7 Steps to Buying Your First Guitar in Canada

Last Updated: October 28, 2026

Table of Contents

• Start With What You Want to Play
• Acoustic vs Electric Guitar for Beginners
• Guitar Size Guide for Beginners
  • The three numbers that matter
  • A fit test you can do in the store
  • Children and smaller adults
  • Why size and setup are linked
  • Buying online without holding the guitar
• Setting a Realistic Beginner Budget in CAD
  • How tax and shipping change the landed cost
  • The first-year cost of ownership
  • Where to check current prices
• Checking Playability, Setup and Build Quality
• Beginner Guitar Starter Pack: What You Actually Need
• Buying a Used Guitar Checklist
• Booking Your First Guitar Purchase With RedOne Music Canada
• Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing your first guitar in Canada is easier when you follow a clear sequence. This beginner guitar buying guide in Canada walks you through seven steps, from deciding what you want to play to booking your first purchase with RedOne Music Canada. A little planning can help you choose a guitar that suits your needs.

Start With What You Want to Play

Your first decision is the music you want to make. A guitar that suits folk songs is not always the best fit for rock riffs or fingerstyle classical pieces. Our first acoustic guitar buying guide explains how to choose between instrument types for your style. Think about the genres you listen to most and the songs you want to learn in the first six months.

Write down three songs you would love to play. Then note the instrument on each recording. Most of the time you will see a clear pattern, and that pattern points you toward steel-string acoustic, nylon-string classical, or electric.

Acoustic vs Electric Guitar for Beginners

An acoustic guitar produces sound on its own, so you do not need an amplifier to practise. That makes it the simplest choice for daily practice at home. An electric guitar needs an amp, a cable, and usually a tuner, but it often has thinner strings and lower action, which many beginners find easier on the fingers.

A practical rule: choose acoustic if you want one instrument that works anywhere, and electric if you plan to play with a band or enjoy heavier styles.

Guitar Size Guide for Beginners

Two guitars of the same model name can feel different depending on scale length, body depth, and nut width.

The three numbers that matter

• Scale length is the distance from the nut to the bridge saddle. It sets string tension and fret spacing. A shorter scale means less tension and closer frets.
• Nut width is the width of the neck at the top. A narrower nut changes the width of the neck at the top.
• Body depth and lower-bout width determine how the guitar sits against your body and how far your right arm has to reach.

Rather than memorize a single number, compare the scale length and nut width on each product page against the fit test below.

A fit test you can do in the store

Sit down and hold the guitar in playing position. Then check:

1. Your fretting hand can reach the first four frets without your wrist bending sharply.
2. Your strumming arm rests on the body without your shoulder hiking up.
3. The guitar does not slide off your leg when you relax.
4. You can see the fretboard markers without craning your neck.
5. The neck feels comfortable in the web between thumb and index finger.

If any of these fail, consider whether the guitar is the right fit for you.

Children and smaller adults

Young players and smaller adults often do better on a 3/4-size or short-scale instrument. The goal is not to buy a toy but to buy a guitar the player can hold correctly. A guitar that is too large teaches bad posture and makes practice painful. A properly sized smaller guitar can be played for years before a full-size upgrade makes sense.

Why size and setup are linked

Size affects comfort, but setup affects playability. When you try a guitar, ask whether the action has been adjusted.

Buying online without holding the guitar

If you cannot try before you buy, use the product page numbers: scale length, nut width, body depth, and weight. Compare them to a guitar you have held and liked.

Setting a Realistic Beginner Budget in CAD

A beginner budget depends on the guitar, accessories, and other costs. Build a landed-cost estimate before you compare models.

Start with the instrument. Pricing depends on the guitar and its features. Rather than anchor on a single figure, set a range for the guitar and a separate range for everything else.

Add to Cart →

Then add the accessories you will actually use in the first month:

• A gig bag or case
• A clip-on tuner
• One or two spare sets of strings
• A handful of picks
• A strap if you plan to stand
• For electric: a small practice amplifier and an instrument cable

How tax and shipping change the landed cost

Shipping charges and applicable taxes can affect the total cost (GST/HST on imports and exports).

A practical habit: calculate the total cost, including the guitar, accessories, shipping, and applicable tax. Compare that total across sellers, not just the sticker price.

The first-year cost of ownership

A first-year estimate can include:

• The guitar and accessories
• A setup, and possibly a second adjustment after the instrument settles
• Replacement strings
• Lessons or a structured online course
• A humidifier or storage plan if indoor air is dry in winter

Where to check current prices

For current prices, check the RedOne Music Canada website or ask the team for a quote. When you compare, consider shipping and applicable taxes.

The article breaks the beginner budget into a few cost categories you can compare side by side.

Cost item	What to include	Note
The guitar	Instrument price in CAD	Set a range, not a single figure
Accessories	Gig bag, clip-on tuner, spare strings, picks, strap	Only buy what you will use in month one
Electric extras	Practice amplifier and instrument cable	Needed for electric guitar only
Shipping and tax	Shipping charges and applicable taxes	Changes the landed cost
Setup	Initial setup, possible second adjustment	Adjust after the instrument settles
Ongoing	Replacement strings, lessons or online course	Part of the first-year estimate

Checking Playability, Setup and Build Quality

Playability is the feel of the guitar under your hands. Look at the action, which is the height of the strings above the fretboard.

Check the neck for straightness and the frets for sharp edges.

Beginner Guitar Starter Pack: What You Actually Need

For most beginners, useful accessories to consider include a case or gig bag, a clip-on tuner, spare strings, picks, and a strap if you plan to stand while playing. For acoustic guitars, see the light-gauge acoustic guitar strings. For electric strings, see the light-gauge electric guitar string set.

For electric guitar, consider an amplifier and an instrument cable.

Buying a Used Guitar Checklist

• Check the neck for warping by sighting down it from the headstock.
• Look for cracks in the top, especially around the soundhole and bridge.
• Test every fret for buzzing or dead spots.
• Confirm all tuning pegs turn smoothly and hold pitch.
• Ask about any past repairs or refinishing.
• Plug in electric models and test every knob, switch, and jack.
• Buy from a seller with a clear return or exchange policy.

Booking Your First Guitar Purchase With RedOne Music Canada

When you are ready to choose, browse the guitar range on the RedOne Music Canada website. If you want help narrowing the options, contact the team before you order.

Click Add to Cart when you have chosen your guitar and accessories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should a beginner start with an acoustic or electric guitar?

It depends on the music you want to play. An acoustic guitar needs no amplifier. An electric guitar needs an amplifier, cable and tuner, so budget for those too. If you are unsure, choose the style of music you listen to most often and buy the instrument that matches it.

What size guitar should a beginner buy?

Body size and scale length are factors to consider. Try to hold the guitar before buying and assess whether it feels comfortable to hold.

What should I look for in a beginner guitar starter pack?

A starter pack usually bundles a guitar with a gig bag, tuner, picks, a strap and sometimes an amplifier and cable. The value depends on the quality of each item. A cheap tuner and a thin gig bag may need replacing soon, so check each component before you pay for the bundle. A good starter pack should include a guitar that is set up properly, with strings and frets in acceptable condition, plus the basic accessories you will use in your first months of practice.

Is it safer for a beginner to buy a used guitar?

A used guitar can offer good value, but it carries more risk than a new one. Check the neck for straightness, look for cracks or loose braces, test every fret for buzzing, and make sure the tuning machines turn smoothly and hold pitch. Ask whether the seller has had the instrument set up recently. If you are buying online, confirm the return policy and what happens if the guitar arrives damaged, and keep your packaging until you are satisfied.