What is a good starter guitar for teenagers?

An Alvarez is OK


Just pick something relatively inexpensive in case they change their minds.


You can always upgrade them later.What is a good starter guitar for teenagers?
First--what kind of music does your teen want to play? If you have a budding devoted rocker, you might want to start out with an electric--otherwise, a steel-string acoustic is a better choice.





In either case, there is no single right answer. There are many good brands in both styles: acoustics like Martin, Gibson, Alvarez, Washburn, Ovation; electrics like Fender, Gibson, Hamer, Carvin, Squier.





Take your teen to a good guitar store or a big general music store. The national chains like Sam Ash and Guitar Center are fine. If possible, take along a knowledgeable guitar player to help.





Have your teen try on several models of the type of guitar you're looking at. Even tho' s/he doesn't know how to play, it's possible to get a ';feel'; for the instrument--does it sit nicely under the right arm, does the right hand naturally touch the strings, does the neck feel good with the left hand around it? Find several makes/models that feel good.





Now, the procedure differs. For acoustics, you want your teen to identify several guitars that feel good and are in your price range (used instruments are OK if they come with warranty or if you have a knowledgeable friend to vouch for them). Have someone else (friend or store clerk) play the same tunes on each of those guitars while your teen turns away--the one that sounds best when your teen isn't looking is the right one. Make certain you buy THAT PARTICULAR guitar--in mid-priced acoustics, there is some variability in manufacture (differences in wood grain and glue drying, etc.) that can make one of a particular model sound better than another.





For electrics, feel is everything. The sound will come more from the amp and pedals--pick-ups are important to sound also but they can be replaced. Once you've found an electric that feels good, you're free to shop for price--wait for a sale at the music store, go online (http://www.musiciansfriend.com or http://www.musicyo.com or similar) or even cruise the pawn shops (but if you buy used, take the instrument to a guitar shop to have a technician adjust it). Also get a decent little practice amp for the electric (35 watts would be fine) and plan to buy a bigger one if the rocker gets good enough to perform--advise the kid never to let go of the practice amp in any case, it's quite useful for not annoying the neighbors.





Now, one other thing. Get your beginner some lessons with a good teacher. Beginners often get hand position wrong and don't know to correct it by themselves--and if wrong hand position gets to be a bad habit, then it can lead to bad playing or repetitive motion injuries. I've known many self-taught guitarists who have had carpal tunnel surgery--proper instruction at the outset will prevent that.





Happy shopping!What is a good starter guitar for teenagers?
It depends if it's being treated as a musical instrument or a toy/status symbol/jewelry/chic-magnet. Inexpensive guitars are difficult to play and sound lousy. If you get a real instrument (spending about 350USD and up) learning, improving, and sound quality will be 1000% better. And if you change your mind you can sell the instrument for lots of money. If you buy a Yugo it will drive like a Yugo and it's resale value is squat. Same with cheap guitars. Good luck.
Yea inexpensive I guess... Except I bought a $500 acoustic for my first guitar. I have no clue why, I was just sure I would play it. People on other websites tend to say get the nicest one you can cause you'll regret not getting a better one later. But it's also true you'll regret spending a lot if the guitar spends time collecting dust in the closet.