Every guitarist eventually asks the question — either for themselves when they are starting out, or in answer to a friend who just decided to start playing. What do you actually need? What do you buy first? Where do you spend and where do you save?
This is the honest answer. Not a list of expensive gear I would love to own if money were no object. The actual rig I would build from zero with a real budget and real priorities — the one that lets you play, record, and develop your sound without buying things you will replace in six months.
Everything here is available on Reverb used, which is how I would buy all of it.
The Guitar: Used Mid-Range Over New Budget
The single best value play in guitar gear is buying a used mid-range guitar instead of a new budget guitar at the same price. A used Squier Classic Vibe, used Epiphone Les Paul Standard, or used Mexican Fender Stratocaster in the $300 to $450 range on Reverb plays better and sounds better than a new guitar at the same price point almost without exception.
These guitars have already been played in. If they have any significant issues they will show up in the listing photos or seller description. Buy from a seller with strong feedback, look at the photos carefully, and ask about setup history. A well-maintained used guitar at this price range is the foundation of a rig that will serve you for years.
The Amp: Small, Real, and Loud Enough to Hear Yourself
For home practice and small rehearsal spaces, a five to twenty watt combo amp is the right purchase. Big enough to have actual tone, small enough to not blow the windows out of a bedroom. The Boss Katana 50 MkII used is my first choice — responsive feel, versatile tone controls, and a power attenuator that makes it genuinely usable at bedroom volumes. The Vox AC4 or Blackstar HT-1R if you want real tube character at low volume.
Stay away from the tiny five-watt practice amps that you will outgrow in three months. Spend slightly more once for something with real headroom.
The Pedals: Four and Only Four to Start
A tuner pedal. An overdrive. A delay. A reverb. In that order, added one at a time as the budget allows.
The tuner goes first because playing in tune is the foundation of everything else. The Boss TU-3 is the standard choice — reliable, accurate, and it silently mutes the signal while you tune. The overdrive goes second because gain is the most-used effect in most playing styles. The Ibanez Tube Screamer or the Boss BD-2 Blues Driver used covers this well. The delay and reverb add dimension and depth once the core tone is working.
Everything beyond these four is a choice you make because you identified something specific your sound needs — not because someone on a forum told you that you needed it.
The Cables: Buy Good Ones Once
One quality instrument cable from guitar to board. Quality patch cables between pedals. One quality cable from board to amp. Planet Waves American Stage or Mogami Gold. Buy them once and never buy cables again for ten years.
The Setup: Do Not Skip This
Budget fifty dollars for a professional setup from a local tech on whatever guitar you buy. Action adjusted, nut slots checked, intonation set, frets leveled if needed. A guitar that plays correctly feels like a completely different instrument from one that does not. Most guitars — used or new — benefit from a setup before they reach their full potential.
Total Budget
Guitar used: $350. Amp used: $180. Four pedals used over time: $200. Cables: $60. Setup: $50. Total: around $840 for a complete rig that plays well, sounds good, and has no obvious weak points.
That is a rig you can gig with, record with, and develop a real sound on. Everything after this is a refinement, not a requirement. Start your search on Reverb and take your time finding pieces that are priced right.
Follow Phantom Power Gear on Pinterest for more gear tips and recommendations.
Related posts:
Last Guitar Buying Guide Youll Ever Need
What 500 Guitar Budget Gets You 2026
5 Amps Under 200 That Sound Like 600
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
No comments:
Post a Comment