Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit Review: The Ultimate High-Value Starter Pack for Aspiring Rockstars

I remember the first time I walked into a music shop with my heart set on learning the guitar. The rows of shimmering instruments were intimidating, and the price tags even more so. For many beginners, the barrier to entry isn’t just the difficulty of learning a G-major chord; it’s the daunting task of finding an instrument that is affordable yet doesn’t feel like a piece of plastic. We have all seen those “toy” guitars that lose their tune after a single strum, leading to frustration and eventually, a guitar that gathers dust in a closet. Solving the “first guitar” dilemma is crucial because a poor instrument can stifle talent before it even has a chance to bloom. When we heard about the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit, we knew we had to put it through its paces to see if it truly bridges the gap between budget-friendly and professional-feeling hardware.

The Essential Roadmap: What to Consider Before Buying a Electric Guitar Beginner Kits

A Electric Guitar Beginner Kits is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for anyone looking to enter the world of music without the paralyzing fear of “analysis paralysis.” Choosing a kit instead of individual components ensures that you have everything necessary to start playing the moment the box arrives. The primary benefit here is cohesion; the manufacturer has selected components that work together, saving you the headache of matching cables to inputs or finding a gig bag that actually fits your specific body style. This approach allows the player to focus 100% on their technique rather than gear compatibility.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the initial learning curve of music, such as a teenager starting their first band or an adult finally pursuing a lifelong hobby. It is also perfect for budget-conscious parents who want to support their child’s interest without a massive upfront investment. However, it might not be suitable for those who are already intermediate players looking for a “forever” instrument with premium boutique electronics, or professionals who require specific tonal signatures for studio recording. In those cases, looking at individual high-end components might be a better path. For most, checking the latest price and availability for a comprehensive kit like this one is the smartest first move.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A full-size 39-inch guitar is the industry standard for adults and older children. Before buying, ensure the player can comfortably wrap their hand around the neck and reach the lower frets. An ergonomic ST-style body design, like the one found on the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit, is usually the most comfortable for long practice sessions.
• Capacity/Performance: Look closely at the pickup configuration. An SSH (Single-Single-Humbucker) setup offers the most versatility. This allows you to play everything from bright, clean country licks to heavy, distorted rock. Having a 5-way switch is essential for exploring these different “sonic personalities.”
• Materials & Durability: Not all woods are created equal. Solid poplar or alder bodies provide much better resonance than plywood or laminate. Similarly, a Canadian Maple neck is preferred for its stability and resistance to warping over time, which is a common issue with cheaper, unbranded instruments.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: As a beginner, you don’t want to spend your time fighting the instrument. Features like smooth fret edges and a low “action” (the height of the strings from the fretboard) are vital. Additionally, consider if the kit includes maintenance tools or spare parts, as strings will inevitably break during the learning process.

By keeping these factors in mind, you can avoid the common pitfalls of the “budget” market and find an instrument that grows with you. While the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit 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: Unboxing the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit

When the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit arrived at our studio, the first thing that caught our eye was the “Gradient Orange” finish. It’s a striking, high-gloss look that honestly looks far more expensive than the price tag suggests. The unboxing process was straightforward; the guitar was well-protected, and the included accessories—the gig bag, cable, strap, and spare strings—were neatly tucked away. Holding the guitar for the first time, we noticed the weight immediately. At approximately 8 lbs, it feels substantial and “real,” not like a hollow toy. The solid poplar body gives it a nice balance when sitting or standing.

Initial inspection of the Canadian Maple neck revealed a surprisingly smooth finish. Many budget guitars suffer from “fret sprout,” where the metal edges of the frets poke out and scratch your hand, but we found the fretwork on this Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit to be quite refined. It compares favorably to market leaders like Squier or Epiphone’s entry-level models, and in some cases, the aesthetic “pop” of the gradient finish actually surpasses them. To get a better sense of the visual appeal, you should see its full feature set and user reviews for yourself.

The Deep Dive: Evaluating the Performance of the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit

To truly understand what the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit offers, we spent over twenty hours playing it through various setups. We tested it through small practice amps, digital interfaces, and even larger stage-ready cabinets to see where its limits lie. Here is our detailed breakdown of the performance.

Construction, Playability, and the “Slim” Neck Profile

The most critical aspect of any beginner guitar is how it feels in the hand. If it’s hard to play, the beginner will quit. We were impressed by the “C” shaped neck profile on the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit. It is notably slim, which is a godsend for younger players or those with smaller hands. During our sessions, we found the 12-14 inch radius of the fretboard allowed for easy chord gripping near the nut while remaining flat enough for lead lines and “bends” higher up the neck. We found that the fret ends were surprisingly smooth, a sentiment echoed by many users who noted the lack of rough edges. The gloss-lacquered maple fingerboard isn’t just for looks; it provides a fast playing surface that doesn’t feel “sticky” during long sessions. While some professional-grade guitars use satin finishes for speed, this high-gloss finish provides a classic feel that many beginners find reassuring and premium.

Weight-wise, the 8-pound poplar body provides excellent sustain. Poplar is often overlooked, but it is a fantastic tonewood that offers a balanced frequency response. We noticed that the guitar came with a “low action” setup, meaning the strings were close to the frets right out of the box. This makes it much easier for a novice to press down the strings without causing finger fatigue. However, we did notice that a quick intonation check was necessary to ensure the guitar stayed in tune across the entire length of the neck—a standard procedure for any instrument shipped through various climates.

Sonic Versatility: The Power of the SSH Configuration

The “SSH” in the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit stands for Single-Single-Humbucker. This is widely considered the “Swiss Army Knife” of pickup layouts. We spent a significant amount of time toggling through the 5-way pickup selector to hear the range. The two single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions deliver that classic, “glassy” Stratocaster sound. This is perfect for blues, pop, and clean rhythmic playing. When we switched to the bridge Humbucker, the character of the guitar changed completely. The Humbucker provides more output and a “thicker” sound, which is essential if you want to play rock, metal, or anything with heavy distortion. This versatile setup makes it a feature that really sets it apart from the standard SSS kits usually found at this price point.

In our testing, the electronics were remarkably quiet. Often, budget guitars suffer from excessive “hum” or buzzing, especially when using distortion. While the single coils have a natural bit of 60-cycle hum (as all single coils do), the bridge Humbucker was dead silent and punchy. The 2-tone and 1-volume controls felt sturdy and offered a smooth taper, allowing us to roll off some of the high-end brightness when we wanted a jazzier, warmer tone. For a beginner, having these options means they won’t feel limited to just one genre of music as they explore their personal style.

The Aesthetic Appeal and Build Precision

It is hard to ignore the “Gradient Orange” finish on the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit. In person, the high-gloss paint job is flawless. We looked for “orange peel” textures or uneven applications—common in mass-produced factory guitars—but the finish was remarkably consistent. This suggests that Bullstar is using high-quality CNC machines and modern finishing techniques. The curved neck plate is another subtle touch that we didn’t expect to see at this price; it allows for slightly easier access to the upper frets compared to a standard blocky rectangular plate.

The hardware—the tuners and the bridge—performed admirably during our week-long evaluation. While the tuners aren’t locking tuners, they held their pitch well after the initial “stretch” period of the strings. The bridge is a standard adjustable ST-style tremolo. While we wouldn’t recommend doing massive “dive bombs” like Eddie Van Halen, it adds a nice vibrato effect for chords and lead melodies. The nut was cut correctly, which is often the Achilles’ heel of budget instruments; the strings didn’t “ping” or get stuck when tuning, which is a major win for stability.

The Total Package: Evaluating the Included Accessories

The Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit is marketed as a complete kit, and for the most part, it delivers. The included gig bag is basic—it will protect the guitar from dust and light scratches, though we’d recommend something more padded if you’re traveling on a tour bus. The cable is a standard 1/4 inch jack that worked without any crackling or interference during our tests. The inclusion of spare strings and picks is a thoughtful touch, as these are the first things a beginner will inevitably lose or break.

One standout accessory was the tuner. We found it much more intuitive than the “old-school” needle tuners. It clearly shows how many cents out of tune each string is, making the tuning process much faster for someone who hasn’t developed their ear yet. When you consider the cost of buying these items individually, the value proposition of the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit becomes very clear. You can check the current bundle price here to see just how much you save by going with the all-in-one kit.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general consensus among those who have purchased the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit is one of pleasant surprise. Most users agree that the build quality punches far above its weight class. We’ve synthesized the most common feedback to give you a clear picture of the community’s experience.

One user mentioned that the quality is “better than most” of the other budget brands they have owned, specifically praising the CNC-machined precision. Another reviewer highlighted the finish, stating that the “paint is really well done” and that the neck had no rough edges, making it “ready to gig with a basic set up.” This aligns perfectly with our finding that the craftsmanship is a standout feature. One particularly enthusiastic player noted that they got the guitar on sale for under $100 and felt it was “money well spent,” even after performing a few standard upgrades like a fret polish and string change.

On the negative side, a few users noted that the “slim neck and low small frets” might be a deal-breaker for those who prefer a chunkier, more vintage feel. Another user pointed out that while the pickups are “basic,” they are perfectly adequate for the price. The common thread in all reviews is that while it may need a “tune-up and some love” (standard for any guitar shipped in a box), the foundation of the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit is incredibly solid.

Comparing the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit to Top Alternatives

While we are very impressed with this kit, it’s important to see how it compares to other popular entry-level options on the market. Here are three alternatives to consider depending on your specific needs.

1. Stedman Pro Beginner Bass Guitar Bundle

It is important to note that the Stedman Pro is a bass guitar, not a standard electric guitar. If your musical goals involve laying down the low-end rhythm rather than playing melodies or solos, this is the bundle for you. It includes a 15-watt amp, which is a step up in value since the Bullstar kit we reviewed does not include an amplifier. However, for those specifically looking to learn six-string electric guitar, the Stedman won’t fit the bill. It’s a solid choice for the aspiring bassist who wants a “plug and play” experience right out of the box.

2. RockJam Electric Guitar Kit with 10-Watt Amp

The RockJam kit is a direct competitor but targets a slightly different price bracket. It includes a 10-watt amplifier and even offers online lessons, which can be a huge bonus for a total novice. However, in our comparison, the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit offers a more sophisticated SSH pickup configuration and a much more impressive finish. The RockJam is a great “utility” kit for someone who wants the absolute basics with an amp included, but the Bullstar feels more like a “real instrument” that you would be proud to show off on stage.

3. Yamaha GigMaker EG Electric Guitar Pack

Yamaha is the gold standard for beginner instruments. The GigMaker pack is legendary for its consistency and durability. It comes with a Yamaha amplifier and a very reliable Pacifica-style guitar. Comparing it to the Bullstar, the Yamaha kit is often significantly more expensive. While the Yamaha might have slightly better long-term resale value due to the brand name, the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit wins on pure “vibe” and aesthetics, particularly with that Gradient Orange finish and the high-output bridge Humbucker which can sometimes feel more modern than the Yamaha’s more traditional setup.

The Final Verdict: Is the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit Worth It?

After a rigorous evaluation, we can confidently say that the Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit is one of the best “bang-for-your-buck” options available today. Its greatest strengths lie in its versatile SSH pickup configuration, its remarkably smooth Canadian Maple neck, and an aesthetic finish that usually requires a much higher investment. While it does require a bit of initial tuning and perhaps a minor setup to get the intonation perfect, these are skills every guitarist should learn anyway. It provides a solid, resonant foundation that a beginner won’t “outgrow” in six months.

We recommend this kit to any beginner who wants a guitar that looks as good as it sounds, or to the budget-conscious player looking for a reliable backup instrument for jamming. The combination of solid poplar and maple ensures it will stand the test of time, and the included accessories make the start of your musical journey as seamless as possible. If you are ready to stop dreaming and start playing, you can grab your own Bullstar ST SSH Series 39 Inch Electric Guitar Beginner Kit here and begin your journey into the world of music today.