It’s Not the Price of the Guitar That Matters
Mark Mannering Barton - Pick to Play Guitar
I once came across a price tag on a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard 1959.
$120,000.
It’s the kind of number that stops you in your tracks.
And if you’re just starting out, it can also make you think something dangerous:
“That’s what a real guitar looks like.”
“Maybe I need something like that to sound good.”
“Maybe my guitar isn’t good enough.”
But here’s the truth.
The best guitar is the one you want to pick up
When you’re starting out, the most important thing isn’t tone, wood, brand or price.
It’s this:
Do you actually want to pick the guitar up and play it?
That’s it.
Because progress doesn’t come from owning a great guitar.
It comes from using whatever guitar you have, consistently.
A £100 guitar that gets played every day will always beat a £5,000 guitar that sits in the corner.
Expensive doesn’t mean better for beginners
Guitars like a vintage 1959 Les Paul are incredible instruments.
They have history, craftsmanship and a sound that professionals value.
But none of that helps a beginner in the early stages.
In fact, expensive guitars can sometimes:
Make you afraid to use them properly
Add pressure to “be good” quickly
Distract from what actually matters, which is learning
When you’re starting out, simpler is often better.
What actually makes you improve
If it’s not price, what does matter?
A few simple things:
A guitar that feels comfortable in your hands
Something that looks good to you personally
Easy access, meaning it’s always within reach
A clear, simple path to follow
That’s it.
Not specs. Not price tags. Not brand names.
Just consistency and enjoyment.
Inspiration beats specification every time
That $120,000 guitar is inspiring for a different reason.
Not because it’s something to aim for financially.
But because it represents what the guitar can become in the right hands.
For you, inspiration might look completely different.
It might be:
A simple acoustic in the corner of your living room
A guitar you’ve had for years but never properly played
The idea of finally learning songs you love
That’s what matters.
Final thoughts
You don’t need an expensive guitar to start.
You don’t need the “perfect” setup.
You don’t need to wait until everything feels right.
You just need a guitar that makes you want to pick it up.
Because that’s where everything begins.
If you’ve been putting off starting because you feel like your guitar isn’t good enough, it’s worth rethinking that.
You’re probably already holding everything you need.
Thinking About Starting?
If learning guitar is something you’ve always wanted to do, the first step is simple.
Book your free intro call (see link on the Header of the website or Contact Me Here
A Note on the Guitar
I did have a go on it and yes, it was veeerrrryyyy nice but you know what… I’ve had a £199 Squier Classic Vibe that brought me just as much joy to play not to mention a second mortgage to own it!
