Rocksmith claims to be the fastest way to develop your guitar skills. The best part? You don't need any specific guitars for Rocksmith. But, you do need an instrument that is compatible with its teaching style.
Rocksmith claims to be the fastest way to develop your guitar skills. The best part? You don’t need any specific guitars for Rocksmith. But, you do need an instrument that is compatible with its teaching style. Therefore, the best guitars for Rocksmith for novice guitarists will be ones that help them bring out their inner rockstar.
Aside from being a monetary investment, guitars impact your playing style, techniques and overall musical skill.
In other words, the best guitars for Rocksmith would fit your personal preference and profile. It requires a little decision making on your part, but we’re here to equip you with the information you need.
We’ll provide a brief overview of your options, what you need to look for, and all the nitty-gritty details. In the end, we hope this article can help you find a guitar that helps you learn and have fun.
And, so, let’s look at 5 of the best guitars for Rocksmith available on the market today.
Best Overall - Epiphone Les Paul-100 $249.00 The Epiphone Les Paul-100 is ideal for the all-rounder user that wants to play different genres and produces vintage sounds that most beginners will be satisfied with. The Les Paul-100 is one of the best and most recommended guitars for Rocksmith. It features a solid mahogany body build and a maple top that delivers a classic heavy note. Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Reverb.com We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
5 Best Guitars for Rocksmith Guide – an Overview
In order to choose the right guitar for learning to play, you need to understand why it’s important. Rocksmith is a stand-out product by Ubisoft that has gained popularity as a practical way of learning the guitar.
Unlike alternate methods, Rocksmith simplifies songs for you to learn the basics and progress your skills without the typical confusions beginner ’s face. It frees you from getting bogged down by musical technicalities which you’ll end up learning through the songs you play.
Moreover, it allows you to learn the guitar according to your own musical preferences. You can learn anything from the acoustic to electric guitar, and even learn one after another.
Rocksmith allows you to hook up any instrument using a Real Tone cable and configure it to play as you want. For serious learners, however, having the proper set-up is key. You can use a variety of guitars for Rocksmith, but it is advised to one that best fits your learning objectives.
Before we explore what you should look for, here’s what the right guitar can do for you with this game:
Dig Into In-Depth Tutorials
With the right instrument, you’ll be able to get into the content straight away. Rocksmith contains a host of tutorials, mini-games and other resources to get started with. As it is designed for beginners, you’ll be able to use your guitar to start out your learning with the right foot forward.
Unlock Your Capabilities
It can be confusing and daunting learning how instrument functions and what you can do with it. With Rocksmith, you simply need to have a suitable guitar and it allows you to tap into your inner guitarist to build or showcase your talents.
Gamified Learning
Musical education is an important part of honing your skills, but it can be complicated for novices. Using a game as a learning tool allows players to learn easier and faster while enjoying themselves.
Failures turn into fun challenges for you to conquer. Moreover, it allows the players to receive a measured understanding of their progress and illustrates what they need to learn more.
Build Your Guitar Gear Kit
Starting off with the right guitar forms the basis of guitar kit. For example, you can use Rocksmith to play the notes of certain songs, but realize an amp or pedal would help elevate your audio. But, without the initial proper tool, you’d be left confused on how to achieve the exact tones and sounds you need.
What to Look For With Guitars for Rocksmith Guide?
You can use any six-string guitar for Rocksmith as long as it can be connected through a Real Tone Cable. Electric guitars are generally preferred due to their comfortable feel and lower action to make learning easier. But, if you’re using Rocksmith to learn how to play, your guitar should be able to work for you outside it as well.
We recommend sticking to an electric guitar to understand the basics. That is, to clarify if you don’t have a preference for the bass or acoustic guitar.
To choose between an electric guitar for Rocksmith consider the sounds, size and musical aspirations you have. Beginners should focus on having a guitar that is easy to play and stays in tune. The choices are between a solid body guitar, hollow body guitar or semi-hollow body guitar. Each provides a unique blend of tones and pitches which can impact your overall sound and playing style.
In order to ensure your guitar feels comfortable, pay attention to the dimensions and weight of each option. Additionally, looking at your own budget will be an important decision-maker. Think a little long term and buy a guitar that you can work with for years. Avoid falling into the pitfalls of aesthetic buys.
It would also be advisable to consider the accessories you need to factor into your budget. For example, amps, pedals, strings, tuners and even a guitar case are all buys that may impact your buying power.
5 of The Best Guitars for Rocksmith Guide on the Market
Ibanez GRGM21BKN 3/4 Size Mikro Electric Guitar – Best Guitar for Rocksmith for Budget Beginners
Want to learn the guitar without spending a ton of cash? The Ibanez GRGM21BKN is a great option. It is smaller in size, making the body easy to hold and play. Ideal as a lightweight, durable and reliable guitar for Rocksmith that allows you to learn without compromise.
It has the signature Ibanez build that stays tuned in without loosening up so easily. Its two double humbuckers give a responsive and gain-driven sound.
It also has a three-way selector, tone knob and a master volume control knob for some added adjustments. The guitar’s set-up is straightforward, but effective.
It provides players with clean and clear sounds with a strong low tone. Whereas, its mids are punchy and it has bright trebles.
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While it satisfies most tonal requirements, complexity may not be its strong suit. That said, the Ibanez GRGM21BKN delivers an impressive option for beginners to learn to play the guitar without breaking their bank.
Check out the main differences between 3/4 vs full size guitars.
Specifications
Size: 37 x 3 x 14 inches
Weight: 8.43 pounds
6-string guitar
Pros
Designed for kids and beginners
Well-built construction
Smooth fret-edges
Easy, adjustable knobs
Well-balanced electric guitar output
Cons
Average sounds and hardware
Requires initial adjustments for tonal clarity.
Ibanez Mikro Mini | Amazon $149.99 The Ibanez Mikro 3/4 scale electric guitar is perfect for last minute rehearsals, running scales while waiting for downloads, young rockers just joining the fray or anyone who just wants a smaller neck and body. Not to be confused with other small guitars, the Ibanez Mikro is no toy. Buy at Amazon Check availability on Reverb We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
JS22 Dinky DKA Guitar – Best Guitar for Rocksmith for Heavy Metal
The Jackson JS22 Dinky is a lightweight guitar, but it still packs a punch. Its construction is built for speed and fury while still being an incredibly affordable option for the Rocksmith.
It has an arched basswood body with a maple speed neck and a fretted 12-inch radius rosewood fretboard. The guitar looks premium with its black polished finish and has a durable, comfortable overall feel.
Moreover, it has two high-output humbuckers—one in the bridge and the other in the neck. It produces notes that are optimized for metal guitarists. In short, the JS22 is a guitar with some serious bite. It’s easy to handle and fairly resonant, making it a great option if you want to dabble in the metal genre.
Specifications
Size: 13 x 2.4 x 39.2 inches
Weight: 8.79 pounds
6-string guitar
Pros
Two-point tremolo tailpiece gives more potential
Rock and roll design with plenty of features
Action is low with stable tuning
Cons
Limited versatility
Tremolo seems cheap
Jackson JS22 Dinky DKA | Amazon $199.99 The body is very clean, absolutely scratch free and feels great. The pickups sound pretty hot but you can dial it down a bit to jam to anything. Buy at Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
Epiphone Les Paul 100 Electric Guitar – Best Guitar for Rocksmith for All-Rounders
On the other hand, if you are looking for a guitar to provide the classic heavy note, Epiphone has you covered. The Les Paul 100 is exactly what you need from a solid body guitar. In fact, it is the most recommended guitar when it comes to Rocksmith.
The guitar has a mahogany body with a maple top to deliver a classic, yet sturdy feel. Its neck and prfingerboard are designed for comfort so you can riff or strum according to your preference.
Moreover, it provides the vintage sounds that most beginners would be satisfied with. It has an open coil humbucker pickup to achieve the classic tones so you can easily emulate songs using Rocksmith.
If you’re looking for a good all-rounder that can adapt to different genres, the Epiphone Les Paul 100 Electric Guitar really delivers.
Specifications
45 x 17 x 7
Weight: 10 pounds
6-string guitar
Pros
Strong finish made of rosewood and maple
It’s fairly easy to play with amazing sounds within
Allows you to control the volume and tone of the individual pickups
Lightweight guitar with enough support for better playability
Holds tune so well, so you can play comfortably
Cons
Setup needs a little tweak to achieve its fullest potential
Craftsmanship reveals that this is a cheap guitar
Best Overall - Epiphone Les Paul-100 $249.00 The Epiphone Les Paul-100 is ideal for the all-rounder user that wants to play different genres and produces vintage sounds that most beginners will be satisfied with. The Les Paul-100 is one of the best and most recommended guitars for Rocksmith. It features a solid mahogany body build and a maple top that delivers a classic heavy note. Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Reverb.com We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 70’s Jaguar Electric Guitar – Best Guitar for Rocksmith For Vintage Tones
Any experienced guitarist can talk at length about the original Fender, and how it was used by professionals the world over. Fender reintroduces its original guitar lineup with a modern take in their Classic Vibe range. Using their historical examples as inspirations, it features the traditional Fender mainstays and pickups.
Moreover, if you’re a sucker for vintage guitars, their designs will truly stand out to you. Each classic vibe guitar showcases period-correct colors and the vintage-tinted gloss neck which helps it stand out.
Its C-shaped neck profile gives the 70s jaguar a comfortable playing feel so you’re truly in control. Moreover, it is able to deliver vintage tremolo like no other.
The floating bridge allows for solid string stability making each movement you make count. There is no gimmick when it comes to the Squier Classic series. It provides a classic look that is backed up by solid rock tones and a durable, stable feel. This is the option to go for if love the classics.
Specifications
Size: 44.5 x 15 x 4 inches
Weight: 11 pounds
6-string guitar
Pros
Pre-drilled, easy to assemble
Archtop and arch back
3-way toggle switch
Lightweight and travel-friendly
Reasonably priced for a hollow body kit
Cons
A bit higher priced compared to other DIY guitar kits
Does not produce the same sound quality as other manufactured guitars
Squier by Fender Classic Vibe Electric Guitar | Amazon $459.99 The Squier Classic Vibe series captures the authenticity of original Fender designs in a “greatest hits” collection of models that are easy on the eyes and ears, easy to play, and impossible to put down. Buy at Amazon Check availability on Reverb We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
Fender Player Stratocaster Electric Guitar – Best Guitar for Rocksmith for True Rockstars
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For beginners who are truly committed to the cause and want their instrument to form the basis of their playing style, the Fender Player Stratocaster is an excellent option.
It gives you a premium, high-quality electric guitar that can truly inspire you to keep practicing. It goes beyond the traditional to add Fender’s classic modern tones, but it’s an instrument you can keep using even as you graduate from Rocksmith.
Its C-shaped maple neck provides a relaxed, yet secure feel. It has a good weight for children and beginners who need to get accustomed to the feel of a guitar without being distracted. You can surf up and down the fretboard deeply engrossed in the music you’re playing.
The Stratocaster is a modern guitar that gives you all you need to start and transition out of learning the basics.
Specifications
Size: 41.7 x 15 x 4.5 inches
Weight: 10 pounds
6-string guitar
Pros
Stays well in tune and has an excellent tone when properly set
Plays pretty well and that the construction is of quality
Lightweight “C” shaped maple neck
Lightweight with the C-shaped neck profile for more comfort and playability
Cons
No case is included
Ideal electric guitar for beginners
Slow tuning at first try
Fender Player Stratocaster Electric Guitar | Amazon $849.99 The Player Series Stratocaster Pickups contain Alnico 5 magnetic pole pieces which provide rich and balanced bass response, punchy mid-range, and crystalline bell like highs with enhanced focus and dynamics. Buy at Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the commonly asked questions about Guitars for Rocksmith Guide:
Question: Can you use acoustic guitars for Rocksmith? Answer: Rocksmith players recommend using the electric guitar due to the game’s own leanings. However, it isn’t the right option for everyone. Understanding this, Rocksmith allows users to practice a wide range of genres using their platform. Rocksmith players recommend using the electric guitar due to the game’s own leanings. However, it isn’t the right option for everyone. Understanding this, Rocksmith allows users to practice a wide range of genres using their platform. When it comes to guitars, you can use any instrument that plugs in using a Real Tone Cable. Moreover, the later versions of Rocksmith add a Microphone Mode. This allows users to hook their USB microphones to their computer and practice with their acoustic guitar. This, however, turns off the games Authentic Tone mode to get rid of distortions caused by the microphone attachment. Other than that, you should be able to freely play and learn the acoustic guitar without any issues. Question: What Can I Learn from Playing Rocksmith? Answer: Rocksmith caters to the following genres: Rock
Metal
Indie
Punk
Blues
Alternative
Jazz
Bass Rocksmith caters to the following genres: Question: How does Rocksmith Compare to Yousician? Answer: While the two platforms operate in a similar manner, there are some notable differences. Rocksmith is a game combined with structured lessons broken into 85 sessions. While the two platforms operate in a similar manner, there are some notable differences. Rocksmith is a game combined with structured lessons broken into 85 sessions. Yousician does provide lessons, but they don’t have a planned progression. Rocksmith has a modern design with a larger song selection and a one-time fee. Whereas Yousician has a recurring payment plan with a smaller offering. Overall, both provide an avenue to learn and develop your practice skills. Your choice between the two will largely depend on your personal preferences. Check out our full Rocksmith vs Yousician comparison here.
Conclusion: Which Guitar for Rocksmith is the Best?
There is a clear distinction between our recommendations to help you find your very best guitar for Rocksmith. Any option you choose, should be compatible with your music style and preferences while being easy to handle.
One of the biggest issues beginners experience is being bogged down by too many distracting elements. Rocksmith aims to simplify your learning experience; therefore the perfect companion guitar is able to also simplify your playing experience. Our options reflect some of the best guitars beginners and casual players of the game can use comfortably.
Ibanez GRGM21BKN 3/4 Size Mikro Electric Guitarist an excellent budget option for beginners who can’t invest in expensive guitars or those wanting to set up the bare basics of a guitar kit. Cheap does not mean useless and the GRGM21BKN proves that.
Another great guitar is the JS22 Dinky DKA, especially if you’re into heavy metal. Learning heavy metal can be daunting, but with the proper instructions and the right instrument, you can be rocking it out in no time at all.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for an all-rounder to figure out your style, the Epiphone Les Paul 100 Electric Guitar provides the best experience. Due to its comfort, sounds and look, the Les Paul has earned a special sweet spot in the minds of many Rocksmith players. To take it up a few notches and to showcase your commitment, the Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 70’s Jaguar and Fender Player Stratocaster Electric Guitar are great options. They’re great guitars to learn on and ones you can still enjoy years later.
Our top recommendation, however, has to be the Epiphone Les Paul 100. Its versatility and sound profile offer Rocksmith players a good deal at a reasonable price. Therefore, we highly recommend it for any guitarist starting out.
Best Overall - Epiphone Les Paul-100 $249.00 The Epiphone Les Paul-100 is ideal for the all-rounder user that wants to play different genres and produces vintage sounds that most beginners will be satisfied with. The Les Paul-100 is one of the best and most recommended guitars for Rocksmith. It features a solid mahogany body build and a maple top that delivers a classic heavy note. Buy at Amazon.com Buy at Reverb.com We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
Piano Guidance
Photo: Ruslan Alekso
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