First guitar for a 5 year old

[Puerto Player]

I started teaching my son at 6 years old (he's 19 now). I ended up buying him a 3/4 size Zager. I know, Zager, lot's of hate here, but I'm telling you, it was, and is a fun little guitar to play. So fun in fact, I bought an identical one for my self. I brought it to Guitar Center after Zager sent it to me and compared it to the little Taylor, Martin and an Alvarez. I thought it sounded better and played better than those offerings. As I said, he's 19 now and it's with him in his dorm room at college. I had a Martin pickup put in at some point years ago too. It's REALLY easy to play, it has a decent sound (it's not an SJ-200), and is small bodied but normal size slim neck with short scale. Here's him playing it at a talent show years ago in grade school and through a PA in front of about 1200 people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah4XK3CIKbM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uTwlQOMPiY

[Mr Fixit eh]

Originally Posted by Earl49

Baritone uke is tuned DGBE like the high four strings on a guitar, and decent ones can be had for under $100. That way he can follow your chord shapes as he learns. Four nylon strings are much easier for little hands than six strings.

I have a Yamaha Guitalele. The size is that of a 1/4 size guitar-perfect for a 6 year old. It is a 6 string baritone uke with the same chord fingerings as 6 string guitar. To play along with a guitar, you just have to adjust with the capo on the fifth fret of the guitar. I paid about $125 a few years ago to use as a travel guitar. I don't use it much for that anymore, but I'm saving it for my granddaughter's first guitar (newborn).

Steve

[Esq.]

I picked up an Oscar Schmidt OG1 3/4 size for my 4 (almost 5) year old this Christmas. Just over $100 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001B...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Very nice guitar for the price. Decent sound and easy to play. It's a little big for her, but she'll grow into it and can enjoy it for a few years.

[Woodstock School Of Music]

The biggest struggle I've seen is if the neck is too long it's quite a reach for them to play on the first few frets so I would take that into consideration. Trust me I've encountered it more than a few times

[titanNV]

Originally Posted by mushin

I would get him a Yamaha JR1 Mini Folk Guitar. I see them on CL all the time, usually under $100.

This.

Also I think Ibanez makes a 3/4 size as well.

[yates_fitter]

Originally Posted by bitraker

Martin D-45 - that way you won't have to buy anymore...

Now you are talking!


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[Fred]

I'm with Earl49...baritone uke is a great way to start because the chords are transferable to guitar later on. Price point is good in case kid changes his mind. Easy to carry around...good travel instrument.

[davwir]

My niece is turning 11 in march, and is asking for her first guitar..
Although I think she would prefer an electric, her folks would like her to have an acoustic to start.
There is not a lot out there that is decent at starter pricing it seems.
She def seems to need a smaller scale instrument, we went to a Guitar Center and played around a bit.
Id like to try to keep the price at around $200 or less..
Any suggestions?

[MikeBodd]

Ibanez PF2MHOPN 3/4 Mini Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Open Pore Natural

[handers]

I'd try something like this

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...F-adType%5EPLA

[vindibona1]