Ktaxon 170 39in Full-Size Electric Guitar Kit — Starter Package

Intro

This Ktaxon 170 (listed as a 39"/full-size model) is sold as a starter electric guitar kit that bundles the instrument with a 20W practice amp and basic accessories. The listing emphasizes an ergonomic body, an H‑S‑H pickup layout, and a compact practice amp. Owner feedback shows this is a value-oriented kit that works well once it's set up, but a small pattern of complaints around the amp and a few cheap parts is worth noting before you gift it.

What it is / first look

The package is a full electric guitar kit aimed at beginners and buyers who want an out-of-the-box starter instrument. On paper the guitar is a standard full-size electric: a 25.5" scale length, six strings, right-handed orientation, and a tremolo bridge. The listing names the top and back materials as Paulownia, the body as basswood, the neck as maple, and the fretboard as rosewood. The pickups are arranged H‑S‑H (humbucker–single–humbucker), and the string material is listed as nickel.

Included in the kit are the electric guitar itself, a 20W electric guitar amp, a padded gig bag, a shoulder strap, an upgrade cable, a guitar capo, a tremolo arm, a wrench tool, and a plectrum. The listing also notes a 1 year manufacturer warranty.

Dimensions in the listing are 38.2" x 11.8" x 1.65" (item dimensions / instrument size). The amp supports a 1/4" jack connector and the listing calls out MP3/headphone support for the amp in the feature bullets.

Who this is a good gift for

This section is practical—name the kind of recipients who will get the most out of this kit and what assumptions must be true for it to be a good fit.

The curious teen picking up guitar for the first time

Why it fits: the kit bundles a full-size instrument, amp, bag, strap and basic accessories so a new player can start practicing right away. Owner feedback repeatedly calls it a "perfect starter set" and a budget way to try guitar without committing to a pro instrument. Assumption: the teen has access to a quiet place to practice and someone who can help with the initial setup or will accept a little tinkering.

The casual adult who wants a practice guitar

Why it fits: owners who keep a second guitar for practice or for a dedicated rehearsal space appreciated having an inexpensive full-size instrument they won't worry about transporting or dinging. Assumption: the recipient is comfortable doing basic setup (string changes, basic intonation/action adjustments) or will pay a tech to set it up.

The gift for a hands-on beginner who likes to tinker

Why it fits: multiple owner notes say the guitar benefits a lot from a fresh string change, a conditioned fingerboard and a simple setup; people who enjoy tweaking instruments to find a comfortable action will get more value from this kit. Assumption: the recipient wants a project and won't be frustrated if it isn't perfect out of the box.

The parent buying a first electric for a child/teen

Why it fits: the kit includes the core accessories—amp, bag, strap—so it’s an all-in-one solution and easier to gift than a standalone instrument. Assumption: the child is ready for a full-size instrument (25.5" scale) or the parent has checked the fit first.

In daily use

Expect a learning curve between the out-of-the-box condition and a playable daily instrument. Owner experience is consistent: the guitar is usable for home practice and casual playing after a basic setup. Multiple buyers report it stays in tune reasonably well once tuned and adjusted, and the neck is described as comfortable when smoothed or conditioned.

Sound and tone: the listing calls out H‑S‑H pickups and the owners say the guitar produces a versatile enough range for pop and rock—clean and distorted tones both get comments. Buyers running it through better amps or software find it sounds better, which is common with budget guitars: the pickup layout is flexible, but the listing itself does not claim pro-grade electronics.

Amp and practice use: the package includes a 20W amplifier described by the listing as suitable for home practice, rehearsal, performance and recording, with headphone and MP3 output capability. Owner feedback is mixed to negative about the amp—some call the amp serviceable for beginners, others say the amp is "pretty much worthless" and one owner reports the amp burned on first use. That small but serious complaint is the main reliability concern in daily use.

Playability: owners mention that the frets and tuners are better than expected for the price, though the tremolo/bridge is called out as a cheap component by several buyers. Many owners recommend replacing the factory strings right away and doing a basic setup (intonation, action, fingerboard conditioning) to get the best feel and staying power. After those adjustments owners report good value and fun practice time.

Materials & build quality

What the listing lists: Top material is Paulownia wood, body material is basswood, back is Paulownia, neck is maple, and the fretboard material is rosewood. The bridge system is a tremolo and the pickups are H‑S‑H. The string material is listed as nickel and the connector type is a 1/4" jack. A one-year manufacturer warranty is included according to the listing.

How that translates to real-world feel: buyers consistently call the overall package good for the money. Positive owner themes praise surprising craftsmanship in areas like frets and tuners for the price, and describe the neck as comfortable once conditioned. The repeated caveat is that you "get what you pay for": certain hardware parts—particularly the bridge/tremolo and the bundled amp—feel inexpensive and are the usual weak points.

Finish and cosmetics: the listing highlights a lacquered appearance and ergonomic styling. Owners specifically liked the colorways (several called out the gradient/tiger finishes positively) and said the guitar looks stylish for a budget instrument. The listing provides several color options, which are useful if color matters to the recipient.

Safety considerations

Electrical safety: the amp is the single safety-related item that drew real owner alarm—there is at least one report of the amp burning on first use. The listing does not include independent safety certifications for the amp and doesn't provide technical details (voltage, fuse details, thermal protection). That means you should treat the amp as a low-cost practice amp: inspect it, avoid unattended high-volume use, and consider headphone practice or plugging the guitar into an existing, trusted amp if you have one.

Mechanical safety: owner notes about rough spots on the neck or fret ends were solvable by light sanding; several owners smoothed the neck/fretboard themselves. The listing does not specify fret dressing or setup at the factory, so a basic inspection and setup is prudent to avoid sharp fret ends or rough spots that could irritate hands.

Packaging and small parts: the kit includes small accessories—capo, plectrum, wrench tool, tremolo arm, and a cable. The listing doesn't provide choking-age guidance; if gifting to young children (under typical toy-choking ages) be mindful that small removable parts exist. The listing also lists a one-year manufacturer warranty—use that if any hardware fails early.

Who should skip it

• Players who need a reliable gig-ready setup out of the box — if the recipient plans to play frequent live shows or depends on a dependable stage rig, this kit is too budget-oriented and parts like the bridge and amp are not professional-grade.
• Buyers who don't want to perform or pay for any setup — several owners say the guitar benefits significantly from a string change and setup; if the gift recipient won't accept any initial tinkering, choose a pre-setup instrument from a shop.
• People who need a high-quality bundled amp — owner feedback includes an amp failure and several comments calling the amp weak. If a good amp is important, plan to buy a separate practice amp or use an existing amp.

Verdict

This Ktaxon 170 full-size electric guitar kit is a practical, budget-first starter instrument that hits its target: a complete package for beginners and casual players who don't want to invest heavily up front. The listing-backed highlights are a full-size 25.5" scale, an H‑S‑H pickup arrangement for tonal flexibility, and a bundled 20W amp with headphone/MP3 outputs. Owner experience reinforces the "great value" message if you're willing to do a modest setup (new strings, fingerboard conditioning, intonation) and to treat the amp as a low-end practice unit.

Buy it if: you need a complete starter kit you can gift that will let someone begin practicing immediately, and you or the recipient are comfortable performing or paying for a basic setup. Skip it if you need pro-level reliability, a high-quality amp, or a guitar that is perfect fresh from the box.

Check before you buy

• Confirm the color choice — the listing offers multiple finishes; the recipient may have a strong color preference.
• Plan for setup — expect to replace factory strings and do basic intonation/action adjustments or budget for a shop setup.
• Inspect the amp on first power-up — the listing includes a 20W amp, but owner feedback flags at least one amp failure; test it with headphones and keep the receipt/warranty info.
• Ask if the recipient already owns an amp or prefers a particular pickup/bridge setup — this kit is full-size with a tremolo bridge and H‑S‑H pickups (listed specs).
• Note the one-year manufacturer warranty listed in the product details — keep warranty documentation handy if anything appears faulty.

Colors available

The listing lists these finishes: Gradient Purple, Matte Black, Black, Brown Sunburst, Tiger Black, Tiger Green, and White. Choose the finish that matches the recipient’s style—owners frequently praised the gradient and tiger finishes for looking more costly than the price suggests.

Final thoughts for gift shoppers

As a gift, this Ktaxon kit is a confident "main gift" for someone starting guitar who enjoys hands-on gear and doesn't expect a pro-level instrument at purchase. The bundled accessories make wrapping and giving simpler than assembling separate parts. If you want a worry-free, gig-ready present for a more advanced player, choose a higher-tier instrument and amp. For a curious beginner or a teen who'll accept a bit of setup, this product hits the sweet spot between affordability and usefulness.