Inspired by Todd's christmas thread:

Like Todd I'm also thinking about getting my boy a guitar for christmas. He has never played one (neither do I) so lessons will definitely be in order. I'm wondering, though - what is better to learn on: acoustic or electric? Would a child have an easier time with the frets on an electric?

Yeah, of course they would. The strings on an acoustic are twice as hard to press down as those on an electric are. But that's exactly the point -- start them out on an acoustic and they'll build up their hand muscles and technique, and then switching over to an electric a couple years later will be a breeze.

how old is your kid?
isn't guitar a physically demanding instrument for a litle kid?

isn't it like baseball where a 7 year old just cannot developmentally do what a 9 year old can? i really have no idea. just wonderin'.

i learned on smallish classical guitar.
it's harder because the neck is wider, but easier because the strings are softer.

Last Christmas we got our then eight-year old a Fender TG4 acoustic and lessons. She loves it and the guitar is something that will grow with her. It ended up being about $160 which isn;t cheap but it is a "real" guitar but 3/4 size. Sounds really nice! The lessons were extra.

She has had some lessons and is taking a little break for a month or so. then will start up again soon.

It's a double-edged sword... electric is easier on the hands, but costs more usually, and isn't as portable / pretty sounding. A $160 acoustic will sound pretty ok. A $160 electric guitar / amp combo will sound pretty damn ugly.

I also started on a really old classical... wide neck, half nylon strings, = easy on the fingers.

It's ALWAYS a gamble. Some people just can't hear it well enough to stick with it.

He's 10, so I don't think he'll have too much trouble. He is also the most responsible, reliable person in our family - the kind of kid who gets himself up and to school without any assistance... so if he takes interest in this I see him practicing a lot.

Are you sure he's your kid, Matt?