By Chris Fong

Finding the right guitar for a beginner can be difficult but the most important factors to consider are cost, durability and versatility. By these standards, the Squier Stratocaster is easily the best guitar for beginners.

Manufactured by Fender, the Squier Strat is one of the best value beginner guitars and it can usually be found in a local music store or online for between $180 and $230. No beginner needs a more expensive instrument and you can always buy a better guitar once your skills warrant it.

If you progress and buy a better model a year or two after you start playing, you can always use your Squier as a backup because it's nothing if not durable. The Fender name means that as long as you take care of the instrument it should last for years with only minor issues.

For instance, some people have reported that the strap buttons come loose after a few months but this is easily fixed and the fact that that is the biggest problem the guitar faces with wear is a testament to its durability.

Of course, price and durability mean little if the guitar isn't versatile. It's important that beginners have a solid instrument on which to try everything from the blues to rock to heavy metal. The Squier Strat gives the beginner all of these options and, although it lacks the thrills of more expensive instruments, it's built to give the beginner a solid platform from which to improve their skills.

When shopping for a guitar, don't confuse the Squier Stratocaster with the Squier Affinity Strat or the Fender Stratocaster. The Affinity is a much cheaper model and it shows whereas the Fender Stratocaster is a much more expensive model ($350). The Squier Stratocaster is in the middle of these two models and is the best buy for the beginning guitarist.

On balance, the Squier Stratocaster is the best guitar for beginners. It's price, durability and versatility make it the perfect choice for anyone just starting to learn the guitar and the best part is that you can always use the Squier Strat as a backup once you move on to a more expensive instrument.

Chris Fong loves to play the guitar in his free time. If you are a beginning guitar learner, make sure to read his Tips to Learn Guitar For Beginners on his Best Guitar Courses blog.