Guitar Help - For daughter

[BigBlueDodge]

So my daughter has decided that she want's to learn to play the guitar. She's 12yr old. I'm looking for input on where best to look. I'd like to get a decent one, not the best, but not the cheapest. Can anyone recommend brands/models? Thanks.

[deadpass]

i'd suggest getting a smaller steel string acoustic for a few reasons. 1. they're cheapist, about 150 and you can get a decent one. 2. that's all you need, well that and a tuner. 3. while it may be more difficult at first to learn how to fret, she won't have a frame of reference so once she can do the chord shapes on an acoustic, electrics will be a breeze.

[ACDCROCKS]

Don't buy Johnson or Act 1. Go to a local Music store, or online like musiccenter.com or musiciansfriend.com. Fender makes a Squier strat with a 15 watt Amp, book, tuner etc for about $200ish. As soon as you know it she'll sound like David Gimour or Stevie Ray! :).

[BigBlueDodge]

Thanks for the help. I looked at the Musiciansfriend.com site and saw a couple kits that looked reasonable close together and within my price range ($300-$400). I'm looking for some feedback from those more in the know

Ibanez IJX121 Metal Guitar Jumpstart Package $299
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-IJX121Metal-Guitar-Jumpstart-Package?sku=518877

Squier Strat Electric Guitar Pak $279.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Strat-Electric-Guitar-Pak?sku=519633

Squier Affinity Fat Strat Pak $279.99
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Affinity-Fat-Strat-Pak?sku=512070

Epiphone Les Paul Special II Player Pack $199
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Special-II-Player-Pack?sku=518677

Judging from the reviews, the Ibanez got the best reviews followed by the Epiphone.

So my next issue is thinking if these kits are the way to go? I'm wondering if it is better and to just buy her a decent guitar and and amp, and forego the cheezy headphones, tuners, etc. I'm trying to draw the anology to what I see in photography. We've all see these photo kits on eBay where they sell you all kinds of stuff, like a crappy CF card, a lens pen, some basic lens, a crappy bag etc. While they may look good to the new photography user, in reality they are a waste of their money.

I've been looking and it looks like you could get a decent electric guitar for $250-300. Beginner amp looks to be an additional $75-100. So, for approximately $100 more than these kits, it looks as thought I might get a better quality setup. Would this be the way to go? (I'm thinking it might). I guess what I'm asking, is for those of you that are knowledgeable with guitars. If I gave you $400 and told you to get the best you could get with it on a guitar and amp, what would you come back with.

[KevC]

Guitar is hot =)

Check out harmonycentral.com The forums there are quite nice.

I agree, start with an acoustic. However, I'm sure she can also learn on an electric, just focus on technique and training before getting too addicted to buying goodies (fx pedals, pickups, amps, etc etc).

If you decide to go electric, first decide if you want a Gibson or Fender sound. A strat is pretty versitile, but some people just love Les Pauls.

I'd buy from http://www.rondomusic.net/

Agile Les Paul copies are amazing for their price!

//edit: Amps that come with kits or that cost <$200ish generally sound terrible. I know I'm an audiophile but it's really true, even "normal" people with "normal" ears knows it doesn't sound good. Of course, practise amps are just that... for practise. But every time I've practised guitar, I didn't even bother plugging in the amp. You can hear yourself quite well if you're in your own room and it's quiet. IMHO, practise amps are quite useless.

I'd say buy a guitar. Leave the amp until she gets good, and spend some cash on a nice tube one. It may sound like a lot of money, but when she's rocking out like Hendrix, she deserves a good amp. Good luck!

The nice thing about guitar is that there are SO many awesome guitar videos out there, does so much for inspiration!

[ACDCROCKS]

feel is very important. Take your daughter to the music store and have her try out a few guitars, don't be afraid :)

[chucksberg]

"feel is very important. Take your daughter to the music store and have her try out a few guitars"
What kind of guitar does she want to play? My son started around 12 at school, soon got an acoustic, I think it's and Aria, Korean made, good sound for about 400 dollars. He picked it out, about a year later, A Fender Strat, Fender amp, assorted pedals....

If she doesn't like it or it doesn't sound good, she won't stick with it.

Good musical instruments are like L glass, you can sell for a small loss if she looses interest.

[belmondo]

Unless she has a strong desire to go electric, I'd certainly start her out on an acoustic guitar. When she's just getting started, it will be far more important for her to learn to play well before she has the means to play loudly. It will also make the experience far more bearable for you.