Is this electric guitar good enough for a 10-year old girl?

Question

I know absolutely nothing about electric guitars. My daughter has been taking lessons for a few months and has asked Santa for an Electric Guitar. Cotsco has one called Lyon Washburn Dirk Hammett, for CDN$200, which includes the amp. Is that too much to pay for a guitar that may be used only a few weeks? Are there cheaper guitars?
Someone please enlighten me.

Answer 1

Having raised 4 musically inclined children I can appreciate your concern with spending a lot on an instrument for a beginner. And, having taught guitar myself in the past it's the rare 10 year old who is ready for a top of the line guitar. Quality is important, however, and that is why I might look at Fender's "Squire" line or Gibson's "Epiphone" line. You can get a Squire Strat style for around $100 USD and a small practice amp for $50 or so. And it would be easy to sell them for close to what you paid for them if that becomes an option in a short time. Washburn makes a decent guitar, but buying from a big box store is dicey, in my opinion, when it comes to musical instruments. One of my favorite places to shop on-line is musiciansfriend.com. Low prices and wide selection.

Answer 2

I have been wondering the same as you but for a 14 year old boy. I have played a little bit of guitar myself way back when. I find that the package offered by Costco seems equivalent to some of the proposed packages in the other answers, even the price is equivalent. I have read reviews on those other packages and some of those reviews tend to discourage me from considering to buy online: unable to tune the guitar, tremolo is a pain, broken strap, etc. So can someone tell us why we should order online a package we have never touch or seen instead of buying a package we can easily service through Costco if anything is not right? I am not a big fan of online purchasing. Is it only that Washburn is considered not good quality??

Answer 3

Washburn makes pretty good stuff. You may be able to find starter packs at Wal-Mart that cost less and are good for beginners. Look for Squier (made by Fender, a big name in electric guitars), Epiphone (made by Gibson, another huge name in electric guitars), or Ibanez (they make good-quality stuff from the very inexpensive to the very expensive). If you can't find anything cheaper than the starter pack at CostCo, $200.00 for a guitar and amp is not a bad deal.

Answer 4

Hi,

I agree with the others. A guitar from Costco is not the best idea in the world.

I've tried out a couple of them there and was not real happy with the playing quality. the strings are hard to press down on cheaply made guitars.

If you have a Guitar Center store in your area or can order online I'd suggest something like this:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Daisy-Rock-Debutante-Rock-Candy-Princess-Electric-Guitar-Pack-514876-i1372102.gc

for a young girl, she might like the "girlie" design.

Although I'm not certain of the quality of the guitar.



A better bet would be:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Stop-Dreaming-Start-Playing-SE-Special-Strat-Pack-With-Squier-SP-10-Amp-104486238-i1177837.gc



If you can buy it in person, have the store set up the tremolo bridge for you. the tremolo is also known as a "whammy bar" . The guitar will come not set up for that, although it will still be completely playable.

You don't have to use the whammy bar at first, but it will be nice later. and it does take a little effort, not hard, to adjust the spring tension so the bridge rides correctly.

But the Squier guitar setup properly plays very nicely, I have one myself as a travel/practice guitar and it's nice for a cheap guitar.



Also you might like to take a look at this company based it Canada, I believe, www.Rondomusic.com



since your daughter is only 10, A "short scale" guitar might be better for her. A short scale guitar is mad on a smaller scale so it is easier for young people and people with small hands to play.

I learned on a short scale acoustic guitar when I was young boy close to her age.

this is a nice little starter pack:

http://www.rondomusic.com/sst5734vwhpack.html



Their guitars look fairly well made.



Here's a "girl" guitar kit:

http://www.rondomusic.com/product2276.html



Take a look at the first two or three pages of the sites electric guitars.

there are a lot of short scale guitars there.

The prices are very good too for a beginner guitar or set. If she loses interest, you won't be out a ton of money.



You could also order a guitar from them and get this amp for her from Guitar Center:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Line-6-Spider-III-15-15W-1x8-Guitar-Combo-Amp-103944831-i1168996.gc

That amp is the best little practice amp made, in my opinion. I own one myself, and it beat all the others it's size in price and sound. It has a bunch of neat little effects settings that your daughter would like.

It can be used for very pure guitar sound or for heavy metal guitar sounds.

Also guitar center has a short scale squier Strat:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier-by-Fender-Mini-Strat-Electric-Guitar-102084118-i1146336.gc

or

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier-by-Fender-Hello-Kitty-Mini-Strat-Electric-Guitar-512078-i1167425.gc

Also at guitar center is the "bullet" Strat, a full size guitar like the one in the Squier starter pack.



I hope she likes them, I think a small scale would be the best choice for a youngster.

Answer 5

1 guitar for a few weeks, not worth spending $200. i would get here a squier by fender bullet. $99 guitar, get a marshal practice amp $55 that loosens the price up for you, this would be smart if its only gonna be used for maybe a few weeks

Answer 6

Here's a link to see what she likes in these price ranges:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Electric-Value-Pack-Electric-Guitar.gc?o=1

The best thing to do is take her to a guitar store and play a few that she likes. If a guitar doesn't feel right RIGHT OFF don't get it.

Answer 7

if you care her you wont let her down and get her a black gibson les paul custom.

Answer 8

I'd ring her teacher and ask what he/she recommends.