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Thinking about xmas presents for my son and he has currently been ignited with a passion for playing the guitar. Started lessons through school and has an acoustic at home with his mum that he regularly enjoys playing.
I'm debating between getting him another acoustic to have at my house so he can practice when he's with me or to get a variation and get him an electric and amp package.
Any reason not to do this? I'm assuming you can jack an over ear headphone into the amp so he could also zone out and focus as well as playing over the amp...
I know nothing about music and quite frankly am amazed that he has a natural flare for it as he's not picked it up from me or his mother!
We bought our son a fender strat copy & marshall amp package when he was around that age.
If he has access to an iPad/iPhone or pc might be good to get him an iRig to go with it.
leccy guitar(any will do within budget), audio interface(I use focusrite, 2i4, 2i2 will do, you can get amps that doublt up as audio interfaces these days, blackstar id core for example), headphones (Sony MDR-7506 is what I use), software (get him scuffham s-gear(best amp sim out) + get him into a program called Reaper(digital audio workstation, i use abelton but that's expensive)).
This will give him a world of fun to play in, plus it'll save your sanity.
He'll need a decent laptop to connect all this stuff. Might be a bit on the young side for all that, might not, he'll need to be hand with a computer to get it all working together.
He'll learn a lot more from electric than acoustic, especally about muting and playing just a few strings. Ger a modelling amp such as the Fender Mustang and he'll get a lot of amp models and effects (compressors, delay, chorus, overdrive, flanger... ) all in one cheap box.
I bought junior a Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster and Mustang II amp initially which took him from beginner to playing local venues. Even when he started playing bigger venues the little Fender was still OK as they just miked it up.
I love this place! Font of all knowledge and that. Good to know its not a total crack pot idea! will try and decipher what you've all said and figure out where to go on.
Are all guitars equal in the sense of size etc?I noticed some 3/4 size which I assume are for smaller people!
At 9 I learned on full size, stretching over 4/5 frets will come as his hands grow.
There are two common full-size scale lengths, Fender Tele/Strat are a bit longer than Gibson Les Paul/SG. But to me that's less important than the neck shape. I like a narrow, thin, rounded neck so find the made-in-Mexico/Chima Squiers and Fenders fit better than say an American Gibson SG which is wider and means I can't compfortably hook my thumb over the top.
There’s an Epihone Gibson Les Paul Custom copy waiting in the back of the wardrobe for my 8yo’s birthday in Jan. he’s playing at grade 3 on acoustic so far.
I woudln't bother with a iRig or laptop - get a little modelling amp, with a headphone socket for when it all gets too much for you. 99% of the fun is playing it loud . I have a little Vox one, it's epic - the AC30 model sounds better than my 64 AC30 (at non breach of the peace levels).
A 3/4 scale would be a good shout, but often the guitars they come on are a bit sucky. I started around 10ish on a full size, but I didn't have a choice!
Scale length isn't sufficiently different to make it a kids guitar - it's more a preference thing as you play a lot, and even then I think it's second to a less tangible overall 'feel'.
will that also involve a move from nylon to steel?
+1 for a full size guitar and modelling amp. I wish I'd got one (decent amp) ages ago, it makes loads of difference to whether you want to play or not.
I had an interesting chat in the guitar shop t'other day - he said DO NOT BUY A FULL SIZE GUITAR! My wee lad is 6 and I thought he would go 3/4 but they said go smaller, half size for his age. 3/4 from about 8 or 9 and not a full size until they could handle it comfortably. They will be more comfortable, play more and get better!
So - go small.
Electric is okay, but I would be inclined to get a nylon strung acoustic for the moment so he is playing something he is familiar with and allowing strength and callouses to develop. Electrics tend to have lighter string tension than steel string acoustics so aren't as painful... depends on how long he has been playing for really.
You could buy a 3/4 size but whether it's necessary will depend on his hand size and flexibility. Difference in scale length between typical Fender and Gibson is insignificant. As already said the neck shape is more critical for small hands (though don't overthink it, knowing most kids he is likely to just get on with it and wonder what the fuss was about).
I bought my daughter a Squier Bullet strat, £110 new from the local music shop. Being made of basswood, it was noticeably lighter than the others, and seems just as well finished as the more expensive ones. We found a secondhand Marshall 15w practice amp on ebay. She plugs her ipod into it and can play along. Modelling amps can be fun but IMHO it's not a dealbreaker (yet), the KISS principle applies in our house.
As an alternative to the Capt. I'll expalin why I don't like 3/4 or 1/2 size:
On electric you can play most things over three frets and slide if you need more. It's only really on shuffles that you need five - they can wait or you add a capo, tune down and play them further up the neck. When I play a long scale bass I don't try to cover more than three frets near the nut.
Obviously a 6-year-old kid will be drowned by a jumbo acoustic but the physical size of a Strat really isn't a problem. The neck on all the 1/2 (only classical available) and 3/4 guitars I tried was fatter than a Squier Classic Vibe Maple neck.
a bullet at £110 is a good deal
avoid the squier affinity as they are really price driven - look at thomann as their own brand are surprisingly good
OP what size is the acoustic at his mum's house? full or 3/4
Haha was just looking at the affinity as a matter of fact.
He uses a full acoustic so now you've highlighted that I guess it makes sense for a full electric?!
Like the look of the Blackstar ID Core.
Would a 10 or 20 watt be best for home use? He's not going to be playing any gigs down the local with it!
Squier Bullet Mustang. Unbelievably well made guitar for £115. Short scale neck also which is great for youngsters.
My 15 year old son has done a review video on Youtube. It's called Squier Mustang Shootout.
10w is absolutely fine!
I have a wee 10w (I think) Yamaha job that looks like a radio - plenty loud enough for home. Until I blew the power supply somehow!!!!
The 5W Blackstar is too loud for the house when turned right up 😉
gravitysucks - Member
Like the look of the Blackstar ID Core.Would a 10 or 20 watt be best for home use? He's not going to be playing any gigs down the local with it!
The id core are nice, 10W will do perfectly fine, I can barely put it above 3 in my flat, one thing to consider, is that they don't have the tube amp style sims on them that some of the higher models do (TVP you get on the ID series), but a 9 year old isn't going to know anything about that. They are decent enough that, will give him plenty loud that he can plug earphones into, he'll have a few effects to play with and it can double up as an audio interface. Get in in to reaper regardless, it's free btw, well they ask for 60 dollars after a few months, but it still works even if you don't pay that.