Question for the guitarists.

[black roadster]

My youngest son (about to turn eleven) loves playing with his uncle's electric guitar. He is saving his money to get his own. We went to guitar center and got a bunch of sales pitches.

What should he get as a first guitar? He's saving for this himself and so cost is a consideration. Any package deals that are good?

[blackzx3_13]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ and Guitar Center are good places to look. As far as beginner brands, Epiphone and Squier are both good brands that are also the less expensive versions of some quality instruments. (Gibson and Fender). HERE are several great combos. I'm partial to Les Pauls, but thats just me. Most of these combos are aimed at the beginner guitarist, and come with instructional DVD's. musiciansfriend also has reviews for nearly all of these, and Guitar Center should also carry most of these combos as well.

[Billy Blaze]

I started out with a fender telecaster thinline 1972 model (used)
GREAT GUITAR, but my point is that I never played it for a couple of reasons.
1st my folks didn't buy me the amp to go with it.
2nd I had a teacher (the one lesson I took) who tried to make me play an F chord....that's hard for an 11 year old to do.

package deals are usually junk. if you think he will be serious about it, then get him a nice rig (amp and Guitar) if he chooses electric.

If he chooses that acoustic is the better way to go then there are just as many things to consider. (wood, electronics if any, action tuners etc)

Bottom line there is really no easy answer to the question BUT, if you want I could meet you guys at guitar center in Arlington and check out the guitars with you so that you don't get taken. Probably can get it at cost too.
I would do this gladly as I lost about 12 years of wanting to play that I wish I could have back.
If you have the right tools to work with at the start, then it's just up to you what you do with it.

[cone-cerned]

Like Billy, I lost some time by buying a junk guitar at first. It was so hard to play and sounded so bad that I lost interest for a while. You usually get what you pay for. Try to talk him into waiting until he can buy something worth having.

I prefer playing acoustic, but I still love to listen to electric. The gas guitar was so complicated that it just didn't catch on.

I didn't get a good guitar until I had my first real job after college. I don't play much now, but I still have a nice guitar when I feel like playing.

[black roadster]

Thanks Guys!

Billy, I may take you up on that when he gets ready to buy. I think a decent beginner guitar is the way to go and maybe pick up a decent small amp at a pawn shop or something.

[Billy Blaze]

just let me know and I will help you out.
on the amp another suggestion is to get one with built in effects, that will keep his interest up...being able to get different tones.

[Treibenschnell]

Thanks Guys!

Billy, I may take you up on that when he gets ready to buy. I think a decent beginner guitar is the way to go and maybe pick up a decent small amp at a pawn shop or something.

First off, you'll never get a good deal on a beginner guitar at a pawn shop.

Second, get him a Washburn WI 14. It's probably one of the best beginner guitars out there... better made and better materials then a Squier or a bottom end Epi, but still a helluva deal at about $150. I've got one along with my high end Schecter and Epiphone guitars and many other races of basses.

If worse comes to worse, an quality yet inexpensive acoustic would be the way to go. Just as Billy mentioned, you wouldn't have to worry about an amp and such plus he'd always have plenty of volume on his own.

If you'd like, you can come by the house and check out the guitars/basses and see what your kid likes.

[icepenguin66]

My first guitar was a Fender Squire for say $50 practically new.