for several years before they even need to think about upgrading.
"Having played a lot of budget instruments, I can confidently say that EastCoast guitars are by far the best bang for buck I've tried. They all had a 'low action' (the strings are easy to press down) which is perfect for beginners, meaning less finger pain and a lot more fun!"
Our Verdict: A brilliant all-rounder, inspired by the legendary S-type guitar. Great for most musical styles, especially the humbucker-equipped ST2 model.
Customer Review: "Looks good, feels good and does everything a beginner could ask for."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
EastCoast’s best-selling ST1 model covers all of the bases. Featuring a trio of vibrant-sounding ‘single-coil’ pickups, the ST1’s flexible electronics let you experiment with lots of different guitar sounds. Also coming with a ‘tremolo’ bridge, this cool component allows you to create dramatic effects by lowering the pitch of the strings!
The EastCoast ST1’s body is made from a lightweight wood called Poplar, which makes the instrument very comfortable to handle when practicing or performing. This is paired with a smooth-playing Maple neck with a Maple or Rosewood fretboard that’s bolted directly to the body using 4 screws. A traditional ‘bolt-on’ design is known for yielding a “snappy” guitar sound, which means that you'll be heard nice and clear when you're ready to play with a band!
If you love the look and feel of the ST1 guitar but want a slightly thicker sound, the ST2 is the answer. This slightly tweaked model looks almost identical, but comes equipped with a ‘humbucking’ pickup mounted near to its bridge. A humbucker produces a more powerful tone than a single-coil pickup, and lends itself well to distorted rock sounds as it “bucks” hum — meaning that you won’t experience lots of unwanted amp noise. If you prefer heavier genres of music, the ST2 is therefore the better option.
Our Verdict: Based on the timeless T-style electric guitar. Produces a bright “twangy” tone, making it perfect for country, indie, pop and classic rock.
Customer Review: "Unbelievable instrument, plays and sounds like it costs three times as much."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The EastCoast T1 is another popular EastCoast electric guitar. It comes equipped with two single-coil pickups, giving the instrument an articulate and “spanky” sound perfectly suited for guitar-driven styles of music. The T1 also features a traditional “ashtray” bridge, which provides a comfortable and reassuring feel under the picking hand.
A Poplar body keeps the instrument's weight balanced and light, which means that the T1 won’t ever feel cumbersome or uncomfortable when playing in a standing position. Its neck also has a pleasant shape and is finished with a slippery satin coating that prevents your fretting hand from sticking to it — letting you play fast! And with the choice of a brighter sounding Maple fretboard or warmer sounding Rosewood fretboard, you can find the perfect combination for you.
The T1 Thinline is a semi-hollow version of the T1, featuring an even lighter semi-hollow construction and single f-hole — giving the instrument a striking visual character, as well as a warmer and more acoustically-resonant tone. There's also the unique T1 Baritone, which has a long-scale neck that allows its strings to be tuned much lower than standard-scale guitars. This makes it awesome for heavier styles of music, and is almost like a guitar/bass hybrid!
Our Verdict: Alternative take on the iconic "singlecut" LP guitar. Possesses a powerful sound with its humbucking pickups — suitable for blues, rock and even metal!
Customer Review: "Very impressed with the looks, quality and playability of this guitar. Surpassed my expectations and is far better than more costly guitars." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The EastCoast L1 Series model is based on the legendary LP electric guitar, used by the likes of Slash (Gun N’ Roses), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and countless other guitar heroes! Featuring two high-output ceramic humbuckers instead of single-coil pickups, this instrument sounds fantastic with overdrive or distortion — making it the perfect rock-and-roll workhorse. As well as possessing a thicker and more rounded tone, these pickups also eliminate a lot of the amp noise that can be produced by single-coils at higher gain.
Constructed from a warm-sounding Okoume body with a striking flamed Maple veneer, the L1 has the look and tone of a classic single-cut guitar. It also features an Okoume neck with a Rosewood fingerboard. This combination of timbers, along with the humbucking pickups, produces the warm and heavy mid-range character that so many guitar players love about LP-style intruments.
True to the original LP designs, the EastCoast L1's set neck construction yields more sustain than a bolt-on neck; allowing the notes to ring out for longer. For blues, rock and many other styles — the stunning L1 has all the mojo and tone you could want in a very affordable package!
Our Verdict: Do you want a high-performance starter electric guitar to accelerate the learning process? The EastCoast HM1 is the perfect choice, with its contemporary design & thrilling features!
Customer Review: "Bought this as my first guitar. Looks and feels great. Have loved picking this up and have been playing every day since it got here." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The EastCoast HM1 is one of the best beginner electric guitars you can buy! It comes loaded with a bunch of player-friendly appointments that'll keep you feeling inspired to practice for longer — and it just looks super-cool! This guitar is made for metal and rock music, with its two high-output 'humbucking' pickups which deliver a thick, punchy sound. A slim neck and jumbo frets make it easier to play fast, while the HM1's Rosewood fretboard feels luxuriously smooth underneath your fingers.
Our Verdict: Want to rock with a super-cool electric guitar from the get-go? The EastCoast GS1 is a solid contender, based on an iconic instrument used by Angus Young (AC/DC) and many more legends!
Customer Review: "Looks and sounds great. This is my first ever guitar and I'm really enjoying it." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The EastCoast GS1 electric guitar combines classic looks with powerful tones — courtesy of its 'humbucking' pickups. It features a comfortable double-cutaway body, with a smooth-playing neck that makes fretting chords, riffs and solos a total breeze. True us, this is one of the best beginner electric guitars you can buy right now!
Our Verdict: A stunning semi-hollow electric guitar with a warm and airy tone. Features two thick-sounding humbuckers — ideal for jazz and blues styles.
Customer Review: "Looks brilliant, plays very well, almost how I can imagine a much more expensive guitar would play. For the price, it is a must have." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
EastCoast’s lineup mostly consists of solid-body, rock-orientated guitars. However, they also produce the G35 — a traditional, semi-hollow electric guitar that’s perfect for mellower genres. If you're unfamiliar with what a semi-hollow guitar is, it’s basically an acoustic/electric hybrid — featuring the electronics you'd find on most electric guitars but with a hollow acoustic-like body design. This not only makes them very lightweight, but also gives them a beautiful open sound.
The G35 resembles a legendary Gibson guitar renowned for its versatility. Sporting two mildly-voiced humbuckers and a Maple body construction, these elements work together to produce an even and balanced tone. The G35’s body is paired with a glued-in Okoume neck that adds warmth and sustain to the sound of the instrument.
Our Verdict: If you're keen to learn the bass, EastCoast is a great place to start! With classic and contemporary models, EastCoast basses provide great bang-for-the-buck with their playable feel and powerful tones!
PJ4 Customer Review: "Really good instrument for the price." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
MB4 Customer Review: "Sounds really good and has plenty of EQ control to refine the sound." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
There are currently two bass models in the EastCoast range, the PJ4 and the MB4. Both bass guitars are built for beginners, but with their versatile electronics and comfortable necks — we're sure that even seasoned players will love them! The PJ4 has a traditional look, while the MB4 is more modern.
The EastCoast PJ4 is a fantastic entry-level bass guitar that brings together great features, high-quality materials and incredible value for money. Unlike the typical P-bass that it's based on (pun intended), the EastCoast PJ4 features an additional J-style bridge single-coil pickup that opens up more tonal possibilities. If you're after a smoother tone, just use the split-coil pickup, or switch to the bridge J-style single-coil for a punchier sound!
The EastCoast MB4 is a super-modern bass guitar perfect for beginner players who want an affordable option. With cool contemporary styling, the MB4 certainly looks the part and has a thick, powerful sound thanks to its potent pair of 'humbucking' soapbar pickups and active preamp. With a slim neck shape and a smooth Rosewood fingerboard too, the EastCoast MB4 feels easy to play and is simply a great starting point for the aspiring musician.
Are you an aspiring guitarist looking to start your musical journey the right way? You've landed at the right place! EastCoast's acoustic guitars provide brilliant bang-for-the-buck and are among some of the best beginner instruments we've ever come across. EastCoast now offers classical guitars in various sizes too, which are perfect for children as they have softer and more forgiving nylon strings.
Various models make the EastCoast acoustic lineup pleasantly diverse - there's something for everyone! The EastCoast D1 acoustic guitar follows a traditional dreadnought body shape, making it a great all-rounder with fantastic projection. The G1 has a slightly more modern mid-sized body shape, akin to a design made famous by a large American brand. The mini acoustic guitars are best-sellers for a reason; they're not only affordable, but they're also incredibly compact — making them ideal travel acoustics for the road!
Selected EastCoast acoustics come equipped with built-in electronics — known as 'electro acoustic guitars'. These offer a little more versatility, as they allow you to plug into dedicated acoustic amplifiers or PA systems. This eliminates the need to mic these acoustics in a live or recording scenario, so that you can plug in and play hassle-free!
For more information on the topics mentioned in this guide, check out our related articles:
