Stedman Pro EG39 39-inch Electric Guitar Kit

Intro

The Stedman Pro Beginner Series EG39 is a complete starter electric-guitar package that the listing positions as an out-of-the-box solution for new players. On paper it’s a full-size 39-inch guitar with a 10-watt amp and a pile of beginner-friendly extras (gig bag, tuner, cable, picks, whammy bar, stringwinder and polishing cloth). Owners generally call it a very good value for a low-cost starter kit — but the set comes with the usual tradeoffs: a cheap amplifier, basic hardware that sometimes needs setup, and a few finish/packaging hiccups reported in buyer feedback. This review walks through who this is best for, what to expect in day-to-day use, build details and safety notes, and the biggest gifting risks so you can decide whether to buy it for the person on your list.

What it is / first look

According to the listing, the EG39 is a full-scale 39-inch electric guitar with a basswood body, maple neck and rosewood fretboard. It ships as a bundle called the Beginner set and includes a 10-watt amp with a headphone jack and overdrive (distortion), a gig bag case, guitar strap, electronic tuner, cable, picks, whammy bar (tremolo arm), stringwinder and polishing cloth. The guitar uses a three-pickup configuration (listed as single-coil pickups) with a pickup selector and has 21 frets and a fully adjustable truss rod. String material in the listing is listed as nickel, the bridge system is a tremolo, and the instrument is configured for right-handed players.

Out of the box this is clearly positioned as a budget complete kit: the core guitar plus a small practice amp and the essentials to get started immediately. Owners repeatedly praise the package as a bargain for the price and say the guitar itself is the star of the kit — though it often benefits from a basic setup (action, truss rod and intonation) to play more comfortably.

Who this is a good gift for

This is a practical, decision-oriented pick—good for specific recipient types and situations. Below are the best matches and the assumptions you should check before you buy.

The curious teen who wants to try electric guitar

Why it fits: The set includes everything a beginner needs to start learning immediately (guitar, amp, tuner, cable, picks, strap). Owners describe it as “great for learning” and a solution that gets someone playing without additional purchases.

Assumption to check: The recipient is right-handed (the listing specifies right-hand orientation) and wants a basic starter instrument rather than a high-end upgrade immediately.

The budget-conscious parent buying a first guitar

Why it fits: The package bundles the common starter accessories so you avoid piecing together parts. Buyers repeatedly call it good value for the price and mention the included tuner and extra strings are useful.

Assumption to check: You accept that some items in the kit (notably the amp and gig bag) are basic and may not be durable for heavy transport.

The casual player wanting a spare or travel guitar

Why it fits: Owners say the guitar is light — the listing explicitly describes basswood as a very light wood — and a good throw-around instrument. When used with a separate, higher-quality amp, the guitar can sound noticeably better than the tiny practice amp that ships with it.

Assumption to check: The recipient doesn’t need a road-ready hard case for travel; the included gig bag is serviceable for light use but not heavy touring.

Someone who likes practical, unglamorous gifts

Why it fits: This is a functional present that removes friction for learning an instrument. The kit keeps the initial cost low and includes tangible accessories that feel useful to a beginner.

Assumption to check: The recipient wants to learn and will tolerate a cheap amp and the need for some initial setup and string changes.

What this is not

• Not a pro-level rig: several owners point out the amp and included hardware are inexpensive and aimed at novices.
• Not for left-handed players: listing specifies right-hand orientation.

In daily use

Owners’ day-to-day experiences fall into two consistent patterns: with a bit of setup the guitar plays much better than it initially arrives, and the included amp is enough for practice but not satisfying for performance or tone-focused players.

Playing and setup

Multiple buyers report that a simple setup—lowering the action, adjusting the truss rod and setting intonation at the 12th fret—makes a big difference. Several reviews specifically say that after those adjustments the guitar sounds and plays noticeably better than it did straight out of the box. The listing notes the neck has a fully adjustable truss rod, which enables this kind of tuning and setup work.

Strings that come on low-cost starter guitars are often described in owner feedback as stiff or needing replacement. That’s the case here: buyers advise changing the strings after a short period of learning, and at least one owner mentioned a string breaking within a week (fortunately the kit includes extra strings).

The amp and amplified sound

The listing includes a 10-watt amp with a headphone jack and overdrive. Owners consistently call the amp “cheap” but usable for practice. Common points: it’s small, it can get loud enough for solo practice, the distortion/overdrive works, and it’s not a substitute for a proper gig or studio amp. A few buyers who plugged the guitar into their own amps reported much-improved tone.

One operational snag reported by multiple owners is that some shipped amps reached customers with an internal power connector unplugged; after opening the amp and reconnecting the lead it worked. That’s a repair some buyers were comfortable performing, but it’s a noteworthy quality-control issue to be aware of.

Accessories and packaging

Accessories are generous compared with many starter kits: electronic tuner (vibration-style clip-on unit, which owners say works well for tuning unplugged), cable, picks, strap, whammy bar and stringwinder are all included. The gig bag is described as basic — better than nothing but not ideal for frequent travel or heavy protection. Several owners noted loose packaging inside the outer box during shipping; the good news is most guitars arrived unmarred, though a few buyers reported minor finish chips or peel on protective film/vinyl layers.

Materials & build quality

All material claims below are taken from the product listing.

• Body: Basswood (the listing describes basswood as a very light wood suited to beginners).
• Neck: Maple.
• Fretboard: Rosewood.
• Strings: Listed as nickel.
• Pickups: Three single-coil pickups (pickup configuration shown as “S” in the specs and the listing bullet specifically states 3 single-coil pickups).
• Bridge: Tremolo-style bridge (the listing lists the guitar bridge system as Tremolo and includes a whammy bar in the accessories).

Owner feedback paints a picture of an overall honest budget build: the guitar itself is often praised for its feel and playability after setup, but finish and hardware quality are where the price shows. Specific recurring notes from buyers: occasional chipped headstock finish, vinyl wrap or protective film that peels or creates bubbles (some homeowners weren’t sure whether it was meant to be removed), and basic tuners and hardware that are adequate for practice but may need upgrading later.

For a gift, the guitar’s construction and material list are good selling points—full-size instrument, three-pickup setup, and commonly used tone woods (as listed). But expect the hardware and amp to be entry-level.

Safety considerations

There are no formal safety recalls or certifications mentioned in the listing or in owner notes. Still, a few practical safety and usability flags are worth noting:

• Electrical: A small number of amps arrived with an internal power connector unplugged. Owners fixed this by opening the amp and reconnecting the lead. If the recipient is not comfortable opening electronics, be prepared to return or exchange the amp or have a tech check it. The listing describes a 10-watt amp with headphone jack and overdrive, but does not list electrical safety certifications.
• Finish/edges: Several owners mentioned small chips in the finish (headstock) or peeling vinyl/film. These are not usually hazardous but can be sharp-feeling edges or cosmetic issues on arrival.
• Transport: The included gig bag is basic and not intended as a full protective case for heavy transport. For gifting to someone who will commute with the instrument, consider including a sturdier case or a plan for safer transport.
• Strings and hardware: New strings can snap under tension; owners reported at least one early string break. Extra strings are included, and replacing lower-quality stock strings is a common and simple safety/maintenance step.

Who should skip it

This kit is not a good fit if any of the following are true:

• The recipient is a left-handed player (the listing specifies right-hand orientation).
• The recipient expects a gig-ready or professional-level instrument and amp out of the box. Owner feedback repeatedly emphasizes the amp and accessories are entry-level.
• The gift needs to be a durable travel rig. The included gig bag and hardware are basic; several buyers recommend a hard case or an upgrade if frequent transport is expected.
• You cannot accept the possibility of minor cosmetic imperfections straight from the box (some buyers saw chips or bubbling protective film).

Biggest buying risk: Quality-control and accessory durability. The most common complaints are about the amp (cheap feel, sometimes shipped with internal connector unplugged), strings that aren’t great, and a basic gig bag. If those are dealbreakers for your recipient, consider a higher-tier starter kit or plan to include a modest upgrade (better amp or hard case) with your gift.

Verdict

The Stedman Pro EG39 Beginner Series kit is a practical, budget-friendly starter bundle that gets a lot right for people learning electric guitar: a full-size 39-inch instrument built from commonly used woods (basswood body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard), three single-coil pickups for tonal variety, and a generous set of accessories so the new player can begin immediately. Owners consistently highlight the value proposition and say the guitar plays and sounds much better after a basic setup—truss rod adjustment, lowering action and setting intonation.

Where it falls short is predictable for the price: the included 10-watt amp is useful for practice but not a performance amp and has occasional quality-control issues; strings and some hardware are basic and may need an early refresh; and the gig bag is serviceable but not rugged. For a gift, this is a confident pick for a curious teen, a parent buying an affordable starter, or someone who wants a lightweight spare guitar. It’s a weaker pick if the recipient expects a pro-level package or needs durable transport-ready gear.

Check before you buy (quick checklist)

• Confirm the recipient is right-handed (the listing lists right-hand orientation).
• Be prepared to perform or arrange a basic setup (adjust truss rod, lower action, set intonation) for best playability—owners report this improves the instrument substantially.
• Inspect the amp on arrival—some units shipped with an internal connector unplugged and required opening; if the recipient won’t open electronics, plan for a return/exchange or bring it to a tech.
• Plan to replace the stock strings relatively early if the recipient wants better feel and tuning stability; extra strings are included in the kit.
• Consider adding a sturdier case if you expect frequent transport or rough handling (the included gig bag is basic).

Colors available

• Black
• Metallic Red

These color options are called out in the listing; pick the finish the recipient will like and double-check the product page for current availability.

Final recommendation

Buy this kit if you want a practical, budget-conscious starter gift that includes everything needed to start learning guitar right away and you (or the recipient) are comfortable performing minor setup or swapping a few low-cost parts (strings, possibly the amp later). Maybe skip or supplement this kit if the recipient expects pro-level gear, needs left-handed orientation, or will frequently travel with the instrument without an upgraded case.