Let's talk guitars

[sam_gordon]

DD (15) has asked for a guitar for Christmas. I'm not against it, but know very little about musical instruments. I'm not sure where to start researching. No, she doesn't know how to play, but says she wants to learn. I'm not against spending decent money, but don't want to spend decent money and then she uses is for a week or two and then it turns into more clutter in the house.

So, any recommendations? Future SiL (who has a couple of guitars) suggests this: https://www.amazon.com/Donner-Acous...aWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&th=1 (or similar).

There is a music store in town that I think offers lessons & used gear, but I really don't even know what questions to ask.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

TIA

 

[mjkacmom]

My husband is a BIG guitar guy (spends hours looking them up online), he always suggests a fender squire for beginners.

 

[OneOftheB's]

I would go to the music store, I’ve heard that many of the Amazon instruments (of all varieties) are of iffy quality. You would probably be better off buying a used, higher quality guitar locally. You also might find one at a pawn shop- that’s what my daughters instructor suggested if my daughter is interested in an electric guitar.

 

[sam_gordon]

My husband is a BIG guitar guy (spends hours looking them up online), he always suggests a fender squire for beginners.

If I searched correctly, those are electric guitars, right?

 

[soccerdad72]

My son (21) also decided for whatever reason that he wanted to learn guitar. In talking to some of his friends who have played for years, they recommended to him an Ibanez electric guitar (and a small amp). I'm not sure why he decided electric over acoustic, but he's been practicing in his room most nights the past few months and it's actually not been very loud. I'm sure it could be , but he's able to keep it at a pretty reasonable level.

As far as learning, I think he's just been watching a lot of YouTube videos and talking with his friends. He actually sounds pretty good, all things considered. He has some musical background (he was a sax player for years in middle/high school), so that probably helped.

 

[mjkacmom]

If I searched correctly, those are electric guitars, right?

Edited to change my response, yes electric, he said either fender squire or Gibson epiphone. Apparently our daughter has the squire, she taught herself hand has paid performances (she’s very musical, taught herself the piano too).

 

[sam_gordon]

No acoustic, I’ll ask about electric and amp.

OK. I know the difference between the two, guessing DD wants an acoustic.

 

[PollyannaMom]

My brother is a musician and music teacher. I texted him your post, and he says: "You want the Daisy Rock brand, as it's contract manufactured by one of the most respected names in the biz, Schecter."

Here is a link.

He also said there is a newer line of Fender guitars aimed at teens that are pretty affordable. (And that's definitely a name I've heard.) He wasn't sure about the Squire, though, as far as where it was manufactured.

 

[mjkacmom]

OK. I know the difference between the two, guessing DD wants an acoustic.

There is an acoustic fender squire, I’ll ask him again when he gets out of a meeting. He was so disappointed I was asking for someone online, he was so excited to think someone we know IRL might want to talk to him about guitars. A friend called me once and told me she need to talk to DH about guitars, it was actually to set up a birthday surprise for me, he was so bummed.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

DH buys his bass guitars from Sweetwater.com . Great customer service.

 

[NMBCFangirl]

Musical household here as well. We also use Sweetwater. Just got myself a new keyboard for Xmas and husband buys a LOT there. They really do have wonderful customer service.

 

[mjkacmom]

DH said this is what he would buy for a teenager https://www.musiciansfriend.com/gui...MI5MuPz9HF9AIVwYBbCh2tXQUUEAQYAyABEgL4o_D_BwE

 

[_19disnA]

I would go to a local music store and see what options they offer. They might have used guitars someone traded in when upgrading. Some places probably also rent guitars in addition to offering lessons which might be a way to go until she stays interested long enough to actually own one. Renting is also good since it won't end up sitting in a closet if she decides next year that she and her friends now want to join the soccer team instead.

She will need to take lessons to learn how to play it. Not something she can just learn on her own.

 

[CBMom01]

I strongly recommend the Yamaha C40. It’s a nylon string classical guitar which is a great place to start. It’s a fantastic value for the $$.

 

[mjkacmom]

I strongly recommend the Yamaha C40. It’s a nylon string classical guitar which is a great place to start. It’s a fantastic value for the $$.

DH bought our daughter one last year.

 

[mjkacmom]

My brother is a musician and music teacher. I texted him your post, and he says: "You want the Daisy Rock brand, as it's contract manufactured by one of the most respected names in the biz, Schecter."

Here is a link.

He also said there is a newer line of Fender guitars aimed at teens that are pretty affordable. (And that's definitely a name I've heard.) He wasn't sure about the Squire, though, as far as where it was manufactured.

All of these inexpensive name brand guitars are manufactured overseas (Indonesia?).

 

[CBMom01]

All of these inexpensive name brand guitars are manufactured overseas (Indonesia?).

My favorite guitar wes factory produced in Asia. No beginner needs a Gibson hand made in the US.

ETA: Gibson Epiphones are factory produced overseas and many of them are fantastic values compared to their Gibson counterparts

 

[CBMom01]

My brother is a musician and music teacher. I texted him your post, and he says: "You want the Daisy Rock brand, as it's contract manufactured by one of the most respected names in the biz, Schecter."

Here is a link.

He also said there is a newer line of Fender guitars aimed at teens that are pretty affordable. (And that's definitely a name I've heard.) He wasn't sure about the Squire, though, as far as where it was manufactured.

I know a number of people who like those acoustic fenders for beginners but I’m also blanking on the model name

 

[CBMom01]

Also, I’ve learned to play 5 instruments in my life and guitar is by far the most complicated to learn because there are so many different “options” for how/what to learn and bad habits are haaaaaard to break. It’s like golf that way. A good teacher at the beginning is invaluable.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

My husband is a BIG guitar guy (spends hours looking them up online), he always suggests a fender squire for beginners.

YEEEES. An electric is a better idea for a beginner because the action (how hard you have to press the strings down) is so much lower on an electric guitar. Squire or Epiphone is a good choice.

Even if OP's daughter wants to play acoustic long-run, an electric is SOOO much easier to learn on.