Hand-picked by your teacher
Every guitar on this page was hand-picked by Damien. Some he has played and taught on for years, all of them he stands behind.
Looking for your first guitar, or best value for money on an upgrade? This is the shortlist. Damien has played and taught on the guitars in the first two tiers, and a few students have bought from the higher end of the list and been absolutely stoked with the quality. Buy through the links below and Artist Guitars sends a small commission our way, at no extra cost to you. It keeps the lights on in the studios.
Starting out
Our pick for almost every new student. Damien has played and taught on the AS30 range for years, and it keeps earning its spot: easy to play, hard to outgrow, and it looks far more expensive than it is. Four finishes, one very good guitar.
$329
The all-rounder. Amber flame top, roasted maple neck, and a sound that covers school band one week and metal the next. If you want one safe answer to "what guitar should I buy?", this is it.
$329
Same easy-playing AS30, dressed like it has already survived a world tour. For the student who wants their first guitar to look as serious as their practice routine.
$329
A bright blue flame top straight out of a music video, with the same comfortable neck that makes practice feel like less of a chore.
$329
The one that gets picked straight off the wall. Deep ruby flame finish, versatile HSS pickups, and a coil-split for when a clean tone suddenly becomes the right choice.
Leveling up
These suit students who have outgrown their first guitar, and they suit anyone who simply has a bit more to spend and wants a guitar that will keep up for years. The jump in playability and finish quality is real, and it is money well spent.
$499
The step-up Damien recommends most, and one he has played plenty. Hand-made style pickups, a quartersawn roasted maple neck, and enough tone options to carry a student from their first solo to their first band.
$469
Tele-style charm with hand-made pickups and a finish that looks like it survived a very cool few decades. Damien has taught on its close cousin and can vouch for how good this series feels.
The serious stuff
For committed players, or anyone ready to buy once, properly. Damien has not personally played every guitar in this tier yet, but they share the same design DNA as the ones he has, the specs are genuinely impressive, and students who have bought from this end of the list have been absolutely stoked.
$699
Three pickups, five positions, and individual coil-split toggles: this thing shape-shifts from glassy cleans to full metal chug. Artist calls it the most versatile guitar in their range, and the spec sheet backs that up.
$749
A dark burl top with binding, stainless steel frets, and glow-in-the-dark side dots for late-night practice sessions. Built to the same standard as the AS72 Damien plays regularly.
$749
Player-grade without the player-grade price tag. Alnico V AntiHum single coils, locking tuners, and a finish that looks at home on a stage. The one to buy once, properly.
$699
Bound mahogany body, quilted maple top, 24 stainless steel frets, and humbuckers that split into single coils at the pull of a knob. The finish starts conversations; the playability finishes them.
This list grows as we test more gear. Not sure which of these suits your student? Ask us at your next lesson and we'll match the guitar to their hands, height, and taste in music.
Affiliate disclosure: the “View at Artist Guitars” links above are affiliate links. If you buy through one, Six Strings may earn a small commission from Artist Guitars at no extra cost to you. Every guitar on this page made the list because we recommend it, not because of the commission.
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