Electric Guitar for a 7 year old?

[MickeyMom2Boys]

The one thing my son is asking for this Christmas is an electric guitar. Can anyone recommend a good brand for a 7 year old? I don't want to spend a fortune, but want it to be descent - something he can start taking lessons with and see how he likes it.

TIA!!

 

[smkiya]

My dd6 just started taking guitar lessons in September. Her instructor recommended the Fender Squier Mini. He said it's the best for kids and she'll get several years out of it. It was only $99, but I had to buy an amp, case, cable, and picks so an additional $75. She really loves it, and has already learned to play the Itsy Bitsy Spider and read music.

 

[smkiya]

Musicians Friend an online site that seems to be the best for music purchases and usually has coupon codes floating around. They also offer free shipping and no sales tax. Their prices are great on everything, I got my amp for $25!

I also checked into the resale value on craigslist (in case dd changes her mind) and it is VERY good!

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

Thank you so much for the recommendation! This looks like a good pick for him. What kind of Amp did you get? Do you recommend any books in particular to get him started? I am going to sign him up for lessons, but with a new baby due right around Christmas, that my have to wait a month or two.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

I got a Fender Starcaster 3/4-size guitar for a steal ($55) on Overstock.com. They don't have them right now though. The Squire Mini was another we looked at. Definitely get a smaller size instead of the standard. I also got a practice amp on Overstock as well.

My son started with Progressive Guitar Method for Young Beginners by Andrew Scott and Gary Turner. The book is very easy to understand and it also comes with a play along CD and DVD.

 

[smkiya]

This is the amp I got:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rogue-10W-1x6.5-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=620299

This is the case:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Mini-Gig-Bag?sku=540037

The music school she attends provides the books. I would probably wait until he actually starts lessons before investing in books. My daughter had to learn the correct way to hold the guitar and the strings, and if you get a good instructor they'll modify the learning according to your sons particular learning style. Wait until they suggest books, they may provide them for you too. She loves it, but sometimes it's a chore getting her to practice each night....

ETA: At her last lesson she started with playing Itsy Bitsy Spider and the instructor took the notes away. She continued playing the rest of the song by memory. That was a great feeling!!!

 

[hollieplus2]

My DS10 wants an electric guitar for x-mas as well. He wants lessons too but that can wait until after the first of the year. I found a Gibson Maestco at a music shop that was $179 I think. It came with the amp, strap and guitar. The other one I'm looking at is on Amazon and it's the Epiphone EP Special II Les Paul. It's $169 but doens't come with the amp or strap. I was told both were good options for a boy his age and he would get a couple years out of it. If anyone has any other suggestions I would love to know also. I don't want to spend a lot but I want something decent for him.

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

I completely forgot to take into consideration that my DS is a lefty. I'm guessing that will narrow down my choices a bit

 

[AllesonWonderland]

I completely forgot to take into consideration that my DS is a lefty. I'm guessing that will narrow down my choices a bit

Not necessarily! My DS is a lefty too, so at first I was searching out LH guitars. A friend that works at a music store suggested we go in and just hand him a guitar, neck straight up and down, and then see which way he tried to play it. He tilted it as a right-hander would. My buddy went on to explain that if he could learn to play right-handed, it might be easier and more enjoyable for him in the long run. (Cost of LH guitars, being in situations where someone just hands you a guitar and you can't play it because it's RH, etc.) Now, there are some who just can't do it, but so far-so good with my son. (And he does everything else left-handed, writes, plays golf/sports, etc.)

Good luck!