Affordable, inspiring, and perfect for new musicians!
Christmas is the season of new beginnings — especially musical ones. It’s when curious kids get their first ukulele, brave adults finally take the leap into learning guitar, and whole families discover the magic of making music together.
At Musicmaker Dublin, we’ve gathered the best beginner-friendly instruments under €400, covering ukulele, acoustic guitar, classical guitar, keyboard, electric guitar, and even electronic drums.
Whether you’re buying for a young learner, a determined adult beginner, or the whole family, these are the instruments that deliver amazing value, real playability, and long-term inspiration.
Let’s get into it…
1. Ukuleles — Flight Ukuleles for Pure Joy (from €55–€299)
The best beginner instrument for all ages
Ukuleles are Christmas magic in four strings. Easy to learn, light, comforting, forgiving, and endlessly fun — and Flight Ukuleles are our top pick for beginners, and beyond in Ireland. They're just the absolute best.
Flight Travel Series
Tough, bright, colourful, and built to go anywhere. These ABS-backed ukuleles are almost indestructible, perfect for younger players and total beginners. Punchy tone, comfortable feel, and brilliant value.
Flight Natural Series
A step up in warmth and resonance. Wooden-bodied ukes that feel smooth and earthy, ideal for learners who want a richer, more traditional sound. Great for adults starting out.
Flight Princess Series
Gorgeous tonewoods, refined playability, great projection — the Princess Series delivers big, beautiful sound without breaking the €200 mark. They look stunning, feel premium, and inspire players to keep improving.
Why ukulele makes the perfect Christmas starter:
- Easy chords = quick wins
- Affordable yet musical
- Perfect for singing along
- Brilliant for kids and adults
The absolute best Ukuleles - Check out Flight Ukes in Musicmaker today.
2. Acoustic Guitars — Starter Kits to Stunning Value (from €90–€399)
The classic beginning for any musician
The acoustic guitar is the gateway to everything — songwriting, singing, strumming, performing, and endless campfire magic. For under €400, you can get an instrument that looks, feels, and sounds great.
Linden Classical Packs
Fantastic beginner classical guitars with nylon strings that are easy on young fingers. Bundled with accessories, they offer everything needed to start learning immediately.
Encore Classical Guitar Packs
One of the most popular beginner bundles in Ireland. Great teacher-approved playability, consistent quality, and all the extras included — tuner, bag, accessories.
Vintage Acoustics
Solid build, warm tone, great setups — perfect for teenagers or adult learners who want a “real” acoustic guitar experience without spending big.
Epiphone J-45 (Selected Models Under €400!)
Yes — you can actually get into Epiphone’s legendary J-45 range under €400 depending on the model and seasonal promo. These offer fantastic sound, long-term reliability, and big brand heritage for a beginner-friendly price.
From the Encore Outfit to the Epiphone J-45 - there are options for every style and budget.
3. Roland GO:61P – The Perfect Beginner Digital Piano (€299)
Lightweight, portable, affordable — and brilliantly musical
If someone in the house has been itching to learn piano, the Roland GO:61P is one of the best beginner digital pianos you can put under the tree. It’s compact. It’s powerful. It’s fun. And it brings genuine piano feel and expression into a price range that’s perfect for first-timers.
This is not a toy keyboard — it’s a real musical instrument designed for beginners who want to learn properly, without committing to a full-sized digital piano just yet.
What makes the Roland GO:61P perfect for new players?
- 61 full-size, touch-responsive keys — realistic feel, not springy or plasticky
- Built-in speakers — no need for an amp
- Battery or mains power — practise anywhere, anytime
- Bluetooth connectivity — play along with YouTube, Spotify or online lessons
- Over 500 voices — piano, synths, organs, strings, and more
- Lightweight & portable — easy to move between rooms or take to lessons
It’s an instrument that encourages practice, exploration and genuine musical growth. Kids love it, adult beginners love it, and even experienced players are surprised at how expressive it is for the price.
You can't go wrong with a Roland Digital Piano.
4. Electric Guitars — Jet & Spira: Are The Best (from €229–€365)
Stunning playability, killer tone, beginner-friendly price
Electric guitar beginners are spoiled for choice — and under €400, nothing beats Jet Guitars or the emerging powerhouse Spira.
Jet Guitars JS-300 & JT-300
Strat-style and Tele-style classics with roasted maple necks, smooth action, and tones far above their price point. Perfect for beginners who want comfort and clarity.
Jet JS-400 & JT-400
Higher spec, upgraded pickups, better hardware — incredible value for learners ready to dig deeper into tone and technique.
Spira S-400 and T-400
Built for beginners with attitude. These deliver modern tones, punchy pickups, and fast necks — perfect for rock, punk, metal and beyond.
If you know a young metaller… these are the ones.
Just wicked guitars - pop in to Musicmaker to test them out now!
5. Roland TD-02K Electronic Drum Kit — Quiet, Compact & Perfect (€399)
The best beginner drum kit in Ireland under €400
This one is MASSIVE for Christmas — an electronic drum kit that’s quiet, compact and incredibly fun to play.
Roland TD-02K Highlights:
- Quiet pads (neighbours will thank you)
- Real drum feel
- Coaching tools built into the module
- USB for online lessons
- Compact frame for bedrooms & small spaces
- Roland reliability
This is the kit that turns “I’ve always wanted to play drums” into “I’m actually doing it.”
What is not to love!
Beginner Instruments Under €400 – FAQ
What’s the best instrument for a total beginner?
Ukuleles and acoustic guitars are the easiest starting points, with quick wins and affordable options. But the Roland GO:61P is also a brilliant choice for beginners who prefer keys — realistic feel, tons of sounds and easy learning via Bluetooth.
Are these instruments good for kids?
Yes — every instrument here is suitable for younger learners.
- Flight Ukuleles are perfect for children due to size and soft strings.
- Linden & Encore packs are great for school-aged beginners.
- Roland GO:61P is excellent for piano students in lessons.
- Jet & Spira electrics suit older kids and teens.
- Roland TD-02K works for drummers aged 6–7 and up.
Is the Roland GO:61P good for learning piano?
Absolutely. It has full-size, touch-responsive keys, meaning it plays much more like a real piano than a cheap keyboard. Add Bluetooth for learning apps, built-in speakers and portability, and it's one of the best beginner pianos under €400 in Ireland.
What’s the easiest instrument to learn under €400?
A ukulele — no contest.
Simple chords, soft strings, and quick progress make it perfect for kids and adults.
Are electronic drums OK for apartments?
Yes — the Roland TD-02K is extremely quiet. With headphones, you’ll only hear gentle tapping. Neighbours won’t hear anything at all.
Will the electric guitars work for beginners?
Definitely. Jet Guitars and Spira Guitars have some of the best beginner-friendly necks on the market. Smooth fretwork, comfy shapes, great tones — ideal for learners ready to rock.
Do I need anything extra for the Roland GO:61P?
No — the GO:61P works right out of the box.
You can add a stand, stool, or headphones later, but it plays beautifully as-is.
Do these instruments come with everything needed to start playing?
Almost!
- Flight Ukes come with bags.
- Linden & Encore Packs include all accessories.
- Jet & Spira electrics just need a small amp (we’ve got budget options).
- Roland GO:61P has speakers built in.
- Roland TD-02K only needs a seat and headphones to start playing immediately.
Why buy beginner instruments from Musicmaker Dublin?
Because we only stock beginner instruments that teachers trust and players love. Great setups, great value, honest advice — and a team full of musicians who care about helping you start right.
Final Note: Give the Gifts of Glory This Christmas!
Whether it’s a Flight ukulele, a beginner acoustic guitar, a Stentor string outfit, a Jet electric, or a Roland electronic drum kit — every instrument under €400 on this list is designed to inspire, delight, and last.
Come visit Musicmaker Dublin on Exchequer Street to try them, ask questions, and find the perfect match.
Or browse online at musicmaker.ie — fast, easy, festive.
Come and visit, we miss you.
