Student Guitar Recommendations

[SoTrue]

Morning All...

 

My daughter (7 y.o) has been begging me for a guitar for 3 years now. I thought it was a phase just b/c my sister started learning guitar but I think she is serious now because she keeps asking.

 

She asked for a Hannah Montana guitar for Christmas but in addition to not being able to find the thing, I am not sure if it would be the best student guitar for her, as I am giving in and will actually get her lessons.

 

Do you guys have any recommendations on a decent student guitar that's about $100? I know nothing about guitars and so far, I know I should get her a 3/4 size and maybe one with nylon strings because it's easier on the fingers. ???

 

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

True

[totamus]

This is a subject of disagreement on our forum. I do not recommend a nylon string guitar for small hands. The neck is considerably wider, and even though it is easier to press the strings, it is harder to stretch little fingers over the wider fretboard. Instead I would get a short scale guitar. Short scale means that the distance from the string attachment points (Nut and Saddle) is shorter. This reduces string tension and makes for an easier playing guitar.

 

You would do well with a Yamaha travel guitar. Here is a link : http://www.music123.com/Yamaha-JR1-Mini-Folk-Guitar-510692-i1146546.Music123

[OldGuitarPlayer]

here is what I would recommend for a young girl who is keen on learning without the pain of steel strings.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-CGS102-12-Size-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=511069

 

You will find a lot of folks here endorse Yamaha guitars for a first time guitar.

 

I would also suggest that she take at least a 30 min lesson every couple of weeks. Try and find her a good instructor.

 

Good luck!

[OldGuitarPlayer]

You would do well with a Yamaha travel guitar. Here is a link : http://www.music123.com/Yamaha-JR1-Mini-Folk-Guitar-510692-i1146546.Music123

 

+1 This is also an excellent recommendation!

[Stackabones]

For all my guitar students under 9yo, I recommend a 3/4 or 1/2 size nylon string guitar. For a 7yo, I'd think that a 3/4-size should be fine, unless your daughter is small for her age. A full-size guitar of any string type will be too big for a child. I don't teach classical guitar on a nylon string -- I use the Hal Leonard series to teach my under 11 set, which gets them reading and playing music very quickly. The older ones just want to play Ozzy and tunes from Guitar Hero. The adults all want to learn how to Travis pick.

 

While I do have a few younger students that have steel strings, most enjoy the nylon and have no problem at all with the neck -- especially since they have the proper-sized guitar for their body size.

 

The Yamaha that totamus mentions is a great guitar, and I've recommended it to students, but I've had young students (a 9yo and an 8yo) use it and have had some problems with the pain that comes with pressing down steel-strings. But I've had others that have no problem. The really young students (5-7yo) I find have real difficulties pressing down the steel strings and avoid playing, but--once switching to nylons--really enjoy playing guitar.

 

Again, I recommend that my students get a nylon string -- I don't demand it.

 

Eventually, she'll want an electric guitar!

[totamus]

I would talk to an instructor before getting the half size classical. At 7, your daughter is probably too big for it now. I bought one that size for my daughters when they 3 or 4. It is a fine guitar, but the size may be too small.

 

I think OGP didnt realize it was half size when he responded. His choice of Yamaha though is right on!

 

If your daughter wants Hannah Montana, slap some stickers on the Yamaha.

[Stackabones]

If your daughter wants Hannah Montana, slap some stickers on the Yamaha.

 

[otter06]

Hi SoTrue. I'm going to answer as a former 7 year old girl who wanted to play rock on an electric guitar and got a 3/4 classical with wide, fat neck and strings 1 inch high instead. When a kid wants a certain kind of something, it is disappointing to get something else. I took two years of lessons on that guitar and still couldn't play a chord if my life depended on it. I got discouraged and quit.

 

I think what your daughter wants is a short scale steel string guitar with a small enough neck for her to play chords. I looked at the Hannah Montana guitar and see that it's a purple steel string guitar with a logo on it. If you can't find them in stock, I suggest you find another cute guitar that will inspire her to pick it up and play. Maybe an adult has no use for a purple or pink guitar, but a little girl thinks it looks cool. There's a 3/4 guitar called the Dean Playmate that comes in pink. Daisy Rock Wildwood is another short scale acoustic that comes in pink or purple. There's a brand called Luna that has some short scale girly looking guitars. Good luck with your shopping.

[OldGuitarPlayer]

I would talk to an instructor before getting the half size classical. At 7, your daughter is probably too big for it now. I bought one that size for my daughters when they 3 or 4. It is a fine guitar, but the size may be too small. I think OGP didnt realize it was half size when he responded. His choice of Yamaha though is right on! If your daughter wants Hannah Montana, slap some stickers on the Yamaha.

 

Yep...I was thinking 3/4 too but really nothing bigger. I agree with Stack about nylon strings. She won't be as frustrated by painfull fingertips and then discouraged. Once she builds her basic finger strength and muscle memory a steel string wont be too far away....

[Stackabones]

 

Hi SoTrue. I'm going to answer as a former 7 year old girl who wanted to play rock on an electric guitar and got a 3/4 classical with wide, fat neck and strings 1 inch high instead. When a kid wants a certain kind of something, it is disappointing to get something else. I took two years of lessons on that guitar and still couldn't play a chord if my life depended on it. I got discouraged and quit. I think what your daughter wants is a short scale steel string guitar with a small enough neck for her to play chords. I looked at the Hannah Montana guitar and see that it's a purple steel string guitar with a logo on it. If you can't find them in stock, I suggest you find another cute guitar that will inspire her to pick it up and play. Maybe an adult has no use for a purple or pink guitar, but a little girl thinks it looks cool. There's a 3/4 guitar called the Dean Playmate that comes in pink. Daisy Rock Wildwood is another short scale acoustic that comes in pink or purple. There's a brand called Luna that has some short scale girly looking guitars. Good luck with your shopping.

 

 

That's the truth! If the player knows what she wants, you'd better follow through! The younger kids that wanna rock, gotta rock. No acoustics allowed. Get a little Squier and an amp and crank it!

 

Those Daisys are really cool ... one of my girl students had one and loved it. I've seen the Lunas--neat looking gits, but I haven't played them.

[OldGuitarPlayer]

Hi SoTrue. I'm going to answer as a former 7 year old girl who wanted to play rock on an electric guitar and got a 3/4 classical with wide, fat neck and strings 1 inch high instead. When a kid wants a certain kind of something, it is disappointing to get something else. I took two years of lessons on that guitar and still couldn't play a chord if my life depended on it. I got discouraged and quit. I think what your daughter wants is a short scale steel string guitar with a small enough neck for her to play chords. I looked at the Hannah Montana guitar and see that it's a purple steel string guitar with a logo on it. If you can't find them in stock, I suggest you find another cute guitar that will inspire her to pick it up and play. Maybe an adult has no use for a purple or pink guitar, but a little girl thinks it looks cool. There's a 3/4 guitar called the Dean Playmate that comes in pink. Daisy Rock Wildwood is another short scale acoustic that comes in pink or purple. There's a brand called Luna that has some short scale girly looking guitars. Good luck with your shopping.

 

 

This is also true. Comfort, looks, style and peer pressure does come into play. Even among us older folks who are supposed to know better.

 

I mean if it where my little girl...I'd bring her to the music store and let her choose her guitar...obviously keeping within my budget.

 

The Daisy Rock, Luna and little Dean guitars are marketed towards young girls with small hands so she might even like one of these and they are reputable brands.

[totamus]

 

When a kid wants a certain kind of something, it is disappointing to get something else. I took two years of lessons on that guitar and still couldn't play a chord if my life depended on it. I got discouraged and quit.

 

 

Well, that pretty well puts things in perspective. I raised 4 girls - and she is absolutely right. I often got what I thought was "better" only to disappoint. I still hear about some of the times I gave gifts that I approved of, but werent what they wanted.

 

From my guitar players perspective, OGP, Stack, and myself all answered correctly. From the viewpoint of the little girl who will either play it, or leave it in the closet, we are all wrong.

 

So here is my revised recommendation. Find a suitable guitar (3/4 size, steel string or Nylon) at a Guitar store (NOT a department store) and have it set up by the store. The set up is so very important. It will make the guitar as easy to play as is possible. A guitar store may set it up for free when you buy it there, or they may charge $20 - $50. When you are selecting the guitar, make sure they know you want a set up too. They may steer you away from some models.

 

The Yamaha would come set up well, but if it isn't what she wants, it wont get played.

 

1000 pardons

[SoTrue]

 

Hi SoTrue. I'm going to answer as a former 7 year old girl who wanted to play rock on an electric guitar and got a 3/4 classical with wide, fat neck and strings 1 inch high instead. When a kid wants a certain kind of something, it is disappointing to get something else. I took two years of lessons on that guitar and still couldn't play a chord if my life depended on it. I got discouraged and quit. I think what your daughter wants is a short scale steel string guitar with a small enough neck for her to play chords. I looked at the Hannah Montana guitar and see that it's a purple steel string guitar with a logo on it. If you can't find them in stock, I suggest you find another cute guitar that will inspire her to pick it up and play. Maybe an adult has no use for a purple or pink guitar, but a little girl thinks it looks cool. There's a 3/4 guitar called the Dean Playmate that comes in pink. Daisy Rock Wildwood is another short scale acoustic that comes in pink or purple. There's a brand called Luna that has some short scale girly looking guitars. Good luck with your shopping.

 

 

I was thinking just that. She still believes in Santa so I told her Santa called and said getting the Hannah M. may not be a good idea for now. She said she is okay with not getting the Hannah, as long as she can have a guitar. So, I was thinking if I got a pink one, that would be cool and we could get some stickers and stuff to decorate it. I looked at the pink Dean JT and it didn't have good reviews; a lot of complaints about it not being in tune and strings popping. I will check with the other recommendations, though.

Thank you.

[SoTrue]

 

Well, that pretty well puts things in perspective. I raised 4 girls - and she is absolutely right. I often got what I thought was "better" only to disappoint. I still hear about some of the times I gave gifts that I approved of, but werent what they wanted. From my guitar players perspective, OGP, Stack, and myself all answered correctly. From the viewpoint of the little girl who will either play it, or leave it in the closet, we are all wrong. So here is my revised recommendation. Find a suitable guitar (3/4 size, steel string or Nylon) at a Guitar store (NOT a department store) and have it set up by the store. The set up is so very important. It will make the guitar as easy to play as is possible. A guitar store may set it up for free when you buy it there, or they may charge $20 - $50. When you are selecting the guitar, make sure they know you want a set up too. They may steer you away from some models. The Yamaha would come set up well, but if it isn't what she wants, it wont get played. 1000 pardons

 

 

What does set-up mean?

[SoTrue]

Okay. I am now looking at the Luna Aurora Petite guitar. It's black and comes with markers that she can use to draw on the guitar.

 

How can I tell what kind of strings it has?

[otter06]

Hi SoTrue. A set-up means that it's adjusted for the best playability. The Luna Aurora petite guitar is a steel string guitar.

[johnlong7068]

I bought my 7yr old a 1/2 size yahama nylon string git. The neck was wide for her fingers. I am buying her a Daisy Rock Wildwood Short Scale guitar for Christmas. The short scales make it easier to reach chords. It is 3/4 size. They are on special sale at Music123.

 

1/2 size is probably small for a 7 or 8 yld.

[Harmonycat]

 

Morning All... My daughter (7 y.o) has been begging me for a guitar for 3 years now. I thought it was a phase just b/c my sister started learning guitar but I think she is serious now because she keeps asking. She asked for a Hannah Montana guitar for Christmas but in addition to not being able to find the thing, I am not sure if it would be the best student guitar for her, as I am giving in and will actually get her lessons. Do you guys have any recommendations on a decent student guitar that's about $100? I know nothing about guitars and so far, I know I should get her a 3/4 size and maybe one with nylon strings because it's easier on the fingers. ??? Any help is greatly appreciated! True

 

 

EBAY....the Washburn Hanna Montana can be found by filtering Washburn and Acoustic or just put 3/4 guitar in the search bar.

 

or.....call a Washburn Dealer.

 

Get her what she really wants.

 

Cheers!

[guit30]

Alvarez RF8

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-ALV-RF8-NT--src-Y0604GL0GOOGLE00.html?gclid=CJKC_47eqJACFQdEFQod8iT67A#

-nice folk size guitar,that is quality

Jim