moonlight Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 My ds9 is just starting guitar lessons. What should I look for while selecting a guitar? I'm thinking an acoustic guitar with nylon strings, but that's as far as I've gotten. Does anyone have advice or ideas for good beginner guitars? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southernm Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I would go to a music store and have him fitted. They will tell you the best size and type. We are renting ours. It's 65 dollars for 3 months! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 You don't want the cheapest one out there. You want one with nice geared tuning pegs that will hold a tune. Also, an adjustable neck. He should put his hands on it and feel it out. Look for one that is slimmer in body, a big folk guitar is hard to get your arms around if you are a smaller person/child/youth. Strum and listen - some people prefer high and bright tones, others lower and more mellow. I would look for one with lower action, ie, the strings are not too high off the neck; that makes it easier for the new player to press the strings firmly to the wood. If you are taking classical lessons you want nylon strings. If not, light bronze strings are a good alternative for a beginner. I wouldn't worry about what sort of wood for a beginner - if he sticks with it he will later choose a finer model with specific details he likes. Around here Ibanez and Mitchell have been good starter brands in the $150-$225 range. ETA - I think Fender also makes some good lower end models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 We bought a Yamaha. It was a bit over $300. You want to sit down and hold a guitar. There are so many sizes and shapes. I had to play at least a dozen before deciding on the perfect one for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellyGirl Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 How big is he, and how much do you want to spend? I would probably recommend a 3/4 scale for a 9 year old, but if he can comfortably hold a full size guitar I would go full size. 3/4 guitars are great for kids (and I have one I use when we travel or I'm too lazy to get a big guitar out) but they tend to have intonation problems. That means that they can be a little more work to keep in tune, and the tuning might not be consistent all the way up the neck (not going to bother the average 9 year old, though). Musician's Friend is a reputable online company, and you can at least use their reviews and and their prices as a reference point. Here are there 3/4 guitars The Yamaha would probably be a good choice ($129). I have a Baby Taylor because it had a much nicer tone than the cheap ones. I agree with pp that I wouldn't (and haven't) get a nylon string guitar for one of my kids unless they were pursuing classical. At some point they will want to switch so they might as well build up good callouses right from the start. And it's really not that bad! If you go with a full size guitar, I would say to get a thin body and a cut-away. That makes it feel smaller even though it is a full size guitar. Something like Ibanez But if you can find one that is acoustic without the electronics it would probably be cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 They have very, very good starter guitars for $100 at music stores or online. My ds bought himself an Epiphone for $99 and it is a quality instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plucky Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 They have very, very good starter guitars for $100 at music stores or online. My ds bought himself an Epiphone for $99 and it is a quality instrument. An acoustic Fender kit is also good. Technology has really come far. 20 years ago instruments of this quality would cost several hundred. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morningxmorning Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 A Suzuki teacher I know recommends Strunal classical guitars. My 3 year old (tall for his age) holds a 1/4 size very well. They are made in the Czech Republic and are solidly made. Depending on the size, you could get one for around $180-200. If the price point doesn't work, she also recommends Yamaha brand as a runner up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne in MN Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 How big is he, and how much do you want to spend? I would probably recommend a 3/4 scale for a 9 year old, but if he can comfortably hold a full size guitar I would go full size. 3/4 guitars are great for kids (and I have one I use when we travel or I'm too lazy to get a big guitar out) but they tend to have intonation problems. That means that they can be a little more work to keep in tune, and the tuning might not be consistent all the way up the neck (not going to bother the average 9 year old, though). Musician's Friend is a reputable online company, and you can at least use their reviews and and their prices as a reference point. Here are there 3/4 guitars The Yamaha would probably be a good choice ($129). I have a Baby Taylor because it had a much nicer tone than the cheap ones. I agree with pp that I wouldn't (and haven't) get a nylon string guitar for one of my kids unless they were pursuing classical. At some point they will want to switch so they might as well build up good callouses right from the start. And it's really not that bad! If you go with a full size guitar, I would say to get a thin body and a cut-away. That makes it feel smaller even though it is a full size guitar. Something like Ibanez But if you can find one that is acoustic without the electronics it would probably be cheaper. I agree with the Musician's Friend recommendation. A few years back, they were recommended here by someone and we bought the Rogue Honduran Dreadnought (sp?) for $99.99. I don't see it in 3/4 size, but I've been very happy with the quality of the guitar we bought. It looks and sounds beautiful. My mom who's played guitar for many, many years with her one guitar, tried mine and bought the same one from Musician's Friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirth Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 Another vote for MF. You might look into them for guitar cases or bags also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanceXToo Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 I couldn't even tell you what brand my daughter has, and she's had it for over a year lol. My husband went on Craig's List and bought her a used, half-size, acoustic guitar. Used because we didn't want to spend a lot of money on something we weren't sure she'd maintain an interest in, half-size because we thought it would be easier for her to handle at her age, acoustic because that was my preference over electric. If she sticks with it another year (it's been a year this month) and is still interested, we'll get her a full-size as she'll be almost 13 by then, and save the half-size one for my son in the event he decides he wants lessons at some point, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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