Starter Guitars for My 6 Year Old - Don't Know What Size to Buy!

I was talking to a guitar shop owner recently about the size of learner guitar for my seven (then six) year old. He's a small child, and she recommended a quarter size for him. It's important to get nylon strings as their soft little fingers become used to playing - they can get a bit sore before they callous up a bit. There are some inexpensive starter quarter sizes which are perfect for littlies.

My sons been playing since is was 7-8 and I didn't even know there were sizes! We just bought a basic guitar, then upgraded in a couple of years. I think the Mama's that advised to go to the guitar center were probably smart, but you don't have to necessarily buy there. Craigslist is a great way to get a good guitar cheap.

You might even ask around among friends. Surely someone has a guitar sitting in their closet they never play and would love to sell to you. Just see if your son can hold it and reach around it well.

I wouldn't go down to a 1/2 size. A nice concert sized guitar is good. Ibanez makes a lovely concert sized guitar in their PF series for about $300 that sounds wonderful.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ibanez-ac240-artwo...

Go to a music store, they can evaluate him and make sure he has the right size.

We worked with Dallas Strings with daughter's violin and they are fantastic.. I am not sure if they have guitars. I know they do rent to schools in McKinney and Allen for Orchestra, etc. We ended up purchasing daughter's violin there and we've been very happy. I would at least rent first to know what his interest level is. A good instrument is pricey.. we bought a very good middle range violin at $3000. Believe me, you can tell the difference if you hear this violin vs a rental, a cheap version and vs a more expensive one. Dallas Strings is in Allen.

We also worked with Williamson Music in Plano when she first started out with a rental violin. They did have a lot more instruments and were easy to work with regarding the rentals. Williamson also rents to a lot of the schools in the area.

Also, check with the music teacher at his elementary school. Sometimes they know a good place to get something, they can evaluate on the size needed and sometimes they know if someone has what you are looking for... for sale.

Good for your son, I hope he enjoys guitar.

Go to your local music store and they will tell you the right size to buy.

If they rent or sell musical instruments - they will be able to help your son pick the right guitar. Personally - I would NOT buy the instrument as your son is growing and will end up needing a new one again in a few months....that's what happened with my son's violin...rent first...

and to top it off? If you rent - if your son decides he doesn't want to play anymore - you don't have an instrument sitting around the house that won't be used....some of the places that rent - also include a portion of that to a purchase.

good luck!

You need to ask your son's instructor. It's great that instruments come in smaller sizes, but you want to get one your son can use now and use for a while. It's sort of like clothing! The instructor can help you. You might ask that instructor if he/she could recommend renting an instrument. The benefit of it is that it's much easier to move up to the next size than buying and then buying again. The reason you want to talk to the instructor about it is so that he/she can approve the particular instrument you rent.

Probably a 1/2 size, which would be in the 33 to 36 inch range. You might want to check out McBride or Sky Guitars in Denton to see what they have and try them out in person.

Hi M.,

Would you like to buy my son's old guitar? It's a Fender, 3/4 size. It is a folk accoustic, six string, which means it has a narrower neck than a classical accoustic. We paid roughly 100 with the case. I'll sell it to you for 50 if you also cover shipping. I have a picture of it on my phone if you want to see it. Sam gave it two years and decided that he no longer wanted to pursue it. He started at 8 so not too much bigger than 6 years old. Let me know :-). S.

Have him try it out if he can. Depends on how big your 6 year old is. Mine started with what she already have, a schoenhut she got for christmas. You can even get one more inexpensive. In the beginning, you still want to make sure the interest sticks so it just have to be comfy for him to hold.

Best of luck to your little man. I hope it sticks =). It is the best age to learn. I always get excited when kids pick up the guitar. They can take them anywhere and make music.

Most if not all of the people in the music store will play the instruments they sell. Let the experts help you with your son there.