Let's talk guitars

[FlightlessDuck]

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

My MIL bought a Fender FA- 00 in the earli 80's and then willed it to our child who is a music therapist. I find that guitar very easy to play.

 

[CBMom01]

My MIL bought a Fender FA- 00 in the earli 80's and then willed it to our child who is a music therapist. I find that guitar very easy to play.

I almost think "easy to play" is a bad idea for a beginner and here's why:

Eventually, a competent player will be able to handle any standard guitar out there. Better to start out on a standard nylon string classical because if you can play that you can play anything.

 

[huskies90]

Semi professional musician here. I am a bass player but also play guitar. Get a good starter acoustic guitar. Going to a music store makes sense to see what is out there. I can't recommend a specific brand or model because it has been so long since I had friends or relatives who have asked me this question but back in the day, a starter Yamaha acoustic was always a great guitar. If it wasn't a gift, I would recommend finding a cheap used acoustic to start. I still have my first guitar - A used beat up Takamine which I bought over 30 years ago.

The main advice I would give is 1) do not spend tons of money. 2) do not buy an electric guitar. If your daughter takes the time to learn scales and chords on a starter acoustic and sticks with it, she can then upgrade to a better acoustic or move over to an electric. And then having a starter acoustic is always good for taking it places or just to bang around on. Playing guitar is not easy and takes work and dedication. Many people start and give up after a few weeks/months.

 

[huskies90]

I almost think "easy to play" is a bad idea for a beginner and here's why:

Eventually, a competent player will be able to handle any standard guitar out there. Better to start out on a standard nylon string classical because if you can play that you can play anything.

100% correct. That's why you should not start with an electric as I state above. Plus electric will cost more and you need to buy an amp which is another expense.

The only reason I would not recommend a nylon classical is because assuming the OP's daughter wants to eventually move to an electric and/or play more "rock" or "pop" music, a nylon is a very different guitar style. Not a bad way to learn scales, etc., but I find strumming chords on a steel string is a great way to translate what you are learning to songs you know.

 

[Colleen27]

DD13 is getting her first guitar for Christmas this year too, and on the recommendation of a couple of musician friends, I picked up a second-hand Fender Squire for her. She needs an electric, though, because half the reason she asked for it is to get her own copy of Rocksmith after DS23 moved out and took his (and his guitar). Even the guy at the music shop we use for her band stuff said second-hand was the way to go for a kid just starting to get interested, so that's what I did rather than spend more for a new instrument that she might not stick with (she already has a sax that she plays almost every day and a piano she only plays rarely).

 

[sam_gordon]

I went to the music store and got hit by a firehose of information.

They have guitar's starting at $150 and going up to $4000. According to the manager (her parents opened the store in 1967 and she's been running it for decades), she only sells name brand guitars (I don't recognize the names, but I'd probably just recognize Fender and Yamaha-- and that not because of guitars). She also "sets up" every guitar. Something about adjusting the bridge and nut (in addition to tuning) so they're easy to play.

Lessons are available there too. They do rentals ($25/month) for up to three months. I'd be willing to look into this, but it's hard to give a rental as a Christmas gift.

 

[CBMom01]

100% correct. That's why you should not start with an electric as I state above. Plus electric will cost more and you need to buy an amp which is another expense.

The only reason I would not recommend a nylon classical is because assuming the OP's daughter wants to eventually move to an electric and/or play more "rock" or "pop" music, a nylon is a very different guitar style. Not a bad way to learn scales, etc., but I find strumming chords on a steel string is a great way to translate what you are learning to songs you know.

That's a good point. Most 15 year olds don't want to exclusively play fingerstyle folk rock

 

[AaronB]

I'll recommend Yamaha as they make really good quality beginner guitars, both acoustics and electrics. Fender's Squire Classic Vibe series electrics are also great if you go the electric route.

If you do go electric, you will also need an amp, which again Fender has some good cheap amps. BOSS also makes some cheap amps under the Katana line.

 

[DeeBee3]

I myself set out to learn guitar during the covid lockdowns and my husband asked his friend who plays. Electric is supposed to be "easier" because the strings aren't as hard on the fingers. I will say that I am almost 40 and I took piano for many years as a child/teenager. I much prefer to have a person actually teaching me so I haven't been able to get to that part yet. I did some online lessons and there are TONS of YouTube people. Life has sort of got in the way (kids, work, etc) and you really need to practice every day, even if for 10 minutes.

The first week my fingertips were on fire, but it did go away. I hear that is very common.

I think if she has an interest in music, go for it. I do think because of all the finger positions and her body size (assuming still small hands, etc) I would go into the music shop and see what they say. I have small hands and I have really struggled with some of the chords. Will be going for live lessons as soon as I can figure out a schedule.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I agree it’s good to develop a relationship with a local music store and go with what they recommend.

Both my DD and DS started guitar at 10. Lessons with a good teacher cost a fortune but were worth the expense. Initially we got them both acoustic guitars at the music shop (which sold new, affordable ones, meant for kids), as that was what the teacher recommended (as well as the need to develop calluses on the fingers), and the next year, we got them both electric guitars with small amps (also new and affordable from the music shop).

DS didn’t really keep up with his lessons but DD did, and eventually we bought her a really nice Yamaha acoustic guitar that sounds incredibly sweet and beautiful. For a while she was playing a lot and even writing her own music. With the craziness of college, though, she got away from it, but I’ve been encouraging her to pick it up again as a way to relax a bit. It’s a nice hobby to have, and once you learn how to play, you can always go back to it.

 

[pwdebbie]

I agree with those who say to go to a music store. Our local store sells used as well as new. Go with used and then upgrade as needed. Used guitars can be better than new guitars. Oh how I wish our daughter did not sell her father's Yamaha 12-string that he gifted her because she played it every time she visited. Someone got a gem!

 

[OneOftheB's]

Okay, now that I'm home I can tell you that my daughter's instructor is very pleased with the guitar she showed up with- an older Dean acoustic with steel strings. We ended up with it when renters left it behind when they moved. He's a fan of older, used guitars with steel strings for beginners, saying that the older strings have stretched and will stay in tune more easily (Idk if that's true). I found a similar Dean guitar on their website for around $200, but I bet you can find something of a similar quality locally either at the music store, a pawn shop or on Nextdoor or FB with people looking for some extra Christmas cash.

 

[AppleDumpling]

DS has an Ibanez acoustic guitar we got from the local music store, where he also took lessons. They let him try several before buying, however, since he wanted a left-handed model, choices were limited and it had to be special ordered. I’d definitely recommend purchasing from a music store rather than online.

 

[piccolopat]

I recommend you use a local music store and make sure you can exchange it if necessary. Every guitar is different and things like the size of the neck and body can impact what guitar "fits" the individual. Even the strings (such as lights or mediums) recommended for a specific guitar can make a difference for the player.

I think the idea of a rental is a good one. If the rental guitar doesn't work for your daughter, it will probably be easier to trade for another one. If the interest is still there, the store will help pick out a guitar that actually fits her and her style of playing.

By the way, we are long time customers of Sweetwater as are others here. If you know what you want to buy, they are a great online source and their customer service is great.