Beginner guitar for youth. Full or 3/4?

[Bob W]

The boy may be getting an entry-level electric guitar as a gift. There's plenty of information online, mostly contrary opinions and recommendations of full-size vs 3/4. Even players I know personally don't agree. And according to some online charts, he's almost to the full or 3/4 transition. He's 8 years old, soon to be 9. Maybe a tad short for his age, but physically fit and (I think) stronger than average.

Those of you with experience as parents/guitarists/teachers, I'm asking your advice in this matter. If you have any particular model recommendations, I'm all ears too. $100 range, but wouldn't mind spending $200 for something nicer; I'm guessing that long-term a $200 used guitar will cost less (less need to upgrade, and hold value better) than a new guitar that costs $100.

The mini-strats seem like toys. My guitar is a Strat, so the kid probably wouldn't like one those anyway. Anything Dad has can't be cool...
His favorite band uses Les Paul guitars, but I'm afraid that a thick singlecut style will be too heavy.

A Jackson Dinky, used? Low-end Ibanez? A Schecter, if I could find a used model with a fixed bridge?

--------------------------

Does anyone have experience with buying used from Guitar Center, specifically buying from a long-distance dealer and having shipped to a local store?

 

[Blades&Bullets]

It has been a couple of years since I played, but I will give my $0.02.

I would let him 'try on' a full size first and see how he does with it. In the past kids didn't have 2/3 scale guitars available anyway.

I haven't bought a used guitar from Guitar Center before, but if they allow for you to return it if you aren't happy with it I would try. I bought a new Schecter from them before and have been very happy with it and their service at the store.

If you want to get a lighter LP style guitar you might try a Epiphone Les Paul Jr or a ESP/LTD EC series guitar.

If you play, you probably know what the quality of guitars under $200 are. You probably have to spend at least $800 on a USA Fender Stratocaster. I own a Schecter and really like it. Korean guitars are usually better quality. When I was still playing the higher end Epiphone electrics were made in Korea and the cheaper ones in China.

Whatever you get him, you may want to have it set up with lighter gauge strings so it will be a little easier for to play.

 

[Bob W]

I haven't bought a used guitar from Guitar Center before, but if they allow for you to return it if you aren't happy with it I would try. I bought a new Schecter from them before and have been very happy with it and their service at the store.

I assume if you have one shipped from a far-away store to a local store, the local employees will open 'er up and check it out before I come to pick it up. If it's a POS they can take care of it. But I've never gone through that process and would love to hear from anyone who has.
Our Guitar Center is pretty good. Bought mine there, and had it serviced there. Excellent work. I also imagine though that can vary by location. Looking at the store's website, it seems they have all new staff now. With a quick turnover it must be difficult to build any sort of relationship with customers.

If you want to get a lighter LP style guitar you might try a Epiphone Les Paul Jr or a ESP/LTD EC series guitar.

I just noticed those are a lighter weight wood than the Gibson versions. Worth checking out for sure. :thumbup:

If you play,

I wouldn't call it that. :foot:

you probably know what the quality of guitars under $200 are. You probably have to spend at least $800 on a USA Fender Stratocaster.

Mine is an American Select, which is out of the question for this kid.
Someone I know has a MIM Strat. Of course it's lacking the features of the high-end American-made instruments, but there's not actually anything wrong with it, as far as I could tell anyway.

I own a Schecter and really like it. Korean guitars are usually better quality. When I was still playing the higher end Epiphone electrics were made in Korea and the cheaper ones in China.

Whatever you get him, you may want to have it set up with lighter gauge strings so it will be a little easier for to play.

Thanks. :thumbup:

Which model Schecter?

 

[555]

For size how does your strat fit him?

Kids grow fast, and unless he is smaller than average, I'd go with a full size guitar.
Sound is one thing, and his ear to what he likes will develop over time. The neck of his favorite players guitar might not be the best for his hand, easy to play, staying in tune will keep discouragement down and practice times long.

 

[Bob W]

For size how does your strat fit him?

It's heavy, being a mahogany Strat. And he can't easily reach to the top of the neck.
But he is growing like a weed. Eating us out of house and home...

 

[stargawker]

I would go with the smaller one. It will make it easier for him to reach. My wife is quite short and small and really struggled with playing the guitar until she got a smaller one and her creativity with it really took off once is was the right size. He can always get a full size one later if he sticks with it.

 

[555]

They do make lighter bodies and a you might find a Squier Strat that'll work for him.
Was researching a neck change and scratch that idea.

The way my kids grew and ate, I could have saved money by giving them custom Les Paul's and garden plots to grow food in.

 

[555]

On the other hand, these are priced making the move to full size a couple of years down the road less painful for the old man.

Model Name: Mini, Rosewood Fingerboard, Black

The Mini is the 3/4-size version (22.75" scale length) of the Bullet® and makes an ideal travel guitar for players of all ages and a great first guitar for young beginners. Featuring three single-coil pickups and five-way switching.

 

[Bob W]

The Ibanez Mikro seems like maybe a good compromise. Many positive comments by adults who claim to prefer the Mikro because of having smaller hands.

The Jackson Dinky looks like another light weight alternative. I'd have to order one though; the local store doesn't stock 'em.

Comments?

 

[Bob W]

On the other hand, these are priced making the move to full size a couple of years down the road less painful for the old man.

Model Name: Mini, Rosewood Fingerboard, Black
The Mini is the 3/4-size version (22.75" scale length) of the Bullet® and makes an ideal travel guitar for players of all ages and a great first guitar for young beginners. Featuring three single-coil pickups and five-way switching.

I think the Mini is too small. He'd outgrow it long before I'll be ready to buy another.
There's no financial motivation to go with a Mini Strats either; the Mini is $100, while full size import Strats start at only $120. $180 buys the next grade up.

 

[Spyder328]

I would say the Squire Standard Strat. They are a bit on the heavy side tho for someone that is younger and/or smaller. But I think it would be best quality for the price point.

 

[smith357]

I would go with a full sized guitar, if he has trouble with finger reach on the lower frets just use a Capo cut the scale length. I use Martin D-18, Gibson 175 Gold Top, and Fender Japan Telecaster with custom hardware and pickups, I'm not up to speed on Strats and Super Strats. In your 100-200 price range you will not be able to get much, just make sure the neck is straight and has good tuners so it stays in tune, make sure the action and intonation are set up properly so it plays like butta and rings like a bell. Don't worry about finish or pickups you can easily add paint and replace electronics down the road. If the guitar is hard to play your son will not enjoy it and the guitar will just gather dust.

 

[Moxy]

He's at that age where he'll start growing quickly. Go for full sized.

If he wants to learn the guitar your main focus should be on doing everything you can to help him stick with it. Guitar is difficult to get into. It takes alot of practice before you can even play elementary songs and riffs. More often than not, kids will give it up for being too hard and move on to the next thing. But playing an instrument is one of the few hobbies that can stick with you for the rest of your life. Having said that, trying to learn how to play on a cheap guitar is like trying to learn how to ride a bike with flat tires. You will make it very hard for him to progress and that might mean he'll be more likely to give up. So I'd advise that you spend a little more an get something perhaps considered to be a "mid-range" guitar. It really does make a difference. I've been playing for a long time and I can't stand playing anything cheaper than $300. I'm generalizing, but typically the cheap bottom of the line models are best avoided. Ibanez probably makes the best (or rather least worse) entry level guitars among the big brand name manufacturers.

As far as used guitars go, you have to know what to look for. If you have experience playing then you can check for any potential problems. Bowed neck, poor intonation, buzzing frets, loose hardwear... ect. A good guitar in bad nick is again like the bike with flat tires.

So I'd say stretch your budget a bit further and get him something full sized and worth owning. If he does pick up the guitar quickly, he'll want to upgrade to something better anyway. And if he doesn't, well the guitar is reasonably good quality so you'll be able to re sell it rather easily and get most of your money.

As to what to look for specifically? Hard to say, it really depends on what your Son is (or will be) interested in. I really like the Ibanez S series. It's got a small lightweight body that might be more manageable for a child.

...just my $.02

 

[Bob W]

Ibanez probably makes the best (or rather least worse) entry level guitars among the big brand name manufacturers.... I really like the Ibanez S series. It's got a small lightweight body that might be more manageable for a child.

I think the "S" is going to be out of price range, unless there's a used one from a reputable seller. Waiting to see if some holiday sales don't bring more models into range too.
I'd be more confident in buying used if I knew more about them... Similarly, I would never buy a used motorcycle.

Thanks for the tips so far, everyone. Hop

 

[Spyder328]

Having said that, trying to learn how to play on a cheap guitar is like trying to learn how to ride a bike with flat tires. You will make it very hard for him to progress and that might mean he'll be more likely to give up.

I agree 100% with this. I'd also like to add that Ibanez guitars are very good guitars. I also would like to suggest you go to the local music shop and try some guitars around you price range

 

[Bob W]

The Jackson Dinky is known for having a smaller body but a full 25.5" neck. Starting at $200. Anyone have experience with these?

 

[Blades&Bullets]

I just noticed those are a lighter weight wood than the Gibson versions. Worth checking out for sure. :thumbup:

Yeah, I believe it also thinner.

I wouldn't call it that. :foot:

I know what you mean

Mine is an American Select, which is out of the question for this kid.
Someone I know has a MIM Strat. Of course it's lacking the features of the high-end American-made instruments, but there's not actually anything wrong with it, as far as I could tell anyway.

I used to own a MIM Stratocaster. It was pretty good, considering how beat up it was. A couple of years ago I picked up a Squier guitar and was pretty impressed with the feel and sound (unplugged). It felt a lot more solid and played better than ones I had tried in the passed. Some of the Squiers may be of better quality now.

Thanks. :thumbup:
Which model Schecter?

Welcome. Hope it helps.
About the Jackson Dinky's. If I remember correctly, the really cheap ones weren't that great and the action was kind of high. A lot could have changed though.

Schecter C-1 Elite in Amber. Set neck, Duncan design pickups, coil tap, maple on mahogany body. Reeally like it.

 

[Bob W]

Good information.
Checked out some Stratocasters at a local music store this week. Squier models, made in Indonesia. The quality seemed good, and they are much lighter than my mahogany body. Still, I'd be more excited if the kid's guitar wasn't too similar to mine. He'll like it better that way too.

Love that Schecter. The boy's going to have to get a job to buy it though.

I'm watching to see what other models fall into the sub-$200 price range with the holidays coming. And I'm eagle-eying the Used inventory online at the nearest GC locations. If something like that C-1 comes in withing the next couple of weeks...

 

[sideways]

I'd go full size. The resale value is better if/when he gets a different hobby. I know nothing about guitars though.

 

[Binalith]

my vote would be for the full sized as well. and i personally find those ibanez 'floating bridges' or whatever theyre called to be super frustrating to work on. I would go with something simpler mechanically. I have an epiphone sg junior with upgraded parts that kicks ass and it has a fatter neck somewhat akin to a classical style neck that makes locating notes a lot easier imo. but now that im saying that maybe something with a thinner neck like a jackson or something would be an easier start. the biggest frustration i had getting started was the finger stretching. I also know some metal guitarists that play 3/4 sized guitars because they can move around the fretboard faster fwiw..random thoughts. I dig the squier strats as well.