Birthday guitar for my son???
 

My soon to be 17 year old son picked up my guitar a few months ago and now plays every day. It's been a joy to show him stuff and to have him push me in learning new things. I'd like to get him a $300 - $500 guitar for his birthday next month. The problem is that he's been playing my Mcpherson, Lowden and Taylor 514ce, so he's used to awesome. I've been looking at Taylor GS mini's and Orangewoods. Any recommends on an instrument he can make his own and take to college with him?

Pete

I think your best bet is to take him to the store, play a bunch of guitars in the price range you think is right, and buy the one he likes best. You'll also need a hardshell case.

Have him try a Yamaha FG-800 or 820. Less expensive than your range and he may like it more than $500 options. Also, Seagulls are popular in that range.

You're right, he's been spoiled with fantastic guitars. He can still get a good one though but he (or you) will need to play a bunch of them.

Seagull S6 and Yamaha FS800 (folk) or FG800 (dreadnought) are the prime candidates. Decent quality and sound, yet not so precious as to be a concern among rambunctious college students. Or any number of Alvarez models. Going more deluxe maybe something like a Taylor 314 in well-used condition might work too.

I got to drive a Cadillac once, but my student car was a Ford Pinto (!!) Your are looking for a stepping stone, not the final lifetime guitar. Something nicer can be a college graduation present from you.

Tried one of these at Sam Ash before the lockdown: surprisingly good for the money, something he can use for a lifetime as a grab-&-go/beater/camp guitar, one of the very few true 17" jumbos in the lower-price bracket, can be had for under $500 with a little Memorial Day dickering if you act now - and he gets a free Cordoba uke as part of the deal:

https://guildguitars.com/wp-content/...250E_Front.jpg

https://guildguitars.com/wp-content/...-250E_Back.jpg

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...-antique-burst

Another recommendation for Yamaha or Seagull. They're great guitars for the money.

The Farida series at Elderly are the best guitars in that price range that I have ever played. Nothing wrong with any of the others mentioned, either, it all boils down to personal preference and to some degree what styles you like to play. It is pretty amazing what you can buy for short money today.

Not sure what's available in your area but I do like the idea of the father/son road-trip. :)

Dred-jr or Guild, as another current thread mentioned. Boh quality builds and fun to play at a reasonable price.

If he likes your Taylor, the 114 might be a good option. You can sometimes find them used around $500.

I say the Yamaha FG/FS series as well. Although, Id go with the FG820 or the FG830.

While the FG/FS800's are good, it's been my experience, after using both, that the next models up are a little nicer. They just feel and sound better to me. You will also get a Rosewood fretboard and Bridge with 820/830's instead of Walnut that is now in use with the new FG/FS800's.

I know others will disagree, but trust me on this. Especially if he's been playing with your awesome guitars. ;)

A G70 or G90 series Takamine is in your price range. Couldn't be happier with my GD93.

Having recently bought a FG800 and a FS830 I second this. The finish of the FS830 is much nicer, and from a playing perspective, the neck is MUCH smoother. That said, I really like the FG800 and am still glad to have bought it, especially since it was under $200.

If you want to grab something that may not be a familiar brand to guitar thiefs on college campuses, how about one of the Eastman Pacific Coast dreadnoughts?

https://www.elderly.com/products/eas...coustic-guitar

I’d recommend at least looking at the Breedlove organic series. Especially with the $100 rebate they have right now.

Agreed. If you want to try out a Breedlove, go visit Music World in Vancouver WA (once things open up obviously). Not too far from you. Talk with Matt Gohlke - a terrific guy that I bought my Breedlove Premiere Concertina from. They are one of Breedlove's "Dealers of Distinction." He usually has a good selection, and knows all about Breedlove.

Great idea. If your son isn't familiar with guitar prices, you might remove the price tag before he tries them - just so he's not biased by lower price. Let him hear how nice a FG-8XX sounds before seeing it only costs a fraction of awesome.