Buying Guide: Acoustic and Electric Guitar Value Packages
How to Choose the Value Package That’s Right for Your Budding Guitarist
What is a Value Package?
Value packs typically include the gear you need to plug in and start playing right out of the box. Here’s an example of what a guitar pack looks like in our catalog or on our website.
 | A typical guitar pack includes:
It may also include headphones, a stand, instructional CD, or DVD. |
Getting Started Or Buying For Someone Else?
If you are considering buying a guitar pack for yourself or someone else, you’ve probably been inspired to do so by a musician you admire. For example, you may like Sheryl Crow or Sarah McLachlan. On the other hand, your son or daughter might like Green Day, Jet, or Mastodon. It’s important to determine the preference of the person you’re buying for. The value pack description should tell you who the pack is for—what kind of music it’s best suited for.
Acoustic or Electric Guitar?
Does the artist who inspires you play an acoustic or electric guitar?
Here’s an example of an acoustic guitar. Typically used for country, folk, bluegrass, and pop music, but any type of music can be played on any guitar. Artists like Paul Simon and Mary Chapin Carpenter play an acoustic.
Here’s an example of an electric guitar. Typically used for rock, pop, heavy metal, blues, punk, etc. music, but again, any type of music can be played on any guitar. This is the kind of guitar you typically see used by rock bands like Nickelback or Metallica.
Don’t forget that to work properly, an electric guitar needs an amplifier.
Important points:
- What kind of music does your gift recipient like?
- What kind of bands or guitarists do they like?
- Is there a specific brand/model of guitar these bands or guitarists use? Getting the right brand and model may be important. You want your gift recipient to be happy and inspired when they take the guitar and amp out of the box.
Brands And Styles Of Guitars
Here are a few examples of guitar packs and what they have to offer the budding guitarist.
 Ibanez JamPack IJV50 A perfect entry-level acoustic pack for anyone who wants to sing and strum their favorite songs or play along with others whether it’s folk, blues, or country. |  Yamaha GigMaker Acoustic Guitar Pack In addition to a tuner, this acoustic pack also includes an instructional DVD and booklet. |  Epiphone PR-150 Acoustic Player Pack An acoustic in an attractive sunburst finish, with tuner and instructional DVD. |
 Epiphone Les Paul Special II Player Pack An electric pack perfect for rock and blues. Based on one of the world’s most famous guitar design-the Gibson Les Paul. |  Squier Stop Dreaming Start Playing SE Special Strat Pack This Stratocaster pack is perfect for the blues lover who is influenced by Eric Clapton or Stevie Ray Vaughan. |  Ibanez IJX121 Metal Guitar Jumpstart Pack An electric pack for anyone interested in hard rock or heavy metal guitar. |
 Laguna Ultimate Rock Pack A step-up pack with an upgraded amplifier with more power and features. Includes all the accessories with an instructional DVD. |
Smaller Guitars For Players With Smaller Hands
When shopping for a child under the age of 8, consider these models which are easier for smaller people to play.
 Baby Taylor Dreadnought Acoustic |  Little Martin Acoustic |
 Squier Mini Strat |  Squier Hello Kitty Mini Strat |
Keep in mind that if you buy a mini electric, you will need an amp to play it.
