ELECTRIC GUITAR HELP!

LockeJET · 12-12-2012, 02:43 PM

Any input here is really appreciated.

My 10 year old son wants to start playing. We want to get him one for Xmas. I really know nothing about them. He wants one that is red and white mixed.

I've been looking at these starter bundles that come with the guitar, amp, strap and case. They range from 200-300. I assume these aren't the best quality at that price? Is this a good way to start? Or do I get a used one of better quality and buy the other things seperately? New one? He's never played and I don't mind spending more money if its needed but I feel it's smart to keep the cost down to make sure he likes it.

What is the smart, best way to go here? Thanks for the help!

southside · 12-12-2012, 02:44 PM

Buy him an acoustic.

Borgoguy · 12-12-2012, 02:55 PM

One of the worst ways to introduce a kid to guitar is buying cheap (and cheaply made) instruments. Most likely, they will not be set up correctly (strings set too high which makes pressing the frets for notes difficult and painful), which will frustrate your aspiring musician. This is the most common reason kids quit playing/lessons.

Best advice I can give you is to find a REPUTABLE guitar shop in your area, NOT GUITAR CENTER, which is a factory designed to sell, not instruct. Such a place will be able to guide your decision and, even if you spend a few bucks more, set up the instrument properly with good strings, etc...

If you're looking to purchase via internet, I would direct you to Sweetwater. (http://www.sweetwater.com/) The place is not about selling you something you don't need/want/or can't afford. I've purchased through them and was always assigned a guitar tech who was both fair and instructive. Plus, free shipping both ways and no sales tax.

Good luck. let us know how you make out.

Borgoguy · 12-12-2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southside

Buy him an acoustic.

I was going to include this sentiment in my post. I think everyone should learn on acoustic. Less hassle with plugging in amps, etc.

southside · 12-12-2012, 03:03 PM

Outside of my original suggestion, spend the money on the guitar. Get a cheap amp. Bottom line, this racket isn't cheap. Best way to spend money on a newbie starting out would be to buy something nice, used and then buy a low watt amp for around 50$.

Timmy® · 12-12-2012, 04:08 PM

This is a nice cheap(er) guitar because the pickups are really good. Fender won't admit it, but people have figured out that the Squire Classic Vibe line of pickups are made by Tonerider - a respected manufacturer of entry level
electronics.

Squire is the entry level line of Fender.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StratCV50FR/

LockeJET · 12-12-2012, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borgoguy

One of the worst ways to introduce a kid to guitar is buying cheap (and cheaply made) instruments. Most likely, they will not be set up correctly (strings set too high which makes pressing the frets for notes difficult and painful), which will frustrate your aspiring musician. This is the most common reason kids quit playing/lessons.

Best advice I can give you is to find a REPUTABLE guitar shop in your area, NOT GUITAR CENTER, which is a factory designed to sell, not instruct. Such a place will be able to guide your decision and, even if you spend a few bucks more, set up the instrument properly with good strings, etc...

If you're looking to purchase via internet, I would direct you to Sweetwater. (http://www.sweetwater.com/) The place is not about selling you something you don't need/want/or can't afford. I've purchased through them and was always assigned a guitar tech who was both fair and instructive. Plus, free shipping both ways and no sales tax.

Good luck. let us know how you make out.

Thanks!

LockeJET · 12-12-2012, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy®

This is a nice cheap(er) guitar because the pickups are really good. Fender won't admit it, but people have figured out that the Squire Classic Vibe line of pickups are made by Tonerider - a respected manufacturer of entry level
electronics.

Squire is the entry level line of Fender.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StratCV50FR/

Thanks!

Timmy® · 12-12-2012, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southside

Buy him an acoustic.

in a perfect world this would be great advice - unfortunately, you risk the kid saying f*** this s***, I wanted to play Zeppelin.

jetscc26 · 12-12-2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borgoguy

I was going to include this sentiment in my post. I think everyone should learn on acoustic. Less hassle with plugging in amps, etc.

^^^
Yup...what he said. Also learning on an acoustic first will then make playing an electric feel like cutting butter with a hot knife.

detectivekimble · 12-12-2012, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockeJET

Any input here is really appreciated.

My 10 year old son wants to start playing. We want to get him one for Xmas. I really know nothing about them. He wants one that is red and white mixed.

I've been looking at these starter bundles that come with the guitar, amp, strap and case. They range from 200-300. I assume these aren't the best quality at that price? Is this a good way to start? Or do I get a used one of better quality and buy the other things seperately? New one? He's never played and I don't mind spending more money if its needed but I feel it's smart to keep the cost down to make sure he likes it.

What is the smart, best way to go here? Thanks for the help!

Don't you know Mark Tremonti?

Get him a PRS Tremonti SE and get that ****er signed!

southparkcpa · 12-12-2012, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borgoguy

I was going to include this sentiment in my post. I think everyone should learn on acoustic. Less hassle with plugging in amps, etc.

Agreed. he can learn some KOOL easy Rock tunes. Electric tuners help too.

Examples of 3 and 4 chord open chord tunes he can play quickly are

Lucky Man ELP
Time of your life. green Day
My sweet lord. Harrison

Bunch of Eagles tunes etc.....

PlumberKhan · 12-12-2012, 06:34 PM

Get him a cheap Ibanez and a Gorilla amp.

If he shows genuine interest after a few months, upgrade him.

Sent from a phone using an app

Carlton · 12-12-2012, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlumberKhan

Get him a cheap Ibanez and a Gorilla amp.

If he shows genuine interest after a few months, upgrade him.

Sent from a phone using an app

No drum set?

ubrnostrum · 12-12-2012, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockeJET

Any input here is really appreciated.

My 10 year old son wants to start playing. We want to get him one for Xmas. I really know nothing about them. He wants one that is red and white mixed.

I've been looking at these starter bundles that come with the guitar, amp, strap and case. They range from 200-300. I assume these aren't the best quality at that price? Is this a good way to start? Or do I get a used one of better quality and buy the other things seperately? New one? He's never played and I don't mind spending more money if its needed but I feel it's smart to keep the cost down to make sure he likes it.

What is the smart, best way to go here? Thanks for the help!

I would agree with starting on an acoustic. 200-300$ gets you a decent entry-level instrument. MAKE SURE to get it professionally set up by a reputable shop (not Guitar Center). Professionally I'm a guitar repairman and factories never properly set their guitars up... Doesn't matter how much you spend on the guitar.
Learning the guitar hurts. Until he builds callousses, his fingers will hurt. No escaping that, but a properly setup guitar will help to minimize it by making the guitar easier to play.

Btw, make the electric guitar a reward for sticking with it. He'll like it soooo much more if he already can play it.

WestCoastOffensive · 12-12-2012, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockeJET

Any input here is really appreciated.

My 10 year old son wants to start playing. We want to get him one for Xmas. I really know nothing about them. He wants one that is red and white mixed.

I've been looking at these starter bundles that come with the guitar, amp, strap and case. They range from 200-300. I assume these aren't the best quality at that price? Is this a good way to start? Or do I get a used one of better quality and buy the other things seperately? New one? He's never played and I don't mind spending more money if its needed but I feel it's smart to keep the cost down to make sure he likes it.

What is the smart, best way to go here? Thanks for the help!

Hear me out; for the first few months or years he should have a 3/4 size electric or 3/4 size skinny semi hollow. Kids love to drag their guitars into bed; or while watching TV...mindless strumming is great at that age. Don't forget this is his first rock n roll guitar so buy one that will wear the abuse well.

When he gets into 7th or 8th grade bust him up to full size and he'll be better equipped to make real music.

Happy holidays.

Carlton · 12-12-2012, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestCoastOffensive

Kids love to drag their guitars into bed; or while watching TV...mindless strumming is great at that age.

Not everyone was stoned 24/7 at 10 years of age.

WestCoastOffensive · 12-12-2012, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlton

Not everyone was stoned 24/7 at 10 years of age.

I'm not following your math.

Carlton · 12-12-2012, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WestCoastOffensive

I'm not following your math.

You win... this round.

PlumberKhan · 12-13-2012, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlton

No drum set?

lolz...

I'd never suggest getting a 10 year old a drum set...unless Dad already has a set.

Even I started off playing guitar. They're much cheaper and portable.

12-12-2012, 02:43 PM	#1
LockeJET pooping, but thinking of you! Hall of Fame Charter JI Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 15,957	ELECTRIC GUITAR HELP! Any input here is really appreciated. My 10 year old son wants to start playing. We want to get him one for Xmas. I really know nothing about them. He wants one that is red and white mixed. I've been looking at these starter bundles that come with the guitar, amp, strap and case. They range from 200-300. I assume these aren't the best quality at that price? Is this a good way to start? Or do I get a used one of better quality and buy the other things seperately? New one? He's never played and I don't mind spending more money if its needed but I feel it's smart to keep the cost down to make sure he likes it. What is the smart, best way to go here? Thanks for the help!

12-12-2012, 02:44 PM	#2
southside Forever Awesome All Pro Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 8,884	Buy him an acoustic.

12-12-2012, 02:55 PM	#3
Borgoguy Not one image until my posts are restored. Veteran Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,370	One of the worst ways to introduce a kid to guitar is buying cheap (and cheaply made) instruments. Most likely, they will not be set up correctly (strings set too high which makes pressing the frets for notes difficult and painful), which will frustrate your aspiring musician. This is the most common reason kids quit playing/lessons. Best advice I can give you is to find a REPUTABLE guitar shop in your area, NOT GUITAR CENTER, which is a factory designed to sell, not instruct. Such a place will be able to guide your decision and, even if you spend a few bucks more, set up the instrument properly with good strings, etc... If you're looking to purchase via internet, I would direct you to Sweetwater. (http://www.sweetwater.com/) The place is not about selling you something you don't need/want/or can't afford. I've purchased through them and was always assigned a guitar tech who was both fair and instructive. Plus, free shipping both ways and no sales tax. Good luck. let us know how you make out.

12-12-2012, 03:03 PM	#5
southside Forever Awesome All Pro Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 8,884	Outside of my original suggestion, spend the money on the guitar. Get a cheap amp. Bottom line, this racket isn't cheap. Best way to spend money on a newbie starting out would be to buy something nice, used and then buy a low watt amp for around 50$.

12-12-2012, 04:08 PM	#6
Timmy® JI's own Reverend Jim. Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 23,471	This is a nice cheap(er) guitar because the pickups are really good. Fender won't admit it, but people have figured out that the Squire Classic Vibe line of pickups are made by Tonerider - a respected manufacturer of entry level electronics. Squire is the entry level line of Fender. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StratCV50FR/

12-12-2012, 06:34 PM	#13
PlumberKhan BRACE YOURSELVES FOR 12... Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Van down by the river Posts: 21,013	Get him a cheap Ibanez and a Gorilla amp. If he shows genuine interest after a few months, upgrade him. Sent from a phone using an app