But I'd try to get it from your local guitar shop - they can probably order it - and get them to set it up and make it nice to play, set the intonation etc when you collect. For a cheap guitar it's worth having some local service. I bought Twang Jr a lovely Tanglewood travel guitar which is a perfect size but the nut was badly cut and they fixed it for nothing.

I went with a Danelectro for my 8 year old who's still playing it at 14. Nice guitar, very light, easy to maintain.

I gave his son Jack a loan of one of my Westones and my old Sessionette. A Pantera. A well set-up lairy 80's super-strat, just right for loud metally stuff for an 11 year old.

He ended up getting his dad to buy him a shit-awful BC Rich thing which sounds and plays like it's made from chipboard.

But it looks cool. If you're eleven.

Agree with previous posters: if it's a case of paying £20 more or so for the same guitar, definitely take him into whatever your local guitar shop is. Firstly, so he can spend hours dicking about on numerous guitars and trying them out for size until he finds one which just feels right. Secondly (and this is particularly important with an entry-level electric guitars), they'll be on hand to iron out any little faults which emerge or adjustments he needs, and answer all the kind of stupid minor questions you get with a new bit of kit. And most importantly, your local guitar shop is a good place to have a relationship with - somewhere to hang round in his spare time, full of nice people and full of interesting opportunities and life experiences. As a 14 year old, I hung around mine until I badgered them into giving me work experience, which eventually turned into a weekend job, and led to me meeting all the people who are still my best friends 20 years later. Guitar shop people love talking about guitars, so don't be afraid to ask obvious questions, tell them you're on a budget or haggle a bit for cash.
Oh, and remember to factor in a bit of money for leads, a cool looking strap and plectrums. And maybe a guitar stand if he doesn't want to accidentally kick it over at least once. And remember that ultimately, he'll probably just plump for one which looks like whatever his favourite guitarist plays. I did 18 years ago and I'm still playing it.

Just looked at the link you posted. At that budget, might be worth seeing what second hand guitars some of the shops have got. That way, you can keep the budget down but it'll have been checked out and set up by the shop. Safer than buying something random off ebay/gumtree.

Just looked at the link you posted. At that budget, might be worth seeing what second hand guitars some of the shops have got. That way, you can keep the budget down but it'll have been checked out and set up by the shop. Safer than buying something random off ebay/gumtree.

Spanish, nylon strung, no big deal. If he shows any great love for playing, then a sharpish upgrade to a Squier Stratocaster or something similar.

go for a Squier Tele or Strat with a small tranny practice amp. At 11, he'll probably find that with lighter strings it is easier to play than an acoustic or nylon-strung Spanish guitar.

More robust than an acoustic and will have some sort of resale value if he wants to move on (or if he doesn't).

Now 10 - started playing with a 3/4 size acoustic when he was 8 after I spotted him playing around with my bass and guitars after watching my Springsteen and AC/DC DVD's and showing a level of melodical aptitude that I didn't have when he was his age. The acoustic was a pretty cheap guitar that I picked up from Allegro Music in Chelmsford but as others have noted, the staff were really helpful in getting the right strings for him, sizing and straps etc. His teacher (lessons through the primary school - God bless you Essex County Council!) has kept his interest up by teaching him "Back in Black" along with the usual standards.

Anyway, this Christmas he asked for an electric guitar. This was literally music to my ears as I got to mooch around musical instrument shops for a couple of weekends in December! Trusting the shop staff that served us well two years prior, again went for a cheap-ish version (a Stagg) with some replacement soft Rotosound strings. Build quality is solid and sounds better than it should through my Peavey bass amp. He's got his Grade 1 exam coming up in the spring and if he passes that, I'll look at possibly upgrading again for him but he seems happy enough with the Stagg for the time being.

My advice would be really to avoid the Argos option and whilst Amazon have an excellent selection, there's nothing like feeling one in your hand (fnarr) and the advice from a competent shop employee and don't be afraid at getting a half or three quarter size instrument either - perfect for kids learning.

There's some interesting thoughts here with links to even older posts. http://www.wordmagazine.co.uk/content/first-electric-guitar-advice-pleas....

I saw a Yamaha Pacifica in my local music shop's sale - a steal at £100, and one of the best starter guitars. You can pick up a Pacifica with amp for about £200, but shop around for a good deal.

Depending on his interest and whether you're willing to spend a little bit more, I'd say its maybe worth getting one with a recognised name - apart from the guarantee of a certain standard of quality, even in the cheaper models, your son will get far more kudos from his pals.

The Fender Squier Bullet is about £70 in most shops and having bought one for a friend of mines recently ( hes 50 but hasnt played for years) I can tell you they sound look great, pretty good and are very playable. You can also get a small marshall practice amp for £50. dont forget that he'll probably want a multi-effects unit eventually (everything he'll need is available again for £50)

these days the standard of even the cheapest guitars is far above what was available when I was learning back in the 70's/early 80's. I'm sure many of us have cheesegrater stories and that theyve been trotted out here many times already.

another point in favour of a fender/marshall combo is the resale value, easier to sell a named guitar. failing that, if you keep it and stick in the attic, even a cheap fender might be worth a bit in 20 years time.

Good luck!

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions.
I will take my son down our local guitar shop and let him try a few (cheaper) alternatives out.
Cheers

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions.
I will take my son down our local guitar shop and let him try a few (cheaper) alternatives out.
Cheers

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions.
I will take my son down our local guitar shop and let him try a few (cheaper) alternatives out.
Cheers

You take him down your local guitar shop and let him try a few (cheaper) alternatives out.

Like this.

(Seeing that Bob's having a mini-flounce, I can post pictures like this without runing the risk of him having a coronary)