Question for the guitar dudes...

What is a good starter guitar for a 12 year old? I know that there are some pretty cheaply made $99 Fenders that I will stay away from. Any suggestions beyond that though? Something that will last a few years and maybe even be able to be passed down to siblings. Electric or acoustic doesnt matter to me.

Thanks.

i'd get him an electric - i think 12 yr olds would be more interested in that than an acoustic at that age. plus it'll be easier on his fingers. you could pick up a decent beginner squire strat or tele package (includes a cheap amp) for about $225. you're not getting quality at that price, but it's a good entry point. and if he likes it i'm sure he'll convince his parents to get him something nicer.

i wish someone gave me a guitar at that age

A 3/4 electric maybe.
Nothing wrong with a $100 guitar for a "starter."
If the child sticks with it, you'll have to pony up and buy a "real" guitar.

Microphonic pickups and less than perfect intonantion and frets won't affect a beginner the same way.

3/4 electric sounds good.

Thanks for the input guys. Do you suggest buying online or at a store? Since I wont be playing it do I need to try it out first? I know for my own instruments I play with them for a while before I buy... same thing here?

Most $100 guitars are the same - cheap.
I bought a Turser and it did what I wanted...then I sold it.
;)

Jay Turser Natural Tele JTLT Electric Guitar FREE S&H - eBay (item 220388164764 end time Apr-30-09 19:18:39 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Jay-Turser-Natural-Tele-JTLT-Electric-Guitar-FREE-S-H_W0QQitemZ220388164764QQ cmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?h ash=item220388164764&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66% 3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C29 3%3A1%7C294%3A50)

JAY TURSER ELECTRIC GUITAR WITH AMP NEW UNUSED - eBay (item 300303501370 end time Apr-02-09 16:31:43 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/JAY-TURSER-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-WITH-AMP-NEW-UNUSED_W0QQitemZ300303501 370QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGui tar?hash=item300303501370&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66% 3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C29 3%3A1%7C294%3A50)

Jay Turser LT-220D Electric Guitar ~Tobacco Sunburst~ - eBay (item 380113553108 end time Apr-02-09 19:01:07 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Jay-Turser-LT-220D-Electric-Guitar-Tobacco-Sunburst_W0QQitemZ3801135 53108QQcmdZViewItemQQptZG uitar?hash=item3801135531 08&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66% 3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C29 3%3A1%7C294%3A50)

I buy instruments off the internets all the time now. It's just not a big deal anymore with most places' return policy.

speaking of electric guitar i just picked my carvin up today and played it for the first time in about 2 years through distortion (been doing nothing but acoustic recently) and... well... i am excited

speaking of electric guitar i just picked my carvin up today and played it for the first time in about 2 years through distortion (been doing nothing but acoustic recently) and... well... i am excited

I kind of want my kid to do that. I have some pedals boxed up from many years ago when a friend played guitar. I am going to clean them up and see what happens.

I am getting excited about this more and more now. It will kick ass to have a mini musician in the house. Someone to jam with all the time!

My first guitar was an Epiphone Les Paul Special II and a small 15watt Marshall solid state. It worked well enough for a beginner, so I'd suggest something along those lines.

My first guitar was an Epiphone Les Paul Special II and a small 15watt Marshall solid state. It worked well enough for a beginner, so I'd suggest something along those lines.

A nice Epi is $400 on up.
;)

Ok I finally got an Epiphone Les Paul (only $160.00).

I talked to a guitar teacher at a small music store who said that they would give me some basic lessons so I could interact with the kids when they were learning.

Thanks for the suggestions gang!

Ok I finally got an Epiphone Les Paul (only $160.00).

I talked to a guitar teacher at a small music store who said that they would give me some basic lessons so I could interact with the kids when they were learning.

Thanks for the suggestions gang!

I am assuming that is used?
Nice score.

Pics?

I am assuming that is used?
Nice score.

Pics?

Got it new, its a beginners guitar, doesnt have many bells or whistles and I really dont know if it is that great or not. The guitar teacher said it would be just fine for a starter.

Ill post pics in a bit. Not really worth any pics though.

A nice Epi is $400 on up.
;)
Yeah, but the Special II is far from a nice Epiphone. :D

Although I can say that I still use my old Special II sometimes in a pinch. Its definitely a beginner guitar, but it gets the job done when I need it to. The Specials only cost around $200 or so, and I got a serious deal from my buddy for mine. He sold me the guitar, amp, gig bag, and hard case (plus a Danelectro Fab Tone) for $125.