What guitar to buy a newbie 12 yr old?
Discussion
The last of my four children is now over the age where he wants to learn an instrument (the other three all went through a variety of expensive pianos/guitars before deciding they could not care less)
So, half of me does not want to throw money away again and half of me regards him as the last hope of musical talent and therefore I don’t want to deny him the opportunity to excel by being a tight git!
He’s starting with an acoustic and probably lessons through his schools guitar club (still looking into this a bit) so what’s a good thing to get him? I assume used is far better value for money than a cheaper new item?
Budget is flexible but don’t want to buy him something pointlessly expensive nor something so cheap that he does not enjoy using it.
So, half of me does not want to throw money away again and half of me regards him as the last hope of musical talent and therefore I don’t want to deny him the opportunity to excel by being a tight git!
He’s starting with an acoustic and probably lessons through his schools guitar club (still looking into this a bit) so what’s a good thing to get him? I assume used is far better value for money than a cheaper new item?
Budget is flexible but don’t want to buy him something pointlessly expensive nor something so cheap that he does not enjoy using it.
Harley Benton make some very good guitars at silly low prices
https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_d_120ce_nt...
https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_d_120ce_nt...
I'd recommend going to a decent guitar shop and letting him play with a few. Even if he doesn't know what he is doing he will get a feel from them and the "feel" is very important if you want him to keep playing.
Harley benton have a good reputation as good value but I have heard negative things about the quality of the setup. Don't forget that a "good" guitar is useless if it is not set up right. Another reason to go to a decent guitar shop.
Depends on the 12 year old I suspect as to whether he wants a 3/4 size (which will not last him long) or is happy with a full size.
Also, you mention acoustic, is that his choice? A lot of 12 year olds will prefer electric.
Either way, as a brand for students, I would have thought yamaha is a pretty safe bet.
Harley benton have a good reputation as good value but I have heard negative things about the quality of the setup. Don't forget that a "good" guitar is useless if it is not set up right. Another reason to go to a decent guitar shop.
Depends on the 12 year old I suspect as to whether he wants a 3/4 size (which will not last him long) or is happy with a full size.
Also, you mention acoustic, is that his choice? A lot of 12 year olds will prefer electric.
Either way, as a brand for students, I would have thought yamaha is a pretty safe bet.
Definitely wants an acoustic-he is not a big kid (yet) but his brothers are 64+ so will probably look at a full-size guitar so he doesn’t outgrow it.
Now..... years ago I started to play but never carried on with it. Possibly a daft question-but can I play his? I was thinking of doing a bit and seeing if I got the bug for it before buying my own-there is no downside to 2 people using the same instrument is there????
Now..... years ago I started to play but never carried on with it. Possibly a daft question-but can I play his? I was thinking of doing a bit and seeing if I got the bug for it before buying my own-there is no downside to 2 people using the same instrument is there????
Tiggsy said:
no downside to 2 people using the same instrument is there????
other than arguing over who can use it? I can't see any problems short term, as long as you trust each other to look after it and tune it properly and he doesn't feel hard done by that you are nicking his guitar 
I’d go for a Yamaha.
Something like this
https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Yamaha-...
Slightly smaller body, well made & sound decent.
Your son will find the smaller body a bit easier to get his hands around.
To be honest I prefer a smaller acoustic. Got a lovely Gibson dreadnought but always pick my cheaper, smaller bodied guitar up first.
As has been said get him into a shop & have him try the different body styles out.
Something like this
https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Yamaha-...
Slightly smaller body, well made & sound decent.
Your son will find the smaller body a bit easier to get his hands around.
To be honest I prefer a smaller acoustic. Got a lovely Gibson dreadnought but always pick my cheaper, smaller bodied guitar up first.
As has been said get him into a shop & have him try the different body styles out.
Is there a genre of music he is a fan of? Just that acoustic might not give him the sounds he is hoping for.
https://www.gear4music.com/Electric_Guitars/G4M_El...
Their own brands are not bad for starting out. I had a neon pink bass from them and it survived a few amateur (in pubs and town festivals) tours of Europe
https://www.gear4music.com/Electric_Guitars/G4M_El...
Their own brands are not bad for starting out. I had a neon pink bass from them and it survived a few amateur (in pubs and town festivals) tours of Europe
he's old school - Dire Straights/Springsteen....up to Oasis era. And obviously modern pop as he is 12.
He's already watched a few "sultans of swing" acoustic lessons (well beyond him for a long time he knows) and learning that is what is motivating him.
Bottom line, if he can strum along to Knocking on Heavens door and Werewolves of London in a few months time, he'll be a happy kid. And to transition to electric if he wants to will be simple enough in the future?
He's already watched a few "sultans of swing" acoustic lessons (well beyond him for a long time he knows) and learning that is what is motivating him.
Bottom line, if he can strum along to Knocking on Heavens door and Werewolves of London in a few months time, he'll be a happy kid. And to transition to electric if he wants to will be simple enough in the future?
The yamaha f310 is a cracking acoustic.
Dirt cheap as well. But for a younger kid I’d definitely go for a slightly smaller bodied guitar.
I worked for a large music store a while back & one of the most common enquiries was “what’s your cheapest guitar” The F310 was the go to instrument. But watching smaller kids trying to wrap their arms around one & then handing them slightly smaller bodied guitar you could instantly tell they were more comfortable thus more likely to pick the thing up & play it. If he takes to it you’ll be forking out for something better before long anyway!
Any well stocked shop should encourage you to try a variety of guitars even if you’re a complete beginner.
Played one of these recently & was shocked how good it was. Needed some decent strings on it but the setup was decent.
https://www.dawsons.co.uk/marina-mr-06ce-electro-a...
Dirt cheap as well. But for a younger kid I’d definitely go for a slightly smaller bodied guitar.
I worked for a large music store a while back & one of the most common enquiries was “what’s your cheapest guitar” The F310 was the go to instrument. But watching smaller kids trying to wrap their arms around one & then handing them slightly smaller bodied guitar you could instantly tell they were more comfortable thus more likely to pick the thing up & play it. If he takes to it you’ll be forking out for something better before long anyway!
Any well stocked shop should encourage you to try a variety of guitars even if you’re a complete beginner.
Played one of these recently & was shocked how good it was. Needed some decent strings on it but the setup was decent.
https://www.dawsons.co.uk/marina-mr-06ce-electro-a...
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