ELECTRIC GUITAR HELP!

[LockeJET]

Thanks for the help everyone! And yes he will be taking lessons.

[Guitarjet]

My .02 FWIW:

Get the kid a decent electric and a decent small amp While I spend the majority of my time and gigs playing acoustic guitar. it is easier for a new player to be able to play songs quicker on an electric. The shape of the neck action and string tension make it just easier. Young people want to see results fast or they will get bored quickly and top playing. Once they learn some chords and riffs on the electric its off to the races. Try learning a G chord on and acoustic or and F Barre chord on acoustic vs electric. Big difference.

The Fender Squires are decent guitars, for a bit more money the Fender Mexican (Standard) Strat, Tele are great guitars, that if, the player loses interest, you can resell on craigslist for almost what you bought it for. The PRS SE series for a bit more are THE BEST BUY ON THE MARKET. The CNC work on these are tremendous. I have an American PRS and SE's are really very close in quality.

As to amps, get a Fender or Peavey. If you can find one with at least 10 inch speaker, 12 is preferable. Anything smaller sounds like crap. Tube amp will cost more bucks but provide more tone, a good solid state amp will be just fine.

If you can take a player with ya shopping - they will make sure the guitar is "set up" properly. For easier playing have them put .09 gauge strings on - makes it easier to play and do things ling string bends, pull offs which make learnng fun. Again just my .02...... Good luck and I wish the new playa lots of fun!!

[Warfish]

Originally Posted by Guitarjet

My .02 FWIW:

Get the kid a decent electric and a decent small amp While I spend the majority of my time and gigs playing acoustic guitar. it is easier for a new player to be able to play songs quicker on an electric. The shape of the neck action and string tension make it just easier. Young people want to see results fast or they will get bored quickly and top playing. Once they learn some chords and riffs on the electric its off to the races. Try learning a G chord on and acoustic or and F Barre chord on acoustic vs electric. Big difference.

The Fender Squires are decent guitars, for a bit more money the Fender Mexican (Standard) Strat, Tele are great guitars, that if, the player loses interest, you can resell on craigslist for almost what you bought it for. The PRS SE series for a bit more are THE BEST BUY ON THE MARKET. The CNC work on these are tremendous. I have an American PRS and SE's are really very close in quality.

As to amps, get a Fender or Peavey. If you can find one with at least 10 inch speaker, 12 is preferable. Anything smaller sounds like crap. Tube amp will cost more bucks but provide more tone, a good solid state amp will be just fine.

If you can take a player with ya shopping - they will make sure the guitar is "set up" properly. For easier playing have them put .09 gauge strings on - makes it easier to play and do things ling string bends, pull offs which make learnng fun. Again just my .02...... Good luck and I wish the new playa lots of fun!!

Whoo hoo, vindication!!!

(I posted almost the exact same suggestion myself, but I'm a hack player, you're (if I recall) not, you're a real player).

[WestCoastOffensive]

Originally Posted by JetFan - ATL

Not going to do better than this: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone...62-i2101226.gc
Nice amp to go with: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-M...30-i1557505.gc
My personal picks. Craigslist is always a goldmine for used gear.

I'm ordering one; mamma mia that's a nice axe

[dickkotite]

well im gonna check out those prs cheapos after what u two freaks said

[dickkotite]

heres what you should do:

1. Buy an acoustic
2. Raise the action
3. Install 12 gauge strings
4. Glue glen campbell sideburns on son

Once his fingers have permanent scars and the bleeding has slowed down to a reasonable drip, determine if youve tortured him enough and then decide if he has passed the test to move up to a cheap electric

[Borgoguy]

Originally Posted by WestCoastOffensive

I'm ordering one; mamma mia that's a nice axe

Two P-90s in that thing, WCO. For $89!? On principle, I might need to buy one, too.

[Timmy®]

I'm seeing basic humbuckers, p-90's, and strat single coils. We need to know what kind of music the kid likes to play. Whenever I see a young kid
blasting away at guitar center, it's usually on humbuckers.

Oddly, I've never known a young kid to like P-90s. I like them now, their grungy fuzziness scratches new lines in my brain.

[Borgoguy]

Originally Posted by Timmy®

I'm seeing basic humbuckers, p-90's, and strat single coils. We need to know what kind of music the kid likes to play. Whenever I see a young kid
blasting away at guitar center, it's usually on humbuckers.

Oddly, I've never known a young kid to like P-90s. I like them now, their grungy fuzziness scratches new lines in my brain.

As a 10 year-old, I played some of the worst garbage you can imagine. One was a Sears Silvertone which cut my fingers to ribbons.

And feedback? Hum? Forget about it.

[32green]

Originally Posted by Timmy®

their grungy fuzziness scratches new lines in my brain.

Thats the Pinot Grigio.

-

[detectivekimble]

Originally Posted by Warfish

My advice:

1. No acoustic. In a perfect world, it's the rght choice. In the real world, they're harder to play physicly, less "cool" sounding, and less fun overall to a noobie player.

2. Most name-brand cheap guitars today are of a quality vastly superior to any other time in Guitar production. Entry level instruments today are not throwaways or disposable anymore, and can last a lifetime of play (or at least till snobbism kicks in).

3. Cheap Amps are also available that are full of options and add ons and fun stuff to help foster and maintain interest. Digital modeling amps may not be artist-grade, but they're cheap, and offer a trillion sounds and effects at a price point of almost nothing.

With these said, my specific suggestions:



PRS Mark Tremonti SE. $545.00

Made overseas to reach this price point, but of absolute high-quality in both construction and electronics. PRS doesn't make bad guitars, and their SE line of imports are not just great players, they are so good many players never bother to move on to "better" more expensive guitars. Can't go wrong for this price point.



Fender "Blacktop" Stratocaster. $445.00

Also made outside the U.S. (indonesia I think), it's not of the same quality as the PRS, but it's still exceedingly solid for a first instrument, is as iconic as they come, and is as easy to learn on as any guitar you will find. There is a reason almost every player as they get older winds up playing Strats, they're just so well designed they're "easier" to play on, very helpful for a new player.



Peavy "Vypyr" 15 Watt Modeling Amp. $99.00

Not for veteran players, but a great, many-optioned practice amp for a noob, with a ton of sounds and effects to play around with and inspire, and a price point that cannot be beat. Dirt cheap, sold as a rock, no tubes or other fancy stuff a noob can't appreciate anyway, and again, not a penny more than required.



Fender Mustang I 20 Watt Amp. $109.99

Same theory as above, Fender name (Fender Amps are win all around, even the cheapies).

Total Investment, a reasonable $600-700 dollars total (including strap and tuner and a few picks, all cheap items). Guitars that are lifetime worthy, and resellable if the interest fades away. Cheap tossaway amps that fill the need.

I would also consider the "short scale" small body guitars other have mentioned (as I now re-read the OP and realize "10 year old" is still kinda smallish. It's a personal decision, the short-scale will be a throwaway once they hit about 14 or so. These here may be harder to play at 10, but will last forever.

Best of luck.


Wish my parents had bought me the PRS when I was a kid, sadly they didn't exist back then.

Warfish is right. PRS Tremonti SE...or PRS SE 245.

http://www.prsguitars.com/se245/

[RazorJet]

I recommend a Nylon string acoustic and classical lessons for about 6 months and then reward him for his growing interest with a good quality, preowned electric. As for Amps, you can start him on a variety of mini amps that are all under $100.

[Guitarjet]

Originally Posted by dickkotite

well im gonna check out those prs cheapos after what u two freaks said

Once you play one, you will want it. Also, P90's, single coils, strat switching, tele, etc, they have models with all combinations. My favorite is the SE Santana.

[Guitarjet]

Originally Posted by Borgoguy

As a 10 year-old, I played some of the worst garbage you can imagine. One was a Sears Silvertone which cut my fingers to ribbons.

And feedback? Hum? Forget about it.

I hd a Sears Silvertone Stack as my first amp. 2 6L6's and 2x12 in the cabinet. My mom bought it at a garage sale, Played a 72 tele deluxe through it. WHole rig cost $400 back in '73. Sold the tele when I turned 18 for $250. BIG ****ING MISTAKE

[Guitarjet]

Originally Posted by Borgoguy

Two P-90s in that thing, WCO. For $89!? On principle, I might need to buy one, too.

The pick-ups alone are almost worth that

[Timmy®]

Originally Posted by Guitarjet

The pick-ups alone are almost worth that

were (are) you the guy here that worked for Gibson?

[Borgoguy]

Originally Posted by Guitarjet

I hd a Sears Silvertone Stack as my first amp. 2 6L6's and 2x12 in the cabinet. My mom bought it at a garage sale, Played a 72 tele deluxe through it. WHole rig cost $400 back in '73. Sold the tele when I turned 18 for $250. BIG ****ING MISTAKE

As a Xmas gift, I asked for the Silvertone guitar and amp (smaller than yours; had one speaker). Right out of the old Sears catalog. Must have been '67-'68.

A few years ago, I found out that folks actually seek out those old Silvertone instruments and amps. Who knew? It sat in my old bedroom for years before I chucked it out.

Originally Posted by Guitarjet

The pick-ups alone are almost worth that

I know. That's a crazy price.

[Timmy®]

Originally Posted by Borgoguy

A few years ago, I found out that folks actually seek out those old Silvertone instruments and amps. Who knew? It sat in my old bedroom for years before I chucked it out.



.

This airline guitar was sold at Montgomery Wards, I want one bad. Unforunately they go for $1200 to $2000.

[Warfish]

Originally Posted by Guitarjet

Once you play one, you will want it. Also, P90's, single coils, strat switching, tele, etc, they have models with all combinations. My favorite is the SE Santana.

I may have mentioned, my #1 is a PRS 20th Ann. USA Mira with P-90's. Love it so very much. P-90 sound is just awesome, and different enough from buckers or singles to be worth it.

[Borgoguy]

Originally Posted by Timmy®

This airline guitar was sold at Montgomery Wards, I want one bad. Unforunately they go for $1200 to $2000.

Looks like an uglier version of a Casino, maybe? Sick what these instruments go for today. Most probably wound up in landfills.