Acoustic guitars
SX Acoustic/Electric Traveler: $129
This guitar is awesome. Simply awesome. At $129, it's a steal. They are super cheap but, from my experience, they blow guitars in similar price ranges out of the water. This guitar looks like it was made to compete with the Baby Taylor pictured below. It comes with a deluxe padded gigbag and a synthetic bone saddle for better tone (most budget instruments have plastic saddles).
This guitar has a bonus: It is an acoustic/electric. This doesn't mean that it is also an electric guitar. What it does mean is that you can plug this guitar into a sound system or amp. Acoustic/Electric guitars are what you see when people play at churches, concerts, etc. Your student probably won't use this feature initially, but it's definitely good to have around in the future. From reading reviews, a lot of semi-professional musicians are using this guitar as a travel guitar so you know the quality is good enough for your young beginner.
This guitar has a bonus: It is an acoustic/electric. This doesn't mean that it is also an electric guitar. What it does mean is that you can plug this guitar into a sound system or amp. Acoustic/Electric guitars are what you see when people play at churches, concerts, etc. Your student probably won't use this feature initially, but it's definitely good to have around in the future. From reading reviews, a lot of semi-professional musicians are using this guitar as a travel guitar so you know the quality is good enough for your young beginner.
Yamaha FG JR1: $129
This is a great entry level guitar for young beginners! This guitar also comes with a light gigbag.
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Baby Taylor: $299
We love this guitar! The playability and sound are pretty incredible considering the size and cost. It comes with a deluxe gig bag.
This is the mahogany version, but if you click on the link there are also Solid Spruce (lighter wood) and Taylor Swift Signature series versions of this guitar for the same price. |
ELECTRIC GUITARS
In my mind, the 3/4 size electric guitar market is dominated by the Squier Mini Stratocaster. After a proper setup, I have been really impressed by these guitars. If your student doesn't like the looks of the Mini Strat or you simply want to try something different I recommend SX brand guitars by Rondo Music. I have owned and played a few SX electric guitars and basses and have been very surprised at the quality of instrument for the low price. As I have more students play SX brand guitars, they have easily become my #1 entry level recommendation. I listed a small sampling of what they offer here but any 3/4 size guitar listed on their site will work.
Squier Mini Stratocaster: $99
The majority of my young students that start on electric start on this guitar. It plays well, stays in tune, and is a great fit until they grow out of it around age 12. This guitar also comes in black. You will want to add this gigbag for $29 and you'll be set!
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SX Furrian MN
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SX Callisto
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AMPlifier
If you buy an electric guitar, you will also probably want to purchase an amp. You can buy a package deal that includes everything, but for roughly the same price you can get a better quality guitar (one of the above) and a MUCH higher quality amp that won't need to be replaced for a long time.
Line 6 Spider IV: $109
I know what you're thinking...$109 for an amp?! I just spent that much on the guitar!
I guarantee that you will not be disappointed with this amp. Compare this amp to the amps that come in the guitar packs for almost the same price and you will see why. This is a digital amp. It digitally models (read: has the ability to sound like) multiple different amps. There are a few different amp choices, multiple effect choices, 4 memory channels, headphone out (for silent practice!), and mp3/cd player in (for practicing with recorded music), a built in tuner, and more!
Have no idea what I'm talking about? No problem. Have your student bring in their amp for a lesson and I'll show how to use all of the features. Buy this amp and your student will be set until they are ready to start playing gigs.
I guarantee that you will not be disappointed with this amp. Compare this amp to the amps that come in the guitar packs for almost the same price and you will see why. This is a digital amp. It digitally models (read: has the ability to sound like) multiple different amps. There are a few different amp choices, multiple effect choices, 4 memory channels, headphone out (for silent practice!), and mp3/cd player in (for practicing with recorded music), a built in tuner, and more!
Have no idea what I'm talking about? No problem. Have your student bring in their amp for a lesson and I'll show how to use all of the features. Buy this amp and your student will be set until they are ready to start playing gigs.
