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Re: New player question

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Posted by Old Geezer on April 01, 2001 at 19:46:03:

In Reply to: New player question posted by Angel Love on July 31, 2000 at 11:28:46:

: My 13 year old son wants a guitar for Christmas. He plays in the band at school, but plays the trumpet. Of course he can read music, but my question is what guitar is best for a beginner? He wants an electric one, but as I am guitar illiterate I don't even know where to begin. Could you offer any suggestions? Thank you!

You might look into Fender's mid line of guitars. These are mostly made in Mexico or Korea. They are well made guitars with decent hardware and pick-ups. I would suggest a Stratocaster or a Telecaster. These are both reliable and versital instuments. They will be in the 200-400 dollar range. But in buying an electric guitar you'll need to buy an amplifier as well. There are many different ones to chose from for all kinds of different applications. But for a beginner I would suggest a small solid state amp with a headphone jack built in. Peavy and Crate make some good small ones. These will be in the 100-200 dollar range. He'll need a good guitar cord (20 bucks), some picks ( pocket change), a guitar tuner ($20), and a strap ($10). As you can see, it is expensive to play a guitar. I'm not trying to turn you off from the idea, just trying to show you what is involved. Your best bet is to watch the newspaper in the classified section (most have a sectiion just for musical instruments) where you can find some really good deals. But you say you don't know much or anything about guitars. Thats O.K. Asked around the people you know. Chances are someone you know plays. Get them to help you. I bet your son knows someone who plays. Thats another good source of information. People are always selling instruments to pawnshops. You might try there. In all cases take someone you know and trust to check it out. If you buy from a catalog, be sure there is a return policy in case there is something wrong with the instrument and/or amp. His band instructor maybe another good source for information. If possible, let your son do the choosing. If he does'nt like it, he wont play it. It's exciting that your son wants to start at such a young age and it is commendable that you are supporting him. I started playing when I was eleven and am 47 now. It has been a life long joy and I hope it will be for your son.

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: : My 13 year old son wants a guitar for Christmas. He plays in the band at school, but plays the trumpet. Of course he can read music, but my question is what guitar is best for a beginner? He wants an electric one, but as I am guitar illiterate I don't even know where to begin. Could you offer any suggestions? Thank you! : You might look into Fender's mid line of guitars. These are mostly made in Mexico or Korea. They are well made guitars with decent hardware and pick-ups. I would suggest a Stratocaster or a Telecaster. These are both reliable and versital instuments. They will be in the 200-400 dollar range. But in buying an electric guitar you'll need to buy an amplifier as well. There are many different ones to chose from for all kinds of different applications. But for a beginner I would suggest a small solid state amp with a headphone jack built in. Peavy and Crate make some good small ones. These will be in the 100-200 dollar range. He'll need a good guitar cord (20 bucks), some picks ( pocket change), a guitar tuner ($20), and a strap ($10). As you can see, it is expensive to play a guitar. I'm not trying to turn you off from the idea, just trying to show you what is involved. Your best bet is to watch the newspaper in the classified section (most have a sectiion just for musical instruments) where you can find some really good deals. But you say you don't know much or anything about guitars. Thats O.K. Asked around the people you know. Chances are someone you know plays. Get them to help you. I bet your son knows someone who plays. Thats another good source of information. People are always selling instruments to pawnshops. You might try there. In all cases take someone you know and trust to check it out. If you buy from a catalog, be sure there is a return policy in case there is something wrong with the instrument and/or amp. His band instructor maybe another good source for information. If possible, let your son do the choosing. If he does'nt like it, he wont play it. It's exciting that your son wants to start at such a young age and it is commendable that you are supporting him. I started playing when I was eleven and am 47 now. It has been a life long joy and I hope it will be for your son.

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