Customer Kudos
"zZounds has never let me down. I’m on a first-name basis with customer service."
May 15, 2025
All-Star Beginner Gear
The best gear to get started on
We all start somewhere. But as musicians, the gear we start on makes a big difference. Whether you aspire to be a festival-rocking DJ or a worshiped drum virtuoso, it's crucial to start out with gear that will inspire you to go further and develop your talents.
We've put together a list of great gear to get started on, complete with quotes from happy owners. With so many affordable, feature-packed picks for any musician, you're sure to find some great starter gear for yourself or the young musician in your life!
See more All-Star Gear Guides »
We've put together a list of great gear to get started on, complete with quotes from happy owners. With so many affordable, feature-packed picks for any musician, you're sure to find some great starter gear for yourself or the young musician in your life!
Beginner Electric Guitar: Jackson JS Series Dinky JS11
Our Customers Say...
"I am impressed with the quality and sound for a lower priced model...I am just learning how to check and set intonation but from what i could tell it was almost spot on. Neck is comfortable for me. I really like the fingerboard radius. Frets are dressed well. The pups sound good both clean and distorted."
- Brian P in Riverton, UT
"Really nice entry level guitar...Quality is excellent; arrived with no issues at all...Playable out of the box, holds tuning well. Neck is comfortable; easy to play."
- James C in Streetsboro, OH
"This guitar is a steal for the price and feels amazing in the hand. Amazing quality!"
- A Happy Customer
Own it for $199.99!
"I am impressed with the quality and sound for a lower priced model...I am just learning how to check and set intonation but from what i could tell it was almost spot on. Neck is comfortable for me. I really like the fingerboard radius. Frets are dressed well. The pups sound good both clean and distorted."
- Brian P in Riverton, UT
"Really nice entry level guitar...Quality is excellent; arrived with no issues at all...Playable out of the box, holds tuning well. Neck is comfortable; easy to play."
- James C in Streetsboro, OH
"This guitar is a steal for the price and feels amazing in the hand. Amazing quality!"
- A Happy Customer
Own it for $199.99!
Beginner Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Epiphone J-15 EC Cutaway
Our Customers Say...
"I got my son the Epiphone for a starter guitar and just hoped it had decent playability...the way it looked and played was unreal. I wanted to keep it for myself. For the money, best acoustic guitar I've ever played."
- Ernie T. in Fair Oaks, CA
"I expect to use this guitar for many years and for recording...good quality, sounds great...for the price you can't beat it...I'm going to buy this guitar again."
- A Happy Customer
"Nice sound for the price, great starter guitar...The solid top is what makes this guitar!"
- A Happy Customer
Own it for $269.00 or 6 payments of $44.83!
"I got my son the Epiphone for a starter guitar and just hoped it had decent playability...the way it looked and played was unreal. I wanted to keep it for myself. For the money, best acoustic guitar I've ever played."
- Ernie T. in Fair Oaks, CA
"I expect to use this guitar for many years and for recording...good quality, sounds great...for the price you can't beat it...I'm going to buy this guitar again."
- A Happy Customer
"Nice sound for the price, great starter guitar...The solid top is what makes this guitar!"
- A Happy Customer
Own it for $269.00 or 6 payments of $44.83!
Beginner Electric Bass: Ibanez SR300E
Our Customers Say...
"I have only been playing for six months. I started out on a Yamaha 170 I got as a gift. I wanted to upgrade but I didn't want to over reach. The SR300E fills that need. It's a sure upgrade (love the electronics) and it's an instrument I feel I can stay with for years to come."
- Edith in Sauk Village, IL
"Took the leap on a friend's advice and went with the Ibanez SR300E. Holy cow. After struggling for months it’s like the clouds opened up and the sun is shining on me. Thin neck (thinner than I’ve been playing) and super responsive. The action is incredible. Wish I had bought this first."
- Mark in Grover Beach, CA
"If you are new to bass, or need a backup for your regular player, I would highly recommend the SR300E. I see it becoming my regular player because of its features and sound."
- Jason in Moorefield, WV
Own it for $379.99 or 8 payments of $47.50!
"I have only been playing for six months. I started out on a Yamaha 170 I got as a gift. I wanted to upgrade but I didn't want to over reach. The SR300E fills that need. It's a sure upgrade (love the electronics) and it's an instrument I feel I can stay with for years to come."
- Edith in Sauk Village, IL
"Took the leap on a friend's advice and went with the Ibanez SR300E. Holy cow. After struggling for months it’s like the clouds opened up and the sun is shining on me. Thin neck (thinner than I’ve been playing) and super responsive. The action is incredible. Wish I had bought this first."
- Mark in Grover Beach, CA
"If you are new to bass, or need a backup for your regular player, I would highly recommend the SR300E. I see it becoming my regular player because of its features and sound."
- Jason in Moorefield, WV
Own it for $379.99 or 8 payments of $47.50!
Beginner Mini Synth: Korg MicroKorg Analog-Modeling Synth/Vocoder
Our Customers Say...
"This synth is very powerful...I didn't know anything when I bought it and I learned a lot from it. It is such a great buy for beginners or maybe a pro who wants to expand their library. It also has a built in vocoder which just sends its value through the roof."
- A Happy Customer
"My kids are learning keyboards and they are fascinated with this instrument, as am I...no problems with the mini-keys...an incredible lead instrument, once the basic concepts of sound production are learned...a little hard work at learning the ins and outs of this instrument make it a pleasure to use."
- Tony P. in Alhambra, CA
Own it for $549.99 or 8 payments of $68.75!
"This synth is very powerful...I didn't know anything when I bought it and I learned a lot from it. It is such a great buy for beginners or maybe a pro who wants to expand their library. It also has a built in vocoder which just sends its value through the roof."
- A Happy Customer
"My kids are learning keyboards and they are fascinated with this instrument, as am I...no problems with the mini-keys...an incredible lead instrument, once the basic concepts of sound production are learned...a little hard work at learning the ins and outs of this instrument make it a pleasure to use."
- Tony P. in Alhambra, CA
Own it for $549.99 or 8 payments of $68.75!
Beginner Drum Set: Pearl RSJ465CC Roadshow Junior Complete 5-Piece Drum Set
Our Customers Say...
"The Mini Kit that Can...This is a real drumset!...I was looking for a small kit to suit my living in a very small space. And this is perfect! Suitable for beginners and those with experience. Very good build quality! Hardware is light but well made."
- Ron B.
"It’s made extremely well, high-quality all the way around. I’ve owned a lot of drum sets over the decades. Some cost 10 times as much and they still weren’t any better than this...Well worth it!"
- RLee B.
Own it for $445.99 or payments of !
"The Mini Kit that Can...This is a real drumset!...I was looking for a small kit to suit my living in a very small space. And this is perfect! Suitable for beginners and those with experience. Very good build quality! Hardware is light but well made."
- Ron B.
"It’s made extremely well, high-quality all the way around. I’ve owned a lot of drum sets over the decades. Some cost 10 times as much and they still weren’t any better than this...Well worth it!"
- RLee B.
Own it for $445.99 or payments of !
Beginner Audio Interface: MOTU M2 USB Interface
Our Customers Say...
"I believe this is leagues ahead of most interfaces in terms of sound quality...The dynamic range is amazing."
- A Happy Customer
"You have your visual eye candy to see your levels...and the sound is so so pleasing!...I have to tell you, I can work this thing like I had it for many years. I'm a fan for life, and take away the price, and compare it to other units, MOTU will still have more value hands down!"
- Hurvey J. in San Diego, CA
"The best audio interface at its price range."
- A Happy Customer
Own it for $199.95!
"I believe this is leagues ahead of most interfaces in terms of sound quality...The dynamic range is amazing."
- A Happy Customer
"You have your visual eye candy to see your levels...and the sound is so so pleasing!...I have to tell you, I can work this thing like I had it for many years. I'm a fan for life, and take away the price, and compare it to other units, MOTU will still have more value hands down!"
- Hurvey J. in San Diego, CA
"The best audio interface at its price range."
- A Happy Customer
Own it for $199.95!
Beginner DJ Controller: Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV1 DJ Controller
Our Customers Say...
"I find this DJ controller better than others and it's because of the battle style layout it's in. It reminds me of DJing on turntables (record players) but without the rotating platters. I'm an old school progressive house/90s dance type of DJ that has DJ'd in many large nightclubs as a resident/event and a former radio DJ. Out of all the DJ controllers that I've tried, I would have to say this one is the best one! I can scratch and beatmix better on it."
- A Happy Owner
"Perfect for places with smaller DJ Booths. Very compact easy to store and easy to carry around."
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $299.00 or 8 payments of $37.38!
"I find this DJ controller better than others and it's because of the battle style layout it's in. It reminds me of DJing on turntables (record players) but without the rotating platters. I'm an old school progressive house/90s dance type of DJ that has DJ'd in many large nightclubs as a resident/event and a former radio DJ. Out of all the DJ controllers that I've tried, I would have to say this one is the best one! I can scratch and beatmix better on it."
- A Happy Owner
"Perfect for places with smaller DJ Booths. Very compact easy to store and easy to carry around."
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $299.00 or 8 payments of $37.38!
Beginner Studio Condenser Mic: Audio-Technica AT2035
Our Customers Say...
"A great sounding large-diaphragm condenser mic for a very reasonable price...I use it on acoustic guitar and vocals...It has a very open and natural sound...Sounds great with practically no EQ or processing...This is the most mic for the money I have seen in a large-diaphragm mic."
- A Happy Customer
"In the budget mic category you can't go wrong with an AT2035...Plug it in and start recording."
- A Happy Customer
"Wow! That was the first word that came to mind after listening to this mic. I am a professional voice over artist, and I have recorded at some great studios with great mics...I can safely say this one is in my top 3...Tremendous value. You'll think you paid hundreds for this mic!"
- Joseph A.
Own it for $159.00 or 6 payments of $26.50!
"A great sounding large-diaphragm condenser mic for a very reasonable price...I use it on acoustic guitar and vocals...It has a very open and natural sound...Sounds great with practically no EQ or processing...This is the most mic for the money I have seen in a large-diaphragm mic."
- A Happy Customer
"In the budget mic category you can't go wrong with an AT2035...Plug it in and start recording."
- A Happy Customer
"Wow! That was the first word that came to mind after listening to this mic. I am a professional voice over artist, and I have recorded at some great studios with great mics...I can safely say this one is in my top 3...Tremendous value. You'll think you paid hundreds for this mic!"
- Joseph A.
Own it for $159.00 or 6 payments of $26.50!
Beginner Sampler: Teenage Engineering EP-133 KO II Sampler Composer
Our Customers Say...
"I would recommend this to anyone that likes to make music, and is looking for a low cost entry into a standalone sequencer sampler. You can get a lot done with this unit, and you'll have fun doing it!"
- GODSOWN DJ
"To totally sum up my sentiments about this little machine, I am HIGHLY IMPRESSED and satisfied with the purchase. I can't believe the features this little machine offers for such a low price!!"
- A Happy Owner
"Nice old school feel; very different though. It's inspiring to be inspired by Teenage Engineering's sense of nostalgia and tech awareness. It rocks."
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $299.00 or 8 payments of $37.38!
"I would recommend this to anyone that likes to make music, and is looking for a low cost entry into a standalone sequencer sampler. You can get a lot done with this unit, and you'll have fun doing it!"
- GODSOWN DJ
"To totally sum up my sentiments about this little machine, I am HIGHLY IMPRESSED and satisfied with the purchase. I can't believe the features this little machine offers for such a low price!!"
- A Happy Owner
"Nice old school feel; very different though. It's inspiring to be inspired by Teenage Engineering's sense of nostalgia and tech awareness. It rocks."
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $299.00 or 8 payments of $37.38!
Beginner Compact Drum Set: Tama Club-JAM Flyer
Our Customers Say...
"I absolutely LOVE this kit... 100%! I play a lot of smaller clubs as well as bigger venues, so I thought I would give this set a try. The footprint is tiny, but the sound isn't."
- A Happy Owner
"The kit is tiny. It will be easy to travel with. The sound is amazing!! Even the tiny bass drum has a surprising amount of punch!! This makes me 3 Tama sets that I currently own. You can’t go wrong with Tama or zZounds!"
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $529.99 or 8 payments of $66.25!
"I absolutely LOVE this kit... 100%! I play a lot of smaller clubs as well as bigger venues, so I thought I would give this set a try. The footprint is tiny, but the sound isn't."
- A Happy Owner
"The kit is tiny. It will be easy to travel with. The sound is amazing!! Even the tiny bass drum has a surprising amount of punch!! This makes me 3 Tama sets that I currently own. You can’t go wrong with Tama or zZounds!"
- A Happy Owner
Own it for $529.99 or 8 payments of $66.25!
