The Best Beginner’s Electric Guitar? Why I Keep Coming Back to Cort

If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know I don’t throw the word “best” around lightly — especially when it comes to beginner guitars. “Best” depends on playability, tone, build quality, long-term value, and, most importantly, whether the guitar inspires you to keep playing.

After three decades in this business, helping thousands of players find the right start, I can say with confidence that the Cort G200SE is one of the best beginner’s electric guitars you can buy — full stop.

Cort isn’t some unknown budget brand trying to make a name for itself. Quite the opposite.

For decades, Cort has quietly built guitars for some of the biggest names in the business — including PRS, Ibanez, G&L, and Fender’s sub-brands, among others. They’ve been the OEM backbone of the guitar industry, producing instruments that many players have fallen in love with, often without realising they were holding a Cort-built guitar.

That history matters, because it means the Cort G200SE benefits from all that experience and precision manufacturing. You’re getting a guitar designed and built by one of the most capable factories in the world — at a fraction of what you’d expect to pay for this level of quality.

When I’m helping someone choose their first electric guitar, I look for three things:

1. Comfort and playability. It needs to feel good straight away — not fight you. A poorly set-up or badly fretted guitar can kill enthusiasm faster than anything.

2. Tonal flexibility. Beginners should be able to explore a wide range of sounds — clean, crunchy, and driven — without feeling limited.

3. Build quality and reliability. You want something that stays in tune, intonates properly, and will still be going strong in five or ten years.

The Cort G200SE nails all three.

Let’s look at what makes this model special.

• Construction: A classic bolt-on design gives it that familiar, snappy Strat-style response. The poplar body keeps it lightweight and comfortable for long playing sessions.

• Neck and fretboard: Both made from roasted maple, which not only looks stunning but also adds a touch of extra stability and smoothness. The satin feel is ideal for beginners — fast, easy, and forgiving.

• Scale and shape: A 25.5" scale and comfortable C-shaped neck make it a joy to play whether you’re practising open chords or your first solos.

• Electronics: The HSS pickup configuration (humbucker + two single coils) gives you a versatile range of tones. From blues and indie cleans to heavier rock crunch, it’s all in there — making it the perfect first electric guitar for players who haven’t yet settled on a single style.

• Bridge and hardware: A traditional 6-point tremolo and die-cast tuners keep everything stable, and the chrome hardware completes that timeless, classic look.

• Finish options: It’s available in Aged Cream, Scarlet Red, and Seafoam Green — all of which look superb in person. You’ll feel like you’ve bought something special, not just a “starter guitar.”

I’ve always said that the difference between a cheap beginner’s guitar and a great one is how it feels when you pick it up. The Cort G200SE has that magic combination of comfort and precision that makes you want to keep playing.

Paired with one of our professional setup options at Richards Guitars — the same care we give to £2,000 instruments — the G200SE becomes a guitar that could easily last you a lifetime, not just your beginner years.

If you’re researching beginner guitars, you’ve probably come across the Yamaha Pacifica 112V, Squier Strat, and various budget “copy” models. They’re all decent choices, but here’s where the Cort G200SE pulls ahead:

• Higher build quality for the price. Cort doesn’t outsource to unknown factories — they are the factory trusted by other brands.

• Roasted maple neck. You almost never see that in this price range.

• HSS versatility. The humbucker adds a powerful, warm tone option that single-coil-only guitars simply can’t match.

• Real long-term value. This isn’t something you’ll need to upgrade after a year; it’ll grow with you as your playing develops.

When someone asks me, “What’s the best beginner’s electric guitar?” — I don’t give a one-size-fits-all answer. But if you want something that feels and sounds professional, that you’ll be proud to own and play for years to come, the Cort G200SE deserves to be at the very top of your list.

It’s the perfect balance of quality, tone, and value — built by one of the most respected manufacturers in the world. And when properly set up, it plays like guitars costing two or three times as much.

You can explore the Cort G200SE (our best beginners electric guitar recommendation)  right here at Richards Guitars where every guitar is hand-checked, set up, and ready to inspire from the moment you open the case.

Click here to learn more about the custom pro setup package worth £225 and is totall FREE with your Cort G200SE.   

This alone makes buying from us the only choice when buying a beginners electric guitar and if you want the best beginners electric guitar?  Hopefully you will trust me advice but also contact me after your purchase and let me know how you've got on?