The room fills with the low, heavy groan of a single bent string. Raw emotion pours from the amplifier, yet your own fingers still hesitate over the fretboard.
Finding the right gear changes everything. You need an instrument that speaks fluently in minor pentatonic scales.
This curated lineup of the Best Guitars for Blues 2021 cuts through the noise. Let us examine what actually deserves a spot in your studio.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize guitars with single-coil pickups if you want that classic, glass-like tone associated with legendary blues players.
- Check the scale length and neck radius carefully to ensure comfortable string bending and vibrato execution.
- Solid wood bodies generally offer richer resonance than laminate alternatives, though quality laminates keep starter prices accessible.
- Factor the cost of a proper amplifier and a sturdy cable into your total initial budget.
- Beginners should look for starter kits that include essential accessories like extra strings, picks, and a reliable gig bag.
| Ultimate Starter Kit |  |
Glarry Full Size Electric Guitar | Complete starter kit | Includes 20W amplifier | Ready to play | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Best Budget Acoustic |  |
Ashthorpe 38 Inch Acoustic Guitar | Comfortable 38 inch size | Includes beginner lessons | Ready out of the box | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Structured Learning Guide |  |
Hal Leonard Blues Guitar Method | Clear tablature notation | Helpful online audio | Covers beginner to intermediate | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Iconic Song Library |  |
First 50 Blues Songs Songbook | Fifty classic songs | Includes lyrics and tabs | Great for skill building | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Iconic Strat Tone |  |
Fender Squier Stratocaster Electric Guitar | Legendary Stratocaster shape | Classic Daphne Blue finish | Versatile pickup configuration | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Advanced Transcription Vault |  |
Blues Guitar Bible Tablature Book | Thirty-five full transcriptions | Standard notation included | Detailed chord diagrams | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| No Nonsense Basics |  |
Blues Guitar For Noobs Guide | Seventy-three practical licks | Includes backing tracks | Focuses on core basics | View on Amazon | Read Review |
| Foundation Builder |  |
Blues Guitar From Scratch Guide | Covers fundamental riffs | Explains basic scales | Clear chord diagrams | View on Amazon | Read Review |
More Details on Our Top Picks
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Glarry Full Size Electric Guitar
If you want an all-in-one entry point into the genre without spending a fortune, this package demands your attention. You get a complete starter bundle featuring a 20-watt amplifier and a gig bag alongside the instrument itself.
The dark blue finish gives it a sharp look on stage or in your bedroom. Just keep in mind that factory setups often need minor adjustments to play at their absolute best.
- Brand:Glarry
- Instrument Type:Electric Guitar
- Color:Dark Blue
- Scale Size:39 inch
- Handedness:Right Handed
- Included Accessories:Amp, bag, accessories pack
- Additional Feature:Full size electric guitar
- Additional Feature:Includes practice amplifier
- Additional Feature:Essential accessories included
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Ashthorpe 38 Inch Acoustic Guitar
Starting your musical journey on an acoustic instrument helps build finger strength faster than anything else. This package supplies everything required for day one, including extra strings, picks, and instructional lessons.
The compact scale size fits younger players or smaller adults comfortably. On the downside, the factory action might feel a bit high until you file the saddle down.
- Brand:Ashthorpe
- Instrument Type:Acoustic Guitar
- Color:Blue
- Scale Size:38 inch
- Included Accessories:Gig bag, extra strings, strap, picks, lessons
- Additional Feature:Compact starter design
- Additional Feature:Complete lesson package
- Additional Feature:Vibrant blue finish
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Hal Leonard Blues Guitar Method
Mastering the 12-bar blues requires more than just raw enthusiasm. This instructional book guides you systematically through essential scales, riffs, and intermediate techniques using clear tablature.
You also get online audio play-along tracks to test your timing against a real band. The notation can look dense at first, but patience unlocks the lessons quickly.
- Brand:Hal Leonard
- Instrument Type:Instruction Book
- Additional Feature:Online audio tracks included
- Additional Feature:Focuses on 12-bar blues
- Additional Feature:Standard music notation
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First 50 Blues Songs Songbook
Playing real music remains the fastest way to stay motivated during long practice sessions. This collection features chords, tabs, and lyrics for signature tracks by legendary artists.
You can finally tackle famous hits without hunting down unreliable charts online. The arrangements cater to mixed skill levels, meaning simpler tunes sit right alongside trickier solos.
- Brand:Hal Leonard
- Instrument Type:Songbook
- Additional Feature:Standard guitar tab format
- Additional Feature:Chord diagrams included
- Additional Feature:Famous artist arrangements
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Fender Squier Stratocaster Electric Guitar
Owning a genuine Stratocaster design connects you directly to decades of electric blues history. The classic Daphne Blue finish adds a vintage aesthetic that never goes out of style.
This model delivers the chime and bite expected from legendary blues records. You may need to upgrade the tuning machines down the road for better stability.
- Brand:Fender Squier
- Instrument Type:Electric Guitar
- Color:Daphne Blue
- Handedness:Right Handed
- Additional Feature:Authentic Fender design
- Additional Feature:Multiple pickup selections
- Additional Feature:Traditional tremolo bridge
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Blues Guitar Bible Tablature Book
Serious players looking for exact note-for-note transcriptions will find immense value here. The volume contains thirty-five iconic tracks broken down into precise guitar tablature and standard notation.
Chord diagrams accompany the arrangements to help you master the rhythm sections. Beginners might find these intricate transcriptions overwhelming until their finger dexterity improves.
- Brand:Hal Leonard
- Instrument Type:Songbook
- Additional Feature:Recorded version transcriptions
- Additional Feature:Comprehensive guitar tabs
- Additional Feature:Essential blues repertoire
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Blues Guitar For Noobs Guide
Cutting through confusing music theory is the main goal of this targeted tutorial. You get seventy-three specific licks along with backing tracks to build your improvisational confidence.
The focus stays strictly on foundational skills that yield immediate results. It moves rather quickly, so you will need to loop the backing tracks frequently to master the rhythm.
- Brand:Independently Published
- Instrument Type:Instruction Book
- Additional Feature:Two full solos included
- Additional Feature:Play-along track audio
- Additional Feature:Beginner focused approach
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Blues Guitar From Scratch Guide
Stripping the genre down to its bare essentials helps establish correct habits early. This guide teaches fundamental riffs, chords, and scales through clear step-by-step instructions.
It serves as a reliable roadmap for players who feel lost on the fretboard. The book relies heavily on reading standard tabs, so visual learners should prepare for some extra practice.
- Brand:Independently Published
- Instrument Type:Instruction Book
- Additional Feature:Scratch-built learning method
- Additional Feature:Essential blues scale focus
- Additional Feature:Rhythm and lead basics
