You are the guitar hero of tomorrow!

Spring has arrived!

Enrollment, a new school year, a new job—new encounters are waiting for you.

This is the perfect season to learn something new or take on a challenge.

Let’s get to the main point.
Picking up an electric guitar or another instrument during your middle school, high school, or student years might just become a lifelong hobby. In other words, starting to play while enjoying the dynamic experiences of student life is the best time.

With that in mind, this project is themed around “learning from the past to inspire the future,” encouraging middle schoolers, high schoolers, college students, and young people in their 20s—those most open to soaking up music—to pick up a guitar.

Start by searching for guitars on the Sound House website!

You don’t need to buy an expensive guitar right away.

You probably won’t yet know what makes a good or bad sound, so start with looks.

Sound House has been selling affordable guitars that satisfy beginners for years. The fact that they’ve continued to offer such reasonably priced instruments proves their quality is top-notch.

Let’s start with this type

When I was in middle school, I had classmates who used to play this type of electric guitar at the back of the classroom during breaks. It was incredibly inspiring.

PLAYTECH / ST250 Maple Dark Blue

If your dad listens to classic rock in his study and you think it sounds cool, give Eric Clapton a listen. While he also plays acoustic guitar, on electric guitar he’s recently been known to use a model in Mercedes Blue—a shade slightly different from black. Back when I was in middle school, a rival at my guitar lessons played “White Room.” It was so impressive.

By the time you’re a university student, you’ve probably had a romance or two. If so, the album featuring the iconic “Layla,” famous even from TV commercials, will really resonate with you. It’s a masterpiece showcasing the essence of white blues.
Pick up a guitar in this stylish shade—not black but something just a bit more sophisticated—and dive into the pentatonic scale with flair!

Next up is this type:

PLAYTECH / LP400 Flame Top Cherry Sunburst — a Les Paul-style guitar.

A recommended band for this type is KISS. Since the 1970s, they’ve remained incredibly popular. Their upbeat and lively rock has produced many catchy songs, and the guitar parts aren’t too difficult—it's all about the groove. If you’ve watched their stage performances on YouTube or elsewhere, you’ll see why this guitar style is a perfect fit for you!

The guitarist, Ace Frehley, often runs his guitar straight into a Marshall amp. If you pick up a Marshall MG series amp, which can cost less than 10,000 yen, you’re basically set with your gear. Why not dive right into playing “Detroit Rock City”? You might even master it in just a month!

More on the Marshall MG series later.

BLITZ BY ARIAPROII / BLP-CST White Electric Guitar

You, with your great looks and popularity, should aim to be like Randy Rhoads, a guitarist who crafted classical, aggressive, yet melodious music. As the guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne’s band, he left behind only a handful of works before his untimely passing.

However, his riffs, flashy and stunning guitar solos, and delicate, unforgettable phrases remain fresh even today. Plus, Ozzy’s vocal range focuses on the midrange, making it easier for Japanese singers to perform.

Songs like “Crazy Train,” “I Don’t Know,” “S.A.T.O.,” and “Flying High Again” are incredibly rewarding to cover and are highly recommended for high schoolers. You’ve got this—go for it!

Next up is the V-shaped guitar, a standout among the lineup of unconventional designs.

PLAYTECH / FV430 WHITE

Don’t want a regular guitar but love melodious tunes? Want to play fast, cool, and easy-to-cover songs?

Then how about Michael Schenker? With a Flying V guitar tucked between his knees, rocking with headbanging moves, and a bit of a rebellious aura topped off with a simple leather jacket—you’ve got the perfect vibe! Michael wrote some of his iconic tracks, still performed live today, when he was just a teenager!

His riffs aren’t overly difficult, but his songs are undeniably cool, with beautiful melodic lines. Pair this guitar with a Cry Baby wah pedal, the key to Michael’s signature tone, and dedicate yourself to practicing for a year. You’ll be the hero of your school festival in no time!

JIM DUNLOP / GCB-95 CRYBABY WAH WAH

And finally, we have this one!

PLAYTECH / TL250 Rose Sunburst

For aspiring girl guitarists:
If you grew up with your mom playing rock music at home, this type of guitar is a perfect fit for you—it’ll make you stand out!

Recommended artists to look up to include Avril Lavigne from her debut era, or if you’re into Japanese musicians, Hashimoto from early Chatmonchy or the now-iconic HARUNA from SCANDAL.

Don’t overthink it—just sing, play, and rock! Your fingers might be slimmer than a guy’s, so start by mastering simple chords and practicing strumming techniques. With dedication, you’ll become a stylish and skilled girl guitarist!

If you’re drawn to technical playing, that’s great too. For example, Orianthi Panagaris, who performed in Japan last year, is hugely popular.

Her guitars are brightly colored and stylish—perfect for inspiration. Plus, her sound is incredibly powerful!

PLAYTECH / ST250SSH Rose Metallic Red

How to Gather Gear

It’s understandable that getting started with the guitar can feel challenging. It costs money to get all the necessary equipment, and depending on your living situation, practicing at high volume might not be an option.

To help, here are some relatively affordable yet high-quality gear recommendations:

Picks

At Sound House, you can find picks for less than 100 yen each. Just skip a bag of potato chips, and you’ve got one!

⇒ Pick Selection

Cables

For just 1,000 yen, you can get a Canare cable, a reliable option for beginners and pros alike.

CANARE / LC03 BLACK Shielded Cable 3m

Clip-On Tuner

While there are cheaper options, the PolyTune is a lifetime investment. Tuning is fundamental, and nothing beats starting with the best. I personally use this one—it’s highly reliable, with excellent performance and long battery life.

TC ELECTRONIC / PolyTune Clip Clip-On Tuner

Strap

Ernie Ball straps come in a variety of colors, making it easy to match your style. This model is even used by top-tier artists, so you know it’s reliable and stylish.

ERNIE BALL / 4047 POLYPRO STRAPS Burgundy

Amplifier

When it comes to amps, battery-powered models like Blackstar or Marshall's MG series are both affordable and sound great. These amps provide a more authentic tone compared to many digital amps, making them excellent for beginners and practice.

BLACKSTAR / FLY3

MARSHALL / MG10

I still love using a Pignose amp. Its thick, natural tone is fantastic, but it doesn’t let you hide any imperfections in your playing—it keeps you honest! The price is under 20,000 yen.

PIGNOSE / 7-100

If you can’t make much noise due to your living situation or family circumstances, I recommend a VOX battery-powered amp. Even after decades of playing guitar, I’m still impressed and satisfied with the sound quality of these amps.
The latest models come with rhythm functions, making them ideal for home practice. They help you develop your sense of rhythm, allow for jamming with artist tracks, and even let you record via smartphone. All this for an incredibly reasonable price! Plus, it’s smaller than a Suica card—unthinkable a few decades ago. The cost-performance is outstanding, and I’m honestly a bit envious. It even comes with built-in effects!
Perfect for modern guitarists seeking portability and versatility.

VOX / AP3-UD amPlug3 UK Drive

Guitar without effects can feel incomplete! For your first pedal, this distortion unit is a great choice. It’s the perfect starting point for experiencing the magic of guitar distortion.

BEHRINGER / OD300 Overdrive/Distortion

One-Point Advice

For beginners, instead of buying an effects pedal right away, consider buying a variety of picks. Experiment with different types to find the one that suits you best!

Personally, I switch picks depending on the song I’m playing. It’s also important to replace picks as soon as they wear down. Using a worn or misshapen pick can lead to bad habits.

While effects pedals can be purchased with money, improving your picking technique takes time and practice. Even the greatest guitarists didn’t rely heavily on effects when they started. And you won’t find a top-tier guitarist with poor picking skills.
Strive to become a guitarist with excellent picking technique—it can provide as much expressiveness as any effects pedal.

Video games are fun, but playing a real instrument is incredibly fulfilling and gives you a deeper sense of satisfaction.

It might even give you a newfound joy for life—okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration.

But seriously, playing guitar is so much fun!

The “sound & person” column is made up of contributions from you.
For details about contributing, click here.