my 14yo is learning guitar in school and he's requested to get one to practice at home. Would like to find out where I can go to get a cheap, basic one? and how do I choose a guitar? thanks.

How to choose a guitar? That's a matter of personal preference. If you've never played one or you're a beginner, all you really need is something that works. Later on, when you know what you're doing, you'll know what to look for. For cheap and basic, nothing beats taobao.

I just got a new stratocaster copy on taobao from these guys: http://trade.taobao.com/trade/detail/tr ... 6469750968

Only 205 rmb. In spite of the price, it's actually one of the most well balanced instruments I've owned. If you're looking for a dread knot acoustic or a classical guitar, you'll find plenty of those too.

If you want to try it out in person before buying, most shopping mall music stores sell "Blast" brand acoustic guitars for 200-300rmb. They're not awesome instruments, but they're great to learn on. If your son really digs guitar and wants to keep it up you can always upgrade from there.

You'll probably get a bunch of recommendations to go to Jingling Road which has a ton of music stores with quality imported merchandise. However, you usually don't find the cheap stuff there unless you ask the store managers where they hide their locally made instruments not on display.

Thanks ramsey! you've given me a good guide to start off there.

Got one more tip i always use.
Works especially well for cheap guitars.

There's something called "intonation." A very poorly made guitar cannot be set up so that it is ever actually in tune. You can go thru and tune each string correctly, even with a digital tuner, but when you strum a chord, it will sound out of tune.

To test a guitar's intonation, first locate the 12th fret. This will usually have 2 dots. Then, place your finger over any string, without pressing down hard enough for the string to touch the neck. Play a note. Then push your finger down so the string DOES touch the neck. Play a note again. If they are in tune, the guitar has good intonation and is suitable for purchase. If not, you'd better not buy it.

That said, there are some guitars that are not set up yet but can be set up by the shop to solve this problem. If you think the guitar's intonation is poor, you can ask the staff to set it up for you, and if they do so and the intonation still doesn't work, don't buy it.

It sounds complicated but an experienced guitarist should be able to do it, so if you can have a skilled friend or your kid's teacher accompany you to the shop, that'd be a big bonus.

thanks Toki_Wartooth! sounds too technical for me, but maybe my son will know. I'll ask him to read this.

I recommend a CORT brand as a cheap & basic elec guitar.

Agnona wrote:I recommend a CORT brand as a cheap & basic elec guitar.

thanks! but we're not looking for electric guitar. Just started out learning only.