Friends want to buy one for their kid, don't have a lot of money. He's going to be 14 I think (or maybe 13, but it's going to be a full sized guitar in any event).
Any advice appreciated.

Beginner Strat Packs are a great deal (example):
<[www.guitarcenter.com];

Beginner Les Paul/SG Packs are also a great deal (example):
<[www.guitarcenter.com];

I would make sure you try out the style of guitar, then pick a package based on likes.

You can also mail order from Guitarcenter.com, Musiciansfriend.com and others.

Good Luck

Dave

Rondo Music [www.rondomusic.com]

Their SX electrics are the best deal going. But don't take my word on it, check out Harmony Central reviews. [reviews.harmony-central.com]

EDIT:
$90 + $15 shipping {approx}-
Strat clone, Solid Ash w/ Maple neck & fretboard 21 fret fullscale [www.rondomusic.com]
or w/ rosewood fretboard: [www.rondomusic.com]



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/10/2008 12:21PM by Panopticon.

As Dave mentions above, there are pretty decent guitar packages available for not a lot of money these days. Big box stores like Sam Ash and Guitar Center have brought prices down considerably. When I first started playing (~15 to 20 years ago), I had to go to a small music store, which had an incredibly small selection and the prices were insanely high. I remember paying about $300 for a Fender acoustic guitar. They don't make that model anymore, but I can buy a similar style one at Sam Ash for under $200 now... 20 years later.

You should be able to pick up a nice Squire (made by Fender) electric guitar, with amp for well under $200. If/when the kid gets better, they can look to trade up.

Quote
rz
As Dave mentions above, there are pretty decent guitar packages available for not a lot of money these days. Big box stores like Sam Ash and Guitar Center have brought prices down considerably. When I first started playing (~15 to 20 years ago), I had to go to a small music store, which had an incredibly small selection and the prices were insanely high. I remember paying about $300 for a Fender acoustic guitar. They don't make that model anymore, but I can buy a similar style one at Sam Ash for under $200 now... 20 years later.

You should be able to pick up a nice Squire (made by Fender) electric guitar, with amp for well under $200. If/when the kid gets better, they can look to trade up.

Right on. I paid about $200 for my first guitar and amp back in '87, and there is no comparison between that piece of crap and what you can get for the same price today.

I was really in a rush this morning.
As others said, the packages are REAL nice. Each one comes in various colors and with various amps. There are BUDGET versions of many of the most popular axes such as

1. Squire (made by fender), and these you can get three single coil pickups (SSS) or 2 and a humbucker (HSS). These are budget stratocaster style guitars.
2. Epiphone (made by Gibson) style SG and Les Pauls. Again, these will give the style and sound that is different from strats.

Each of the three types will FEEL different, look different and sound different (unless you crank in lots of distortion on those practice amps. They are good enough to get going and are great for budget. If they continue with it, as others stated, go for better equipment.

I still think holding the guitars is critical. Have the stores play them for you, and see which level of amp is most to your liking. For example....Even though my daughter liked the sound of a strat, she hated how it fit her, she loved the feel of a les paul and opted for that style of guitar. It makes a differnce if they will continue with it.

Good luck.
Dave

Quote
Les_Paul_Ultra
I was really in a rush this morning.
As others said, the packages are REAL nice. Each one comes in various colors and with various amps. There are BUDGET versions of many of the most popular axes such as

1. Squire (made by fender), and these you can get three single coil pickups (SSS) or 2 and a humbucker (HSS). These are budget stratocaster style guitars.
2. Epiphone (made by Gibson) style SG and Les Pauls. Again, these will give the style and sound that is different from strats.

Each of the three types will FEEL different, look different and sound different (unless you crank in lots of distortion on those practice amps. They are good enough to get going and are great for budget. If they continue with it, as others stated, go for better equipment.

I still think holding the guitars is critical. Have the stores play them for you, and see which level of amp is most to your liking. For example....Even though my daughter liked the sound of a strat, she hated how it fit her, she loved the feel of a les paul and opted for that style of guitar. It makes a differnce if they will continue with it.

Good luck.
Dave

Well, I don't really agree here. It *does* matter if you have small or large hands. A narrow Fender-style neck is much more comfortable and playable compare to a wider Gibson if you have short fingers, and I wouldn't be surprised if the reverse is true if you're one of those people with tentacles hanging off your wrists...