So my son is about to turn 12 and we want to get him a new guitar. He has been playing guitar almost 3 years and using a 2/3 sized guitar, specifically a Squire Mini. But he's 5' 4" and growing like a weed so his guitar teacher says he's ready for a full size guitar.

He wants to stick with the Stratocaster body style, and has requested blue, so I am wondering what the best options are and looking for insight. We want to get something decent but we also aren't ready for a $1000 guitar just yet.

For a Fender brand, it looks like the the Player series occasionally goes on sale for $550-650, though not right now:
https://slickdeals.net/f/16166665-fender-limited-edition-player-stratocaster-or-telecaster-electric-guitars-lake-placid-blue-549-each-free-s-h?attrsrc=search%3Aterm%3Astratocaster%7Csearch%3Apage%3A1%7Csearch%3Aposition%3A5%7Csearch%3Aresult_type%3Athread%7Csearch%3Aresult_id%3A16166665&src=SiteSearchV2Algo1

For Squire brand it looks like a number of models are affordable. For blue this seems like a good option and something decent quality:

https://www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-guitars/stratocaster/classic-vibe-60s-stratocaster/0374010502.html

Used is another option of course.

Thoughts?

What kind of music does he play? If bluesy, then the Player would be a good alternative until you want to fork over the dough for a real strat.

His teacher focuses on blues oriented rock.

His personal musical taste is alternative rock (Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, etc.)

Best bet is going to your local music store and have him play the guitars that he likes the look and feel of and also fit your budget. A lot of them have used guitars as well. Just make sure you set clear financial boundaries before doing that so his eyes don't get bigger than your wallet. There are several companies that make strat-style bodies so there's more than just Fender out there. Talk to his teacher as well, I'm sure they'd be able to give you some advice/options.

Charvel has some decent ones. But I'm biased, and those can get over $1000. If he's been playing for 3 years, Squires are probably too entry level. There are G&L's (https://www.guitarcenter.com/GL/Tribute-Legacy-HSS-Electric-Guitar-Lake-Placid-Blue-1500000363480.gc) that are decent.

I'm not as in the loop as I used to be. I'm sure there will be plenty of advice given by others.

I haven't found one of these in the wild to try yet. They get great reviews from multiple YouTubers that do gear reviews.

How about a flame maple blue?

https://sire-usa.com/collections/electric-guitars/products/larry-carlton-s7-fm?variant=34034064654474

There are people with much more experience in the guitar world than me that will hopefully chime in, but I have tried a few of the Player series Strats. I didn't care for them. Maybe they just needed a setup by a tech but they weren't that easy to play and the fret ends were rough.

I've played one Silver Sky SE and it was smooth like butter. I didn't care for the Evergreen color but the playability was fantastic.

If he likes a Strat, then buy a Strat. More importantly, buy a Fender and not a Squire. If he was just starting out, then that's one thing. Someone who has played for 3 years and obviously loves it enough to continue playing is the exact person who warrants a quality instrument.

Is your budget $650? If that is the edge of your means, then definitely stick to what you can afford and go for a made in Mexico Fender Strat. If it is well within your means to spend a little more money, I would start at the base-line Fender USA models. If it were my kid, and he has already proven to be committed to the guitar, I would buy him a used Fender American Standard or Professional (depends on the year for which one it is). I would buy anything after 2011 at a good price point. He would then have a great guitar he can keep for the rest of his life. An Xbox and 1 game would cost you nearly $600, so why not invest in something that truly allows him to develop a lifelong skill and would never become antiquated.

As for Strats, he should also make a decision on whether he wants an SSS or HSS strat. Some people prefer a humbucker in the bridge position for more rock tones and no hum. I personally prefer the classic SSS style Strats because i have other guitars for a humbucker tone.

I pretty much only buy used guitars, these days, because they never lose their value unless I beat it to hell. If you were to buy a Fender American Standard used, then have to resell it in several years, its price would reflect inflation at the least.

Lastly, I recommend he play anything before you buy it. Guitars are so personal to the player, and everyone prefers various nuances in the feel and playability of the guitar. If you are buying online, then go to a local store and play the exact same model there, to make sure neck feel, playability, and tone are what he wants.

Make sure the guitar is also properly setup. if you go to the store and they have a Strat but the strings are a little too high, then take it to one of the employees and ask they have the guitar tech lower the action for you. See if you can also negotiate a re-string and setup as part of the price, to make sure it is ready to play.

EDIT: Also, never pay sticker price for a used guitar. You can usually at least get 10% taken off. Start with asking for 15-20% off sticker, but don't pay more than 10% off.

Very nice!

That's a beautiful Mexican Strat. Now to determine if it was a great deal, good deal, or if you got taken..... how much did you pay?

I'd be very happy if you paid $450.
I'd be okay with $500.
I'm thinking $550 would work just to be done with shopping.

Its still a great guitar, but I'm not happy if you paid over $551.

Regardless of the price, its a perfect guitar for your son based on your original post.

Great job, parents and grandpa!

Wow. Sweet find.

Yep, that's a decent deal, and that really is a beautiful guitar. Don't ever let him sell it. That's a forever first guitar.

Ya....I'm jealous....nice find

Excellent outcome!