Good guitar for kids -- Holiday Present -- Thoughts?

[Ferg Deluxe]

Hey folks!

A good friend of mine is looking to buy a guitar for his 8 year old daughter. She wants an acoustic, and he came to me for a recommendation since I had helped another friend of ours. The only problem is, I know nothing about what would be suitable for an 8 year old girl as a first instrument.

My gut tells me it has to small and easier to play, or else she'll just get frustrated and never learn to enjoy the instrument.

What have you all found that would be a good instrument for a child who is sincerely interested in learning?

[dougk]

Baby taylor or something similar would probably be a decent choice size wise. Big enough to be played by an adult if she gives up interest. Otherwise, probably the cheapest, playable thing you can find in a store in 3/4 or 1/2 size if your worried she'll give it up after a month.

Course I'm biased, I love both of my Baby Taylors.

[Hard2Hear]

A ukelele.

Small, easy to play, and the tenors (i think) are tuned just like the top 4 strings on your guitar. Great place to learn for a beginner. Can go back and add the bottom 2 strings knowledge later on a guitar.

Whatever the choice, it must be easy to play because sore fingers will cause many many kids to quit early. Nylon strings highly recommended.

[Trego]

Art & Lutherie "AMI"

http://www.artandlutherieguitars.com/ami.htm

The cedar and spruce versions have solid-tops.

Get 'em with a gigbag for less than $300 new, or way less used.

I own this one:

http://www.artandlutherieguitars.com/gtramisprburg.jpg

[gtraddict]

I would go with a Baby Taylor something they could grow into, or easy enough to sell down the line.
Plus it easier to play than a lot of cheap guitars

[midwayfair]

A ukelele.

Small, easy to play, and the tenors (i think) are tuned just like the top 4 strings on your guitar. Great place to learn for a beginner. Can go back and add the bottom 2 strings knowledge later on a guitar.

Whatever the choice, it must be easy to play because sore fingers will cause many many kids to quit early. Nylon strings highly recommended.

Seconded. A baritone uke IS the top 4 strings of a guitar. It's small, very easy to fret, and will be in tune, unlike many 3/4 sized guitars.

[MKB]

I bought my daughter one of these last Christmas:

http://www.lunaguitars.com/acousticproduct/safarimusemahogany.php

Short scale, sounded pretty good, very nice workmanship, around $120 out the door with a gig bag. The 22" scale makes for a much easier action with steel strings, and the neck is right for small hands. I play it often as it is such a nice guitar.

[Rockinrob86]

right now you can buy alot of guitar used for not a ton of money. You can sell it if they dont like it and make all or most of your money back. I tell people to look more in the $300-$400 used range. Although this is more money, the guitar will be much nicer and more playable. It is also a must to get it set up properly $100). The kid will have the best chance to stick with it, and if they don't you can sell it easily.

[fossilfuel]

Yamaha makes "student" sized guitars.

Inexpensive and a good value.