I am definitely not a musician but dabbled in it years ago so take my advice for whatever that?s worth.

Your kid is a beginner and probably doesn?t yet have the skills to tell the difference between a $400 guitar and a $1400 guitar. Spending big bucks isn?t really necessary at this stage of the game unless you just want to. (FYI- if I had every dollar I ever spent on equipment for my sons various hobbies throughout the years I?d be a rich man right now.)

Anyhow, my first (and only) guitar was one of the Fender Squiers. It was a Japanese made version of their American made Stratocaster. I likely played it just as well back then as I could have played something way more expensive and it didn?t break the bank when I bought it.

My brothers are real musicians (don?t have real jobs and have played and toured all over the world with people like Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughn, Trisha Yearwood, etc.) and the Squire was what they suggested I should get until I decided if I was going to be good at it or stick with it long term.

No matter what you get him I bet he will be stoked to have a decent guitar he can call his own.