Lots of decent options are available, such as a Fender FA-100, Ephiphone PR-150, or a Dean AXS. For a smaller/younger tween player, consider a Fender MA-1 which is 3/4 sized.

If you are near Falls Church, try Action Music. the owner is a dad and worked with my kid for hours to find a right electrical guitar, case, amp. I found an electrical guitar was much easier for my kid with small hands.

Please budget some money (maybe $40) to have the guitar set up by a decent repair shop. The set up gets the guitar in good shape (files the frets, sets the bridge at a good height, etc.)

I researched and everything pointed to a Yamaha C40 for a beginner. Got it on Amazon for about $160. It came with various accessories, which my son uses, and most importantly, it has a good sound. You can always resell one of these if your son doesn't stick with it. They have a solid reputation as student guitars.

+1 for Middle C Music. They are knowledgeable and carry guitars in a nice variety of styles and aa range of prices. I think they are pretty good at helping your child figure out what they are interested in and balancing that with what would work best for your family. They offer music lessons too.

We've bought one instrument and rented a different school band instrument from them, and have had a good experience.

As far as steel string acoustic guitars, I got an entry level yamaha many years ago in a different city for about $250 including a basic case, and it's held up well. I agree with PPs who encourage starting with a decent beginner instrument that will give your kid a chance to see if they like guitar.

Good luck!

If you are in DC, please consider stoping by Middle C Music, who is a forum sponsor here:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/488048.page

I would go to guitar center. They may let you purchase one and allow him to come in and exchange it if it's not what he wants. My 15 year old has four electric guitars and two acoustic. He's getting another ($700) electric for Christmas. Normally we wouldn't spend that but he just got into a real band playing gigs in restaurants and he has become very serious about his music. Guitar players are very picky about their guitars and even their pick ups, amps, and picks. Personal choice really matters. He'll want to play a bunch to see which he likes the best. You could also take him to guitar center and let him mess around for a while and see if you can tell what he wants.

When we went to Guitar Center with an 8 year old, they were not very interested in talking to us. Though the selection is minimal there, we got her guitar at Reston Music. She is using a classical guitar which has 3 lower strings that are plastic, so it is a little easier on the fingers in the beginning. We also got a basic case there. You can find the tuners and a cheap stand online.

Another recommendation for Guitar Center. They really know their stuff, love music and of course, guitars and there's really no pressure to buy. They have collectors who come in all the time to play with their 'toys'. We got our little musician started at age 8 and he's stuck with it with a wonderful teacher.

Little Martin LX1E

Any recommendations as to what to buy and what to avoid? Brand, model etc?

I bought a guitar, stand, and soft case for my daughter for about $130 a few years ago at the guitar center.

It's worth spending the money to get a decent instrument. You'll want to make sure it suits his hands, and he likes how the body fits into his body.

Around $100 will be fine.

The Snark tuner is a favorite of the child musician in this house, and she was stunned by how many picks can fit in a standard issue Christmas stocking. (It's what she asked for for Christmas a couple years ago. We are never going to have to buy more picks.)

Consider a trip to the music store to pick up some music, and maybe some pointers to some of the (many) decent intro-to-guitar lessons on youtube. It can also be worthwhile to get a few lessons from a music store just to help with the basics.

Also, consider a case. Does he want to play with friends? Just bang around at home? Set him up so he can transport it safely. And I found that having a guitar stand meant the guitar got played a lot more than storing it in its case. Stands are inexpensive.

My DS got this guitar after outgrowing his kiddie one and it's nice enough that he still loves it at 15 (he got a pricier electric after playing for a couple of years and still picks this one up more often):

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez/Talman-TCY10-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-Black-1274115042950.gc#productDetail

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely!

I'm a musician and so are both my kids, and and I started them off on inexpensive instruments first. There is no point at all in spending lots of money for equipment for a hobby you have no idea if they'll still want to do in two weeks.

I recommend going to The Guitar Center store. They've got plenty in that range and will be able to assist you with specific brands and such. Once you have some names in mind, you can even then look for used ones on Craigslist or Facebook.

I would also suggest giving a gift certificate and taking DS after Christmas to select a guitar that fits. When beginning it is important to get the neck size right.It is very frustrating for a beginner with small hands to try and learn various notes and hand positions on a neck that's too wide. I would personally also recommend starting with a nylon string guitar. Steel strings hurt a lot!

Absolutely!

I'm a musician and so are both my kids, and and I started them off on inexpensive instruments first. There is no point at all in spending lots of money for equipment for a hobby you have no idea if they'll still want to do in two weeks.

I recommend going to The Guitar Center store. They've got plenty in that range and will be able to assist you with specific brands and such. Once you have some names in mind, you can even then look for used ones on Craigslist or Facebook.

Are there decent guitars out there in the $100 price range? 12 year old DS has been wanting to try guitar -- acoustic guitar -- for a long time. Has not taken music before, other than piano, briefly, a few years ago. I'm not sure whether this will really turn out to be something long-term - would be great if he likes it and it does take - but I'm willing to get the guitar as his Xmas gift. It's really the only thing he's asking for.

My question -- would something affordable be possible, or would it be a low quality instrument that would only frustrate him and not really give him a chance to learn or enjoy playing?

Guitarists or parents of guitar players -- specific recommendations would be AWESOME. Thanks for any help on this.