Guitar Suggestions

paulocon

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the right place to ask...

My 10 year old has mentioned several times that he'd like a guitar. Having never learned how to play any instrument when I was young and regretted it since, it is something that I would like to encourage.

Just looking for suggestions on a basic beginner guitar. Given that he's only 10, I don't want anything extravagant. If it's something he develops an interest in, I would buy something decent at that stage.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

EddyC15

paulocon wrote: »

I don't want anything extravagant. If it's something he develops an interest in, I would buy something decent at that stage.

Question answered right there.

One thing I would suggest is to make sure that the guitar is the right size for him. If it's too big he won't be able to play it comfortably and may lose interest quite quickly.

Also, nylon strings are easier to play than steel strings.

Are you looking for actual examples of guitars for him or general info?

CianRyan

A 3/4 size classical guitar may be a good place to start as he is only little.
here's and example.

You'd be best of going around the guitar shops in your area/city and letting him try loads of guitars to see which suits him best.
Don't worry about him not being able to play anything on them, getting one the just feels right is VERY important for the first guitar. One that doesn't suit him could just put him off guitar all together.

quicklickpaddy

For a first guitar, especially with a ten year old, letting them play it first isn't going to make any difference as they don't know what they are looking for. If he see's the Bart Simpson guitar (shudder) he'll want. As somebody who teaches 10 year old's guitar PLEASE go out and buy the guitar in a guitar shop. Don't buy it in Smyths or Argos and don't use one you found in somebodies attic. Go to a guitar shop and say it's for a beginner ten year old - they will point you in the right direction and it will be by far the best value for your money.

Edit: They will probably point you towards a 3/4 size nylon string guitar as mentioned above - I'm just saying make sure you don't buy/acquire something unplayable which is what the vast majority of kids seem to end up with!

clonmahon

This was the subject of a recent thread
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056465994

clonmahon

Nylon string classical guitars have wide necks and don't stay in tune very well. I would recommend a 3/4 size steel string acoustic guitar. Your looking for one with low action (the strings are close to the fret board), fit light gauge strings and tune it a half or full step flat, until the player develops some hard skin on their fretting fingers, then tune it up to standard tuning. I would budget 100 to 150 euro to get this kind of guitar.

D1stant

clonmahon wrote: »

Nylon string classical guitars have wide necks and don't stay in tune very well. I would recommend a 3/4 size steel string acoustic guitar. Your looking for one with low action (the strings are close to the fret board), fit light gauge strings and tune it a half or full step flat, until the player develops some hard skin on their fretting fingers, then tune it up to standard tuning. I would budget 100 to 150 euro to get this kind of guitar.

Whether the guitar is classical or steel string doesnt affect tuning stability - that is more related to the guitar quality.

Id agree to start him with a classical 3/4. And enroll him in lessons with an experienced teacher

Keyzer

Get something decent and don't buy crap - what's your budget on this?

No point in spending a fortune until he becomes addicted to guitars and playing guitars like the rest of us.

Wait until he gets GAS - its incurable...

paulocon

Folks,

Thanks for all the very helpful replies.

From reading here, it seems I'd be better off leaving it until after Christmas and maybe bringing him to a few shops to have a proper look. With the expense of Christmas, budget would be limited and stretched for time so maybe best wait a month or two and get something that is both suitable and within budget!