Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit with 5Watt Amp Review: The Ultimate Budget-Friendly Gateway to Rock Stardom?

There is a specific kind of paralysis that hits you when you decide to learn the electric guitar. I have seen it dozens of times: you walk into a music store or browse online, and you are immediately met with two extremes. On one hand, you have the legendary “wall of icons”—instruments costing thousands of dollars that look like pieces of art but feel entirely too precious (and expensive) for a novice to touch. On the other hand, you find the “toys”—cheap, plastic-feeling guitars that won’t stay in tune and sound more like a buzzing bee than a musical instrument. The problem is that most beginners are caught in the middle. They need something that looks cool and plays well enough to encourage practice, but they don’t want to invest a month’s rent into a hobby they haven’t mastered yet. Failing to find that “sweet spot” instrument often leads to a guitar sitting in the corner, gathering dust, because it was either too frustrating to play or too intimidating to handle. We set out to see if the Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit with 5Watt Amp could finally bridge that gap for the modern aspiring musician.

What to Consider Before Buying an Electric Guitar

An electric guitar is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for creative expression, stress relief, and the development of fine motor skills. Choosing the right one is the difference between a lifelong passion and a discarded hobby. When you are looking for a starter kit, you aren’t just buying wood and wire; you are buying an ecosystem. This ecosystem includes the guitar, the amplification, and the accessories required to make sound. A good starter set should lower the “barrier to entry” by providing everything you need in one box, ensuring you spend your time practicing scales rather than chasing down specific cables or wrenches.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the high entry costs of musical education, such as a parent buying for a teenager or an adult hobbyist who wants to “test the waters” without financial regret. It is also a fantastic option for those who prioritize a lightweight instrument for long practice sessions. However, it might not be suitable for professional touring musicians who require high-end hardware for rigorous stage use, or for those who strictly prefer a heavy, solid-mahogany feel. For those players, a higher-end brand-name instrument would be the logical alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A full-size 39-inch guitar is standard, but you must ensure it’s ergonomic. Look for a “streamlined” body design that fits comfortably against your ribs when sitting and standing. If the guitar is too bulky or heavy, it will cause fatigue, leading you to cut your practice sessions short before you’ve actually made progress.
• Capacity/Performance (Pickups): The “heart” of the electric guitar is the pickup configuration. An H-S-H (Humbucker-Single-Humbucker) setup is incredibly versatile. It allows you to play everything from heavy rock (using the humbuckers for “thick” sound) to clean pop and blues (using the single coil). For a beginner, having this range of tones is essential to find your personal style.
• Materials & Durability: Traditional guitars often use Alder or Ash, but many modern budget-friendly models use Paulownia. Paulownia is exceptionally lightweight but resonant. While some purists prefer heavy woods, a lightweight body is often better for beginners who aren’t used to the weight of an instrument on their shoulders for an hour at a time.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A guitar is a mechanical object. It needs tuning, string changes, and neck adjustments. A starter kit should include the tools (like a wrench) to make these adjustments yourself. Furthermore, the inclusion of a practice amp with a headphone jack is non-negotiable for those living in apartments or shared houses.

Understanding these variables helps you look past the shiny finish and see the instrument for what it actually is. With these criteria in mind, let’s see how the Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit with 5Watt Amp measures up to the needs of the modern player.

While the Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit with 5Watt Amp is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions and Key Features of the Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit with 5Watt Amp

Upon unboxing the Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit with 5Watt Amp, the first thing that hits you is the color. The “Tiger Purple” finish is genuinely striking—it doesn’t look like a “budget” paint job. It has a depth and vibrancy that immediately makes you want to pick it up. The assembly is nonexistent; you simply tune the strings, plug into the amp, and you are ready to go. The body feels surprisingly light due to the Paulownia wood construction, which we initially worried might feel “flimsy,” but it actually feels quite balanced.

The kit is remarkably comprehensive. You get the guitar, a 5W amp, a gig bag, a strap, a cable, and even the adjustment tools. When we compared this to some market leaders in the entry-level space, the most notable difference was the fretwork. Often, cheap guitars have “sharp” fret edges that can scratch your fingers as you slide up the neck. To our surprise, the Ktaxon frets were relatively smooth right out of the box. Before you dive into the technicalities, you can check the latest price and availability to see just how much value is packed into this single box.

A Deep Dive Into the Performance of the Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit

Exceptional Craftsmanship at an Unbelievable Price Point

When we evaluate a guitar in this price range, we usually expect to see significant compromises in the “bones” of the instrument. However, the Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit with 5Watt Amp challenged our assumptions. One of our testers, who has handled guitars costing over $1000, noted that the craftsmanship here actually rivaled some of those high-end models in specific areas. The neck, made of Maple with an engineered wood fretboard, is straight and true. This is critical because a warped neck is a “death sentence” for a guitar—it makes it impossible to play in tune.

The use of Paulownia for the body is a savvy choice. It’s a sustainable wood that provides a “sweet, soft tone” while keeping the weight down. In our testing, the resonance was surprisingly good. When playing unplugged, the guitar had a natural chime that suggests the wood is vibrating well. We did notice that because the wood is soft, you should be careful about bumping it into hard furniture, as it might dinge more easily than hardwood. Still, for a beginner who needs to see its full feature set and user reviews, the build quality is a major win.

Playability and the “E-String” Experience

Playability is where the rubber meets the road. If a guitar is hard to play, a student will quit. The Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit with 5Watt Amp features a 25.5-inch scale length, which is the industry standard for this style of guitar. This provides enough string tension for “snappy” notes but isn’t so long that it’s hard for smaller hands to reach the frets. During our evaluation, we focused on the “action”—the height of the strings above the fretboard. It came set at a medium height, which is safe for beginners, though a quick adjustment with the included wrench can make it even “faster.”

We must address a common concern found in user feedback regarding the frets. Some users have mentioned that the frets are beveled inward, which can cause the thin E-string to slip off the edge if you aren’t careful with your finger placement. In our hands-on test, we did experience this a couple of times during aggressive vibrato. However, for a beginner learning basic chords and scales, this is rarely an issue. It actually encourages good “vertical” finger technique. For the price, this is a minor quirk in an otherwise very playable neck. This playability makes it an unbeatable value for money for those just starting out.

Tonal Versatility: The H-S-H Pickup Power

The electronics are the “soul” of an electric guitar, and the 170 Model used in the Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit with 5Watt Amp uses an H-S-H configuration. This stands for Humbucker-Single-Humbucker. Humbuckers are two coils of wire that “buck the hum” or noise, producing a thick, warm, and powerful sound perfect for rock and metal. The single coil in the middle provides that “twangy,” clear, and bright sound associated with funk and country. By using the 5-way selector switch, we were able to jump from a growling bridge humbucker for “Smoke on the Water” to a glassy middle-pickup sound for pop rhythms.

We were particularly impressed with how “round” the bass sounded. Many cheap pickups sound “thin” or “ice-picky” (too sharp on the ears), but these had a decent amount of warmth. When plugged into the 5W amp, the guitar held its character. The amp itself is basic, featuring a “Clean” and “Overdrive” (distortion) setting. While the amp can buzz slightly at high volumes—a common trait for 5W practice amps—it is more than sufficient for bedroom practice. It is an ideal entry point for musicians who want to explore different genres without buying multiple guitars.

The “Complete Kit” Philosophy: Everything You Need to Jam

There is nothing more frustrating than buying a new “toy” only to find out you need to buy three more things to make it work. The Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit with 5Watt Amp avoids this frustration entirely. The inclusion of a 5W amplifier that supports MP3 input and headphones is a stroke of genius for this price point. You can plug your phone into the amp, play a backing track, and jam along while wearing headphones so your family or roommates don’t have to hear your first attempts at scales.

We also evaluated the accessories. The strap is functional, though a bit thin, and the gig bag is perfect for keeping dust off the instrument at home. The inclusion of plectrums (picks) and a tremolo bar (for those “whammy” effects) adds to the fun factor. When you realize you are getting a full-sized, playable instrument plus all these extras, it’s clear why many users describe it as a “bang for your buck” miracle. You can view the official product listing to see the full list of included goodies that make this a “perfection” gift for a child or a self-treat.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general sentiment among users is one of pleasant surprise. Many buyers went into the purchase with low expectations, assuming a sub-$100 guitar would be “junk,” only to find it outperforming much more expensive instruments. One user noted that after spending hours at a major music retailer, they found the Ktaxon’s craftsmanship actually exceeded several $1000 models they had handled. Another parent mentioned that for their son’s first lessons, this kit was “perfection,” highlighting the ease of instructions and the amazing sound quality for the price.

However, we must provide a balanced view. A few users have reported issues with the 5W amp, with one user claiming theirs failed shortly after plugging it in. There were also mentions of “amp buzz,” which is fairly standard for small practice amps but can be annoying for sensitive ears. One experienced player pointed out that the frets were beveled slightly too far inward, making the high E-string slip off the fretboard if played too aggressively. Despite these minor technical gripes, the consensus remains that as a starter set, this is a “wonderful” and “beautiful” purchase that delivers exactly what it promises. It is a feature that really sets it apart in a crowded market of entry-level gear.

Comparing the Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit with 5Watt Amp to the Competition

1. Best Choice Products 39in Full Size Electric Guitar Starter Kit

The Best Choice Products kit is a very close rival to the Ktaxon. The primary difference lies in the amplifier; this kit includes a 10W amp compared to Ktaxon’s 5W. If you need a bit more volume for a larger room, the BCP model might be tempting. However, the Ktaxon model often features more unique color options like the “Tiger Purple” and uses a Paulownia body, which is generally lighter than the wood used in the BCP model. We found the Ktaxon’s H-S-H pickup configuration slightly more versatile for modern rock than the standard S-S-S (three single coils) found on many BCP variants. If weight and aesthetics are your priority, stick with Ktaxon.

2. Donner DST-152R Electric Guitar Starter Kit

Donner is a giant in the budget music space, and the DST-152R is a step up in terms of “pro” features. It features a coil-split humbucker, which offers even more tonal flexibility than the Ktaxon. It also usually comes with a slightly better-padded gig bag. However, you will typically pay a premium for the Donner name and those extra features. If you are a absolute beginner on a strict budget, the Ktaxon provides 90% of the experience for a significantly lower price. The Donner is for the student who is 100% sure they will stick with it for years, while the Ktaxon is the smarter “value” play for those just starting out.

3. LyxPro Left Hand 3/4 Size Electric Guitar Kit

This is a specialized alternative. If you are buying for a very young child (ages 7-11) or if the player is left-handed, the LyxPro 3/4 size kit is the better choice. The Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit with 5Watt Amp is a full-sized instrument, which might be a bit too large for small children to hold comfortably. The LyxPro also includes a digital clip-on tuner, which is a nice touch. However, for a teenager or adult, the LyxPro will feel like a toy, whereas the Ktaxon feels like a real, full-scale instrument. Always choose the full size (Ktaxon) unless the player’s physical size strictly dictates otherwise.

Final Verdict: Is the Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit Worth Your Money?

After putting the Ktaxon 39″ Electric Guitar Starter Kit with 5Watt Amp through its paces, we have reached a clear conclusion. This is not a “professional” guitar in the sense that you would record a platinum album with it, but it is a “professional” starter kit. It respects the beginner by providing a straight neck, functional electronics, and a striking look that makes you want to play every day. The lightweight Paulownia body and the versatile H-S-H pickups are the standout features here, offering a level of comfort and tonal variety that is rare at this price point.

While the amp is basic and the accessories are entry-level, the core of the kit—the guitar itself—is solid. Whether you are a parent looking for the perfect birthday gift or an adult finally fulfilling a childhood dream of playing rock music, this kit removes all the excuses. It is affordable, complete, and surprisingly high-quality. If you’re ready to start your musical journey without breaking the bank, we highly recommend you secure this complete starter kit today and start jamming!