Buying Your Tween's First Guitar
Things to Consider Before Making a Purchase
Buying your tween's first guitar is quite an experience. With so many brands and styles to choose from, it can be confusing to know which direction to take first. Of course, talking to an experienced guitar salesman is a good option when you are out and about and checking things out, but beware of those that just want to sell you something.
Electric or Acoustic?
Your tween will probably tell you that he wants an electric guitar with amps. After all, that is what the really cool bands use, especially if your child likes rock and pop music. If your tween has never taken guitar lessons, chances are buying an electric guitar is not always the best option. Some experienced teachers would agree that a kid should learn to play an acoustic guitar first, and then move into an electric guitar when he has become comfortable with the notes, tuning, and playing songs at a good pace.
Price Range
Deciding on how much to spend on a guitar has its own factors, of course. Does your child want to play just for fun? Then a cheaper guitar is the way to go (usually starting around $15.99 and going up for this age range). In this case, an electric guitar would be an option, since he is not interested in taking lessons.
If you plan on buying a guitar with the intent that your tween will take guitar lessons, then cheaper is not better. He needs a guitar that can tuned, is sturdy, and fits his size. You can expect to pay upwards of $40 or more for a quality guitar.
Accessories
Guitar accessories can include:
- Tuners
- Stands
- Picks
- Straps
- Extra strings
- Amps (for electric guitars)
Again, what you choose to buy will depend on how serious your child is about learning guitar. Fortunately, guitar accessories don't cost too much, and you can usually find good deals or buy used ones.
New or Used Guitar
A new guitar will cost more, so this decision depends on your budget. If you are thinking about purchasing a used guitar, it is best to buy it from a shop that performs repairs and restoration. You can get a good feel of how well the guitar plays. It is not recommended to buy a used guitar off an auction site, if you cannot see what it actually looks like in person before paying for it. This consideration is more important, of course, if your tween is interested in taking guitar lessons.
Popular Brands for Kids
Price ranges are approximate and averaged based on websites where information was gathered.
- Jasmine S32 ($150.00)
- Dean Playmate JT ($60.00)
- Lauren ($45.00)
- Hohner ($70.00)
- Yamaha ($150.00)
