Tell me about electric guitars

[parietal]

DD age 14 says she wants an electric guitar for Christmas. She plays piano to grade 4 and is able to learn something when she puts her mind to it, so this could be a good idea.

but what do I get her? I’ve no idea where to start.

do I need just the guitar? Also an amp? Will it work with headphones? Any other essentials?

my Christmas budget is normally £100 per child but I can spend more for quality stuff.

thanks for any suggestions

Take her to the guitar shop with you, to reduce her subsequent complaints.

Yamaha Pacifica and Squier Classic Vibe are good quality and reasonably priced (by some standards) and may not need professional setup after purchase.

Yes an electric guitar needs an amplifier.

Get someone in the shop to play through some 20 watt practice amplifiers and she can pick one she thinks sounds ok.

The very cheapest guitars are not good and can put a learner off.

Thanks. If I get this, would she be able to practice with headphones? So she doesn’t disturb the neighbours

Yes. The amplifiers I’ve seen have a socket for headphones. Make sure when you buy.

Get an acoustic guitar first. They're cheaper and quieter and good to learn on. You can get her a electric if she sticks with it.

My 14 year old son has asked for the same and researched this one. He’s then come home today and said this is the same as what they have at school. It’s unhelpfully now out of stock but they have other similar ones.

amzn.eu/d/f0fbcrA

I'd get a good second hand one if possible. If you can stretch to a pedal, they are a lot of fun...

Right this moment, I am trying to play "Albatross" on my Squier Mini. I have small hands and I love the Squier mini. They aren't cheap any more, I think about 120 or so.

Don’t buy her something that she doesn’t want.

Thanks for all the comments. DD is a determined kid and if she wants something, I don't think she will change her mind a week after it arrives.

do I need to look at the size/weight of the guitar? she is average height for a girl and skinny so something made for a large man might not work.

any recommendations for shops in London where she and I can actually try things for size?

We found GuitarGuitar really helpful. One in Camden, one in Epsom.

The assistant spent ages with Dc and they are happy for you to try loads out and spend as long as you like.

Your best bet would be to not get something classed as a childs guitar but get a real guitar that just happens to be smaller like a travel size one. Ibanez Mikro range are good buys.

what does the pedal do? (I know nothing about guitars)

She will ask for extras like effects pedals if and when she wants them (next Xmas?).

The knobs on the guitar and amplifier give a fair range of noises.

At 14, I’d go for an adult size guitar. If she hasn’t asked for an oddity like a travel guitar, you can bet she doesn’t want one.

As for weight, there’s a big variation but it doesn’t matter as much as you might think.

A Strat is lighter than a Tele or a Les Paul. Has she really only asked for “an electric guitar,” with no other preferences?

It’s maybe surprising you haven’t been to a guitar shop with her yet.

Oh lord, good luck OP. We bought DS a learn to play the guitar game for one of his consoles many, many years ago and he was hooked. Eventually we paid for lessons and in time DS joined a band and even played some local venues.

He now has a huge collection of guitars, including a custom made fretless one and I’ve bought him yet another a pedal for Christmas which apparently gives the sound of an old tape deck! It looks tiny but was very expensive. It’s great seeing him so enthusiastic about music though.