Smaller guitar for a child to start learning on.

[Death by Uberschall]

I don't know if this has been brought up before?

I would like to see Warmoth offer a scaled down guitar that would make it easier for a child say 7-12 years of age to start learning on. I think why most kids get discouraged comes from having to make their small hands work on an adult sized guitar. And from what I've seen, current children sized guitars sound and play like crap which also contributes to them giving up.

I'm not talking about a show piece, $3000 guitar. But something that could be a nice project for the child to be involved in designing and putting together with an adult. Gives them some ownership in the project and might help them through the learning curve without giving up.

Thoughts?

 

[Mor Paul]

It would be a cool feature, but I see the reason for them not offering it. When most kids on on the mini guitars, their futures as guitar players are uncertain. There also aren't as many. This would be limited to the "guitarist parents that can afford to buy their guitar-playing children, most likely 8-12 years old, custom guitars" market.

 

[kendog]

I have to agree. My boy is six months old and I can't wait to buy him a scaled down guitar and would love to build him one, but I can't justify the cost of a warmoth that I still can't afford for myself. he could be the next Eddie Van Halen or it could sit in the corner of his room untouched for 18 years

He will get this for his 2nd birthday
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Flying-VeeWee-Bullseye-Zakk-Pakk-Electric-Guitar-value-pack?sku=H68029
guitar, amp, and gig bag for $170 can't beet that
arty07:

 

[B3Guy]

honestly, if a kid's hands are not large enough to hold onto a guitar neck, they probably don't quite have the motor skills needed. any kid with big enough hands to seriously start learning guitar would be just fine with a 7/ strat or tele (especially a lightweight chambered one). otherwise, just get a $50 walmart kiddie knock-off for the time being. they will outgrow it in no time anywho.

 

[erogenousjones17]

It would be a cool feature, but I see the reason for them not offering it. When most kids on on the mini guitars, their futures as guitar players are uncertain. There also aren't as many. This would be limited to the "guitarist parents that can afford to buy their guitar-playing children, most likely 8-12 years old, custom guitars" market.

How's that for a niche market?

 

[Dan025]

honestly, if a kid's hands are not large enough to hold onto a guitar neck, they probably don't quite have the motor skills needed. any kid with big enough hands to seriously start learning guitar would be just fine with a 7/ strat or tele (especially a lightweight chambered one). otherwise, just get a $50 walmart kiddie knock-off for the time being. they will outgrow it in no time anywho.

or a mustang

 

[Death by Uberschall]

I'm not talking quilt top, chambered exotics, I'm talking your basic, stripped down bare bones build with quality behind it.

 

[Jusatele]

honestly, if a kid's hands are not large enough to hold onto a guitar neck, they probably don't quite have the motor skills needed. any kid with big enough hands to seriously start learning guitar would be just fine with a 7/ strat or tele (especially a lightweight chambered one). otherwise, just get a $50 walmart kiddie knock-off for the time being. they will outgrow it in no time anywho.

or a mustang

my first electric was a competition mustang, man that thing is probably worth a mint by now, but I started on a full size classical, I think it was almost as big as me

I have to agree with having small axes would be great, but then when you have to pay the prices to build, it is cheaper to just go to Best Buy and get them a cheapo till they are big enough for a full size

 

[hannaugh]

I would like to see Warmoth offer a scaled down guitar that would make it easier for a child say 7-12 years of age to start learning on.

Or me!  Small = comfortable.

 

[Velcro]

You could buy them a Rickenbacker, they've got pretty small necks. And are very cheap. :icon_jokercolor:

 

[AprioriMark]

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-IBA-GRGM21M-LIST?SRC=D0407FG0HAMS0000&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=feed&

Just grab one of these.  My niece and 2 young students own these, and they play well.  They also have decent hardware; not starter guitar junk.  140 bucks well spent.  It seems that they're all maple/maple now, but my niece's is black with a rosewood board. 

-Mark

 

[erogenousjones17]

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-IBA-GRGM21M-LIST?SRC=D0407FG0HAMS0000&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=feed&

Just grab one of these.  My niece and 2 young students own these, and they play well.  They also have decent hardware; not starter guitar junk.  140 bucks well spent.  It seems that they're all maple/maple now, but my niece's is black with a rosewood board. 

-Mark

Love the yellow one! I don't have any kids, but I'm thinking of getting one just in case. Hell, I'd rock that myself for a laugh.  :laughing7:

 

[CrackedPepper]

I picked up a mini strat for my son several years ago.  These little guitars are a lot of fun to play.  At just over $100, they are virtually disposable.

 

[OzziePete]

It would be a cool feature, but I see the reason for them not offering it. When most kids on on the mini guitars, their futures as guitar players are uncertain. There also aren't as many. This would be limited to the "guitarist parents that can afford to buy their guitar-playing children, most likely 8-12 years old, custom guitars" market.

Surely not speaking from experience Max?  :laughing7:

 

[AprioriMark]

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-IBA-GRGM21M-LIST?SRC=D0407FG0HAMS0000&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=feed&

Just grab one of these.  My niece and 2 young students own these, and they play well.  They also have decent hardware; not starter guitar junk.  140 bucks well spent.  It seems that they're all maple/maple now, but my niece's is black with a rosewood board. 

-Mark

Love the yellow one! I don't have any kids, but I'm thinking of getting one just in case. Hell, I'd rock that myself for a laugh.  :laughing7:

They play pretty darned well... better than some Gibsons I've played. 

-Mark

 

[hannaugh]

I kind of want one just to have an electric to drag around with me so I always have one to play at a moment's notice.

 

[erogenousjones17]

I've thought about buying a Fernandes Nomad for exactly that reason. Plus the built-in amplifier is kinda neat. They're just so damn ugly:

(Alright, the flamey one is pretty cool. :laughing7

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Yeah, you could buy a guitar ready made, but that's no fun for us builders. And that's where I think most are missing the point. We all could buy ready made guitars, but we don't.