Finding high-quality guitar VST plugins and libraries can be challenging, especially if you’re working on a budget. But the good news is, there are some fantastic free guitar VSTs and libraries available for producers. Whether you’re working on genres like hip-hop, lo-fi, EDM, or ambient, these plugins will help you add rich guitar tones to your tracks. Here’s a list of the best free guitar VSTs and libraries you can download in 2024.
Table of contents:
- Stella by Venus Fury (Decent Sampler) (FREE)
- Vinyl Guitar 2 by Echo Sound Works (FREE)
- Classic Guitar Lite by Quiet Music (FREE)
- Ample Guitar Lite II (FREE)
- Ample Bass P Lite (FREE)
- Electric Labs Guitars By Spitfire (FREE)
- Solaris by Quiet Music (FREE)
- Haunted Guitar Lite by Electronic Sound Lab (FREE)
- Foundations Nylon Guitar by Heavyocity (FREE)
- Shreddage Stratus Free by Impact Soundworks (FREE)
- Slooply: A Hub for High-Quality Guitar Samples (FREE/PAID)
- Conclusion
Stella by Venus Fury (Decent Sampler) (FREE)
The Stella Library by Venus Fury is available through the Decent Sampler, a free platform for hosting instrument libraries. The library features atmospheric, ambient guitar sounds, perfect for producers who want to create soft and cinematic soundscapes. This library is free to use, and it includes several presets along with customizable effects, allowing you to tailor the sound to your liking.
Why You Need It:
- Great for ambient and atmospheric music.
- Free access via Decent Sampler.
- Easily customizable effects for unique tones.
Vinyl Guitar 2 by Echo Sound Works (FREE)
Vinyl Guitar 2 brings a lo-fi and nostalgic feel, ideal for chill-out, trap, and hip-hop production. This VST includes 10 multi-sampled acoustic guitars, giving you a broad range of stylized presets to work with. It includes 25 different presets and additional effect options for detailed tweaking.
Why You Need It:
- Perfect for lo-fi, chillout, and nostalgic vibes.
- 25 high-quality presets for quick inspiration.
- Customizable effects for unique tones.
Classic Guitar Lite by Quiet Music (FREE)
Classic Guitar Lite is a Spanish guitar VST that offers a multi-sampled, high-quality acoustic guitar. Although it’s the free “Lite” version, it still comes with a decent selection of presets that capture the authentic tones of a Spanish guitar. The plugin is available for both Windows and Mac users, making it an accessible option for producers working across different platforms.
Why You Need It:
- Authentic Spanish guitar sound.
- Ideal for lo-fi, ambient, and classical projects.
- Free and easy to use for both Windows and Mac.
Ample Guitar Lite II (FREE)
Ample Guitar Lite II is widely considered one of the best free guitar VSTs available. It offers realistic guitar strumming and picking patterns, with an intuitive interface that includes a strumming tab, effects, and various settings. The sound quality is impressive for a free plugin, making it a must-have for producers who need authentic guitar sounds without breaking the bank.
Why You Need It:
- High-quality guitar tones for free.
- Excellent for strumming and picking patterns.
- Includes numerous effects and customization options.
Ample Bass P Lite (FREE)
If you’re looking for a solid bass guitar VST, Ample Bass P Lite is an excellent choice. Like its guitar counterpart, this plugin delivers realistic bass tones with several customization options. Its interface is similar to Ample Guitar Lite II, making it easy to navigate.
Why You Need It:
- Realistic bass guitar tones for free.
- Complements the guitar VSTs for a full sound palette.
- Simple, intuitive interface.
Electric Labs Guitars By Spitfire (FREE)
Spitfire Audio Labs is known for its extensive library of high-quality, free instruments. Their Labs guitar section offers a variety of options, from steel and nylon strings to unique instruments like the Moon Guitar. These free guitar libraries are perfect for creating atmospheric and textured guitar sounds in your music.
Why You Need It:
- A wide range of guitar options, all for free.
- High-quality sound typical of Spitfire Audio.
- Perfect for cinematic, ambient, and experimental music.
Solaris by Quiet Music (FREE)
Solaris is another lo-fi and ambient guitar VST plugin that offers electric guitar sounds suited for various genres, including trap, hip-hop, ambient, and chillout. The plugin comes with a variety of presets, and its sounds are designed to evoke a calm and atmospheric mood.
Why You Need It:
- Perfect for ambient, lo-fi, and chillout genres.
- Atmospheric electric guitar sounds.
- Versatile across multiple genres.
Haunted Guitar Lite by Electronic Sound Lab (FREE)
Haunted Guitar Lite is a multi-sampled Fender Stratocaster VST that focuses on dark, eerie, and spooky guitar tones. Each preset contains high-quality samples processed with various effects to create haunting sounds. This VST is ideal for producers looking to add an unsettling or mysterious element to their tracks.
Why You Need It:
- Unique spooky and dark guitar tones.
- Ideal for cinematic, horror, or ambient projects.
- Easy to use with customizable settings.
Foundations Nylon Guitar by Heavyocity (FREE)
Heavyocity’s Foundations Nylon Guitar delivers rich, organic nylon guitar tones. While it may not always be available due to updates, it is worth keeping an eye out for its return. The instrument is designed to work in the free Kontakt player, and offers a unique tonal palette for those seeking high-quality nylon guitar sounds.
Why You Need It:
- Organic nylon guitar tones.
- Perfect for cinematic, classical, or ambient projects.
- Works with the free Kontakt player.
Shreddage Stratus Free by Impact Soundworks (FREE)
Shreddage Stratus Free is a standout electric guitar sample library that runs in the free version of Kontakt. It features a wide range of electric guitar tones, from clean to heavily distorted, making it a versatile tool for rock, metal, and blues producers. While it’s free, donations are appreciated if you wish to support the developers.
Why You Need It:
- A versatile electric guitar library.
- Works in the free Kontakt player.
- Suitable for various genres, including rock and blues.
Slooply: A Hub for High-Quality Guitar Samples (FREE/PAID)
If you’re looking to expand your sound palette with some unique guitar samples, Slooply.com is a fantastic resource. Whether you’re working on trap beats, jazz compositions, or house tracks, Slooply offers a wide range of guitar loops and samples to suit any genre.
From crisp, clean acoustic guitar loops to atmospheric electric riffs, Slooply provides top-notch sounds that can inspire your creativity or add the perfect finishing touch to your production. Best of all, every sound on the platform is 100% royalty-free, giving you peace of mind when using them in your projects.
Conclusion
The world of free guitar VSTs is vast, offering producers a wide range of sounds and tones to experiment with, without spending a dime. From acoustic strumming to haunting electric tones, there’s a free plugin or library for every producer, regardless of the genre you’re working in. Be sure to explore these options and see which ones fit your next project best.
For those looking to expand beyond the free realm, there are also paid options that offer even more depth and quality. But as far as free plugins go, the ones listed above will give you plenty of creative fuel for your music production.