Hey guys,

I need some suggestions. My friend wants to get an acoustic guitar for her 8 year old son. I suggested a Fender, Yamaha, or Ibanez in the $200 - $300.

I'm an electric guitar guy, so I'm not that keen as what to look for in an acoustic guitar other than if the guitar feels right (ie action, easy to play) and sounds great.

Any suggestions would be great. Something that plays well so the young man doesn't get discouraged.


Matt

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"If it ain't one thing, it's another."

I was going to suggest a Taylor Big Baby, but it's more than the budget.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Taylor-Big- ... D=58786805

You might be able to find a pre-owned one though for less and I'm pretty sure
that it will hold or increase in value.

Good luck!

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

The Little Martin is pretty cool. It's at the top of his price range and they actually have one a little cheaper.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Martin-LX1- ... 1148317.gc

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

the small body loar LH-200 or the LO-16 are both great and sound better then their price Also the small body recording king guitars are killer. The put the Baby Taylors and the Little Martins to shame and they are made from wood not that Richtie stuff that martin uses on it's low end stuff. Also the Loars and i think RK come with stock bone nuts and saddles.

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Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Therefore, trust the physician and drink his remedy in silence and tranquility.-Khalil Gibran

I'd go with a 3/4 size that's not too much money (under $200) and after a year or two, and he's really going to continue playing, spend money on a 'real guitar'. Don't go too cheap or it will be hard to play and more likely he'd give up instead of enloy it. A nylon string will be easier too, so look into those also.

ERIK

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ERIK

2004 PRS Santana SE
2011 PRS Santana SE
Fender G-DEC 3 Thirty
Fender G-DEC 3 Fifteen
Marshall MG DFX 15
and alot to learn

i'm 13, and I play a Talman Inner City Ibanez, it's a smallish guitar, and it's great! I saw one at the Guitar Center the other day for like 200. it's lasted me SEVERAL years, I'm looking to upgrade here pretty quick, I've had this baby since '05

here's a pic of my baby.

hope this helps.
Tessa♥♥♥

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"He who hates me hates my Father as well."
John 15:23

Talman Ibanez Inner City-Suizy Q
2002 American-Made Fender Telecaster-Vengence
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III

Nothing wrong with Black Richlite. It's used on the fingerboards and bridge not the body. Martin is using it on their mid priced guitars and it getting used on some other higher end guitars too. My Martin Performing Artist has it. Play great and sounds great and made in Nazareth Pa and guaranteed for life.
Nothing wrong with Loars either. I didn't find them all that special and the ones I tried had some sloppy workmanship on them. Can't say they're all like, just the one I tried. I don't find any of these guitar blowing anything away. They are student/travel guitars and they are what they are. I own a 1950 Martin 5-15 Terz guitar. That would blow you away.

Tone is all subjective and remember the student is eight years old. There's nothing wrong with the Martin or the Taylor. They also get stellar reviews and are easy to play. I wouldn't go with a nylon string guitar because the transition to steel string will be a bit strange.

_________________
Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... 2000010000

With the 15% off and free s/h it would be like $170 delivered for a decent solid top instrument.

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08 Fender Highway One Tele-Sunburst
09 Squier Custom Tele II-Blonde
04 Squier Standard Strat Antiqueburst
07 Washburn D10SCE natural with Rosewood backing
Fender Mustang II amp


Experience is the best teacher

That's a full size guitar. It would be rough for an eight year old. If it's too hard to play, he'll probably leave it in a corner. Nice guitar for the money.

_________________
Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... tic-guitar
here ya go , get the boy a toy.

_________________
08 Fender Highway One Tele-Sunburst
09 Squier Custom Tele II-Blonde
04 Squier Standard Strat Antiqueburst
07 Washburn D10SCE natural with Rosewood backing
Fender Mustang II amp


Experience is the best teacher

G'day Matt,

Tell him to check out the "O" size Recording King acoustics the RP 06 would be my bet for a kid, very reasonable prices and a well built instrument for the price (RRP $250) with a decent warranty, pretty hard to beat. I have an RP1 626 O size and it's a great little couch picker for an adult too, I have a couple of nice Martins and I still enjoy a session on the little Recording King. It's a good way to give the kid a real instrument that is a small body size (O size) and decent quality they can always keep.


Here's the one I'd suggest, great specs for the money:
http://recordingking.com/guitars_rp06.html

Here's a short review in Premier Guitar mag:

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... RP_06.aspx


Snowy

I got my 5 year old Granddaughter a 3/4 YAMAHA last year for Christmas. She has prity much put it through the ringer. But in spite of the Standard KID'S Abuse, the little thing seems none the worse for wear. and it sounds great for a beginners guitar. $200.00
----Danny,

I would suggest an electric to learn on. They are much easier. Many times people give up just because an acoustic is too tough to chord.

If there's a WILL there's a way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG7mKw_Y ... re=related

_________________
08 Fender Highway One Tele-Sunburst
09 Squier Custom Tele II-Blonde
04 Squier Standard Strat Antiqueburst
07 Washburn D10SCE natural with Rosewood backing
Fender Mustang II amp


Experience is the best teacher

Try a parlour sized guitar. Small body, regular sized neck. Never really out-grow it. Makes for a great learning guitar for a child and a great travel guitar for an adult.