Electric guitar for my 12-year old daughter
 

Hel all. I'm looking for an electric guitar for my 12-year old daughter. We bought her an acoustic about 3 years ago, she played it a few times and couldn't get past the callous-building period, so stopped playing. The action is set pretty well. She happens to have a low threshold for discomfort. We should have either gone nylon or small electric.

We went with the small electric for my younger daughter, a tiny pink Strat, and that worked out much better.

Anyway, my 12-year old recently expressed an interest again. This time, I suggested we start with the tiny Strat, and she is much more comfortable with the strings and such, but her fingers are a bit big for this instrument, and she's getting some buzzing as her nails (still a little too long) hit the next string. The spacing is very tight. So I'd like to upsize. I don't think a full size Strat is within her reach yet. She's about 4' 9" tall. I have a LP, but it is very heavy, so that's not really a good option. Can anyone suggest a guitar that might be a good fit? If I picked a budget range, it would be in the $200 area, maybe $250. We're set with amps, so right now, I just want to get her a comfy guitar.

Thanks!!

Make sure it is a "fixed" bridge so tuning issues don't frustrate her. I like Telecaster style. I mean other than my Les Paul Standard but that is big bucks. You can get a used Standard Fender Tele for $300 (maybe $250). Squire even less. You know your girl better than me but 12 years she might be able to handle full size. The electrics are easier to finger.

Check out a Squier Vintage Modified Mustang

24 inch scale.

http://www.fender.com/squier/series/...rd-fiesta-red/

$299, not too far off and could be a keeper if she sticks with it.

Could also try to find a used Fender Mustang. But new squiers are pretty nice for the price.

You could also try an SG. I don't think they are actually short scale, but they are small overall and AC/DC's Angus Young (what is he 5'2''??) plays one, so there must be something to it. They feel too small to me as an averaged sized adult human male.

Thanks guys, that Squire Mod Mustang might be perfect! Any idea if that floating bridge impacts how well the guitar stays in tune?

This little Les Paul Express looks cool. 22 inch scale. They are promoting it as a travel guitar.

http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...psnlsypa4b.jpg

http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Les...l-Express.aspx

Secondhand melody maker? That or a Junior type guitar would be my choice, and will be if and when my daughter decides she wants to play.

The fixed bridge is a good idea, but you could always just screw the trem springs down on a strat, and hide the whammy bar in a safe place until she takes an interest in using it.

At 13, I would likely go for a full size guitar. Maybe a Squier strat and deactivate the trem.

I'm trying to think what the lightest option would be: Squier thinline Tele?

I've spent most of my adult life teaching kids, and IME "light" is the major factor, within reason - and just as I wouldn't give a kid a 10+ pound LP, I wouldn't give him/her a four-pound 17" Rainsong JM1000; that said, a shorter-scale standard-size guitar shouldn't be too hard to handle - I was just about her height when I got my 16" Gretsch Double Annie in 1964, and had no problems whatsoever. My rule of thumb for younger students is ~7% of body weight as the practical maximum (try playing a four-set gig with an original "all-solid" '50s LP and I think you'll see my reasoning), which puts you in the low-five to mid-six pound range. Epiphone's Worn G-400 might be a good option @$299 (Fender/Squier doesn't make the Duo-Sonic anymore, and I've found most of the current crop of Mustangs - not to mention just about anything labeled Strat or Tele - to be borderline in the weight department for a youngster), as well as being a good backup guitar for Dad if she loses interest again... :guitar:

If you see she's going to hang with it this time, however, you might want to wait for the new Epiphone Casino Coupe (seems the EU is getting it before the North American market); this one's essentially a full-hollow 339 with P-90's, so size and weight (I'm figuring about five pounds in final trim) should be no problem. Maybe a bit above your stated budget, but it's also got the potential to become a "Dad" guitar - here's a link:

http://www.lamusic.ca/Epiphone-2014-...p/etccchnh.htm

BTW, long time no hear - how's the bass thing going...? :)

Thanks all, good suggestions all around. Maybe the best option is to let her try my Strat or the Vox I've been thinking of selling. Both are very good guitars, and while 25.5" scale, maybe she'll be comfortable, especially if I don't suggest it is an issue. She might like the Vox because it is a semi-hollow, so she'll get some sound even when not plugged in.

Steve, while the idea of a potential "daddy guitar" is tempting, daddy has too many!! I'm more into having less instead. So if I can give her one instead of bringing yet another into the house, that's better.

As far as the bass, I simply have not picked it up more than twice. I hope to, but have to many items ahead of it on the priority list, unfortunately. Nice of you to ask, though!!

It was suggested about seizing or freezing or locking the trem? I think if you have a Strat a great idea. You do not have to do with any permanent mods. If it turns out she really does need a shorter scale you are not out anything.

I would give that a shot. I have 13 year old niece going through the same kind of issues/concerns. I also have tried to remember back with myself. We/I don't start with anything more than basics. I did it on a classical 52mm width 650mm scale classical. Give it a shot by the time she is ripping scales and comping Jazz chords it will be a couple of years and bigger fingers.;)

I asked a similar question recently: http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=327462

However ... we went to a guitar shop with a good range of guitars and helpful staff, and after spending more than 2 hours playing a variety of guitars, my daughter came home with a MIM strat. She found it by far the most comfortable to play of the guitars she tried. Her second favourite was an epiphone es-339. Unfortunately the reduced-size casino (coupe) won't get here until summer, or that might have been in the running - or perhaps not, as the strat was so far ahead of the rest in terms of playing comfort.

She is 12, a little taller than your daughter but she has small hands for her size/age. The strat is very easy for her to play - easier than her GS mini - but she does have quite a lot of experience of playing an acoustic.

Thanks for the input! We're going to try the Strat. What's really nice, is this model (Deluxe Power Strat) also has a Piezo, so she can get acoustic tones, if that's what she'd rather hear. I mentioned it to her, and she likes the idea. Unfortunately school calls, so we won't be able to try it on for size until later this evening. Looking forward to reporting back. I don't think I'll need to lock down the trem; been playing it for years without the trem arm, and it stays in tune very well. I'm happy to recycle this guitar for her!

Just an update...so far, she likes the Strat! She says it's much easier to play than the tiny Strat. Very glad!! I still might let her try the Vox because it is semi-hollow and might give her a little more volume when unplugged. Right now it's hanging in a local music school as I make a half-hearted attempt at selling it. She can then pick what she's more comfortable with, but going full size was the right move. Thanks for all the suggestions! Have to say that when she asks if I'll sit and practice with her, I'm thrilled! It's nice to have such a wonderful common interest (mine is a passion, perhaps hers will grow to be one).

Have a great night!

You may find that once she's played the strat for a while, she will also be more comfortable with an acoustic guitar (my daughter switches easily between the two, despite the differences in scale length between the GS mini and the strat).

Have fun playing together :) It's a very rewarding and motivating instrument for a young player as you only need minimal skills to play simple songs. My daughter is just coming up to her first anniversary as a guitarist, she is playing her first coffee-house type gig this evening :).