Help Me Buy a Guitar...

I think it's one of those things where your daughter should go into a music store and try some guitars out. Even if she's never played before, she can sit with the guitar and see if the shape fits her body and if it's comfortable. She can see if she likes the neck. She can strum a few strings and see if she likes the sound. Guitars have personalities, and I think it's like Harry Potter picking out the wand. The guitar picks YOU!

She will know, after trying out a few guitars, what feels good.

I wouldn't pick up a pawn shop guitar unless you know a lot about guitars. A music store is your best bet. They can also point you to the best buy for your money. $200 is a good start, you should be able to get a very nice starter guitar for $200. They can also advise you on the best strings.

To go with the guitar, you will need a strap, some picks and a tuner. You also need to think about where you are going to store it. Are you going to buy a case or get a guitar stand?

So be prepared to either include them in your $200 price or spend a little more. The good thing about music stores around the holidays is they often throw in a lot of "freebies" or they put together good "starter" packages.

When my daughter wanted to start guitar we were able to get her a starter package for $150. It included an electric guitar, a small amp, the cord, a tuner, some picks, a guitar stand, headphones and a DVD on getting started playing. The package had pretty much everything she needed to get started. I know they make acoustic guitar starter packages too, and I think you can get everything for about $130-150. There are several brands, so she has a few to choose from.

A starter guitar isn't going to be as nice, but if she really likes guitar then she can save up for a really nice one. My first bass was a starter package and then I saved up for a $1000 one. I still have my starter and I still play it and record with it. My daughter just got a nice electric guitar, and she still plays her starter.

Good luck and have fun!

Cheerful's got the ticket!!!

Guitar Center has stellar Xmas sales, by the by. Back before kids with money to spare... I got my then fiancé a 5k guitar for 3k, and a couple Xmas ago got my son an $800 drum kit for $150 (including cymbals)

SO many things can go wrong with guitars (warping), that you really only ever want to buy used if you are very experienced with guitars and know what to look for/listen for, and gimmicks that keep them okay for sale (keeping in a humid room so cracks aren't apparent, for example).

GuitarCenter & other big music stores will have exchange policies/warantees/etc that will protect you, ON TOP of bulk pricing.

What's your budget? Guitars have a wide price range. Have you asked your daughter if she has a preference?

My sister has a Fender Acoustic guitar never played with a case and beginners instructional video and an electronic tuner and a music book that she is selling for $300. I ftyou are interested let me know I can send you a ppicture of the guitar and everything it comes with.

D.

I bought a guitar off Amazon last year for my dauhgter. She learned basic chords in school but wanted an acoustic for herself. I spent less than $20. This is a beginner guitar, nylon strings etc. It was a good starter. And no waste if she decided to drop it. I recently bought a guitar starter kit from Groupon for $59. We got it this week. It has metal strings and she has started using it. It came with picks and a tuner. She has to learn to tune it so it sounds right. Right now, Groupon has a deal for $99 for a Fender guitar. If she knows nothing about using a guitar, I would start with a cheaper one and then once she knows more, get a better one. This was also recommended by a music shop I had gone to to ask questions. He has been in business for 30 yrs.

Size is important -- we have a dreadnaught guitar, which is huge, and I had a lot of trouble playing it (I'm 5'1"). But we went to a used instrument music store and looked at electric acoustic guitars. The have a much thinner body -- they sound like a normal acoustic guitar but they can also plug into an amp. I may never use the amp, but the size of the guitar is perfect for me. It also has a built in tuner. I've been very happy with it. I would suggest going to a store like Music-Go-Round if they have them where you are. I bought mine on Amazon using credit card points and am really happy with it. Mine is a Fender, but I also really liked the Jasmine ones.

Ibanez makes lovely guitars that sound great and really last...for lower end prices. My first was an Ibanez and I loved it. I actually sold it to a pro who begged me for it due to its wonderful sound and ability to stay tuned.