electric guitar for (small ) 10 yr old?

[namechanger1979]

Ds1 really really really wants an electric guitar for christmas and Im bit clueless.. Can anyone help?
Is it ok to start straight on an electric one rather than acoustic? He loves muse and stuff like that and i think he wouldnt stick at an acoustic one.
He is also smallish....about 135 cm tall. Would a full size one ok. I ideally need a second hand one in case he doesnt stick at it what are decent makes.
And where to look for teachers? He has brass lessons through school but i've no idea where to start looking for a (rock style) guitar teacher.
Thank you in advance

[ReallyTired]

Electric guitars have steel strings and will hurt your son's fingers. It is better to learn the basics with a classical guitar that has nylon strings. Even then it takes some practice for the fingers to toughen up. This why guitar lessons tend to be offered at secondary rather than primary because younger children don't want to push their fingers through the pain barrier.

You can get 3/4 or half size guitars for both electric or classical off ebay.

You can get group lessons cheaply in Dunstable near Luton, but I have no idea if that is any good for you. I suggest you look at the website of your county music service.

[rimmerfleadick]

Something like this would do.

www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Squier-By-Fender-Mini-Stratocaster-3-4-Size-Electric-Guitar-Black/5G

Try looking on e-bay for one.

Also a Yamaha Pacifica if you can find a 3/4 size.

Fingers will toughen up no problem. If he id dedicated he will play until they bleed

[rimmerfleadick]

you cn find teachers here.

www.rgt.org/

[Blu]

Has he played electric guitar at all?

DS has been playing an electric guitar since he was 9 or 10, and he is slight for his age. The thing about electric guitars is that they are v heavy. DS does have a full sized one now, a Yamaha Pacifica - but the Squier ones are a bit smaller.

this would be ideal!

You will also need an amp. And lead, a strap and hundreds and hundreds of picks which end up all over the house.

Is there a music shop nearby? They often have recommendations, or a list or a noticeboard of music teachers for guitar / rock. If you are in S London I can recommend someone.

[Blu]

Hah! I see Rimmerfleadick linked to the same model as I did!

Two Mn-ers can't be wrong!

I would go for something like that, second hand, rather than a cheap more toy-range one. A cheap toy-model will actually be harder to play because of complicated things to do with the exact angle of bits and pieces which are not built with accuracy or finesse on cheap models and will be frustrating because it will go out of tune every 3 mins.

[DameDeepRedBetty]

Another vote for a Yamaha Pacifica off eBay here. Always loads of half or 3/4 size guitars, so many get bought as pressies by Disney NRPs

Worth asking school if they know of a reliable teacher, even if she/he isn't currently doing lessons there.

[Blu]

Ds, who plays a Pacifica at home and a Squiers at school says the Pacifica is not as heavy, and he thinks it is much nicer to play.

[normalishdude]

I am a bit late to this- but---If he wants to play electric guitar, then get him one and not an acoustic/classical. A Dean Baby Z, Dean Baby X or Dean Baby ML are great guitars, cheap, cool looking and small bodied although with a full size (shorter scale) neck. Nylon string guitars just won't cut it, I am guessing. You'll need a little amp too. Ask the shop to put light strings on the guitar ( 8- 39's).They'll know what you mean.

[normalishdude]

BTW Yamaha pacificas have longer scale necks... get a guitar with a short scale neck.

[watchingout]

Just found this thread as my DS (13) has also just expressed a wish to spend his birthday money... No experience at all so I told him I'd do some research ask the MN collective

He has found this one Any thoughts please?

[normalishdude]

... what kind of music/guitar does he want to play? Heavy metal? Folk? Rock? As a guitar player, I would suggest an electric guitar to start with if this is what he wants to play (the techniques etc. are different to a classical, nylon stringed guitar). Also electric guitar choices are often made on aesthetics. He'll want one that he likes look of..... if he wants an acoustic, then get a small bodied 3/4 size. Remember, acoustic guitars are different to classical guitars.

If you get him an electric, then get someone (a guitar shop) to put light strings on it. A lot of players a put off because they struggle to hold the strings down- this is easier with lighter strings. Remember you'll need a guitar amp to amplifier the guitar's signal/sound. Happy to answer any further queries..

[normalishdude]

...just saw your link.. not heard of Jaxville if I'm honest. It's a budget starter, but will prob be okay to get going.. remember to put lighter strings on it. You'll still need an amp of course...

[watchingout]

Thank you! Good tip re the strings. He thinks knows it all that he can use some headphones which sounds good to me in theory. But I really have no clue

[normalishdude]

...you still need an amplifier. An amplifier or 'amp' boosts the electrical signal generated by the guitar so that the signal is strong enough to drive speakers. You can't plug headphones straight into a guitar, it won't work.

[normalishdude]

you could use something like this www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Portable-Headphone-Guitar-Amp-Amplifier-MP3-USB-Charge-Cable-Blue-UK-/111182222295?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item19e2fa13d7