Description
Review of the Ktaxon 39 Inch Electric Guitar, Full-Size Beginner Solid Body Electric Guitar Kit with Gig Bag, Strap, Tremolo Bar, Cable & Picks (White)
This Ktaxon is a 39 inch full-size solid body electric in the Stratocaster mould, sold as a starter kit with a gig bag, strap, cable, tremolo arm and picks. It carries three single-coil pickups with a 5-way selector, a tremolo bridge and a C-shaped neck. The listing positions it as a first electric guitar for a player who wants a complete package in one box.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Three single coils with a 5-way switch is a genuinely versatile starting layout. The five positions give bright bridge tone, warmer neck tone and two thinner in-between sounds. A beginner can hear what pickup selection actually does rather than guessing.
- The 25.5 inch scale is standard. Fret spacing matches the majority of Fender-style electrics, so technique and muscle memory transfer directly if the player upgrades later.
- The C-shaped neck profile is the least demanding shape for new hands. A shallow C fills the palm without forcing the thumb over the top, which reduces cramping during the long repetitive drills beginners need.
- The kit removes the second purchase. Gig bag, strap, cable, tremolo arm and picks are included, so the only remaining essentials are an amplifier and a tuner.
Cons
- The body wood is stated two different ways. The written description says solid basswood, while the specification table says paulownia for body, back and top. These are not the same wood. Paulownia is noticeably lighter and softer than basswood, so the difference is audible and affects how well the finish resists knocks.
- The fingerboard is described inconsistently too. The description says rosewood; the spec table says engineered wood, which is a composite rather than a solid timber. Engineered boards are serviceable enough but they are not rosewood, and the listing should not claim both.
- The stated dimensions are impossible. Product dimensions of 9.84 by 7.87 by 3.15 inches cannot describe a 39 inch guitar. That figure appears to belong to an accessory box, and no reliable packed size is given.
- No amplifier is included. Despite being sold as a complete starter kit, the bundle has no amp, so the guitar cannot be heard properly until one is bought separately.
- No tuner is included. A new electric will not hold pitch out of the box, and there is nothing in the kit that lets a beginner correct it.
Detailed Product Description
The body is a double-cutaway solid slab with a painted white finish. Whether it is basswood or paulownia, both are soft, light woods chosen at this price because they are cheap to machine and easy to finish. The practical consequence is that the guitar will be light on a strap, which suits younger players, but the finish will mark more easily than on a denser wood. The neck is maple, bolted on, which is stiff and stable and the standard choice for this design.
The pickup layout is three single coils in a straight S-S-S arrangement, controlled by one volume and two tone knobs plus the 5-way blade switch. Single coils are bright and articulate but pick up mains hum, particularly near computer monitors and dimmer switches. Position markers on the neck are described as copper-nickel, which simply means the dot inlays are metal rather than plastic.
The bridge is a tremolo unit with the arm supplied. A floating tremolo lets a player add vibrato and pitch dips, but it is also the part most likely to cause tuning problems on a budget instrument, because the spring tension has to balance against string tension every time the strings are changed. Beginners should expect to leave it alone initially. Strings are listed as nickel, which is standard for electric guitar sets.
What Comes with the Product
The kit includes the guitar, a protective gig bag, a shoulder strap, an instrument cable, a tremolo arm and picks. No assembly is required.
What is not included matters more. There is no amplifier, no clip-on tuner, no spare string set, no capo and no instructional material. The cable is only useful once an amp exists, so budget for one alongside the guitar. The guide to amp wattage for home practice explains what size is actually needed at home, and the breakdown of what is in a guitar starter bundle shows how this compares with fuller packages.
Who It Suits
This suits a complete beginner who wants a full-size Stratocaster-style electric and already has, or intends to buy, a practice amplifier. It also suits an adult returning to the instrument who wants something inexpensive to keep at a second location, since the gig bag makes it easy to move.
It does not suit a child under about twelve, who will struggle with a full 39 inch body and a 25.5 inch scale. Anyone who needs the amplifier in the same box should look at a package such as the Pyle electric guitar kit with amp. Players who want a humbucker for heavier tones would be better served by an HSS layout like the Fesley FST350M. Another Ktaxon option with a different pickup set is the Ktaxon 39 inch with H-H pickups.
How to Maintain
Wipe the strings and the back of the neck down after each session, since a white finish and a light-coloured neck show grime quickly. Keep the guitar in the supplied gig bag when it is not being played, but understand that a soft bag protects against dust and scratches rather than impact.
Check the tremolo springs and the bridge screws every few months. On a soft-bodied guitar the screw threads can loosen in the wood over time, which shows up as a bridge that will not hold intonation. Loosen the strings before storing the guitar for long periods to reduce constant tension on a light body.
Tips and Recommendations
Block the tremolo until playing is established. Wedging a small offcut of wood behind the tremolo block turns it into a fixed bridge, which makes tuning far more stable while a beginner is learning chords. It can be removed later once string changes are familiar.
Replace the factory strings early. Strings fitted at the factory sit on a shelf for months and lose brightness, and a fresh set of light gauge strings will make the guitar easier to fret as well as brighter. More instruments in this category sit under electric guitars and beginner starter kits.
Product FAQ
Is the body basswood or paulownia?
The listing says both. The description states basswood and the specification table states paulownia. Confirm with the seller if it matters.
Does it come with an amplifier?
No. The kit includes a cable but no amplifier, so one must be bought separately before the guitar can be heard properly.
What pickups does it use?
Three single-coil pickups in an S-S-S arrangement, with a 5-way selector switch, one volume control and two tone controls.
Is the fingerboard rosewood?
The description says rosewood but the specification table says engineered wood. The two do not agree, so treat the board material as unconfirmed.
