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Beginner guitar for a kid
Posted on 10/8/24 at 2:52 pm
Posted on 10/8/24 at 2:52 pm
My daughter turns 13 next month and is saying she wants a guitar. I would love for her to learn to play an instrument but also question how committed she will be because she is pretty busy with sports. I unfortunately know nothing about buying/playing instruments so looking for some advice.
What is a good value guitar for a beginner that won't be too expensive in case it doesn't end up getting used?
What is a good value guitar for a beginner that won't be too expensive in case it doesn't end up getting used?
9
Posted on 10/8/24 at 2:59 pm to RandySavage
Posted on 10/8/24 at 4:33 pm to RandySavage
What kind of music does she like? Might make the difference between an electric and an acoustic.
A poster has already linked you an acoustic, so here’s an electric setup you might consider:
LINK
A poster has already linked you an acoustic, so here’s an electric setup you might consider:
LINK
Posted on 10/8/24 at 4:49 pm to shutterspeed
Facebook marketplace is a good place to start, especially if you have a friend to bounce questions off of. A Baby Taylor is a great place to start if looking for something in the 3/4 size range.
Posted on 10/8/24 at 4:56 pm to shutterspeed
Would probably spend a little more and go with this Squier Affinity telecaster bundle.
It's a better guitar and won't have tuning issues.
It has a string through body bridge and a tummy cut for comfort.
They sound pretty good straight out of the box, but they are easy to upgrade when needed.
LINK
With any guitar you buy, you will probably need to take it to a local shop and get a good setup.
I don't know where you live, but if you are around Auburn, I can make some suggestions for a good place to have it setup.
It's a better guitar and won't have tuning issues.
It has a string through body bridge and a tummy cut for comfort.
They sound pretty good straight out of the box, but they are easy to upgrade when needed.
LINK
With any guitar you buy, you will probably need to take it to a local shop and get a good setup.
I don't know where you live, but if you are around Auburn, I can make some suggestions for a good place to have it setup.
This post was edited on 10/8/24 at 5:33 pm
Posted on 10/8/24 at 5:35 pm to auggie
Appreciate the suggestions, she is mostly into country right now. Is tuning/keeping it tuned fairly easy to learn?
Unfortunately we are not in Auburn but Marietta, GA.
Unfortunately we are not in Auburn but Marietta, GA.
Posted on 10/8/24 at 5:52 pm to RandySavage
quote:
Is tuning/keeping it tuned fairly easy to learn?
That bundle that I linked includes an electronic tuner that makes tuning easy.
The guitar bundle that I linked, doesn't have a tremolo bridge, so I think it should stay in tune better than a lower price guitar with a tremolo bridge.
If a kid has a tremolo bridge they are going to overuse it, and it will be out of tune all the time probably.
There are probably some good shops around Marietta, for work and lessons, avoid Guitar Center for this type stuff.
Posted on 10/9/24 at 6:32 am to RandySavage
If electric go USED Squier Classic Vibe 50’s. To 70’s. Whichever one she loves.
Posted on 10/9/24 at 7:46 am to RandySavage
My first was a Danelectro '56 Baratone Vintage
Still play it today. I have raised the bridges a little to play slide, but that guitar has played House of the Rising Sun more than any cover band has. Ever.
Next, get her listening to Allman Brothers Fillmore East.
Still play it today. I have raised the bridges a little to play slide, but that guitar has played House of the Rising Sun more than any cover band has. Ever.
Next, get her listening to Allman Brothers Fillmore East.
Posted on 10/9/24 at 7:53 am to RandySavage
Others might disagree with this, but I might suggest learning ukulele first.
Four strings are easier to start and most of the chord shapes will transfer over when she jumps to guitar.
Four strings are easier to start and most of the chord shapes will transfer over when she jumps to guitar.
Posted on 10/9/24 at 9:45 am to RandySavage
quote:
What is a good value guitar for a beginner that won't be too expensive in case it doesn't end up getting used?
There is nothing worse than learning on a crappy guitar. It will actually dissuade her from wanting to play if its too cheap. I'd go with a PRS. I've played most brands and I think they are the best for the money. Pick up a used PRS. They have them at Sweetwater all the time...
Used PRS at Sweetwater
Posted on 10/9/24 at 9:49 am to RandySavage
Whatever you do, don't give her a steel string acoustic and expect her to take flight. Get her a simple electric with a headphone amp or practice amp. It's much, much easier to play and won't dissuade her up front.
Posted on 10/9/24 at 9:51 am to RandySavage
quote:
she is mostly into country right now.
Give her a telecaster. There are lots of teles and tele-style guitars to choose from at all price points.
Posted on 10/9/24 at 9:58 am to Galactic Inquisitor
M Musi Virgo tele for $249
I picked up one of these new on a whim to keep tuned in open G and absolutely love playing it. I did end up replacing the nut with a Graphtech TUSQ nut, but every thing else is bone stock.
It's a fantastic guitar at that price.
I picked up one of these new on a whim to keep tuned in open G and absolutely love playing it. I did end up replacing the nut with a Graphtech TUSQ nut, but every thing else is bone stock.
It's a fantastic guitar at that price.
Posted on 10/9/24 at 10:30 am to RandySavage
My vote is for a Squier Telecaster as well, and try to get one WITHOUT the top loader bridge.
Top loaders typically sound pingy, cheap and soulless compared to the models that have strings thru the body via ferrules on the back of the body. Look specifically for the six backside string ferrules when shopping.
If budget comes into play, buy a used string-thru before you buy any top loaders new or used.
Top loaders typically sound pingy, cheap and soulless compared to the models that have strings thru the body via ferrules on the back of the body. Look specifically for the six backside string ferrules when shopping.
If budget comes into play, buy a used string-thru before you buy any top loaders new or used.
Posted on 10/9/24 at 10:53 am to TheFretShack
quote:
My vote is for a Squier Telecaster as well, and try to get one WITHOUT the top loader bridge.
Top loaders typically sound pingy, cheap and soulless compared to the models that have strings thru the body via ferrules on the back of the body. Look specifically for the six backside string ferrules when shopping.
If budget comes into play, buy a used string-thru before you buy any top loaders new or used.
That's why I linked the Squier Affinity Telecaster bundle for him. The recent models are string through bodies. I've checked them out, and they are nice guitars. Great value.
I think you can get the bundle with black guitar/red tortoise pickguard, or surf green/white guard. Both look great.
Posted on 10/9/24 at 11:13 am to auggie
Really hard to go wrong with a Squier.
Posted on 10/10/24 at 7:21 am to RandySavage
This is always tough, I lean more toward something nicer if there is a risk that she will get bored quickly with it. Budget guitars essentially have zero resale value, and if she keeps it around she will be less likely to come back to a budget guitar.
Intonation and keeping in tune on cheaper guitars is typically difficult.
Letting her pick something out might yield more staying power as well.
If you do want to go the cheaper route, I would consider a Yamaha or Gretsch. QC for epiphone and squire leaves a lot to be desired…usually can be fixed with a setup, but not only does that cost money and effectively put you in a different price range, those problems sound bad and will make her less likely to play.
Intonation and keeping in tune on cheaper guitars is typically difficult.
Letting her pick something out might yield more staying power as well.
If you do want to go the cheaper route, I would consider a Yamaha or Gretsch. QC for epiphone and squire leaves a lot to be desired…usually can be fixed with a setup, but not only does that cost money and effectively put you in a different price range, those problems sound bad and will make her less likely to play.
Posted on 10/10/24 at 7:44 am to Galactic Inquisitor
quote:
Whatever you do, don't give her a steel string acoustic and expect her to take flight.
I was always much more likely to pull out the acoustic and fiddle around. Nothing to set up with the amp/cords. Can go to any room without lugging anything around. Headphone amps just never did it for me. However, I totally agree that from a playability standpoint, electric is so much easier to play. Got my son a Squier Mini Strat (was only 8 at the time). I have a very small amount of knowledge on setting up a guitar. It took some work to get it set up without spending the purchase price of the guitar on a setup. Not sure if the full size Squier's come out of the box better. A good local shop will likely help with that at purchase vs. a Guitar Center type store. The PRS someone mentioned is probably a pricey intro guitar, but my PRS is amazing for the price. I have a Gibson that's 3 times the cost and only thing I like about it more than the PRS is the semi-hollow body aspect. Has nothing to do with the quality.
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