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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Cheap Guitar
Posted by: Outlaw2112 Oct 21 2008, 10:32 PM
Im gonna buy my son a cheaper guitar for christmas, and wanted some suggestions... I was thinking an acoustic to start him out on and if he sticks with it move him to an electric..
this is the one i was thinking about getting him
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dean-Playmate-J-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=519942
Posted by: MickeM Oct 21 2008, 11:04 PM
If he's interested in acustics get him an acoustic, if he's more into electric guitars well.. you get my point.
That's at least how I see it. If I had been given an acoustic to start with I don't think I'd been so keen on continue playing since I was looking for mad distrtion 
Just my opinion.
I'm don't know so much about acoustic guitars other than I had a low budget party of guitars to sell but I simply had to return the whole lot since they were so low quality. If I tuned them so open chords sounded right a barré chord was out of tune. If I tuned them to a barré A or even G then open chords were out. So much crap my concience forbid me to sell them out of the simple reason I might sell it to someone looking forward to learn and the guitar I sold took all the fun out of guitar.
$70 is cheap even in the US, right? I get a feeling, based on my own experience, that guitar will not do the job.
I think it's a great idea though and it sounds like fun with a kid who's into guitar 
Posted by: Outlaw2112 Oct 21 2008, 11:10 PM
That's at least how I see it. If I had been given an acoustic to start with I don't think I'd been so keen on continue playing since I was looking for mad distrtion
Just my opinion.
I'm don't know so much about acoustic guitars other than I had a low budget party of guitars to sell but I simply had to return the whole lot since they were so low quality. If I tuned them so open chords sounded right a barré chord was out of tune. If I tuned them to a barré A or even G then open chords were out. So much crap my concience forbid me to sell them out of the simple reason I might sell it to someone looking forward to learn and the guitar I sold took all the fun out of guitar.
$70 is cheap even in the US, right? I get a feeling, based on my own experience, that guitar will not do the job.
I think it's a great idea though and it sounds like fun with a kid who's into guitar
I was just thinking acoustic because at his moms she wouldnt let him use an amp... also it would be practical to carry between both our homes... he is only 7, but he is wanting to get a guitar...
but he also has drums that he doesnt play, a skate board that i took him to lessons for that he doesnt want to ride and a new bike from last christmas that he still hasnt ridden...
He sees me play the guitar and seems interested, so id like to teach him...
I learned the starwars theme and showed it to him and he wanted to learn it, he is a big starwars fan...
Posted by: skennington Oct 22 2008, 01:31 AM
Get him a guitar man! Ask him what he want's, if he want's to be like dad, which I'm sure he does, get the electric. He can practice at mom's with a small practice amp and headphones. Then when he comes over to your house, you guys can have at it. 
I would consider picking him up something used off of craigslist so you don't spend a fortune if he loses interest.
Hope my kids want to play when they get a little older..
Posted by: Guitarman700 Oct 22 2008, 01:40 AM
Ibanez Makes an "RG Mikro" for around $150, and its a great guitar for kids, as well as a nice travel guitar!
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-?sku=518875
Posted by: UncleSkillet Oct 22 2008, 02:08 AM
I would consider picking him up something used off of craigslist so you don't spend a fortune if he loses interest.
Hope my kids want to play when they get a little older..
I totally agree with this.
My son is almost 7yrs old and he likes messing with the acoustic I bought him when he was 4yrs.
But what he really wants is to rock. Electric guitars are easier to play and more relatable to the types of music they hear today (also he is wanting to do what he hears you do). When he hears you play, what he does on his guitar doesn't sound right, so then he wants yours because he want to be like Dad. They will play more and learn to develop their ear and figure out things if they play what sound good to them. 7 is a very good age and children are very creative
The headphone jack on the amp is a great idea for jamming at Moms.
Posted by: Outlaw2112 Oct 22 2008, 03:06 AM
All right, done... Im gonna get him an electric guitar...
thanks for all the advice..
Posted by: UncleSkillet Oct 22 2008, 03:20 AM
Rock on!
Cool!
Might I suggest a smaller scale guitar, which will be easier for him to hold and also less frustrating for him to play.
Fender and Gibson both have some pretty nice combo packages for around $200 US (amp and guitar) for young kids.
Check them out.
Posted by: Outlaw2112 Oct 22 2008, 03:25 AM
I have a little line 6, 15 watt amp he can have so i only need a guitar for him...
Posted by: skennington Oct 22 2008, 03:33 AM
Awsome man, I thought you were to metal to hand him an acoustic.. 
I agree with skillet on the smaller scale. Also look into the Dean Playmate EVO Junior I think it's 22.2 as well.
Nothing else and you want to go with a full scale, call me, i've got a guitar I think would work well for him.
Posted by: besip Oct 22 2008, 05:28 AM
i'm was have couple drinks today 
but i'm have to say..if you play electric all ready so you son will be want use electric guitar also ..buy him electric right to way..actualy i'm start play guitar 1 year ago..and i'm remember 1 thing how every people ofer me first acustic guitar...i'm so glad to don't listem them and start to play right to way on electric...becouse i'm belive thats more easy.........for sure your son is too young to decide what we want for sure but belive me if he see you play electric he will be want have the same guitar soon or later.....
you can also buy guitar what u can use for your self and then also teach him and you booth will be have fun 
but it's is your son and you are the best guy who decide how thats be i'm belive what ever you be right .. and the Santa will be bring him the guitar on his dreams and you and him he will be hapy
good luck
Posted by: Dejan Farkas Oct 22 2008, 09:40 AM
I suggest nylon strings for beginners, especially children.. steel strings may harm their fingers
Posted by: Disturbed21 Oct 25 2008, 12:23 AM
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-?sku=518875
I second this one. I have one. It's all busted up now but it was pretty good. It's small enough for kids too.
Posted by: kjutte Oct 25 2008, 11:08 PM
this is the one i was thinking about getting him
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Dean-Playmate-J-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=519942
Ibanez has a mini serie.
Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Oct 26 2008, 01:24 AM
Well you could go with the electric straightforward May be more appealing to him to so he may stick with playing an instrument..
Posted by: Jesse Oct 26 2008, 05:13 PM
That's wicked, like how I started. My mom had an acoustic like, 30 years old, she thaught me 1 song with just notes. I loved it! Then I got me own little acoustic, then electric kit and so on!!! It was a smaller size acoustic too. Please update us on the kid'simprovement!
I saw that one today!
Posted by: Outlaw2112 Oct 26 2008, 05:50 PM
I saw that one today!
Ill update his improvement... thanks for all the input everyone
Posted by: btrigorivas Oct 26 2008, 08:32 PM
My only advice is that is the biggest mistake to buy a cheap instrument, if the instrument is not good will be harder to play, and well if my opinion if you dont like what youre listening to you will get discouraged and maybe quit playing. Im not telling to get a Martin but for example i think yamahas are great for beginners, you can get a really nice guitar for 300 bucks.
Posted by: Outlaw2112 Nov 8 2008, 02:29 PM
I think im gonna get him this guitar for his first one...
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/reviews?base_pid=518334&page=1&sc=date&so=desc
after doing some research this one seems like a nice one for beginners and the price
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Nov 9 2008, 12:55 AM
Looks good an cheap mate, I would like I had something like that when I was a kid By all means buy
Posted by: Gus Nov 9 2008, 01:26 AM
You just reminded me of what happened to me on the guitar shop another day. I was playing in a closed sound proof room and a mom and a kid asked to see me playing from the inside.
I started playing sultans of swing and I could see how much interested he was.
If electric guitar is what catch him, just give it instead of acoustic. But be sure to watch out for volumes. Kids' ears are much more sensible than ours and even us adults exaggerate on volumes sometimes.. .
Posted by: Outlaw2112 Nov 9 2008, 01:33 AM
I actually went to some pawn shops today and saw this guitar in there for $250
Im probably gonna try to talk them down some and get him this one...
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-MH250NT-Electric-Guitar?sku=516687
Posted by: kaznie_NL Nov 9 2008, 10:30 AM
I'd also say start with acoustic, just like Dejan. Electric is easier, but it's better to start with a harder to play guitar and go easier and easier, that the other way around!
Also, electric guitars are often more expensive, and with kids, it's possible he plays it for two weeks and then stops, you never know! Also, try getting a scaled guitar!
EDIT: don't you think $250 is quit a lot for a first guitar?
Posted by: ChrisVdS Nov 9 2008, 11:07 AM
I bought a guitar for my little brother for his birthday it's an ESP LTD something The price was acceptable for a first guitar 299 euros would be close to 500 dollars. Gus is right tough i gave my brother an electric guitar because he always wanted to make noise with my squier with my amp on full distortion 
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