The most soulful blues tracks ever recorded were often played on instruments that were falling apart. You do not need a museum piece to find your voice, as character matters far more than factory shine.
Getting started requires gear that stays in tune and learning materials that explain the rhythmic backbone of the genre. These Best Guitars for Blues 2021 candidates balance playability with essential instruction. Read on to see which path suits your current skill level.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize a comfortable neck profile because blues requires frequent, repetitive string bending.
- Select a starter electric guitar with a single-coil pickup configuration to capture that classic, bell-like blues tone.
- Ensure your learning materials include audio play-alongs so you can hear how the notes should breathe in a mix.
- Choose a guitar size that matches your reach to prevent wrist fatigue during long practice sessions.
- Verify that your songbooks use standard notation and tablature to provide two ways of reading every lick.
| Best Complete Starter |  |
Glarry Full Size Electric Guitar | Includes matching guitar bag | Ready to play bundle | Full scale length | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Portable Practice Companion |  |
Ashthorpe 38-inch Beginner Acoustic Guitar | Includes helpful lesson guide | Compact body size | Convenient starter kit | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Essential Instructional Guide |  |
Hal Leonard Blues Guitar Method | Clear tablature notation | Includes online audio tracks | Covers scales and riffs | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Repertoire Building Staple |  |
First 50 Blues Songs Songbook | Iconic blues tracks included | Easy to read tabs | Wide variety of songs | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Iconic Blues Tone |  |
Fender Squier Stratocaster Electric Guitar | Legendary shape and feel | Versatile tonal options | Classic aesthetic | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Practical Technique Builder |  |
Blues Guitar For Noobs Guide | Includes backing tracks | High volume of licks | Practical soloing focus | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Foundation Development Tool |  |
Blues Guitar From Scratch | Focuses on core theory | Logical lesson progression | Easy to digest format | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Professional Song Study |  |
Hal Leonard Classic Blues Songs | High quality transcriptions | Includes online audio | Legendary song selection | View on Amazon | Read Review |
More Details on Our Top Picks
-
Glarry Full Size Electric Guitar
If you are brand new to the blues, this kit provides everything required to start playing immediately. The full size body feels like a traditional instrument, and including a 20W amplifier means you avoid extra purchases before your first practice session.
It is an ideal choice for someone who wants a low barrier to entry. While it lacks the high-end hardware of professional gear, the included accessories create a simple path to learning your first blues scales.
- Brand Name:Glarry
- Instrument Type:Electric Guitar
- Product Size:39 inches
- Included Accessories:Amp, bag, and accessories
- Target Skill:Beginner
- Additional Feature:Right handed orientation
- Additional Feature:Lightweight body construction
- Additional Feature:Integrated amplifier bundle
-
Ashthorpe 38-inch Beginner Acoustic Guitar
This compact acoustic is perfect for players with smaller frames or those who need a portable instrument for quick practice sessions. The smaller body shape is a comfortable, friendly size that encourages you to pick it up and play whenever inspiration strikes.
You get a full starter kit, which includes essentials like extra strings and picks. It is not built for stage performances, but it serves as a reliable tool for mastering your initial chord progressions.
- Brand Name:Ashthorpe
- Instrument Type:Acoustic Guitar
- Product Size:38 inches
- Included Accessories:Gig bag, strings, strap, picks
- Target Skill:Beginner
- Additional Feature:Nylon carry bag included
- Additional Feature:Beginner lesson materials
- Additional Feature:Lightweight design
-
Hal Leonard Blues Guitar Method
Think of this book as a structured roadmap for your blues education. It breaks down complex ideas like 12-bar progressions and riffs into manageable, bite-sized lessons that prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.
The inclusion of online audio tracks allows you to hear exactly how each lick should sound. It bridges the gap between basic strumming and genuine blues expression, though you will need your own guitar to follow along.
- Brand Name:Hal Leonard
- Target Skill:Beginner to Intermediate
- Primary Format:Instructional book
- Additional Feature:12-bar blues focus
- Additional Feature:Online play-along audio
- Additional Feature:Standard notation and TAB
-
First 50 Blues Songs Songbook
This collection is the perfect next step once you grasp basic technique. It features 50 classic songs that define the blues genre, providing the exact chords and tabs you need to learn favorites from legends like B.B. King.
By working through these arrangements, you develop a deeper rhythmic understanding of the style. It is not an instructional manual for theory, but a practical library for expanding your performance list.
- Brand Name:Hal Leonard
- Target Skill:Beginner to Intermediate
- Primary Format:Songbook
- Additional Feature:Includes lyrics and chords
- Additional Feature:Classic blues arrangements
- Additional Feature:Standard notation
-
Fender Squier Stratocaster Electric Guitar
The Stratocaster is the standard for blues players, and this model delivers that signature crisp tone at a accessible level. It features a versatile pickup configuration that lets you dial in everything from smooth, soulful leads to gritty rhythm textures.
The classic Daphne Blue finish looks timeless on any stage. It is a sturdy instrument that grows with your skills, though you will need to purchase a separate amplifier to complete your setup.
- Brand Name:Fender Squier
- Instrument Type:Electric Guitar
- Target Skill:Beginner to Intermediate
- Additional Feature:Three single-coil pickups
- Additional Feature:Synchronized tremolo bridge
- Additional Feature:Classic maple neck
-
Blues Guitar For Noobs Guide
If you want to focus specifically on licks and soloing, this book is a direct, no-nonsense resource. It provides 73 distinct licks that act as the building blocks for your own improvised blues solos.
The included backing tracks allow you to practice playing within a band context from home. It is a focused supplement rather than a complete theory course, making it great for players who want to jump straight into playing.
- Brand Name:Blues Guitar For Noobs
- Target Skill:Beginner
- Primary Format:Instructional guide
- Additional Feature:Two full solos included
- Additional Feature:Play-along track library
- Additional Feature:Focused technical drills
-
Blues Guitar From Scratch
This book cuts through the fluff to get you playing authentic blues as quickly as possible. It focuses on the fundamental riffs and scales that every blues player must master to hold their own in a jam session.
It acts like a private tutor, guiding you through the essential mechanics of the fretboard. While it lacks the song-based excitement of a standard songbook, the foundational knowledge here is unmatched for the price.
- Brand Name:Blues Guitar From Scratch
- Target Skill:Beginner
- Primary Format:Instructional book
- Additional Feature:Fundamental riff library
- Additional Feature:Scale and chord focus
- Additional Feature:Beginner-friendly explanations
-
Hal Leonard Classic Blues Songs
This collection focuses on the masters, presenting 10 classic songs from legends like Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. The transcriptions are precise, helping you understand how professional players structure their phrasing and soloing.
The online audio accompaniment is incredibly helpful for timing and feel. It is geared toward players who already have a baseline of skill and want to tackle advanced, iconic arrangements.
- Brand Name:Hal Leonard
- Target Skill:Intermediate
- Primary Format:Songbook
- Additional Feature:Notation and tablature
- Additional Feature:Essential blues techniques
- Additional Feature:Audio streaming access
James Wilson is a seasoned product review specialist with a strong focus on coffee grinders and home brewing equipment. With years of hands-on experience testing both manual and electric grinders, he brings practical insights and honest recommendations to help readers make informed decisions. James is passionate about the role grind quality plays in achieving the perfect cup of coffee, and he combines technical knowledge with a user-friendly approach. His reviews are known for their clarity, depth, and reliability, making him a trusted voice for coffee enthusiasts looking to upgrade their daily brewing experience.
