Wasn't sure where to put this.

My friend's 10 yr old boy wants to take lessons from me. She asked for my opinion on what kind of guitar to get. I haven't a clue. Any parents out there with a suggestion? Not sure whether electric or acoustic. 3/4 or full size.

I would think a 3/4 size would be best. My son is 11 and that's what he is starting on. An electric is probably easier on small tender fingers than an acoustic. If the child sticks with it of course one of each would be ideal.

If my son sticks with it I'll get him a Baby Taylor. He is learning on a small Aria. Fender makes some small electrics as well.

I would go for a small scale, but real sized electric, like a Squier Duo Sonic.
http://www.interstatemusic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_900521984?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product&utm_campaign=gbase&gclid=CMyN-M_l1qkCFYRd5Qod4URmNw

We tend to forget that a beginner doesn't have much of a reach and a smaller child even less so. Also, they won't have the finger strength to push down the strings if they are struggling to make the chord shape. I discovered this with my 11 year old and purposely chose a 3/4 size guitar. The last thing I want is for him to get discouraged and give up because he can't make a chord, etc.

What ever you choose, try to make it easy on him. Maybe have him try some out. C and F chords are difficult for beginner, especially smaller hands.

I would think a 3/4 size would be best. My son is 11 and that's what he is starting on. An electric is probably easier on small tender fingers than an acoustic. If the child sticks with it of course one of each would be ideal.

If my son sticks with it I'll get him a Baby Taylor. He is learning on a small Aria. Fender makes some small electrics as well.

For my 11 year daughter old I went with a 3/4 squier strat - bright red helps. I agree that electric is more stimulating and easier than acoustic. I worked on teh action to get it low and easy and O have been teaching chord fragments to her for songs she likes - best yet is Lennon's Imagine. I did do a thread here at the time (around January 2011) and got a lot of suggestions all pulling in different directions!!

For my 11 year daughter old I went with a 3/4 squier strat - bright red helps. I agree that electric is more stimulating and easier than acoustic. I worked on teh action to get it low and easy and O have been teaching chord fragments to her for songs she likes - best yet is Lennon's Imagine. I did do a thread here at the time (around January 2011) and got a lot of suggestions all pulling in different directions!!


i agree with the 3/4 strat.

Here is the right kid's guitar size

YouTube - ‪[Guitar] Cha Sun Chong et al. - "Our Kindergarten Teacher" {DPRK Music}‬‏ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE7waNi5dc0)

I ask the same question and got this. I thought it was funny.

Didn't show up like it did on my thread, but click it and watch. Pretty good kids.

I agree with the 3/4 strat as well.

those 3/4 Strats are great for kids. +1.

My 7 year old likes my danelectro. It's light and she can strum away playing skip to my Lou.
I like danos! They're 'real', they're totally functional, and they're cool! A nice change from the squier...which usually are quite heavyweight....and kind of generic.

The mini electric guitars are generally rather poor...unless u go for a chiquita travel guitar..they tune to 440hz and are a great instrument.

I would go for a small scale, but real sized electric, like a Squier Duo Sonic.
http://www.interstatemusic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_900521984?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product&utm_campaign=gbase&gclid=CMyN-M_l1qkCFYRd5Qod4URmNw

A good option.

Epiphone Pee-Wee.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5314/5878914412_9a3b7f9b53.jpg

That picture is just too cute!

Here is mine.

a 10 yr old can handle a yamaha model 112..

Avoid anything from a department store.

Here is the ONLY correct answer...

One that he will play. If he doesn't like it for ANY reason, it's a waste of time. It will sit there unused.

If he wants to be a shredder and you get him a nylon string classical, it won't get used. However, if you buy him an Ibanez (full style or I've seen 3/4 at GC) and show him Vai playing his Ibanez (or a Strat and SRV, you get the idea), he will want to emulate his idol(s) so it will get played.

At that age they are sponges and can either learn slowly or so fast you'd think they were taken over by alien entities.

I recommend the classical cause its a good leaner, But Jeff brings up an even more valid point of interest level.

I hate to say it, but (if it were the case) I would get my child a Maestro (whathaveyou) 60 dollar plank, set it up sweet and as playable as can be, put decent strings on it. If they do well and their interest starts budding, see if they notice the tone differences at all. If they do, or when they do. I would then go into 3/4's or a short scale like a Duo sonic, or a Jagmaster, or a mustang, spend up to $250 on it.

Baby taylor - hands down

my little girl has been playing a 3/4 size left-handed strat made by SX. I am impressed with the guitar.

The nice thing about electrics is that effects are fun, and kids practice when its fun.

I started when I was 11 on one of my friends full sized acoustic that I had borrowed. After I stuck with it my parents bought me a fullsized Washburn G30 about a year later. I still love that guitar 7 years later. By learning on acoustic the electric guitar was so easy to play 3 or 4 years later.

Here is the ONLY correct answer...

One that he will play. If he doesn't like it for ANY reason, it's a waste of time. It will sit there unused.

If he wants to be a shredder and you get him a nylon string classical, it won't get used. However, if you buy him an Ibanez (full style or I've seen 3/4 at GC) and show him Vai playing his Ibanez (or a Strat and SRV, you get the idea), he will want to emulate his idol(s) so it will get played.

At that age they are sponges and can either learn slowly or so fast you'd think they were taken over by alien entities.

A Big Plus One to JeffO on this one!!!

That picture is just too cute!

Here is mine.

Oh wow, does he look like his mother or what?!:D
Great pic! Thanks.

Oh wow, does he look like his mother or what?!:D
Great pic! Thanks.

I've decided the biggest dckis in the world say GOOD THING HE/SHE LOOKS LIKE HIS MOTHER.

I've also figured out most of these jackweeds DON'T have kids, and if there is a God, that's because they can't reproduce.

I'll give you a Mulligan on this one, Michiel, but if you ever say it again you fall into this category.

I've decided the biggest dckis in the world say GOOD THING HE/SHE LOOKS LIKE HIS MOTHER.

I've also figured out most of these jackweeds DON'T have kids, and if there is a God, that's because they can't reproduce.

I'll give you a Mulligan on this one, Michiel, but if you ever say it again you fall into this category.

ROTFL & thanks for the mulligan :D

Just struck me how much he does tho.
No hidden anglo-saxxon eufemisms here!

Here is the ONLY correct answer...

One that he will play. If he doesn't like it for ANY reason, it's a waste of time. It will sit there unused.

If he wants to be a shredder and you get him a nylon string classical, it won't get used. However, if you buy him an Ibanez (full style or I've seen 3/4 at GC) and show him Vai playing his Ibanez (or a Strat and SRV, you get the idea), he will want to emulate his idol(s) so it will get played.

At that age they are sponges and can either learn slowly or so fast you'd think they were taken over by alien entities.

well i have to disagree with this .
my grandson has a ibanez electric i gave him. but he cant do anything with it in school where he takes his lessons. so i got him na ibanez acoustic. . guess what. hes got an a grade in music class. now he can practice there. without having to tote an amp.

We tend to forget that a beginner doesn't have much of a reach and a smaller child even less so. Also, they won't have the finger strength to push down the strings if they are struggling to make the chord shape. I discovered this with my 11 year old and purposely chose a 3/4 size guitar. The last thing I want is for him to get discouraged and give up because he can't make a chord, etc.

What ever you choose, try to make it easy on him. Maybe have him try some out. C and F chords are difficult for beginner, especially smaller hands.

I have to agree,

I got a guitar when i was about 9 or 10. but it was a full size classical + very wide neck + thick strings + small hands = frustrated kid, guitar in closet and 35 years of time to reconsider.

I got my son one of the 3/4 Squier Strats after looking at a few others. VERY nice easy to play!

I've had the Baby Taylors, and if yu have to go the acoustic route that's probably the one. But Like a lot of others have said electric is easier way to start - was for me anyway.

Oh wow, does he look like his mother or what?!:D
Great pic! Thanks.

Thank you! I think my daughter also takes after me, mostly. She plays piano beautifully.

Jeff is right. Buy the kid a 3/4 size guitar that he likes. If he doesn't like it, it won't get played and he'll give up.

Here is the ONLY correct answer...

One that he will play. If he doesn't like it for ANY reason, it's a waste of time. It will sit there unused.

If he wants to be a shredder and you get him a nylon string classical, it won't get used. However, if you buy him an Ibanez (full style or I've seen 3/4 at GC) and show him Vai playing his Ibanez (or a Strat and SRV, you get the idea), he will want to emulate his idol(s) so it will get played.

At that age they are sponges and can either learn slowly or so fast you'd think they were taken over by alien entities.

Forger what I said about buying the 3/4 strat like I did for my daughter, I made a huge mistake. Jeff you are uncategorically WRONG when you say buy a guitar that he/she will play! - I should have bought a full size beautiful white falcon - a guitar that I WILL PLAY!!!

yours, unselfishly

spree

i promise you, there is no better guitar for a child than the squier classic vibe duo sonic.
it has a 22 inch scale, and a finished fretboard. therefore it is so ridiculously easy to play, and all the frets are extremely easy to play.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8687/dscf0020hw8.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php%3Ff%3D6%26t%3D12445%26start%3D75&usg=__S9cr32ugPYxLW66QutHxKmh0vD8=&h=1280&w=960&sz=231&hl=en&start=0&sig2=BH5viYDn5M-T75aGNyvRXw&zoom=1&tbnid=DfU4LetjhjZZjM:&tbnh=146&tbnw=125&ei=NikKTrS2A-S00AGFp9CmAQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsquier%2Bduo%2Bsonic%26um%3D1%26hl%3D en%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1B3GGGL_enUS319US 319%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D645%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=806&vpy=257&dur=1914&hovh=259&hovw=194&tx=76&ty=162&page=1&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:11,s:0&biw=1280&bih=645

i have one that i absolutely love, and if i ever have a child, that is the guitar i am giving them.

http://www.guitarvillage.co.uk/admin/pages/upload/Fender/Squier/FenderSquier_Duosonic_m.jpg

i found personal for a 10 Y old al these guitars to expensive , maybe next week he will be wanting something different .


I say give him a classical 50 $ GUITAR or e little acoustic model .