The Complete Guide to Finding the Right Electric Guitar
Few musical instruments have shaped the modern world quite like the electric guitar.
It has become so deeply woven into our culture that it's easy to forget there was a time before it existed. Rock and roll, blues, punk, heavy metal, indie, funk and countless other genres owe much of their identity to six strings, a handful of magnets and the simple idea that a guitar should be heard just as clearly as every other instrument on the stage.
Yet the electric guitar wasn't born out of rebellion.
It was born out of necessity.
In the early decades of the twentieth century, guitarists faced a frustrating problem. Dance orchestras were growing larger, brass sections were becoming louder and drummers were becoming more energetic, leaving the acoustic guitar struggling to be heard. Builders experimented tirelessly with ways of amplifying the instrument until the invention of the magnetic pickup changed everything. For the first time, the guitar could step confidently into the spotlight, and music has never quite been the same since.
Almost a century later, the electric guitar remains one of the most expressive instruments ever created. It can whisper delicate jazz melodies, deliver the warm growl of vintage blues, explode into stadium-sized rock riffs or disappear beneath shimmering layers of delay and reverb. Few instruments adapt so completely to the personality of the player holding them.
At Musicmaker Dublin, we've spent more than forty years helping Irish guitarists discover that feeling for themselves. Whether it's someone's very first instrument or the guitar they've dreamed of owning for decades, the right electric guitar has an extraordinary way of inspiring people to play just one more song.
More Than Wood And Wire
One of the great misconceptions about electric guitars is that they're somehow more complicated than acoustic instruments.
In reality, the opposite is often true.
An electric guitar is an elegantly simple piece of engineering. Vibrating strings pass over magnetic pickups, which convert those vibrations into an electrical signal before sending them to an amplifier. From there, everything becomes possible. Change the amplifier and the guitar takes on an entirely different personality. Add an overdrive pedal and it growls. Introduce delay and reverb and suddenly the room feels twice its size. Roll back the volume control and the same guitar that was roaring moments ago begins to sing with remarkable subtlety.
It's this endless versatility that has kept generations of musicians fascinated. One instrument can spend the afternoon playing jazz standards before finishing the evening with classic rock anthems. The guitar doesn't dictate the music.
The player does.
Your First Electric Guitar Matters More Than You Think
Ask almost any guitarist about their first instrument and they'll smile before they answer.
They'll remember the colour. The weight. The slightly awkward first chords.
The excitement of plugging into an amplifier for the very first time.
That's because a first guitar isn't simply another purchase. It becomes part of someone's musical story.
For that reason, we believe beginners deserve far better than "good enough". A comfortable neck, stable tuning, reliable hardware and thoughtful setup don't simply make a guitar nicer to own—they make learning dramatically more enjoyable. The easier an instrument is to play, the more likely you are to keep picking it up.
Thankfully, modern guitar building has never been stronger, and nowhere is that more obvious than with two of our favourite brands.
Jet Guitars
The Best-Kept Secret In Electric Guitars
Some companies spend decades building a reputation.
Others seem to arrive almost overnight and quietly exceed everyone's expectations.
Jet belongs firmly in the second category.
In an astonishingly short space of time, the company has become one of the most talked-about names in affordable electric guitars, earning admiration from beginners, experienced players and professional musicians alike. Their philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: build instruments that feel exceptional in the hands without asking players to spend a fortune.
The result is a range of guitars that consistently punch far above their price point.
Whether you pick up one of the wonderfully versatile JS Series S-style models or the beautifully understated JT Series T-style guitars, the first thing you'll notice is just how comfortable they feel. Neck profiles are welcoming without being oversized, fretwork is consistently excellent and the overall balance encourages long playing sessions without fatigue.
Tonally, Jet guitars are equally impressive. Their S-style models deliver the articulate sparkle and expressive versatility that have made this design one of the most copied in history, while the JT Series captures the clarity, punch and honesty that generations of players have fallen in love with. Add beautifully applied finishes, dependable hardware and remarkable consistency across the range, and it's easy to understand why Jet has become one of Musicmaker's favourite recommendations for anyone searching for their first electric guitar.
Check out all the awesome guitars HERE.
Everything You Need, Nothing You Don't
Buying your first electric guitar often raises another question. "What else do I actually need?"
That's exactly why we created the Musicmaker Jet Packs.
Rather than leaving new players wondering which amplifier to buy or whether they've remembered a tuner, cable or gig bag, the Jet Packs bring everything together in one carefully chosen bundle. Pairing the superb Jet JS or JT Series guitars with a dependable Laney practice amplifier, gig bag, tuner, strap and instrument cable, they remove the guesswork entirely.
It's a simple idea, but one that has helped countless new guitarists spend less time researching accessories and more time making music.
After all, your first day with a guitar should be exciting.
Not confusing.
Epiphone
One Of The Great Names In Guitar History
If Jet represents one of the brightest new chapters in guitar building, Epiphone reminds us that some stories are worth telling again and again.
Founded in 1873, Epiphone predates the electric guitar itself by decades. Over the course of more than 150 years, it has earned a place among the most respected names in musical instrument history, producing instruments that have accompanied everyone from beginners taking their very first lesson to some of the most celebrated musicians ever to step onto a stage.
Today, the Inspired by Gibson Collection has elevated Epiphone to remarkable new heights.
Rather than simply recreating famous designs, Epiphone has embraced the specifications, craftsmanship and character that made those original Gibson instruments legendary. Vintage-inspired appointments, superb pickups and beautifully finished bodies have transformed the range into one of the finest values in modern guitar building.
The Guitars That Wrote Music History
Few instruments are as instantly recognisable as the Les Paul.
Its unmistakable silhouette, rich sustain and powerful humbuckers have shaped the sound of rock music for generations. Whether it's the luxurious elegance of the Les Paul Custom, the vintage character of the Standard 50s, or the stripped-back honesty of the Les Paul Junior, every model carries with it a remarkable musical heritage.
Then there's the wonderfully lightweight SG, a guitar celebrated for its effortless upper fret access and unmistakable bite, and the elegant ES-335, whose semi-hollow construction blends warmth, sustain and openness into one of the most versatile electric guitars ever created.
For players who want something altogether more dramatic, instruments like the Korina Flying V, Coronet and Riviera remind us that Epiphone's history has never been confined to a single shape or style.
Each model tells a different chapter in one of the richest stories in guitar making.
Which Electric Guitar Should You Choose?
The wonderful thing about today's guitar market is that there are remarkably few wrong answers.
If you're searching for outstanding value, effortless playability and a guitar that encourages you to practise every day, Jet continues to be one of the easiest recommendations we can make.
If your heart has always been set on one of the great iconic designs in music history, Epiphone offers genuine heritage paired with exceptional modern craftsmanship.
Neither is simply "better". They're different journeys.
And the right one is usually the guitar you can't stop thinking about after you've put it back on the stand.
Why Buy Your Electric Guitar From Musicmaker?
Choosing an electric guitar should never feel overwhelming.
At Musicmaker, we've spent more than four decades helping musicians navigate that decision, and we're proud to stock carefully selected instruments that we genuinely believe in. Whether you're buying your first guitar, upgrading your current setup or finally treating yourself to the instrument you've always wanted, our team is always happy to share honest advice, compare models and help you find the guitar that feels right in your hands.
Because that's what matters most. Not the specification sheet. Not the logo on the headstock.
The feeling you get when you play it.
Free Shipping Across Ireland
Musicmaker offers free shipping across Ireland on qualifying orders, making it easier than ever to discover the perfect Jet guitar, Epiphone guitar, beginner electric guitar or electric guitar bundle.
Whether you're in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford or anywhere else in Ireland, your next guitar is waiting.
Every Guitar Has A Story
Every electric guitar begins life as timber, wire and craftsmanship.
Everything that follows belongs to the player.
The first riff. The first rehearsal. The first gig.
The first song you write that actually feels like yours.
Whether you're searching for the best beginner electric guitar, comparing Jet and Epiphone guitars, looking for a complete electric guitar bundle, or simply taking your first steps into one of music's greatest adventures, there has never been a better time to pick up an electric guitar.
Because somewhere, right now, there's an instrument waiting to become part of your story.
And we can't wait to help you find it.
About Musicmaker
Musicmaker has been helping Irish musicians find their sound since the early 1980s. From first guitars to forever guitars, we're proud to offer carefully chosen instruments, honest advice and free shipping across Ireland. We believe every instrument has a story. Our job is simply to help you find yours.
Browse all our electric guitars HERE.
Continue Reading
