1st guitar for 10 year old

[ErikH]

Re: 1st guitar for 10 year old

In all honesty, don't get him an electric. Get him an acoustic to learn on. You don't have to get an amp, cables, blah blah blah. Just an acoustic in a chipboard case. If he has a real interest in it and progresses and wants an electric, then that would be the next step.

I'm glad I started out on acoustic. It strengthened my fingers, gave me good calluses, and made me learn the guitar, just not how to play. I had to really learn what I was doing.

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: 1st guitar for 10 year old

I recommend a Yamaha Pacifica Fat Strat type. Perfect first electric guitar. I know people who got one as their first guitar and happily played it until they were professional musicians, and yes it is a good idea to get an acoustic as a first guitar.

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: 1st guitar for 10 year old

What ever you decide on, just be sure you play it first. My first two guitars - which were actually cheapo loaners from people who knew how to play - were absolutely impossible to keep in tune and would be difficult, even now, for me to play. A beginner will give up on those 90% of the time. I did. I seriously wanted to learn, but I couldn't because I couldn't make a chord. I had trouble with single notes (when the string was in tune). When I got into college, I bought a Fender Gemini acoustic for $125. Before that day was over, I already knew two songs. I often wish I'd bought an electric instead, but I sometimes regret not spending more time on an acoustic.

The amp and accessories aren't immediately necessary for an electric. Let them practice with out an amp for a month or so to make sure they'll like it. You'll be happy that you can't hear them, too.

 

[APB_4]

Re: 1st guitar for 10 year old

I recommend a Yamaha Pacifica Fat Strat type. Perfect first electric guitar. I know people who got one as their first guitar and happily played it until they were professional musicians, and yes it is a good idea to get an acoustic as a first guitar.

I've seen loads of good things about the Pacifica 112, it's a nice looking guitar and it comes in natural so you can see it's good wood

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: 1st guitar for 10 year old

I'd totally go for the 100$ Dean Evo. Can't go wrong with it.

 

[pac112]

Re: 1st guitar for 10 year old

I recommend a Yamaha Pacifica Fat Strat type. Perfect first electric guitar. I know people who got one as their first guitar and happily played it until they were professional musicians, and yes it is a good idea to get an acoustic as a first guitar.

yep. i had one. its a very good beginner guitar. nice playing neck. looks like a strat tho. depends if the lil one likes it.

 

[nahfuten]

Re: 1st guitar for 10 year old

In all honesty, don't get him an electric. Get him an acoustic to learn on.

Thats what my sister (his mom) and I have been tossing around. The issue here is size. In order for him to get his arm around an acoustic, it would need to be a childs acoustic. Since he is 10, he's gonna grow quickly and soon, so we don't want him to outgrow it in a year.

 

[nahfuten]

Re: 1st guitar for 10 year old

what the difference between the pacifica 112 and 012

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: 1st guitar for 10 year old

I second the Ibanez GAX. Check musicgoround.com . I just found a couple on there for right around $100.

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: 1st guitar for 10 year old

I disagree with the notion of automatically starting a kid on acoustic. If he's trying to emulate the music that he likes and he's listening to electric music, it's more likely that he'll become frustrated and give up on an acoustic. IMO, half of the battle in getting a kid to stick with it is keeping him interested. For a lot of kids, an acoustic will be enough to make them give up.

 

[ErikH]

Re: 1st guitar for 10 year old

I disagree with the notion of automatically starting a kid on acoustic. If he's trying to emulate the music that he likes and he's listening to electric music, it's more likely that he'll become frustrated and give up on an acoustic. IMO, half of the battle in getting a kid to stick with it is keeping him interested. For a lot of kids, an acoustic will be enough to make them give up.

I thought about that before posting actually but then I thought back to when I started out. In a way, I guess it depends on how hungry the kid is too learn. If he really wants to learn to play because he loves the guitar, then he'll play learn on anything with strings on it. If he wants to learn so he can be cool like his buddies and play the latest Green Day songs, then he'll want an electric because that's what they play. I guess I was hungrier than most. All I wanted to do at first was learn to play so I took advice easily from others, including my teacher. After a year I got an electric. The initial learning on the acoustic was the best thing because I learned to hear the notes, cleanly, and really get an understanding of how things go and sound.

 

[nahfuten]

Re: 1st guitar for 10 year old

yeh, thats the tossup...

I was originally given an acoustic when I was small.... and didnt pick it up again for 5 years!

i think electrics keep kids more interested, but acoustics make them a better player in the long run. thats the problem I've been struggling with for a few days while deciding what to do.

 

[Pecan]

Re: 1st guitar for 10 year old

I find younger kids love "pointy guitars" just something I've noticed, I myself at the older age of 16 love something with a nice sunburst.:baby:
Oh and I reckon an electric is good for kids to, the easier it is to play the less chance they will give up. A acoustic is harder to play so a kid might give up. The yamaha pacifica are really awsome guitars, I love them.