First Guitar

[Leon Ghulam]

Hello, I'm looking to buy a guitar for my son (aged 10) who has just started playing. 

I wonder if you would have any recommendations about brand, model etc? I have a budget of around £100
Thank you

Leon 

[randythoades]

Morning. Glad to have you onboard.

 

Is your son more interested in acoustic or electric music?

At that end of the market I would certainly advise to buy second hand rather than new unless you can up your budget to around £150. There are some good options at that price. Personally I would look for Squier, Yamaha and Epiphone, they are good quality and established brands which will be better for resale if he doesn't stick with it, or wants to upgrade. I would also suggest sticking with the most popular styles - Stratocaster, Telecaster, Les Paul - they cover the most bases, are easier to find used and easier to sell in the future.

 

New options: https://www.gak.co.uk/en/squier-sonic-stratocaster-2-colour-sunburst/961844?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjH9tlImFAnEEmBeeGacT8AH_L-O9bYEWnopbspNCeLk7A4j0I9H2zhoCM2UQAvD_BwE

 

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/open-box-squier-bullet-stratocaster-brown-sunburst-sss-non-locking-tremolo-laurel-fingerboard?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjF098_hyRhgw_XMEn5gicGoyXZyYQILujD6LN3RKme8NCzqlF3L55xoCW6YQAvD_BwE

 

https://www.thomann.co.uk/epiphone_les_paul_special_ve_hcsb.htm?glp=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjJxYi77dA8vWfgQT3ulxvM_UQN0JtUM1hreI7L3D4Z07bWqrn03cjBoCyncQAvD_BwE

 

https://www.mannsmusic.co.uk/guitars/electric-guitars/yamaha-pacifica-012-red-metallic-electric-guitar.htm?opt=15172&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjPOMok3yGwyks78Iu27G4jK3QDTmB8tmQV1jzNl9e9C6ggCPLxCLfxoCtoQQAvD_BwE

 

As regards acoustic options, there is more choice at that price range. I would look for Fender, Yamaha and Tanglewood. Again, second hand would be a good starting place.

 

https://www.fairdealmusic.co.uk/products/fender-cd-60-dreadnought-acoustic-guitar-cherry?variant=44092501491937&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjMc6GeJQ4Aq6_EAhRUCY5-_5ovUJm4UWp4J3ItKzxLo9vnwN7Yb-QBoCSJQQAvD_BwE

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-F310-Acoustic-Traditional-Western/dp/B000RVYW7E/ref=asc_df_B000RVYW7E?mcid=f713fbf20e48303e87c76ca5b892c1c5&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697322390111&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9317386785188518165&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045298&hvtargid=pla-309497947402&psc=1&gad_source=1

 

https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Tanglewood-TWCR-O-Crossroads-Orchestra-Acoustic-Whisky-Burst/1DQY?origin=product-ads&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjHvLBWF_v_nl6HQJMNHl3ekFxkkSEPt8yJgUcVWIakVippJs9ek0hRoCzUkQAvD_BwE

 

There are other brands and options available and others might suggest other options.

Depending where you are in the country, you could actually go into a store for your son to play a couple and see what fits. Difficult for a beginner to make a choice, but any of those instruments should be ok to start the journey on and 100 times better than the instruments we used back in the 80s.

[Crusoe]

You could also look at some of the Harley Benton bundles. If you want an electric guitar, you can get them with a small amp and accessories. Don't be put off by the low price. I got one of their basic models and it was excellent. The amp won't be fantastic, but it will get him going until you can afford a better one, plus it won't be too loud, so shouldn't distract everyone else in the house.

 

Harley Benton ST-20 BK Standard Serie Bundle – Thomann United Kingdom

[Leon Ghulam]

Thank you for your comments so far. 

I am looking at getting a classical guitar, perhaps 1/2 or 3/4 size.   

[randythoades]

3 minutes ago, Leon Ghulam said:

Thank you for your comments so far. 

I am looking at getting a classical guitar, perhaps 1/2 or 3/4 size.   

Classical guitar is really only recommended for players that want to play classical guitar. Although it seems like a good option initially, they have much wider and flatter fingerboards and aren't really suitable for playing any sort of pop or rock, you need a steel strung acoustic, and some are available at 3/4 size.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-JR1-Acoustic-Guitar-gigbag/dp/B00009J580/ref=asc_df_B00009J580/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697322390111&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=316006959361910813&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045298&hvtargid=pla-347822426860&psc=1&mcid=4e8538b2949537c6a4249d4b35b91cae&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697322390111&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=316006959361910813&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045298&hvtargid=pla-347822426860&psc=1&gad_source=1

 

I would suggest though getting a smaller acoustic like a parlour size acoustic. It will be much better in the long term and make it easier to transition onto a full size guitar.

 

https://www.rimmersmusic.co.uk/tanglewood-crossroads-parlour-whiskey-barrell-burst-p54910/s55640?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=tanglewood-crossroads-parlour-whiskey-barrell-burst-tanglewood-crossroads-parlour-whiskey-barrell-burst&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shoppingbrandslowpriority&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjIWZSO9rqkdlhd5-z7hBpsaDStvXnKRBwZ8hI_MI0cus9BTR_J9w8xoCgusQAvD_BwE

[randythoades]

Or as he is a little younger and the guitar might be a little large for him at the moment, the ukulele is similar in functionality but much smaller. Although a different instrument in it's own right, it uses the same sort of technique and is easy to transition back and forth. The ukulele is tuned similarly to guitar but in a higher register and would promote the similar way to strum and change chords.

 

It might well get negative comments on here but I play ukulele a lot and the mechanics are almost the same between the two.

Edited November 13 by randythoades

[Leon Ghulam]

Thank you - really helpful advice and much appreciated 

[randythoades]

You are very welcome.

[ezbass]

If you can stretch the budget, just a bit, I'd always recommend Yamaha. 

[Crusoe]

If you want to get an acoustic guitar, I can recommend these. https://matchettsmusic.com/products/adam-black-o2-t-with-gig-bag As a trave5guitar they are a bit smaller, so would be the ideal size for your son. I got one for my daughter. They look and feel really nice, sound good and come with a good gig bag.