What Guitar Would You Choose to Teach A 13-yr old Guitar?

[PittPastor]

There are a couple of kids in our church that have been asking me about learning to play the guitar.

One's a smallish 13 year old and one is a bigger 12 year old... so both about the same size I guess.

I learned on a horrible Stella guitar. I have no idea if Stella makes a good guitar or not, but this one had really high action and a pretty bad sound. I started trying to learn when I was 14. No dice. Tried again a couple of times before it finally took at about 16. So, I've always thought that 15-16 was the right age to learn guitar.

But with a smaller bodied guitar, and good action? Why not start them younger? I'm thinking about getting a couple guitars and use them as trainers. I'm not sure exactly which way to go. Here are some I've considered, along with Pros and Cons, and I am very happy to get opinions:


Economy
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Yamaha JR1 3/4-Size Dreadnought
Ibanez PN12E Mahogany electro-acoustic

Guild
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Guild Jumbo Junior
Guild M-240E Concert Guitar

Cordoba/Classical
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Cordoba Protege C1M, 3/4 Nylon String
Cordoba Protégé C1M-CE

Electric
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Suggestions?

What am I missing???

OK, breakdown of what I am thinking...

Budget: I should probably go with something like the Ibanez... $200 and seems to be a solid performer. Even electronics if they want to play with the rest of us some time. I would expect eventually they will move on to their own guitar, so I don't need to think about the future too much.

Classical: Nylon strings seem fussier to tune and keep in tune. But probably easier on the fingers. IDK. My Guild Mark II had a pretty chunky neck. I don't know if that is typical, but it probably wouldn't be great for a 13 year old with small hands.

Electric: This is intriguing because in general they fret easier -- although they are usually pretty heavy, which isn't great for a small kid. Also, I'm not much of a pick and shredder guy, and I can only teach what I know.

Guild: Because. Well... why not?

My heart tells me go with the M-240E, that way if they quit, I'll still have something I like playing But the Junior probably fits them better. (I looked at, and ruled out, Taylor and Martin's minis. They are out of the price range.)

As long as I stay in the sub $400 range, I'm OK money wise. But I don't want to spend what I don't need to, either. I'm going to buy 2. It would be cool to buy two different guitars and cover the possibilities -- but as soon as I do that, it will turn out that one is "better" in their eyes, and the kid who gets the other one will feel cheated. So... I'm going to get two of the same for now.

OK, so that's it. Ideas?

 

[Opsimath]

So generous of you to do this for these kids. Some say start cheap in case they quit while others say get good sound to inspire them. I tend to go with the latter. When my son and I started guitar in 2014 our teacher suggested a $200 model that wasn't in stock. My cousin (degree in music, guitar teacher as his job) said that particular one was junk. Go $100 more and get something decent, so we ordered a $300 Yamaha that even the luthier complemented.

I am sorry I don't have specific recommendations. My son was 13 when we started lessons and he had no problems with the Yamaha. And remember kids grow quickly. These two are about to have their teenage growth spurts!

Again, so wonderful of you to do this for them. Best of luck in finding the right instrument.

 

[jp]

I think a couple of the used Yamahas are the best route. With kids, you never know how much they're really going to commit once they get into it, so you don't want to spend too much. Yamaha make consistently decent playable instruments that won't hinder their learning. Classical guitars tend to have wider necks and higher action, which I think are more difficult for kids to play.

After about 6 months, you'll definitely know whether they want to continue or not, and you can let them try a classical or electric to see if they'd like to change. It may also be a factor whether a particular instrument inspires them or not, or aligns with the type of music they like.

Have fun with it, PP! I enjoy teaching kids, and it's fun to see them make breakthroughs and get better.

 

[fronobulax]

It should be something you can tolerate the sound of. It doesn't have to be great but there are some guitars that when played, people leave the room - and it's not the playing. I would avoid classical - the neck radius and width can be issues for smaller hands or people trying to learn chords and typical strumming. I would avoid electrics because of amps. It's one more thing to carry or break and some people can find the amp threatening or distracting.

If your budget is $400 per instrument, I would spend $300 on the guitar and save the rest to get a professional setup once or twice and a pile of strings so the instrument can be restrung when the thrill is gone.

There are many stories about bad Stellas and a whole bunch of beginner instruments but often it is not a flaw with the instrument but a flaw in the setup.

 

[jedzep]

No problem with Guilds or others, check out the YT video demonstrations of MIC Orangewood guitars. Your dollar goes far and they play like electrics.

 

[fronobulax]

P.S. - try getting them playing in front of people ASAP. There are songs appropriate for church that have only a couple of chords and if you and your proteges do a song together (before, after or during a service) they get the thrill of playing for an audience and the congregation can feel good about the younger generation.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

It isn't the age of the kids, it's the hand size.
It isn't the brand, it's the playability...scale length...nut width...body size...both guitars and kids.
That said, classicals have wider flatter fretboards and higher action...so they are NOT easier to play.
You haven't said if they are boys or girls.
Girls hands are smaller...Daisy Rock has guitars sized for girls hands...not all of them are 'pink'
(should the kids be boys with smaller hands)
The best thing would be to take the children to a music store and try different instruments on for fit...a good instructor/salesperson can help with that...just give him/her your budget and ask to be shown instruments in that range...some stores will give a free set up included with the purchase.
I would stick with an acoustic instrument for basics for beginners...if they develop a love for music they can upgrade/change style later.
And kids learn better if they get to choose a song/style they like when they start...something simple and familiar...helps their ears to recognize what they hear.

 

[walrus]

It isn't the age of the kids, it's the hand size.
It isn't the brand, it's the playability...scale length...nut width...body size...both guitars and kids.
That said, classicals have wider flatter fretboards and higher action...so they are NOT easier to play.
You haven't said if they are boys or girls.
Girls hands are smaller...Daisy Rock has guitars sized for girls hands...not all of them are 'pink'
(should the kids be boys with smaller hands)
The best thing would be to take the children to a music store and try different instruments on for fit...a good instructor/salesperson can help with that...just give him/her your budget and ask to be shown instruments in that range...some stores will give a free set up included with the purchase.
I would stick with an acoustic instrument for basics for beginners...if they develop a love for music they can upgrade/change style later.
And kids learn better if they get to choose a song/style they like when they start...something simple and familiar...helps their ears to recognize what they hear.

This! Nice post - saved me typing what I was going to post!

walrus

 

[AcornHouse]

I would recommend a Guild F-20, or whatever it’s Oxnard equivalent is, either US or import. (I refuse to cowtow to their absurd renumbering. Up the Revolution!)

 

[PittPastor]

Wow. So much good feedback. Thanks!

A couple of other comments... Both kids are boys. We don't have a music store that really deals in these kinds of guitars. Guitar Center is a ghost town these days. Half their stock has to be depleted. And they push their starter kits -- and I'm not interested in those guitars. We have a couple of stores that specialize in instruments for kids in private schools. They have archtops and acoustics that I can't afford.

Steering away from classical. I pretty much thought that anyway, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. No one suggested electric. So, that's also how I was leaning.

I might order them in from Guitar Center -- if only because of their great return policy, so if they aren't what I was expecting, or the wrong neck for the hands, I can return them easily enough.

Good advice, Fronobulax in getting them in front of people. The people will be very supportive. And there just isn't an easier song than "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love." Am and Em. That's it!

 

[PittPastor]

So generous of you to do this for these kids.

Long story there. But we're an odd church. No one gets paid, so we keep costs down. We were saving up thinking we were going to buy a building in the area (we rent now) but that fell through. And I see all of this money in our account and thought, "Well, the church is the people anyway, not the building" and ever since we've been looking for ways of investing in the people. And our kids are so great, if they can catch the love of music, I think we'll have really done something good. But thanks for the kind words!

 

[PittPastor]

No problem with Guilds or others, check out the YT video demonstrations of MIC Orangewood guitars. Your dollar goes far and they play like electrics.

I've never even heard of this guitar. I'll check it out. Thx.

 

[silverfox103]

P.S. - try getting them playing in front of people ASAP. There are songs appropriate for church that have only a couple of chords and if you and your proteges do a song together (before, after or during a service) they get the thrill of playing for an audience and the congregation can feel good about the younger generation.

That is the best advice yet!

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

My 8 yo is starting with a uke.

 

[secndshft]

Not a Guild (sorry all) but I would consider looking into something from one of Goodin’s brands, like an Art & Lutherie Ami, or something from Seagull. All of these brands are consistently undervalued for their quality, and like Guild, easy to pick up used because they aren’t Gibson, etc.

 

[ruedi]

Hey Pastor, as others have mentioned: good on you that you want to pass on the joy of music to the next generation!

I'd go with this guitar:

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha/JR2-3-4-Scale-Folk-Guitar-Tobacco-Sunburst-1327507869492.gc?rNtt=yamaha%20jr&index=2

I don't have personal experience with this specific guitar, but Yamaha is very consistent quality-wise and mostly a great bang for the buck - you will have enough money left for say a capo, a tuner, spare strings, a professional setup, a music stand, a strap, picks, a footbench...

Here's a review:



Halleluja! Please let us know how you decide

 

[dreadnut]

Definitely an acoustic, and I would start them out on parlor sized guitars.

 

[Opsimath]

Hey Pastor, as others have mentioned: good on you that you want to pass on the joy of music to the next generation!

I'd go with this guitar:

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha/JR2-3-4-Scale-Folk-Guitar-Tobacco-Sunburst-1327507869492.gc?rNtt=yamaha%20jr&index=2

I don't have personal experience with this specific guitar, but Yamaha is very consistent quality-wise and mostly a great bang for the buck - you will have enough money left for say a capo, a tuner, spare strings, a professional setup, a music stand, a strap, picks, a footbench...

Here's a review:



Halleluja! Please let us know how you decide

That's nice. The Yamaha my son started with is an F series.

 

[SFIV1967]

- you will have enough money left for say a capo, a tuner, spare strings, a professional setup, a music stand, a strap, picks, a footbench...

Also if the kids should take the guitar home and back to Church they need a good gig bag at least!

Ralf

 

[Westerly Wood]

I see old red label Yamahas cone up on CL now and again. They usually are in tough shape, but cheap. True, neck resets are common with these. There is an old Fg110 local for $50. I been thinking of snagging it as it’s more like a grand concert size. It will have a great sound however, a depth most newer MIC guits won’t have.

what about a D4?