1 Topic by DAFFYDRUNK (edited by DAFFYDRUNK 2007-11-13 20:49:37)

  • From: Waterloo IA
  • Registered: 2007-09-11
  • Posts: 10

Topic: Guitars for kiddies?

Reading the thing where Joe started guitar at age 4 kinda got me thinking:

I have a nephew that's 4. Really bright kid.... and a little s*hit too. Last Christmas got him a remote controlled car. This was nifty, except he immediately learned how much sadistic fun it is to crash into your ankle.

Thought perhaps a kiddie guitar might cut down on the family blood-loss this Christmas? What do you guys think? Stupid idea, or one of those Tiger Woods/Bonamassa "start em young so they're guaranteed to kick more a$$" arguments?

If the latter, any particular ideas for hardware? I'm more worried about something he'd actually wanna mess with than the cost...

  • Registered: 2007-10-25
  • Posts: 103

Re: Guitars for kiddies?

Stay away from the ones at Toys R Us. 4 is kinda young but Squier by Fender makes a mini strat that is around $99 and you can get them in a package with an amp etc. Check out Musicians Friend or Guitar Trader both are on the web. They have lots of package options but a Squier mini would be a good size for his age. He won't be able to hold up a full size guitar. Good Luck.

Matt

3 Reply by ModTourMan (edited by ModTourMan 2007-11-13 21:25:24)

  • From: South Brunswick, NJ USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 133

Re: Guitars for kiddies?

I play/teach guitar to a few kids.  Two choices for a 4 year old come to mind.  The Dean Playmate is a small, 'real' acoustic guitar that's cheap enough (under 50 bucks) to leave him to beat on it with no worries.  It's more of a toy - the guitar makes sounds and can be played but does not hold tune very well.  It's still fun though - I bought one for my 5 year old nephew.  If he's actually got talent and an interest in playing, I recommend a 'Little' Martin LXM small sized acoustic which is smaller in size, durable and a pretty good instrument (I bought one for my 9 year old daughter and play it often myself).  They do cost between 250-300 bucks but will hold up well to some abuse.  They keep good tune (decent tuners) and because they aren't traditional wood guitars (they look like they are) they don't need humidifiers and don't need to be babied like a real acoustic guitar!  Good luck whatever you choose!

Russ B.
  • From: Waterloo IA
  • Registered: 2007-09-11
  • Posts: 10

Re: Guitars for kiddies?

How about one of those $100 Yamaha nylon accoutsics I see on MF? I remember getting one of those when I was a kid. I mostly used it to bash my buddies, but it was easy on the newbie fingers as I recall...

  • From: South Brunswick, NJ USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 133

Re: Guitars for kiddies?

Yeah, the Yamaha's are  a pretty good option - nice action and easy to play.  Some of the old kids i help out play those.  They are full size though - not sure if they make a 3/4 size...worth checking into.

Russ B.
  • A.J.
  • A.J.
  • Gold Member
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  • From: Cary, IL
  • Registered: 2006-04-23
  • Posts: 87

Re: Guitars for kiddies?

when my son was 5 i got him a 1/2 size acoustic Telleno guitar w/ nylon strings... i went to my local music shop and bought it used, but in great condition for about $50 with the case. He plays it all the time and it's the perfect size, too-

A.J.'s Website

  • mikeb
  • mikeb
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  • Registered: 2006-06-24
  • Posts: 1,100

Re: Guitars for kiddies?

http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.a … lang=en-US

You Can Do Anything You Want To Do

mikeb's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Guitars for kiddies?

DAFFYDRUNK wrote:

Reading the thing where Joe started guitar at age 4 kinda got me thinking:

I have a nephew that's 4. Really bright kid.... and a little s*hit too. Last Christmas got him a remote controlled car. This was nifty, except he immediately learned how much sadistic fun it is to crash into your ankle.

Thought perhaps a kiddie guitar might cut down on the family blood-loss this Christmas? What do you guys think? Stupid idea, or one of those Tiger Woods/Bonamassa "start em young so they're guaranteed to kick more a$$" arguments?

If the latter, any particular ideas for hardware? I'm more worried about something he'd actually wanna mess with than the cost...

Remote control cars are good for when your fingers are too sore to play guitar!

I think Joe, kenny & eric used to play with those to stay occupied.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2007-08-06
  • Posts: 19

Re: Guitars for kiddies?

My dad's a guitar teacher and I started playing when I was around 6. Learned classical for a number of years but could never hold attention well enough to progress that much, it was more of a hobby I was encouraged to do than anything serious. Saying that however I am enormously thankful of my parents for encouraging me to take it up from such a young age, I've been playing more seriously now for around 3-4 years and having a good base of technique has boosted my playing vastly.

As for what to get, its pretty hard to find something suitable, but in the past my dad has gotten 2nd hand, 3/4 sized classical guitars to encourage my younger cousins to take up music, mostly to disaster but its as good a place as any to start.

  • From: Waterloo IA
  • Registered: 2007-09-11
  • Posts: 10

Re: Guitars for kiddies?

Thank for all the replies... I'll do a little research on em and try to decide. Hadn't realize there's really alot of choices. They say the cheapie Dean is a more of toy, but could it be improved on? You know... grinding the nut and saddle a tad and maybe play with different strings to improve the playability and intonation? Also do they have kiddie guitar straps? Hadn't looked for something like that yet. That would definitely make him play with it more, as he'll be able to run around and destroy the woodwork in my sister's new house more efficiently.

Funny... Costco has a kit that comes with "Guitar for Dummies". ha! Gave me a chuckle. They have "for dummies" books that cover just about everything it seems.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Guitars for kiddies?

DAFFYDRUNK wrote:

Thank for all the replies... I'll do a little research on em and try to decide. Hadn't realize there's really alot of choices. They say the cheapie Dean is a more of toy, but could it be improved on? You know... grinding the nut and saddle a tad and maybe play with different strings to improve the playability and intonation? Also do they have kiddie guitar straps? Hadn't looked for something like that yet. That would definitely make him play with it more, as he'll be able to run around and destroy the woodwork in my sister's new house more efficiently.

Funny... Costco has a kit that comes with "Guitar for Dummies". ha! Gave me a chuckle. They have "for dummies" books that cover just about everything it seems.

except "heart & brain surgery" for dummies.
I even saw "being president" for dummies...I think every president since Reagan has owned a copy...
(just kidding-our presidents aren't that bad)

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: South Brunswick, NJ USA
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 133

Re: Guitars for kiddies?

DAFFYDRUNK wrote:

Thank for all the replies... I'll do a little research on em and try to decide. Hadn't realize there's really alot of choices. They say the cheapie Dean is a more of toy, but could it be improved on? You know... grinding the nut and saddle a tad and maybe play with different strings to improve the playability and intonation? Also do they have kiddie guitar straps? Hadn't looked for something like that yet. That would definitely make him play with it more, as he'll be able to run around and destroy the woodwork in my sister's new house more efficiently.

Funny... Costco has a kit that comes with "Guitar for Dummies". ha! Gave me a chuckle. They have "for dummies" books that cover just about everything it seems.

Sorry, but the Dean Playmate I picked up was pretty hopeless - poor action and bad tuners.  The good news is that it would probably lose in a fight against your sisters woodwork and household furnishings!  It's a great toy for my nephew to beat on until he asks me to teach him someday.  I'll hook him up with something better then.

Russ B.