Decent kid's electric?

[FrankenFretter***]

My stepdaughter (13), every once and a while, will ask me to show her some stuff on guitar. We got to talking about her likes / dislikes in music, and it looks like she wants to learn bass.

Took her to a couple music stores in my area and let her try a few out. She loved it. Big grin on her face when I showed her a simple I - IV - V bass line and played a rhythm over it. It took all of ten minutes to get her playing.

Long story short, she'll be getting a bass this Christmas, a short scale one, from Rondo. They have bass packs really cheap.

Hopefully, this'll start a lifetime of learning on an instrument that is easy to get started on, but takes a lifetime to master!

So, the moral of this multiparagraph tale is, don't count out bass guitar, too!

I'd love for her to play bass. Unfortunately, she has these tiny little hands, and not a whole lot of finger strength (yet). Maybe in a couple years, though.

[syo***]

Hey Sean, If you'd like, I would be happy to do a little looking around for you at the Shanghai Music Fair next week. I can't guarantee anything but chances are pretty good that I could find you something decent for considerably less than you'd pay over there. Most of the middle to top Chinese manufacturers will be there along with some from Korea. I can get you pictures, prices (manufacturer's sample prices) and even try some out for you. I know most of the makers so I have a good idea of who to visit. Just let me know.

[FrankenFretter***]

Hey Sean, If you'd like, I would be happy to do a little looking around for you at the Shanghai Music Fair next week. I can't guarantee anything but chances are pretty good that I could find you something decent for considerably less than you'd pay over there. Most of the middle to top Chinese manufacturers will be there along with some from Korea. I can get you pictures, prices (manufacturer's sample prices) and even try some out for you. I know most of the makers so I have a good idea of who to visit. Just let me know.

Syo, you are far too kind. That would be awesome, if you don't mind. At least I'd have a better idea of what's available.

Thank you!

[syo***]

No problem at all Sean. I've picked up a cello for my daughter and violins for a niece and nephew over there. All excellent instruments. I'll see if I can't find something suitable for your daughter.

[NWBasser]

I'd love for her to play bass. Unfortunately, she has these tiny little hands, and not a whole lot of finger strength (yet). Maybe in a couple years, though.

The Ibanez short-scale micro bass would probably be pretty easy to play if set up right. I'm not sure that bass takes any more finger strength than guitar. I think the main ergonomic consideration is that even a short-scale bass is longer than a comparable guitar.

I'd think that playing notes on a bass would require less strength than chords on a guitar.

Unfortunately, if you went with a bass, then you'd have to get an amph for it.

Hmmm, that may be a good thing though since you'd have a bass amph around if you ever got a bass for yourself.

Maybe play some bass-heavy recordings to see if she likes the sound of it.

[FrankenFretter***]

The Ibanez short-scale micro bass would probably be pretty easy to play if set up right. I'm not sure that bass takes any more finger strength than guitar. I think the main ergonomic consideration is that even a short-scale bass is longer than a comparable guitar.

I'd think that playing notes on a bass would require less strength than chords on a guitar.

Unfortunately, if you went with a bass, then you'd have to get an amph for it.

Hmmm, that may be a good thing though since you'd have a bass amph around if you ever got a bass for yourself.

Maybe play some bass-heavy recordings to see if she likes the sound of it.

I'll play her the intro from Barney Miller...

[sunvalleylaw]

Late to this thread, and from skimming, it looks like you made your decision. I will just throw in that Santa picked up one of those "Fullerton ST-3" Strat copies http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=2957 that got sold inexpensively a couple years ago for my son, who was then 10. He was not a big kid, and it worked for him. He already had a smaller scale S-101 acoustic at that time.

[FrankenFretter***]

Late to this thread, and from skimming, it looks like you made your decision. I will just throw in that Santa picked up one of those "Fullerton ST-3" Strat copies http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=2957 that got sold inexpensively a couple years ago for my son, who was then 10. He was not a big kid, and it worked for him. He already had a smaller scale S-101 acoustic at that time.

It looks like nobody carries those anymore. Thanks anyway, Steve. I'm still open minded about choices. So far the SX seems to be the best choice, but I still have time to do some looking around.

[sunvalleylaw]

Yeah, you would have to find a used one. But basically, it is a strat. An SX will be fine, and I would not worry about getting a full size. They grow quickly!

Here Derek is rocking his Fullerton two summers ago.

[Jx2]

I dont think they are available yet, but I got a email from Epiphone Blog yesterday showing the soon to be released Epiphone Zakk Wylde "Zakk Pakk"

Here's a link, depending on the price point I might try to pick one of these up for my 4 year old.

http://epiphone.com/blog/

[FrankenFretter***]

I dont think they are available yet, but I got a email from Epiphone Blog yesterday showing the soon to be released Epiphone Zakk Wylde "Zakk Pakk"

Here's a link, depending on the price point I might try to pick one of these up for my 4 year old.

http://epiphone.com/blog/

Interesting. She loves my LPs, so that might be an option, depending on the price point. She's a sucker for the cherry burst, though.

[syo***]

Hey Sean.
Today was the first day of the Music China Fair in Shanghai. I spent a bit of time walking the floor looking for things on my list and came across a few child-sized guitars. There were actually not as many options as I thought I might see but then it is not something I usually deal with.

I did check out three from three different makers. All were strat patterns and only one had just one pickup. The other two were 3 single coils. Prices ranged from $24-$57. The $57 is from a maker I know and his instruments are pretty reliable. I should imagine that shipping to the states would run another $50 or so.

I having seen everything yet, so I'll send you specific info of what I found after the show. Is it alright if I email you?

[FrankenFretter***]

Hey Sean.
Today was the first day of the Music China Fair in Shanghai. I spent a bit of time walking the floor looking for things on my list and came across a few child-sized guitars. There were actually not as many options as I thought I might see but then it is not something I usually deal with.

I did check out three from three different makers. All were strat patterns and only one had just one pickup. The other two were 3 single coils. Prices ranged from $24-$57. The $57 is from a maker I know and his instruments are pretty reliable. I should imagine that shipping to the states would run another $50 or so.

I having seen everything yet, so I'll send you specific info of what I found after the show. Is it alright if I email you?

Thank you, Syo.

Yes, email would be great. I'll PM you with info.

[NWBasser]

Yeah, you would have to find a used one. But basically, it is a strat. An SX will be fine, and I would not worry about getting a full size. They grow quickly!

Here Derek is rocking his Fullerton two summers ago.

That's a pretty cool guitar SVL. I wish my son had some interest in music.

I see a Darkstar'd jazz bass, but what bass is he playing?

It looks like a sweet one.

[sunvalleylaw]

Hey NW, your son may come around to in interest in time. As far as the bass, that was being played by the instructor at the camp my son had attended. He is no longer around. I am not sure what bass that is he is playing.

[SemiHollow]

Craigslist is my personal go-to for cheap deals. I've bought and sold a ton on there.