TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp Review: The Ultimate All-in-One Solution for Aspiring Rockstars?
Every guitar journey begins with a spark of inspiration, but for most beginners, that spark is quickly dampened by the sheer complexity of gear. I remember the frustration of my first guitar purchase—buying a “cheap” instrument only to realize I needed a separate amplifier, a cable, a tuner, and a bag just to get started. By the time I gathered everything, my budget was blown, and the mismatched equipment made for a discouraging experience. The TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp is designed specifically to eliminate this friction. It aims to provide a “plug-and-play” solution for adults who want to jump straight into making music without the headache of sourcing individual components. Whether you’re looking to fulfill a lifelong dream or searching for a high-value gift, choosing the wrong starter pack can lead to a guitar that gathers dust in the corner. We took a deep dive into this kit to see if it truly delivers on its promise of quality and convenience.
What You Must Consider Before Investing in a Solid Body Electric Guitar
A Solid Body Electric Guitar is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for creative expression, stress relief, and skill development. Unlike acoustic guitars, solid body electrics rely on pickups and amplification, which allows for a vast range of tones—from clean, jazzy melodies to high-gain rock anthems. The main benefit of this category is versatility. You can practice quietly with headphones or crank up an amp to fill a room. However, the quality of the “solid body” itself—the wood, the hardware, and the electronics—determines whether the instrument will stay in tune and remain playable as you progress from basic chords to complex solos.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the “beginner’s paradox”: needing an instrument good enough to learn on without spending a fortune. It’s perfect for adults looking for a full-scale hobby and beginners who want a complete ecosystem in one box. However, it might not be suitable for those who already own professional-grade amplification or seasoned touring musicians who require high-end custom shop hardware. If you are a professional looking for a secondary “beater” guitar, this might serve as a great modding platform, but the included 10W amp is strictly for home practice.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: At 39 inches, this is a full-scale instrument. It requires a dedicated space for the stand and the amplifier. Unlike 3/4 scale “mini” guitars, this is designed for adult ergonomics, meaning the fret spacing and body weight are standard, providing a realistic feel that prepares you for any professional guitar in the future.
- Capacity/Performance: Look closely at the pickup configuration. An H-H (Humbucker-Humbucker) setup is designed for high output and noise reduction. This is crucial for beginners because single-coil pickups often produce a “hum” that can be distracting, whereas humbuckers provide a cleaner, “fatter” sound that is very forgiving for new players.
- Materials & Durability: The choice of Poplar for the body and Maple for the neck is a classic combination in the budget-to-midrange world. Poplar is lightweight and resonant, while Maple provides the structural rigidity needed to keep the neck straight under string tension. High-density HPL for the fretboard is a modern, eco-friendly choice that resists warping better than some cheap rosewood alternatives.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A fixed “hardtail” bridge is the gold standard for beginners. Unlike tremolo systems (whammy bars), which can make tuning a nightmare for the uninitiated, a fixed bridge ensures stable intonation and makes string changes significantly easier, reducing the long-term maintenance burden for the owner.
While the TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp is an excellent choice for those starting their journey, 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:
Our Comprehensive Guide to the Best Electric Guitars for Beginners in the Current Market
First Impressions: Unboxing the TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp
When the TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp arrived, the first thing that struck us was the attention to detail in the packaging. Often, budget kits feel like they’ve been thrown together, but this felt like a curated experience. Out of the box, the matte black finish of the guitar is genuinely striking; it lacks the “plastic” look often found on entry-level gloss finishes. The smoked matte texture combined with the tortoise pickguard gives it a boutique, stealthy aesthetic that looks far more expensive than its price tag suggests.
Handling the guitar for the first time, the C-shaped neck felt comfortable and familiar. It’s not too chunky for smaller hands, yet substantial enough for adults. We were also pleasantly surprised to see the Luminlay-style side markers. For anyone who has ever tried to find their place on a dark stage or even in a dimly lit bedroom, these clear position markers are a godsend. Before you even plug it in, you can see its full feature set and user reviews to understand why this specific aesthetic and hardware combo is winning over so many new players. Compared to market leaders like the Squier Affinity series, the TOSTAR kit offers a more comprehensive accessory bundle, including a stand and a digital tuner that actually works out of the box.
What We Like
- Exceptional value with 8 essential accessories included (Stand, Tuner, Capo, etc.).
- Dual Humbucker (HH) configuration provides a high-output, noise-free tone perfect for rock.
- Stylish matte finish and Luminlay side markers for high-end aesthetics and visibility.
- Fixed hardtail bridge ensures superior tuning stability for beginners.
What We Didn’t Like
- The 10W amp is great for practice but lacks the depth for larger performances.
- Out-of-the-box intonation may require a slight adjustment for perfection.
A Deep Dive into the Performance of the TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp
Masterful Ergonomics: The C-Shaped Neck and Matte Finish
In our extensive testing, the standout feature of the TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp is the “feel” of the neck. Most budget guitars suffer from “fret sprout”—sharp metal edges on the side of the neck—but we found the frets on this model to be impressively smooth. The C-shaped maple neck is designed for long practice sessions, reducing hand fatigue. During a two-hour session, I found the satin-like finish on the back of the neck allowed for quick transitions between chords without the “sticky” feel that gloss necks often have.
The matte finish isn’t just about looks; it’s about durability and maintenance. Fingerprints and smudge marks, which plague high-gloss black guitars, are virtually non-existent here. This makes the instrument a great “stage-ready” companion for those who want their gear to look pristine under the lights. We found that the poplar body provided a balanced weight—heavy enough to feel like a real instrument, but light enough to wear on a strap for extended periods without back strain. To ensure you’re getting the most up-to-date version of this build, you should check the latest price and availability as this model frequently sees iterative improvements in its hardware.
Sonic Versatility: Dual Humbuckers and Control Layout
The heart of any electric guitar is its electronics. The TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp features two high-output humbuckers. In my experience, single-coil pickups on entry-level kits often sound “thin” or “tinny,” especially when paired with a small practice amp. These humbuckers, however, provide a thick, warm tone that handles distortion beautifully. When we pushed the 10W amp into its “overdrive” setting, the guitar maintained clarity without the dreaded 60-cycle hum that usually irritates beginners.
The control layout is refreshingly simple: one volume knob, one tone knob, and a 3-way selector switch. This simplicity is a benefit for new players who can easily get lost in complex wiring. We tested the 3-way switch and found the “click” to be solid and reliable, not flimsy. The middle position—combining both pickups—offered a surprisingly chimey, clean tone that worked well for folk and blues. This versatility is a feature that really sets it apart from other kits that often pigeonhole the player into one specific genre. Supporting our findings, several users have noted that the pickups are a solid foundation even if you decide to upgrade your amp later on.
The “Zero to Hero” Ecosystem: The Included Accessory Bundle
One of the most impressive aspects of the TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp is the sheer completeness of the package. Usually, “kit” accessories like straps and tuners are throwaway items. However, the digital tuner included here is responsive and accurate—a necessity for a beginner who hasn’t yet developed their “ear.” The 10W amplifier is compact, but it features a dedicated headphone jack, which we found essential for late-night practice sessions that won’t wake the neighbors.
We were particularly impressed by the inclusion of a guitar stand and a capo. A capo is often an “extra” that beginners realize they need only after trying to learn their first Wonderwall-style song. Having it included from day one is a thoughtful touch. The gig bag provides decent protection for transport, though we’d recommend a hard case for serious travel. When you consider the cost of buying these eight items individually, the value proposition becomes undeniable. It’s a smart way to invest in a long-term musical partner without the nickel-and-diming associated with traditional music retail.
Tuning Stability and the Hardtail Bridge
For a beginner, nothing kills the motivation to practice faster than a guitar that won’t stay in tune. The TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp utilizes a fixed Telecaster-style hardtail bridge. In our technical evaluation, this bridge system outperformed several “strat-clone” kits that use tremolo bridges. Tremolos on budget guitars often cause the strings to slip, but the fixed bridge on the TOSTAR anchors the strings firmly. We found that once the initial “stretch” of the new strings was over, the guitar held its tuning through several days of heavy playing.
Furthermore, the intonation—the guitar’s ability to stay in tune as you move up the neck—was surprisingly accurate. While one user mentioned difficulty with a specific unit, our experience and the majority of user feedback suggest that a quick setup out of the box is all it takes to get professional-level playability. The use of nickel-plated steel strings provides a bright, snappy response that complements the poplar body well. If you’re looking for a reliable workhorse that won’t require constant fiddling, you should explore the current deals and bundle options available for this model.
What Other Users Are Saying
The general sentiment surrounding the TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp is overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding its value-to-performance ratio. Many users have described it as “impeccable out of the box,” with one reviewer highlighting that the “strings were actually tuned and action wasn’t unbearably high.” This aligns with our expert findings that TOSTAR is paying more attention to factory setup than most entry-level brands. Another parent noted that it was the perfect “strat clone” for their teenager, praising the smooth finish and acceptable weight.
However, it’s important to look at the full picture. One experienced player of 30 years reported frustration with intonation on their specific unit, suggesting that quality control can occasionally vary. Another user mentioned a pickup failure within the first year, but importantly, they noted that the seller was extremely responsive, sending replacement parts immediately to fix the issue. This level of customer support is rare in the budget instrument world. Most users agree that while it’s a great starter kit, it also serves as a “solid platform for upgrading,” making it a guitar that can grow with you. To see these testimonials for yourself, you can read the detailed feedback and user photos online.
How the TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp Compares to the Competition
Choosing the right guitar often involves looking at what else is on the shelf. Here is how the TOSTAR stacks up against three popular alternatives.
1. Ibanez Gio GRG7221QA 7-String Guitar
The Ibanez Gio GRG7221QA is a vastly different beast compared to the TOSTAR. As a 7-string guitar, it is specifically designed for players interested in modern metal and “djent” styles that require lower tunings. While the TOSTAR focuses on being a comprehensive kit for the absolute beginner, the Ibanez Gio is a standalone instrument (no amp or accessories included) aimed at someone who already knows they want to play heavy music. If you are a beginner looking for a “traditional” learning experience, the 7th string on the Ibanez might be more confusing than helpful. However, for the aspiring metalhead who already has an amp, the Ibanez offers a faster, thinner neck and that extra low-B string.
2. WestCreek Revenge Electric Guitar Heavy Metal
The WestCreek Revenge is another specialist instrument. It features a Mahogany body and a Rosewood fretboard, which generally offer a warmer, darker tone than the TOSTAR’s Poplar and HPL combo. Its “Revenge” aesthetics are clearly targeted at the heavy metal market. Unlike the TOSTAR, which is a complete kit, the WestCreek is a standalone purchase. It features rounded-end jumbo frets and a bone nut, which are “premium” specs for this price point. We would recommend the WestCreek to a beginner who is specifically obsessed with the metal aesthetic and is willing to buy their amplifier and accessories separately to get a slightly more “boutique” feeling instrument.
3. Squier Mini Strat Electric Guitar Bundle
The Squier Mini Strat Bundle is the direct competitor to the TOSTAR in terms of being a “complete kit.” However, the key difference is size. The Squier is a 3/4-size guitar, making it ideal for children or adults with very small hands. The TOSTAR is a full 39″ adult-sized guitar. While the Squier carries the prestigious Fender/Squier name, the TOSTAR actually offers more modern features for adults, such as the matte finish and the Luminlay side markers. If you are buying for a 7-year-old, get the Squier. If you are an adult or a teenager, the full-scale TOSTAR is the better investment as it won’t feel like a “toy” as you progress.
Final Verdict: Is the TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp the Right Choice for You?
After a rigorous evaluation, we believe the TOSTAR 39″ Electric Guitar Kit with Amp is one of the most compelling “all-in-one” packages currently available for the modern beginner. Its greatest strength lies in its balance of aesthetics and functionality. It manages to avoid the “cheap” look of most starter kits, offering a sophisticated matte finish and hardware that actually stays in tune. While the 10W amp is limited to home practice, it is perfectly voiced for the included humbuckers, providing a satisfying rock tone from day one.
We recommend this kit to any adult beginner who wants to remove the guesswork from their first purchase. It’s also an excellent choice for intermediate players looking for a stylish, reliable modding platform. While there have been minor reports of quality control variances, the brand’s responsive customer service provides a significant safety net. If you are ready to stop researching and start playing, this kit provides everything you need to hit your first power chord by tonight. Don’t let indecision hold your musical journey back—you can grab this complete starter kit today and begin your path to becoming a guitarist.
