FAO: Guitar advice

[kimpossible]

It's Josh's 11th birthday at the beginning of September and I will be getting him an acoustic guitar. He is currently having lessons, using a left-handed electric guitar (as he is left-handed), but it is awkward carrying the amp around. I don't have a clue about guitars. I have seen
THIS ONE , which Josh likes.
Should I choose a 3/4 size as I'm wondering if a full size guitar would be too big for him? Is this guitar any good and is it a good price?


TIA

[Chris H]

If the amp is just for him then maybe buy an earpiece amp?

Guitar looks ok for the price though.

[Mike@TheWhippinpost]

I personally would'a thought full-size to be OK.

I know nothing about this make of guitar, and for that reason, I would say you're better off buying from a shop where your son can try it - If it was a known name, great, but cheap guitars of unknown origin can ultimately mean difficulty in playing.

For instance, strings might be high off the neck. Or the guitar might not tune-up, as it should.

There is a money-back guarantee on it though so might be worth a chance.

[yawner]

I personally would'a thought full-size to be OK.

WHS

I got my first guitar at 13 and it was full size. Josh will very soon out-grow anything less, and imagine his 'street cred' at getting a full size guitar. 

[chavalier]

toxie will be turning in his grave. GRHS

[yawner]

toxie will be turning in his grave. GRHS

I've sent him a message with a link to this - hopefully he'll pop in to give Kim some advice. 

[Mantis]

My eldest, enjoying teh piano (Every day) has just completed his first year of Guitar lessons, he is 7 and uses a 3/4 sized guitar.

I would guess that your sprog would manage a full sized one

[kimpossible]

I went to our very small yokel music shop yesterday and had a look at the 3/4 size guitars and can see that Josh will soon out grow that size, he's a tall lad.

The owner said she'd have a job obtaining a left handed guitar and even suggested he swap to a normal one. She seemed to think that being a left handed player would cause him difficulties in the long run. There was a left handed guitar player in the shop at the time and she arguied that he should stick with playing left handed! I didn't know it could all be so complicated!

I'm taking Josh to a bigger music store today and he can have a look himself then.

[yawner]

The owner said she'd have a job obtaining a left handed guitar and even suggested he swap to a normal one. She seemed to think that being a left handed player would cause him difficulties in the long run.

Paul McCartney seemed to get away with it 

[Jeewhizz]

He won't have an issue being a leftie...

...he's not ginger as well is he?!

[yawner]

The owner said she'd have a job obtaining a left handed guitar and even suggested he swap to a normal one. She seemed to think that being a left handed player would cause him difficulties in the long run.

Advice here

plus lots of left handers on EBAY but dunno about the quality 

We really need Toxie here 

[sickpuppy]

We really need Toxie here 

Have you not got the toxie sign to shine in the sky?

[yawner]

We really need Toxie here 

Have you not got the toxie sign to shine in the sky?

I have but I don`t think he's in Gotham City right now

[Toxteth OGrady]

toxie will be turning in his grave. GRHS

Yeah he's playing an electric why get an acoustic, unless you want to stigmatise him as some sort of happy clappy kumbaya merchant - small amps get a Smokey before this nanny state bans them.

Full sized, as someone said wouldn't buy an acoustic without seeing it first, can the person he's getting lessons  off (someone who should know something) take a look with you - trip from China in a cold ship storage doesn't do wood much good even agathis and nato though the glue in the laminate will be fine, probably had the strings at full tension as well.

If he's already started left handed probably easier to carry on but as that article states playing correctly has more advantages, Paul dullard McCartney not a good example methinks.

Normally advise on Tanglewood's for beginers but they start off about double that price.

[marionsmith]

Boyf has bought many Wesley guitars off ebay and swears by them (not at them).  They seem ok, but they always need setting up before playing.  Its ok for him because he knows how and has the right tools, but a professional could charge between £30 - £70 quid for a setup, which might negate the saving in the first place.

If you can find someone who can do the setup for you (which involves lowering the bridge and filing down the frets(!!)) an ebay guitar could be good value.

He pays about £70 for a guitar and I've been paying £250-£350 and, annoyingly, I actually prefer his guitars to mine.

I'd tend to see if he wouln't take to a right-handed one, because he'd just be able to pick up any old guitar and play if he started doing open mics (I know thats planning ahead a bit).

WTS about the Smokey, but please don't get confused and buy him a contraband sheeps carcass.

HTH

Marion

[kimpossible]

Cheers for the advice toxie and marion, very informative.

We had a look at some guitars in a bigger music shop and I think he'll definitely need a full size. They had one for about £70 - possibly an 'Encore'. Unfortunately my budget isn't going to stretch much further than that, and Josh needs to prove he's commited to learning/playing before I shell out any more than that!

I'll see what he says about the Smokey Amps - they look quite good actually.

[Jeewhizz]

I have an encore that I started off with - good for starting out on!

[Toxteth OGrady]

Josh needs to prove he's commited to learning/playing before I shell out any more than that!

Nothing guarantees that it'll just collect dust more than being taught stuff he doesn't like or a hard to play (badly setup,a s Marion said) instrument.