Just got my son a Fender Strat for Christmas. Any guitar players

[MercutioATC]

have suggestions (accessories, tips, etc.)?

He'll be 14 in February, already has a small Crate amp that'll work for now and takes good care of his stuff. He's played a little with an off-brand junior guitar, but he now wants to get serious about it.

I don't play guitar, so I'm just looking for suggestions.

[NC_Nurse]

1. Strap, case or gig bag, cords, strings...

effects pedal, tuner....guitar players have an endless supply of small gift items to choose from...:)

[MercutioATC]

4. I got a hard case, Monster cord and strap (with Straploks).

He's responsible, but he's 14. The hard case and Straploks were a must.

[Fenris]

2. American or Mexican made?

I know the answer, just curious.

[MercutioATC]

6. American.

He'll take longer to grow out of it (if he ever does) and the resale will be better if he gives it up in a few years.

Plus, I think the Americans sound better.

[Fenris]

8. Well, then, sir, you surprised me.

I thought you were going to say Mexican. You're right though. He'll keep an American Strat for a long time. He may never get rid of it.

And they do sound better.

[MercutioATC]

10. I looked at a Mexican, but I have a friend with an American.

After talking with him, I was sold. They're more expensive, but I think they're worth it.

[guitar man]

16. excellent

An American Strat is something he can keep and be proud of for life. And it is a guitar he will never outgrow, even when he becomes a big star and is supporting you in luxury in your old age :)

If he sticks to it and gets proficient, a Marshall amp to go along with it would be nice, maybe next Christmas.

[LSparkle]

21. You are one cool Dad!

An American Strat is my dream guitar. I've got a Rickenbacker bass but I wanna Strat! Get him a "Rockman" kind of practice amp so if he wants to practice without annoying everyone around him (or embarrassing himself!). Just warn him about now playing it too loud or his hearing may be affected ...

[MercutioATC]

24. That's the second Rockman suggestion. Sounds like a good idea.

...especially during the early stages...

;)

[MercutioATC]

26. He'll have to wait 'till next Christmas for the amp (I'm already looking

at Marshall...they seem to be highly recommended).

Maybe he'll get impatient and buy one himself...

...I can wish, anyway.

[Floogeldy]

3. Effects pedals

Maybe after Christmas you can take him to the music store and let him listen to some effects pedals that will give him him some more sounds, like echo, chorus and flanger.

[MercutioATC]

7. That's a great idea. His birthday is in February.

Thanks!

:)

[Floogeldy]

11. What NC_Nurse said, too

Definitely get the little guy a tuner so your ears don't get grated by an out of tune guitar. :)

[warrens]

5. You're a good dad

Or mom. As long as he has a strap to play with, he should be find for a while. Then the toy fetish will set in.

[MercutioATC]

14. He's been asking for a guitar for a while, and I wanted him to have some

musical experience. My parents supported my music, and it was a great thing when I was younger.

Oh, and "dad" is correct.

:)

[Bertha Venation]

9. a blank tabulature book

so he can write down (or learn to write down) his own riffs

[MercutioATC]

13. Another great suggestion. Thanks!

[tridim]

12. If he's at all interested in recording..

Get him Guitar Tracks Pro. He can then record his work and he also gets a ton of free effects without having to blow $100+ for each single function effects pedal.

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/GuitarTracksPro/default.asp

[MercutioATC]

15. Oooooh! Toys!

Computer toys, at that!

[AllegroRondo]

17. Theres a device called a "Rockman"

Its about the size of a portable cassette player, battery powered. You plug in your guitar, and play directly into small headphones that only the player hears. It also includes several standard effects, like echo and flanger.

Its great for practicing, and keeps the noise down.

[LSparkle]

23. Now I feel stupid

I just suggested the same thing. Personally, I was always happy not to treat everyone in my apartment to my mistakes as I learned to play ...

[MercutioATC]

30. A great suggestion (thanks to LSparkle, too).

Early in the learning curve, THAT might be a sanity-saver.

[AllegroRondo]

36. It makes you practice more, too

because no one can hear your mistakes. no embarassment.

[johnnie]

18. Hiya from another Clevelander

:hi:
First, get it at Guitar center?
Second..want to be my dad? lol. I had to pay half of my first electric. It cost 20 bucks all together. It was from one of the guys from the Raspberries, so that was kind of cool.
They make some great multi-effect pedals out there for good prices. Most of them include tuners and 100 plus effect combinations.
They have some pretty cool dvds and vhs tapes that have guitarists showing tips and licks and stuff that he might like.

[MercutioATC]

22. Hi there! Yes, I got it at Guitar Center.

The band I shoot for gets a lot of their stuff there, so they called beforehand and said they were sending their photographer over...the people there were great and I got a decent deal (I think).

We've tried out a few instruments on my son, but the guitar is the only one he stays interested in. I grew up playing clarinet and sax and I wanted him to have the experience.

Where in Cleveland?

[johnnie]

25. Currently in Old Brooklyn

I grew up in Middleburg. What band do you shoot for? I might know them.

[MercutioATC]

28. You're close. I'm in Westlake.

The band is SlantZero. You won't recognize the name...they're all air traffic controllers (I work with them) who just like to play. They play a gig or two a month on the West side (Slainte, LaPorte, Red Clay, Quaker Steak and Lube).

They're not professional, but they're one of the best bar bands I've heard.

www.slantzero.com

The site hasn't been updated in a while...I'm working on taking it over and updating it.

[johnnie]

35. I'll jot down the name and maybe catch a gig or two.

I'll look for the guy with the gun shooting the band. Unless you mean you take their pictures, then I'll look for the guy with the camera. Went to the site, pretty good pictures. I was looking to see if I knew any of the people at the bars..lol. I know people who go to some of those places.

[MercutioATC]

38. They're at LaPorte on December 11.

It's a dive, but a great crowd.

There may be a couple of people with guns, but I'll be the one with the camera. :)

[indigobusiness]

19. Teach him to rest it on the strings side

if he props it up agaisnt anything. Prevents dings to the neck and won't slide as easily.

[MercutioATC]

27. THAT'S a great tip. Thanks!

I can research stats on different equipment, but tips like these are what I'm always looking for.

[Monkie]

20. valve pre-amp?

every fender deserves one! :D
its not a effect as such but it does wonders for the sound of a guitar (or should i say amp)

[MercutioATC]

32. Anything to help the sound...

...I'm the one who's going to be listening to him practice :)

[Rob H.]

29. This might seem like a silly suggestion...

..but if he's decided on a particular thickness of picks he likes, buy him a bunch of 'em from somewhere online (or at a local mom 'n pop if the prices are comparable). I'm constantly misplacing/losing/accidentally trashing mine, and it's a bit cheaper to buy in bulk.

[MercutioATC]

31. Not silly at all. The silly thing is I don't think I have ANY for him yet.

See, I really don't know what I'm doing here.


Picks...gotta remember picks.

:)

[PoiBoy]

33. Give him a catalog from Musician's Friend

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

lots of cool stuff for everyone... he'll know best what he wants to get first... :hi:

[MercutioATC]

37. I just ordered one (after reading your message). Thanks!

[CanuckAmok]

34. Make sure it has a whammy bar...then he can jam in Joe's Garage.

n/t

[KurtNYC]

39. Others have given great suggestions

My two cents would be to avoid getting an electronic tuner. I think it is far more useful to learn to tune with your ear. Nothing worse than a player who can't tell when they are out of tune with themself or others. Electic tuners are great for use on stage or in noisey environments but they cripple the ability to use and trust your own ears.

Also I have no use at all for a gig bag. Plenty of good guitars have ruined by being leaned against walls, dropped, bumped and otherwise abused. A hard shell case with straight sides is worth it to protect a guitar that will hoepfully be treasured for many years.

[MercutioATC]

40. I'd thought about that.

I have (or, at least, HAD) perfect relative pitch. It made tuning simple. I'd like for my son to be able to do it by ear and not have to rely on equipment.