My 10 year old son got an acoustic guitar last Christmas (a ¾ size Yamaha). He has been taking lessons, and doing very well. Most importantly, he loves to play, and picks up his guitar all the time. The bad news is that he is now bugging us to death for an electric guitar. I have no experience playing guitar, but have read a fair amount recently about buying guitars on various websites. I need some guidance from some experienced axemen. I would like to keep the guitar/amp in the $400 range if possible, but could go higher if the justification is there. As far as musical styles, who knows what he will like over the next few years. I guess you can assume a little bit of everything. Everyone says how the guitar sounds and feels to you is the most important aspect. When the buyer is 10 (soon to be 11), however, that evaluation gets tough. How much can you rely on the salesperson to help? (As an aside, the folks at Rock’n Robin have been very patient and nice to my son whenever he goes in to play). Would it be better to get someone independent like his teacher to help select a guitar or just let him pick what seems good to him? What other guitar stores do you recommend other than RnR? (I live near Rice). New or used? Obviously, you can get more bang for your buck used, but there is no warranty, etc. Should we consider used? Are there any opinions on three new beginners guitars I am looking at? Fender Squier Affinity Stratocaster Yamaha Pacifica 112 Ibanez GRX40 Any other advice is greatly appreciated. Next time, we take up amps.
Get a Squier. Less than $300 and Strat's are about as versatile as guitars get. (Plus, the action on mine is brilliantly close.) Fender has great amps, too--I got mine at Guitar Center for $90.
I bought my son who is 9 years old a Takamine Acoustic Guitar. He also wants an electric guitar, but I am making him wait a little while longer. I really want him to play a couple of more years on it. At 12, I will probably invest in an electric guitar/amp. Probably a Fender Strat to start him off with. But for now we both practice together and he takes lessons on his acoustic. It is fun to see how he has progressed. My parents never could afford it for me.
I would go with the Sqiuer. Make sure the action, the distance between the strings and the fret board, is not too great. A guitar that is easy to play (one with great action) will make it easier to learn on. As for an amp, the Fender Bullet with reverb is a nice amp for a beginner and is not too expensive.
for a practice amp i would get an peavey rage 158, peavey's amps are of good quality and last a long time. and for a good beginner guitar i would go with a squier or a peavey guitar
Squirer are good guitars (my first electric was a lake placid blue Squirer) and they are easy to find used. Like these other guys said, check the action, make sure to find out if all the pickups work right and if it will tune properly or not. Any practice amp by Peavy is good, but have you considered a headphone amp like the Rockman invented by the guitarist from Boston? It will definitely keep things a little quiet in your house. I used one when my children were babies so I could keep my chops up. Just wish it worked for bass.
Have your son identify some guitar players whom he really likes. Obviously, these guys play pretty fancy guitar (unless he likes John Spencer), but you can get guitars with similar features. For example, if your son likes Stevie Ray Vaughn, a Strat or Strat copy is the way to go. If you son prefers the guys from Korn, a 7-string with humbuckers would be the best choice. If you want, just ask your son about some of his favorite bands and I can probably steer you in a similar direction for equipment. A teacher would be a great way to have your son find the right guitar for his playing I would not buy your son a Squier - they're poorly made and have a very low resale value (probably because everyone is always trying to get rid of them). If he's looking for a Strat-style guitar, the Japanese Fender Stratocasters made during the 80s are great guitars and can be had cheap ($300-$400) if you're willing to haggle. The only drawback might be the 80s colors (fluorescent pink was oddly popular). You could then get a cheap practice amp for under $100 (your son will always need a practice amp, but he will never need a "practice guitar").
just go to a pawn shop and get him a used guitar. New guitars are ok but have no character. Find something original for him, not like the other million strats out there
They have decent package deals for things like Fender Squires with an amp, a strap, a chord, etc. Given that he is so young, don't invest much. If he does like it and continues to pursue it, you can easily upgrade over time. I would go with something new just to avoid the problems that used may bring especially if you don't know much about the stuff to begin with.
Like Jeff said, get him a Strat Pack from guitar center. It'll run you probably...300 bucks max. It comes with literally everything he'll need to get started on electric guitar (amp, picks, the guitar itself, tuner, etc). It's your best bet, without a doubt.
Strat pack, Strat pack!!!! that's what I got the wife (and me) a couple of years ago... and we're getting one this week for her brother... as far as the kid... man, I'd make him pay his dues on the 'ol acoustic for a couple of years then let him save up lawn mowing money to get some old used guitar...then he can join a band or two and when he becomes a lot better, help him buy a nice new one... when he hits it big with the right band and goes on to be star, he will have you to thank for toughening up those calloused fingers as he and his band headline the all new TEXAS JAM and rock RELIANT STADIUM!!
Thanks for all the responses. The Strat pack is definitely popular, and an easy way to kill all the birds with one fairly inexpensive stone. I would be comfortable with the guitar but will have to look a little more at the amp situation. MoBalls and rH - yeah, my original plan was to wait a couple of years on the electric (*sounds of Dads laughing*). But he loves playing his guitar so much that I am not too concerned that this will be a passing fad ... I think he has the fever. And he is *threatening* to buy his own guitar - he has some cash from mowing the lawn and good grades (I pay for straight A report cards ). subtomic - last time he was in RnR (I wasn't with him) he evidently played a used Japanese Fender Strat, which he liked best of all the guitars he has played there (but they haven't had a new Squier Strat). I think they are asking $399, but will deal. I would definitely consider it, but would want to know that it is in good shape. Is it true that the resale is good? bamaslammer - I am definitely checking out the headphone angle!
If your son already seems hooked on guitar, then I would definitely consider the Japanese Fender Strat. I would be happy to check it out at RnR on Sunday and give you my opinion. Just post a description of the guitar (color, pickup configuration, etc.) so I can find it. BTW, if you ever buy a used guitar from RnR, I would make a complete set-up part of the final deal. The better the guitar plays, the more your son will enjoy it. And if he doesn't keep up with the guitar, you should be able to sell the guitar for the same amount that you paid for it . In fact, you might even be able to sell it for more than what you pay - Japanese Strats are starting to really increase in value and now is an excellent time to pick one up. Again, you can start out with a small solid-state amp (Crate) for under $100. You could even buy one of those mini-battery amps for $40-$50 bucks, although a real amp is better as it will allow him to play with other musicians as soon as he's ready.
Wait until Guitar Center has their pay no interest for a year sale and then buy him a PRS with a Marshall Stack. Consider it an investment when he becomes the next Jimmy Page.
I got my first electric when I was 12 and, 11 years later, I think I turned out pretty well. I play damn well, I don't play crap music, I'm considerate to my neighbors, and my chop is in wonderful condition. The kid is about to hit puberty, so I'm guessing he's going to want something aggressive. I'd suggest hitting a pawn shop and trying to find an 80s-ish Strat copy with a humbucker. Yamaha and Kramer made a ton of 3/4 Japanese things that are still floating around, I always see them going for 75-bucks, whether it's here in downtown Chicago, or way down south. You don't have to get all Alan Lomax on this thing, don't spend a ton of time, but it might keep him from getting frustrated when he's trying to push it to 11 on a normal Strat copy. My suggestion: A Squire Strat and a Fender Bullet (w/ Reverb). I picked up a Bullet as my second amp about ten years ago, and I still use the little b*stard. Even though it's been my practice amp for eight years, it's seen me through many a change (Smashing Pumpkins boy/punk teen/post-punk teen/bluesy young man ... to the Steve Cropper-ish sound I've been working on since '97 or so). It has a nice thick, metal growl, and a surprisingly warm clean tone. It's loud enough to have suburban neighbors call the cops on his ass, and quiet enough to keep him happy at 11:00 pm -- playing Korn songs when the parents are trying to get to sleep, and while he should have been in bed an hour ago.
You can get him a Squier and a little Fender practice amp easily for under $400 at Guitar Center. Keep checking them for sales and clearances. Do that or start cruising pawn shops. You don't want to spend too much until he proves that he is waaaay into it.
Squire is the way to go... back in '88 or so, my first electric bass was a Squire jazz bass. Over the years as I got better, I upgraded some of the components (better pick-ups, bridge, neck... I think all that is left is the original body) and it sounds like the beefiest, growliest, fretless 70s jazz bass around... and all that after maybe a total of $250 more invested... not too bad when the original bass was about $150. It's one heck of a back up to my Pedulla. As far as practice amps go... get one w/ a headphone jack! He'll be able to use it forever. I still have a little Dean Markley amp (yeah, who knew they made decent amps) w/ a little 6" speaker and a headphone jack. I can play it w/ basses or my electric guitar at night in my apartment w/ the headphones and not piss any of the neighbors off. Lots of small practice amps out there have built-in headphone jacks that work just fine. Of course, you could just cut this silly guitar stuff altogether and get him an upright bass...
