Glarry GL-170 39" Beginner Electric Guitar Kit

Intro

The Glarry GL-170 (listed as a 39" Model 170) is a complete beginner electric guitar kit that ships with the guitar plus a 20W amplifier, gig bag and a handful of accessories. The listing positions it squarely as an all-in-one starter package: a 6-string, right-handed ST-style instrument with an H-S-H pickup layout, tremolo bridge and an amplifier that exposes gain, bass, treble and volume controls. Owners consistently praise the value and playability for the price, but a small pattern of "needs a setup" notes shows you should expect a basic setup or minor adjustments out of the box.

What it is / first look

The kit is sold as a full 39" electric guitar starter set (Model GL-170) and includes the guitar plus the parts you need to start practicing right away. The package explicitly lists: a 39" Electric Guitar, 20W Amplifier, Gig Bag, Strap, Cable, 2 Picks, Spare String Set, Tremolo Arm and a Simple Tool Set. The guitar is right-handed, has six strings and uses an H-S-H pickup configuration (two humbuckers flanking a single coil), with a tremolo bridge system.

On paper and in the listing copy, the instrument blends familiar beginner-friendly specs (comfortable neck, easy controls) with a few details that buyers often look for: a maple top/neck, basswood body, and what the listing calls a laurel fingerboard in the bullet copy. The formal specification fields list the fretboard material as rosewood, so the listing contains both "laurel" (in the feature copy) and "rosewood" (in the spec fields). The manufacturer warranty is listed as 1 year.

Who this is a good gift for

Be specific when matching this to a recipient—this is a practical starter instrument, not a boutique or pro-level axe. Below are the best-fit recipient types and the assumptions behind each match.

The beginner who wants everything in one box

• Why it fits: The kit explicitly includes the amp, cable, gig bag, strap, picks, spare strings and basic tools so a new player can start practicing immediately without sourcing extras.
• Assumption: The recipient wants a full-size 39" guitar and is learning as an adult or older teen (the listing describes it as beginner-friendly for adults).

The returning player who wants a low-cost practice guitar

• Why it fits: Multiple owners report being pleasantly surprised at the feel and action—comments like "shocked how nice this played" and comparisons to entry-level branded models make it a reasonable budget backup.
• Assumption: They want a playable instrument for home practice and don't need a high-end brand or pro-grade electronics.

The teen or college student moving into a dorm

• Why it fits: Compact 39" size, included gig bag, and a small 20W amp make this portable enough for dorms and small rooms.
• Assumption: They are right-handed—this model is listed only as right-handed.

The budget-conscious gift that still looks modern

• Why it fits: The listing calls out stylish finishes (Turn Blue, Ocean, Black-White) and owners frequently compliment the looks along with the value.
• Assumption: You want a visually impactful present that also covers practical needs (amp and accessories).

Small jam or practice-group starter

• Why it fits: The H-S-H pickup layout plus a 20W amp with gain and tone controls gives tonal flexibility for rock, blues and basic lead/clean tones—enough for rehearsal and small jams.
• Assumption: The amp power and tone range meet the recipient's practice needs; it’s not a full PA or stage rig.

In daily use

Owners repeatedly emphasize the surprise factor: for the price and the bundled nature of the kit, many say the guitar "looks and feels awesome" and "plays better than expected." Reports highlight comfortable neck profile and smooth action—phrases like "the frets feel nice" and comparisons to entry-level Ibanez Gio models show the playability is a notable selling point.

What comes in the box and how that affects first sessions

• Included amp: a 20W amplifier that lets you adjust gain, bass, treble and volume. That control set covers basic practice and small jam needs without requiring immediate upgrades.
• Accessories: gig bag, strap, cable, picks, spare strings, tremolo arm and a simple tool kit let the recipient tune, change strings and carry the guitar without buying extras.
• Ready-to-play: the kit is presented as "ready to play"—but be prepared for light setup work (see below).

Setup and common adjustments

Multiple owners mention receiving the guitar in good condition but needing a truss-rod adjustment or minor setup. The repeated feedback pattern is: playable out of the box for many, but a small number of units arrive with neck relief or action that benefits from a basic setup. For a new owner, that usually means a straightforward truss-rod tweak, string height/intonation check and pickup height adjustment. If you don’t do setups yourself, plan to budget a short shop visit or a friendly local player to give it a once-over.

Practice and small-group use

Owners say the amp sounds "really good" for the money and the guitar is versatile because of its H-S-H pickups—two humbuckers and a single-coil in the center. That configuration gives clearer highs and stronger rock tones when you want them, according to the listing's tone claims and owner impressions. Expect it to be fine for bedroom practice, hooking into a small PA for a small jam, or plugging into a practice setup for recording via the amp if the amp supports that workflow (the listing does not specify headphone jacks or direct outputs).

Materials & build quality

The listing provides a straightforward materials rundown and a small inconsistency on the fretboard material that’s worth noting.

• Body: basswood is listed as the body and back material. Basswood is a common choice for budget electric guitars because it balances weight and tonal neutrality.
• Top and neck: maple is listed as the top material type and the neck material type; maple necks are typical and give a stable base for setup.
• Fretboard: the specification field shows "Rosewood" for the fretboard material, while the bullet features text describes a "laurel wood fingerboard." Both appear in the listing, so buyers should expect one of those materials but verify the current product page if the exact fretboard wood matters to you.
• Strings: listed as nickel string material—standard on many electric guitars and a relevant detail if the recipient has a metal sensitivity.
• Hardware: the guitar uses a tremolo bridge system and an H-S-H pickup configuration. The listing does not provide specific hardware brand names or pickup manufacturers.

Owner comments point to good fretwork and comfortable action for the price. Many owners called the finish and setup "very nice" and said the build felt solid for the money. A repeated owner comparison to entry-level branded guitars suggests that, in this price class, build quality and finishing are competitive.

Safety considerations

There are no listing claims about certifications or safety testing for the instrument or amp, so follow normal electrical safety precautions and the manufacturer's documentation when using the amplifier.

• Nickel strings: the listing explicitly states the string material is nickel. If the recipient has a known nickel allergy or sensitivity, verify this and consider replacing the strings with an allergy-friendly option before gifting or offering a warning.
• Electrical use: the kit includes a powered 20W amplifier. The listing describes the amp's controls (gain, bass, treble and volume) but does not state safety certifications, surge protection or recommended usage voltages—so follow the included instructions and standard amp-use precautions.
• Setup risks: owners report needing truss-rod adjustments on some units. Truss-rod work and bridge/tremolo adjustments are normal guitar maintenance actions but can damage the instrument if done incorrectly; recommend a professional setup if you or the recipient are not comfortable performing those adjustments yourself.
• Small parts: the kit contains small accessories (picks, tremolo arm, spare string set, tool kit) that could be a choking hazard for small children. The instrument itself has strings and hardware that can create sharp ends when strings are cut—exercise normal care around children.

Who should skip it

This kit has clear strengths for new players and casual use, but it’s not the right gift in several scenarios.

• Skip if the recipient is a professional or advanced player who expects specific high-end pickups, branded hardware or premium woods—this is positioned as a beginner kit and the listing emphasizes value and completeness rather than boutique components.
• Skip if you need a left-handed instrument—the listing only specifies a right-handed orientation.
• Skip if the recipient has a nickel allergy and you cannot or will not swap strings before gifting—strings are listed as nickel.
• Skip if you expect a fully set-up, gig-ready instrument with zero tweaks—owners report some units will benefit from a truss-rod or setup visit to dial in action and intonation perfectly.

Verdict

As a gift, the Glarry GL-170 39" kit offers a strong value proposition: complete starter setup (guitar, 20W amp, cable, gig bag and accessories), an H-S-H pickup layout for tonal flexibility, and consistent owner praise for playability and looks at its price. The manufacturer backs the product with a 1-year warranty, and multiple owners report being pleasantly surprised by the action and fretwork for the money.

Biggest buying risk: the pattern of owner feedback that a small number of guitars required a truss-rod adjustment or light setup. While most buyers report receiving a ready-to-play instrument, plan on arranging a brief setup if the recipient isn't comfortable doing it themselves. Also note the listing's mixed statements about the fretboard wood (rosewood in the spec fields vs. laurel in the bullet copy) and the presence of nickel strings—both are verifiable on the current product page and worth double-checking before gifting.

Best gift fit: this is an easy, high-confidence pick for a beginner, a returning player who wants a low-cost practice guitar, or a teen/student who needs a compact, ready-to-go kit. It's less suitable as a surprise for someone who needs left-handed instruments, has metal allergies, or demands pro-level hardware.

Check before you buy

• Confirm the advertised fretboard wood on the live listing (specs show rosewood but bullet copy mentions laurel).
• Verify that a right-handed instrument is suitable for your recipient—this model is listed as right-handed only.
• If nickel sensitivity is a concern, check string material (listed as nickel) and plan to replace strings if necessary.
• Plan for a quick setup: many owners recommend checking truss-rod, action and intonation after unboxing.
• Confirm included accessories match your expectations (gig bag, amp, cable, picks and tool set are listed as included components).

Colors available (from listing):

• Turn Blue
• Black-White
• Ocean

Bottom line: For someone who wants a full beginner package that feels and looks above its price class, the GL-170 is an efficient, thoughtful gift—just account for a likely minor setup and double-check the fretboard/strings details if any are dealbreakers.