Buying electric guitar for son, need help !

[Trueoo7]

I don't know the first thing about guitars but would like to buy one for my son for Christmas. He has showed some interest and I would like to give him a chance but in case it doesn't pan out, I don't want to be left with an expensive instrument. Will obviously upgrade to something better if his interest persists.

Any suggestions on what I should buy? He is 12 years old and presently plays the trumpet. I've seen some deals on Ebay for guitar and amp $119.00 but not a name that I recognize. Would this be sufficent to feel him out and see where this takes us? We are willing to go about $150.00 or so.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[bomelia]

I am a guitar player AND builder. Buy one of those Fender kits that has a strat + amp for under $300. Best deal in town.

Mike

[427 S/O]

Or, buy an investment, sunburst Les Paul. Check pawn shops and craigslist, you just might get lucky. I just passed mine to youngest brother.

[trularin]

At his age, you may want to "test the waters".

String to fret distance is the only thing he might worry about. Cheap instruments are plentiful and the strings are very high above the frets.

Find someone on ebay or craigs that has already run their course with this. You can probably get by with $75.

Once he is committed, he will ask if he can get a better instrument...then you can shop for a Fender or Gibson. If he tries it for a year and then drops it, you are out $75 and not $300.

Just a piece of advice with two sons past this stage.

[bdeutsch]

My youngest son (now 19) has been playing guitars for about 9-years.
He now has everything from a 12-string Breedlove, to a Les Paul, Fender Strat and Teli, plus a few other accoustics. Music studio set-up in the house, along with 8-track, keyboards, etc. Although he knows he cannot make a living out of it (he is an electrical engineering student), it is his passion.

If your son wants an electric, which to be honest is not the best place to start if he really wants to learn to play the guitar, the Fender Starter-Pack mentioned earlier is the place to start. They contain a Fender Strat (cheaper Asian version as I recall) plus an amp, strap, etc. Package is good enough to see if he is serious and breaks around the $300 mark. Guitar City is a good place to find these as well as any good, local music store.

If he is serious, then next thing to do find a good guitar teacher that focuses on theory versus just learning to bang out songs. It is likely that if you can find this type of instructor, he will also suggest that you get your son an accoustic.

Apologies for giving you more info than you likely wanted...

Bob

[bdeutsch]

Still early this end of country....

Bob meant to spell "acoustic" with one "c"

Guitar City aka Guitar World

Fender Telecaster=Tele

Sorry about that...need more coffee.

BOb

[LudicrousSpeed]

An "Applause" Acoustic/ Electric is a good bargain. You can get a shallow body (thinner & easier to reach around & hold) For around $175 new or even cheaper used. Solid body electric guitars are not the best to learn on, and you need an amp. An Acoustic/ electric makes beautiful sound unplugged, and when he's ready, it can be hooked up to an amp so everyone can enjoy.

They even make "travel" sized bodies that are smaller & better fits for the young ones. I took one of these with me when I was deployed to Saudi Arabia.

[jams]

Here is a good website with good deals.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/home1

As suggested, I would test the waters. My nephew is into guitars. He started with a cheap one and keeps moving up the ladder buying a better one each time.