In this article, we are going to take a look at what Ireland has to offer when it comes to its selection of beginner acoustic guitars through to electric guitars.
"Guitar is the best form of self-expression I know. Everything else, and I'm just sort of tripping around, trying to figure my way through life."
- Slash
However, before we get into the prices and availability of the different guitars let's have a look at some of the most common types of guitars played in Ireland and just why they're so popular.

Acoustic Guitar
The acoustic guitar is the most popular and widely used all over the world. It has a hollow body that creates a deep and loud sound.
Thousands, if not millions, of artists, play the acoustic guitar. From buskers on the streets of cities and towns to the biggest acts performing to vast audiences on stage have harnessed the simple power of the acoustic.
There are two types of acoustic guitars. One is the steel string, which creates a metallic sound, while the other is a 'classical', which features a broader neck than the latter type. Classical guitars are fitted with nylon strings too and may be called ‘Spanish guitars’ (though this is less common than just ‘acoustic’).
Electric Guitars
The electric guitar is not as elegant or as low-tech as the acoustic, but it can produce some amazing sounds.
Electric guitars are solid-bodied (without the hole that creates the sounds in acoustic models), and are built to be used with an amplifier. They emit notes with a metallic tone, and the overall sound can be manipulated using a variety of techniques and tools.
Players don’t need to press the strings quite as hard as they would on an acoustic, which makes electric guitars less tough on the fingertips. As a result, the strings can be bent more easily to diversify notes.

Bass Guitars
The bass guitar is an essential part of the music in different genres – rock, heavy metal, pop, folk, jazz, blues etc.
This has a long fretboard and a set of thick strings, either four or six. These tend to be played with the fingers or the thumb and can be slapped, plucked, strummed, thumped, or picked with a plectrum.
The bass guitarist in a band is usually responsible for helping to keep the beat, working alongside the drummer to establish the fundamental rhythm of a song.
Electro-Acoustic Guitars (semi-acoustic)
As a basic step-up from the acoustic guitar, electro-acoustics are also known as semi-acoustic.
It’s not the same as an electric guitar, despite what its name may imply, and is completely different. This is an acoustic guitar which includes a magnetic pickup or microphone. These usually feature piezoelectric pickups (which capture the vibrations and convert them into an electrical signal), with a preamplifier integrated into the body, which enhances the sounds before an external amplifier emits it.
This sounds fairly complex, but playing one is actually somewhat simple. It performs just like an acoustic, and once the amp has been set up and the sound stabilised, any musician familiar with the basic acoustic guitar should have no trouble.
Electro-acoustic guitars are commonly used on stage during live performances when a solo artist or act has a larger audience and thus needs to generate a louder sound with their guitar. This lets them do so without having to use a guitar fitted near the soundhole of a standard acoustic.
Semi-acoustic guitars may be suitable for use with electrical amplification, but they still retain their more raw, acoustic sound. Musicians can still create a more intimate, low-key melody without having to worry about it being influenced or altered.

Yamaha Guitars Ireland
Yamaha has a wide range of guitars to suit every budget. What’s amazing is that even those on the lower end of the price spectrum are not only very well made but sound great too.
- Yamaha F310 - Acoustic Guitar
- Yamaha has built this guitar with beginners in mind, so the neck is nice and slim, with a comfy rounded profile.
- This is a top-quality guitar, with a great sound for all guitar players, at an affordable price of just €145
- Yamaha FX370C - Electro (Semi) Acoustic Guitar
- This Semi-acoustic guitar provides great sound and playing ease. It is ideal for beginner level players, who want quality, reliable instruments.
- At around €330 the price is average for this type of guitar.
- Yamaha Pacifica 112V - Electric Guitar
- The Yamaha Pacifica 112V is still one of the best options for an electric guitar which is really saying something over 30 years from its original launch. The Pacifica line of electric guitars was launched in 1990!
- These guitars are excellent quality, extremely versatile and very affordable costing around €340
- Yamaha BB 234 4-String - Bass Guitar
- The Yamaha BB 234 4-string bass is the perfect instrument for both aspiring and established bassists, offering a high-quality design and tone. It delivers an incredibly well-balanced sound which is perfect for playing a wide range of musical styles.
- These bass guitars have a lightweight alder body which helps create smooth, deep tones. It's also not too expensive as it can be purchased for around €380

Fender Guitars Ireland
Fender is one of the most iconic guitar manufacturers in the world. They have a great selection of guitars for all kinds of players and all kinds of budgets. It is great that their most affordable models have excellent quality and are great starter guitars.
- Fender FA-115 Dreadnought - Acoustic Guitar
- The dreadnought guitar has a good shape for beginners to start with, and it is also a very balanced guitar type with easy size.
- This guitar creates a great sound and is one of the best quality and value, budget acoustic guitars on the market coming in at just €123.
- Fender Redondo Player - Electro (Semi) Acoustic Guitar
- Fender Redondo Player is easily one of the best and most affordable mid-level acoustic guitars offered by Fender which makes it a decent choice for all-level players.
- As mentioned it is a mid-level guitar, and with it comes a mid-range price tag, coming in at around €310 it's not on the cheaper end of the scale. However, it is worth making the investment if you plan on committing to the guitar long term especially if you need to be plugging it into an amp.
- Fender Player Stratocaster PF - Electric Guitar
- The Player Stratocaster is where we really see the price change between Yamaha and Fender.
- Fender says "The Player series Stratocaster is our most versatile beginner instrument because it combines a timeless model with contemporary appointments including a dedicated bridge pickup control and "Modern C"-shaped neck. most versatile beginner series with Fender's timeless body style."
- The price to me says... if you're a beginner run back to Yamaha... this "beginner" instrument comes in at a cool €670 starting point.
- Fender Player Precision Bass P - Bass Guitar
- When it comes to the Fender Player Precision Bass itself, you are investing in a classic. The genuine Fender tones are present and an ultra-smooth feel with styling ready for the stage, the Player P Bass brings style, substance, and affordability together perfectly.
- At €875 this Bass comes in at significantly more than the Yamaha BB 234 4-String, but as mentioned you're investing in a classic!
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
- Plato
Whichever guitar you end up with I wish you all the best as you embark on your musical adventure!