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. 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! So, have a read and click on the links below to compare their models and find the right one for you.
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."
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EastCoast’s best-selling ST models covers all of the bases. Whether you're looking for an affordable all-rounder or something that's a bit more rock-orientated, this versatile range of guitars will fit the bill. Here's what's what:
Our Verdict: A classic short scale offset that's perfect for players who perhaps struggle with the full scale length of standard electrics, yet still require a full-sized instrument.
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Taking influence from one of the most iconic and genre-defining electric guitars of ‘grunge’ and the alternative music scene of the 1990s, the EastCoast MS-1 takes the classic mid-60s short-scale offset design and turns it up to 11. With its slightly shorter 24” scale length, the MS-1 is perfect for those searching for a full-sized electric but require an instrument that's scaled down by just a hair.
Featuring a pair of EastCoast Humbuckers, this guitar has it all covered from rock and metal to blues, jazz, funk and pop. Its Poplar body, Maple neck and Rosewood fingerboard offer classic tones with singing sustain and luxurious comfort.
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."
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The EastCoast T1, T2 & T62 is another popular EastCoast electric guitar. Inspired by the first electric guitar that ever entered production, it comes equipped with two single-coil pickups, giving the instrument a famously “twangy” sound perfectly suited for guitar-driven styles of music. The T1 is a classic-looking guitar with a less-is-more vibe, while the T62 adds a touch of luxury with double body binding - cream-coloured strips that trace the guitar's shape. Very snazzy! The T2 features dual humbucking pickups for a more powerful, mellow tone, perfect for rock, blues and jazz.
A Poplar body keeps the instrument's weight balanced and light, which means that the T guitar 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.
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 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: A high-performance double-cut shaped hardtail starter electric guitar that's built for big riffs and articulate playing.
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Like the EastCoast HM1, the MT1 is built with high-performance and technical playing in mind. The big difference is the guitar's bridge, the part that holds the strings securely to the guitar's body. Where the HM1 features a fulcrum tremolo bridge, the MT1 has a rock-solid hardtail bridge for increased tuning stability, especially when palm muting heavier riffs or when experimenting with lower tunings such as drop D.
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 five bass models in the EastCoast range: the PJ4, MSB, SRB, MTB 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, MSB and SRB offer a more retro, vintage-inspired traditional look, the MB4 and MTB provide a more modern tone and aesthetic.
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 SRB offers a funky retro-inspired humbucker-equipped bass for powerful, versatile bass sounds. Its classic design oozes vibe and mojo, and its useful coil-splitting blend control allows you to seamlessly go from bright and quacky single-coil-like sounds to thunderous humbucking tones at the twist of a dial.
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.
Similar to the MB4, the EastCoast MTB offers versatile modern bass tones, contemporary looks, as well as a sleek, ergonomic feel. The standout difference between the two models is that the MTB comes equipped with 2, more traditional tone controls, one for each pickup instead of the active 3-band EQ and Preamp found on the MB4.
Last but by no means least, the MSB is a short-scale bass - meaning it has a slightly shorter neck - which surprisingly gives it a fatter sound. Better still, its smaller size makes it a little easier to handle if you're not comfortable with full-size basses. On top of that, it has a classic surf-style look that's super popular with modern rock, pop, and indie bands, with hip colours to match.
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!
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Enjoyed learning about EastCoast? We're glad you had fun. Here's Pete and the Andertons TV gang showing off some of the great tones and designs from EastCoast - pop your headphones in and soak it up...
