Starter guitar for teen?

[robinb]

My 14-year old DD wants to quit orchestra next year and take guitar instead. My DH, the music guy, doesn't care as long as she still continues instruction in some kind of musical instrument. She plays the viola now and I am worried that the guitar might be some kind of "flash in the pan" for her so I was thinking about getting her a "starter" guitar to play around with before she has to sign up for next year's High School classes. I don't want to spend a fortune on a guitar. Does anyone have any suggestions in the $100-$125 range?

 

[Debbie7452]

I got this one for my nephew a long time ago. I didn't think it was going to be that great based on the price, but it was all I could afford. He loved it for many years until he stepped on it and broke it. He still says it was his favorite gift of all time. It had good sound according to him.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/6-string-full-size-acoustic-guitar/5015519.p?id=1218597269256&skuId=5015519&st=categoryid$pcmcat151600050003&cp=1&lp=1

 

[bjscheel]

My brother owns a guitar shop and he got DD12 set up with a Johnson guitar. I think it was close to that price range. It is blue and is 3/4 size which is plenty big for her.

He's about 3 hours away from Madison, WI so I figure that's a bit far for me to try to send you his way

 

[wiigirl]

My brother owns a guitar shop and he got DD12 set up with a Johnson guitar. I think it was close to that price range. It is blue and is 3/4 size which is plenty big for her.

He's about 3 hours away from Madison, WI so I figure that's a bit far for me to try to send you his way

 

[wdwjeffc37]

I just got my DD 12 a guitar. I got it from Guitar Center on-line. It was about 60 bucks. It gets pretty good reviews on the site and I checked with a guitar playing friend and he said it was a good starter for someone who wasn't sure about playing. Which is my daughter, her mind changes a lot. It's a pretty instrument and seems to be well made; stays in tune pretty well. My friend says it can be made easier to play by having some work done on the nut and maybe changing the strings, etc. The 200.00 Yamaha is a better guitar but I wasn't ready to get in that deep right now. I figure a 200.00 investment is not too bad if she sticks with it. If not, I'm only out 60.00.

 

[robinb]

I just got my DD 12 a guitar. I got it from Guitar Center on-line. It was about 60 bucks. It gets pretty good reviews on the site and I checked with a guitar playing friend and he said it was a good starter for someone who wasn't sure about playing. Which is my daughter, her mind changes a lot. It's a pretty instrument and seems to be well made; stays in tune pretty well. My friend says it can be made easier to play by having some work done on the nut and maybe changing the strings, etc. The 200.00 Yamaha is a better guitar but I wasn't ready to get in that deep right now. I figure a 200.00 investment is not too bad if she sticks with it. If not, I'm only out 60.00.

We have a Guitar Center here in Madison! Do you remember the name of the guitar?

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

When my son wanted to play we bought a Jasmine full sized off of Amazon. His guitar teacher said it had a really good sound for a $100 guitar. He only lasted about 6 months and quit.

 

[Pooh2]

We have a Guitar Center here in Madison! Do you remember the name of the guitar?

I just bought guitar at Guitar Center. I had never been there before but was impressed with the customer service. When I first walked in, I was a bit skeptical as it seemed so chaotic and very busy on a Sunday afternoon.

They have an acoustic guitar room with tons of selections and price points. A salesman spent quite a bit of time with us to find the right guitar.

I would take your daughter over, tell the salesperson the price range. Having a guitar that is comfortable for her size will make a big difference in her enthusiasm.
My son bought himself a guitar at Best Buy a few years back. It was so cheap and hard to play, for a little bit more, we got him one at a local guitar store that was much better quality.

Good luck!

 

[crisi]

See what you can get used. If you know any musicians, ask. If you know musicians well, one may even have a spare guitar they can loan you for a few months while she decides if its for her.

Try a second hand place - we have Music Go Round here. Ask the guitar instructor, someone else just had a twelve year old it didn't "stick" for with a guitar lying around.

I've had two guitar instructors tell me kids who start with electric guitars tend to have more success - they can get noise out of it easier without hurting their fingers so much - once you develop the callouses on your fingertips, its moot.