Now then as you can see in the picture to the left the eldest has discovered my badly hidden 1978 Fender Jazz Bass……..he’s rockin the joint with it…….thank feck I flogged the bass cabs when we moved house…I’ve managed to hide the bass away in the attic for now so he’s demolishing the living room acoustic….So…cos he’s so keen, and most importantly he wants to learn properly, we have decided to purchase a guitar set-up for him for crimbo……..that said, old grandpa has gone and won him a lovely little Encore black/white full size Strat copy complete wi 15 watt amp, strap the works for 42 quid from some dingle on e-bay…….it’s a top little set-up and I’ll be fightin him over it come 25th December….. but my question is as he is only 6 and 130cm tall is a full-scale gonna be too big for him to learn on?….i’d like to measure him up on one in the local music shop but it’ll give the game away…….he’s already sussed out TAB and he’s playing Come As You Are by Nirvana on the acoustic, sideways on his knees……..I think it’ll be ok but I want to make sure cos I still have time to get him a ¾ size and keep this for mesell
………any help / tips welcomed with stupendous gratitude guys n galls…..rattle rattle jewellery jewellery….
Full-size Strat or not?
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They've got a 1/2 size strat copy for about £75 in Johnny Roadhouse. Looks like a well-built thing and plays alright as far as I could tell with my big ugly fingers. I was thinking about getting that for Littleinoil (he'll be 6 in feb), matching it up with one of the little Marshal stack amps that they sell for about £20 and Little was right behind me on that decision, jumping around the shop with it strapped to his neck, making shapes like a rock star (sounds just like your model!).
In the end, with the help of the guy in the shop, I went for a 1/2 size Spanish guitar for £45. The nylon strings will be easier on his fingers and there's more room for error on the neck. Also, I was able to tell him that if he gets to grips with the acoustic, we can pop back and get the electric so that's a but of incentive for him. Also, I can play it and it sounds great - it's ages since I've had a plakky string guitar and they are lovely to play.
The shop guy warned me off anything too big - if he can't get his hands around the neck or reach the top nut in anything like a natural stance it will hold him back. The difference in the shop was clear to see and the 1/2 size was clearly better for him than even a 3/4 model that they had in.
It sounds like littlealf is a step ahead of my lad, so you should definitely go and check out the little stratalike in JRs.
Some good points there Mr B.......ta...I take it Johnnys is still on Ox Road.....but then again I'm sure I heard that it'd moved....Can you confirm?...I'm onna mission this weekend now cos crissi is on its way and I need to sort it out....I'm takin him to McFly at MEN in November for his birthday so I could tie a visit in on that Saturday.......alternatively is A1 still there under the arches.....?....could plug him into some Messa Boogies...woohoo....lets ROCK!!!!!!!...I'm at a kids club with him tomorrow in Bumley but they don't have any shops there any more never mind music shops.......
johnny roadhouse will NEVER move, that half size strat thing sounds like a great choice, he should get a few years use out of it and if he wants to cary on, you can ebay it in a few years for £20 and trade up to a 3/4
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A1 changed hands a few times and finaly closed earlier this year when sound control collapsed, the end of an era
Old Lead Foot wrote: johnny roadhouse will NEVER move, that half size strat thing sounds like a great choice, he should get a few years use out of it and if he wants to cary on, you can ebay it in a few years for £20 and trade up to a 3/4
Blumin shame about A1...spent many happy hours in there when I shoulda been up the road in the John Dalton building studying polymer technology ......used to see Paul Ryder in there all the time.......anyway, as Baldrick would say "I have cunning plan Mr.B"......and I've 'lost' my guitar picks so when we're in Blackburn this afternoon me and the lad can nip into Reidys (Home Of Music)and have a butchers and try a couple of sizes............
Cheers for the advice fellas....tried a few out at the weekend and he's stretching his left arm far too much on a full size.....so.... its a cross between 1/2 and 3/4 size....spoke to a chap who bought this ......
http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_ms_jr.htm
.......for his lad, who's a similar size, a few weeks ago and he reckons that it can't be beat for quality and check the price!!!!!!!!.......42 notes delivered from the fatherland... .......so I just placed my order......like yer say mr Foot it can easily be popped on the bay and a 3/4 purchased......
I've only had a flick through this site over the last couple of nights but it looks like a good find and i've been told that they offer a very good service...
......all together now "we'll have a rock n roll christmas......"
I think you've done the right thing Alf.
Look at violins for instance - many kids progress through the instrument sizes and they're designed to make learning an easier and more enjoyable experience.
A 15W amp won't shake the furniture too much and so your lad can hear himself playing, he won't be able to turn the stereo up too loud!
The bonus is that when your boy gets older and makes the decision whether or not to carry on playing, he can hand the guitar to his younger brother/sister ;)
