Beginner Accoustic Guitar Recommendations...

[trickblue]

My eleven year old daughter wants to take guitar lessons.

I bought her an inexpensive guitar last weekend, but am taking it back as it won't hold it's tune after a few licks...

I want to get her a quality instrument without breaking the bank (under $200).

I'm looking for something that doesn't have a high action as that will be pretty painful on her fingers right off the bat. Also she obviously isn't big enough to handle a dreadnought...

Here are a few I've found on Amazon and I thought some of you may have some experience with them:

Takamine

Yamaha

Fender

Silvertone

 

[theogt]

Just an FYI, any time that you tune a string down, make sure you pull up on the string at the body in order to keep the strings from "sticking" in the nut. Just grab the string and pull away from the body a few inches.

When you do this, the string will go flatter. Then tune up to the desired position. Never tune down without doing this. If you don't, it will go out of tune after strumming.

 

[masomenos]

I've always heard that Yamaha makes really good beginner instruments.

 

[silverbear]

My eleven year old daughter wants to take guitar lessons.

I bought her an inexpensive guitar last weekend, but am taking it back as it won't hold it's tune after a few licks...

I want to get her a quality instrument without breaking the bank (under $200).

I'm looking for something that doesn't have a high action as that will be pretty painful on her fingers right off the bat. Also she obviously isn't big enough to handle a dreadnought...

Here are a few I've found on Amazon and I thought some of you may have some experience with them:

Takamine

Yamaha

Fender

Silvertone

Trick, I haven't priced guitars in a while, but I can offer you one little tip-- some models of the Ovation series have rather small fingerboards, which would be advantageous for your average everyday 11 year old girl... and I think some of their starter-type guitars will be close to your price range...

 

[CliffnDallas]

"make sure you pull up on the string at the body in order to keep the strings from "sticking" in the nut. Just grab the string and pull away from the body a few inches."

You see. This is exactly why I never took up music...

 

[vta]

Action is something that has to be adjusted by the truss rod. If the actions high, the guitar is not useless, it just needs to be adjusted. If you're not comfortable doing it bring it to a guitar shop and have them work it over.

It you're buying online you'll never know what you're getting in that respect, and that may be the case.

Like Theo said, the strings need to be stretched after restringing and tuning or they will stretch themselves over time and not keep tune. So if you buy online, buy a pack of strings and restring it, stretch the strings and let her rip. If you go to a shop have them restring it for you.

Personally, I'd recommend you don't buy online and go to a shop and get it in her hands and let her feel a few out. Playing is personal and based on the persons own hands.

I have a Takamine and I can't say how the beginner series would be, but based on the one I have it probably wouldn't be comfortable for a little girl. Yamaha are very comfortable little guitars. Easy to move around on and play. Good luck.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...e-Junior-Miss-Acoustic-Guitar-Pack?sku=514877

 

[5Stars]

I don't know if you have already bought a guitar, but for a little girl to learn on and not get frustrated because the guitar is not a good one, I would recommend this one below:

http://www.taylorguitars.com/Guitars/Baby-Taylor/


They are perfect guitars, and are in your price range. They are a small scale guitar for small fingers, but not small enough for an adult to play. I have one that I got from Guitar Center and use it for when I go out camping or just messing around. I also have a full size Taylor acoustic guitar that I paid $1300.00 for.

Another thing about the Baby Taylor is that it has a good soundboard, not some cheap substitute.


However, they are around $300.00, but it is worth it for the extra $100 or so because you will get a quality guitar and once you register it, Taylor will send you monthly mags with all kinds of good info.

A cheap guitar is what it is. A cheap guitar. And getting a real good guitar that is easy to play, the soundboard is real, the action is perfect, is the way to suceed. Playing a cheap guitar that does not sound good, is hard to play, will just end up in a closet within a few weeks and will stay there in the closet for the next 20 years or so.

Get your little darling a Baby taylor...she will have a better chance to succeed.

IMHO.

 

[trickblue]

Thanks for all the help...

Currently I am looking in guitar forums and am researching the Baby Taylor and Baby Martin...

Any more suggestions would be appreciated...

Thanks, everyone...

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Juke should weigh in.