help with acoustic guitar for 13 yr old

malebolge

Could anyone give me any advice about the sort of acoustic guitar to buy for a 13 year old girl?

She's had a few music lessons at school and has decided she wants her own guitar for Christmas so she can practice. Both her mum and I are a bit skint, so can't pay a fortune. We also have a feeling she might not carry it on as she does so many other things (club swimming...Thai kick boxing...hockey...) but she's smitten with learning atm

I've had a look through another thread, and know that a real good one will be out of my price range as they were on about ones that cost round £500. But has anyone any suggestions for one that will be ok? Thanks so much for any suggestions.

SailorSam

I think if your daughter is only a beginner and you're not so sure she'll stick at it, you're best looking on Amazon where they start around £50, you can always move up market if she finds she likes it.

MINMOUSE

https://www.normans.co.uk are good for instruments.

laurel7172

Lidl often sell them for around £30 in the run up to Christmas.

InsertWittyName

It really depends on your budget.

For a nice sounding, reasonably cheap guitar you can't go wrong with a Fender dreadnought (3 colours available too) http://www.gak.co.uk/en/fender-cd-60-upgraded-black/50840

richard734

Argos do some decent beginners guitars - my DD's first was from there and lasted her 2 years - she still has it as a spare after she was given a really expensive one as a gift.
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Browse?storeId=10151&langId=110&catalogId=1500002951&mRR=true&q=GUITAR&c_1=1%7Ccategory_root%7CSports+and+leisure%7C33006346&r_001=3%7CType%7CAcoustic+guitars%7C1

strewth71

We got a lovely one off ebay for a tenner. I wasnt sure what we were looking for exactly but I think that as long as its nylon strings rather than steel till her fingers toughen up from playing and a real guitar not a toy one you should be fine.

Our 9 year old has started to learn and we thought we would spend some money on lessons each week - £15 for an hour, we found her teacher on gumtree and we stay with her for the lesson. Her teacher is fab and she has said that the guitar we bought is a lovely one. I am glad we bought the cheap guitar and have used the extra money for lessons as it is keeping her interested, she is learning so much quicker than she would have learning from the internet.

Good luck with the search x

cod3

Is she learning to play acoustic or classical? The acoustic guitars are narrower in the neck for playing chords. The classical have a wider neck to make is easier for classical fingerpicking style playing. My son is nearly 13 and has just moved up to a full sized classical as he grew too big for his 3/4 sized one.

GlynD

Something around £100 will be fine for a learner. As cod3 says above though be sure not to buy a classical style guitar. The neck on these is very wide. It's hard to describe to somepone what the difference is but if you post your choice here someone will help you out. Amazon has a few nice ones some of which were posted on here by another lady the other day and we all thought they were just fine.

GlynD

This one would be fine: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000WITGQO/ref=s9_simh_gw_p267_d2_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=046Q54VDX6BM15N4APRF&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=317819927&pf_rd_i=468294

malebolge

Thanks so much for all the replies. I've a budget of about £150 tops to include a bag etc, and have spent an age looking at ones you've recommended. The yamaha from amazon looks good - I'm now torn between that and a Fender CD 60. I'm wondering what difference a 'dreadnought' design is - are they much bigger? It's acoustic not classical she's learning. Again, I really do appreciate all the advice.