Electric Guitar and Amp For a Young Child

roth · August 23rd, 2006, 11:59 AM

I have a 4 year old (soon to be 5) who is constantly begging me for an electric guitar (or in his words - "the kind you plug in"). He has had a beater nylon string classical since - well - he was old enough to sit up.

He uses it more for a drum, but is starting to figure out strumming. He also has a mini drum set and my old Casio keyboard (papa just sprung for a new TR-61). So he is well represented musically.

So I have been shopping around for an electric for him - took him to the GC the other day and set him up on a Squier Mini - loved it (I want the red one daddy....)

Wish there was a production tele...

My question is - is there a better "mini" electric out there - or does it even matter?

Also, I have narrowed the amp down to 2 choices. Criteria are:

1. Battery Powered to avoid any possible electrical dangers
2. Lots of effects
3. Small and sturdy

Front runner is the Roland Microcube:

Followed closely by the VOX DA5:

Does anyone have any experience with either of these amps? Or any suggestions that fit what I need?

televiking · August 23rd, 2006, 12:09 PM

I believe either amp will work fine.
I'd get the microcube, but it's only my opinion.

And the main thing about the guitar is that is stays in tune well, since as a beginner of any age it is difficult to tune a guitar at first. And especially if you're 5.

Televiking

KC · August 23rd, 2006, 12:14 PM

that squier mini is a fine guitar for its purpose -- stays in tune, plays fine. both my kids learned on it and both have kept up playing, though my daughter switched to bass. my brother bought the mini-gibson from epiphone for his three little rowdies and it's served him well, too. don't know if they still make these.

no experience with either amp. both of them would have to sound better than the "Gorilla" my kids learned on.

Bswailes · August 23rd, 2006, 12:15 PM

I second the vote on the Roland. I own one, and it is great. The sound is fantastic.

roth · August 23rd, 2006, 12:25 PM

Thanks for the replies so far - I had not even thought about the tuning issue. I like the roland too, the VOX seem to have an AUX mic in, which I know would come in handy and swtchable wattage (.5, 1 and 5 - I think) - which would make my wife happy. I will have to rig some sort of governor on the volume knob either way to keep my wife sane while I am at work...

popthree · August 23rd, 2006, 01:17 PM

my 8 year old daughter has a squier mini and borrows my roland micro-cube. ironically, she keeps going back to the 3/4 nylon string acoustic, reasons being simplicity and easy on the fingers.

the microcube is a really nice little amp. it also sounds good direct through a PA, or even as a cheap recording alternative to the PC.

Squier mini is pretty good. J. Reynolds makes a pretty nice little kids guitar as well.

KC · August 23rd, 2006, 01:22 PM

man, you have no idea -- the racket of a kid who doesn't know how to play beating a guitar he doesn't know how to tune through a cheap solid-state amp with the square-wave distortion on 10 will send you down to the corner bar in a big hurry. That half-watt feature could be worth its weight in gold, but only if you can lock it somehow.

it's worth it in the end -- both my kids love music & have played in public & met cool people through bands & stuff -- but it can be hair-raising in the early stages. Your kid will thank you later for it. (If he's still talking to you -- teenagers are another hair-raising subject.)

0le FUZZY · August 23rd, 2006, 01:30 PM

The Squier Affinity and mini Twin make a great toy and take up liddo space. This toy could become a playable instrument for many years and the amp sounds very good distorted and for a young person will give as much joy as a bigger won wood. It kin be taken anywhere.

Tuning?? Ats yer job as well as instruction.

Member! they dew grow up and reeeeeeel fast.

MY KIND OF MUSIC !(click)

SMORE !!(click)

Please visit my page

freshmattyp · August 23rd, 2006, 01:43 PM

Another vote for the Minicube. It's a practice amp that you won't outgrow. Mine gets used all the time.

roth · August 23rd, 2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popthree

my 8 year old daughter has a squier mini and borrows my roland micro-cube. ironically, she keeps going back to the 3/4 nylon string acoustic, reasons being simplicity and easy on the fingers.

Yeah - the nylon seems to be what most music instructors recommend as well... gotta build up those callasses eventually though - right?

I also have a 4 MONTH year old daughter - been eyeing one of these minis for her:

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC

the racket of a kid who doesn't know how to play beating a guitar he doesn't know how to tune through a cheap solid-state amp with the square-wave distortion on 10 will send you down to the corner bar in a big hurry.

The racket is what my wife keeps reminding me of... though I have been thinking 'I don't get to the bar enough...'

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0le FUZZY

The Squier Affinity and mini Twin make a great toy and take up liddo space. This toy could become a playable instrument for many years

I have this little Affinity gem waiting for him when he can hold it

For now its all a matter of size - he's only about 45 lbs.

Have thought about those mini twins quite a bit - may get one just to have around.

brillocaster · August 23rd, 2006, 02:39 PM

My son is the same age as Roths and I gave him a half-size strat copy. It's the house brand of our local shop and seems like a solid machine. His hands are not big enough to form any chords where he has to span the fretboard, but that's ok, he has fun strumming and the point, at this point, is for the two of us to have fun together.

I didn't get him an amp; at this stage he seems content to plug into mine, hammer away for a couple mins, then say "OK Dad your turn!"

He may be a budding bassist, though. His technique at this point does include a lot of slapping and popping of the bottom E and A strings.

Tdot · August 23rd, 2006, 02:40 PM

I tried one those Mini Squiers at the shop a couple weeks ago, and for $99 I'll be danged if Squier didn't impress me again. I'm trying to talk my friend into getting one for his son.

Roland?, Vox? You're not fooling me. Those are the little guys you want to play and see the opportunity to sneek one in right under your wifes nose. Sharp thinkin'

But really I would think the early mix of talent-level and volume-level, you would do well with any of the cool looking Fender mini battery amps. I think stephent2 has a collection of them he could comment on. The kids i know are just excited about the sound and not so much about TONE.

roth · August 23rd, 2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tdot

Roland?, Vox? You're not fooling me. Those are the little guys you want to play and see the opportunity to sneek one in right under your wifes nose. Sharp thinkin'

But really I would think the early mix of talent-level and volume-level, you would do well with any of the cool looking Fender mini battery amps. I think stephent2 has a collection of them he could comment on. The kids i know are just excited about the sound and not so much about TONE.

Hah - you're on to me!

The local GC has the Roland on sale for $109 and it can never hurt having a mini twin around...

I think the fact, as stated above that it is an amp that he could grow into makes a lot of sense.

51mike · August 23rd, 2006, 04:38 PM

What about one of those GDEC things Fender puts out?
Lots of effects and play along options, drum loops etc.

neocaster · August 23rd, 2006, 05:06 PM

I was recently shopping for my 8 yeal old niece. The nice folks at the TDPRI directed me to J Reynolds (because she said it *had* to be pink, Uncle Marc!) That and the Squier mini both seem like solid instruments with decent value hardware. The J Reynolds was laid out a lot like an Epi LP Jr (1 humbucker, Tone & vol pots) I'd buy either again. As for the amp, get him something you wouldn't be ashamed to use yourself, but not something so expensive you'd never buy it for yourself.

Sarge · August 24th, 2006, 08:28 AM

Having just bought my daughter a strat...I know what your going thru. Why not just get him a regular sized one? He's going to out grow the mini quickly and be wanting a full sized one. Save yourself some $$$ and get him a full size so he doesn't have to go thru adjusting to a larger one.

televiking · August 24th, 2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0le FUZZY

<li> Tuning?? Ats yer job as well as instruction.

<li> Member! they dew grow up and reeeeeeel fast.

Right you are, Fuzzy.

Of course the tuning is at first the teacher's (parent's) responsibility, but if the guitar stays in tune well it is easier to play. I have seen (tried) some beginner instruments that just won't stay in tune.

And I agree with you that a decent Tele is ideal for beginners: not too many switches and pickups, stays in tune and is indestructible.
But a 5-years old is too small for one. Or maybe not, I could be wrong. Still might be a good idea to make the child in question try a normal sized guitar just in case it would be playable.

And those Daisy Rock models are great and pretty guitars.

Televiking

nick_g · August 24th, 2006, 12:38 PM

I think either the vox or the cube would do great. The modelling on both of those is pretty good, and so i'd just go for the cheapest one. I mean, beginners aren't exactly going to say "oh, i think this amp's distortion has a bit of a fizzy nature in the top end" or "the midrange on this amp is a bit wimpy for my liking", so small differences between the two aren't gonna matter much, in my opinion.

August 23rd, 2006, 11:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
roth Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Age: 30 Posts: 314 36 Photos	Electric Guitar and Amp For a Young Child I have a 4 year old (soon to be 5) who is constantly begging me for an electric guitar (or in his words - "the kind you plug in"). He has had a beater nylon string classical since - well - he was old enough to sit up. He uses it more for a drum, but is starting to figure out strumming. He also has a mini drum set and my old Casio keyboard (papa just sprung for a new TR-61). So he is well represented musically. So I have been shopping around for an electric for him - took him to the GC the other day and set him up on a Squier Mini - loved it (I want the red one daddy....) Wish there was a production tele... My question is - is there a better "mini" electric out there - or does it even matter? Also, I have narrowed the amp down to 2 choices. Criteria are: 1. Battery Powered to avoid any possible electrical dangers 2. Lots of effects 3. Small and sturdy Front runner is the Roland Microcube: Followed closely by the VOX DA5: Does anyone have any experience with either of these amps? Or any suggestions that fit what I need?

August 23rd, 2006, 12:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
televiking Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Finland, Helsinki Age: 37 Posts: 479 18 Photos	I believe either amp will work fine. I'd get the microcube, but it's only my opinion. And the main thing about the guitar is that is stays in tune well, since as a beginner of any age it is difficult to tune a guitar at first. And especially if you're 5. Televiking __________________ "As soon as you start playing to impress other musicians, you have completely lost the whole point of playing music." Keith Richards

August 23rd, 2006, 01:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
popthree Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Age: 43 Posts: 2,836 47 Photos	my 8 year old daughter has a squier mini and borrows my roland micro-cube. ironically, she keeps going back to the 3/4 nylon string acoustic, reasons being simplicity and easy on the fingers. the microcube is a really nice little amp. it also sounds good direct through a PA, or even as a cheap recording alternative to the PC. Squier mini is pretty good. J. Reynolds makes a pretty nice little kids guitar as well. __________________ don't taze me bro !

August 23rd, 2006, 02:40 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tdot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Back of the Wasatch, UT Posts: 3,713 55 Photos	I tried one those Mini Squiers at the shop a couple weeks ago, and for $99 I'll be danged if Squier didn't impress me again. I'm trying to talk my friend into getting one for his son. Roland?, Vox? You're not fooling me. Those are the little guys you want to play and see the opportunity to sneek one in right under your wifes nose. Sharp thinkin' But really I would think the early mix of talent-level and volume-level, you would do well with any of the cool looking Fender mini battery amps. I think stephent2 has a collection of them he could comment on. The kids i know are just excited about the sound and not so much about TONE. __________________ And now for some feedback: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

August 23rd, 2006, 05:06 PM	#15 (permalink)
neocaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester County, PA Age: 35 Posts: 3,521 11 Photos	I was recently shopping for my 8 yeal old niece. The nice folks at the TDPRI directed me to J Reynolds (because she said it had to be pink, Uncle Marc!) That and the Squier mini both seem like solid instruments with decent value hardware. The J Reynolds was laid out a lot like an Epi LP Jr (1 humbucker, Tone & vol pots) I'd buy either again. As for the amp, get him something you wouldn't be ashamed to use yourself, but not something so expensive you'd never buy it for yourself. __________________ "...You don't need faith if you know it's gonna work!" "The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was accessed."

August 23rd, 2006, 12:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
KC Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Missoula, Montana Posts: 1,232 15 Photos	that squier mini is a fine guitar for its purpose -- stays in tune, plays fine. both my kids learned on it and both have kept up playing, though my daughter switched to bass. my brother bought the mini-gibson from epiphone for his three little rowdies and it's served him well, too. don't know if they still make these. no experience with either amp. both of them would have to sound better than the "Gorilla" my kids learned on.

August 23rd, 2006, 12:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bswailes Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: Morgantown, PA Posts: 518	I second the vote on the Roland. I own one, and it is great. The sound is fantastic.

August 23rd, 2006, 12:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
roth Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Age: 30 Posts: 314 36 Photos	Thanks for the replies so far - I had not even thought about the tuning issue. I like the roland too, the VOX seem to have an AUX mic in, which I know would come in handy and swtchable wattage (.5, 1 and 5 - I think) - which would make my wife happy. I will have to rig some sort of governor on the volume knob either way to keep my wife sane while I am at work...

August 23rd, 2006, 01:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
KC Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Missoula, Montana Posts: 1,232 15 Photos	man, you have no idea -- the racket of a kid who doesn't know how to play beating a guitar he doesn't know how to tune through a cheap solid-state amp with the square-wave distortion on 10 will send you down to the corner bar in a big hurry. That half-watt feature could be worth its weight in gold, but only if you can lock it somehow. it's worth it in the end -- both my kids love music & have played in public & met cool people through bands & stuff -- but it can be hair-raising in the early stages. Your kid will thank you later for it. (If he's still talking to you -- teenagers are another hair-raising subject.)

August 23rd, 2006, 01:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
0le FUZZY Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kolly-forn-knee-ya Posts: 10,001 6 Photos	The Squier Affinity and mini Twin make a great toy and take up liddo space. This toy could become a playable instrument for many years and the amp sounds very good distorted and for a young person will give as much joy as a bigger won wood. It kin be taken anywhere. Tuning?? Ats yer job as well as instruction. Member! they dew grow up and reeeeeeel fast. MY KIND OF MUSIC !(click) SMORE !!(click) Please visit my page

August 23rd, 2006, 01:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
freshmattyp Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kansas City Age: 42 Posts: 954 18 Photos	Another vote for the Minicube. It's a practice amp that you won't outgrow. Mine gets used all the time.

August 23rd, 2006, 02:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
brillocaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 750	My son is the same age as Roths and I gave him a half-size strat copy. It's the house brand of our local shop and seems like a solid machine. His hands are not big enough to form any chords where he has to span the fretboard, but that's ok, he has fun strumming and the point, at this point, is for the two of us to have fun together. I didn't get him an amp; at this stage he seems content to plug into mine, hammer away for a couple mins, then say "OK Dad your turn!" He may be a budding bassist, though. His technique at this point does include a lot of slapping and popping of the bottom E and A strings.

August 23rd, 2006, 04:38 PM	#14 (permalink)
51mike Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Webster, NY Age: 58 Posts: 621 11 Photos	What about one of those GDEC things Fender puts out? Lots of effects and play along options, drum loops etc.

August 24th, 2006, 08:28 AM	#16 (permalink)
Sarge Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pgh,Pa Age: 53 Posts: 3,549	Having just bought my daughter a strat...I know what your going thru. Why not just get him a regular sized one? He's going to out grow the mini quickly and be wanting a full sized one. Save yourself some $$$ and get him a full size so he doesn't have to go thru adjusting to a larger one.

August 24th, 2006, 12:38 PM	#18 (permalink)
nick_g Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oxfordshire, England Posts: 259	I think either the vox or the cube would do great. The modelling on both of those is pretty good, and so i'd just go for the cheapest one. I mean, beginners aren't exactly going to say "oh, i think this amp's distortion has a bit of a fizzy nature in the top end" or "the midrange on this amp is a bit wimpy for my liking", so small differences between the two aren't gonna matter much, in my opinion.