Customer Reviews

First Act Discovery FG130 Student Acoustic Guitar

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

After reading the reviews listed here, I felt compelled to write one of my own. I too purchased one of these guitars for my child who showed an interest in the same. I thought this would be a great beginning for her instead of buying one, or renting one for lots of money just to maybe find out later she didn't like it. So far, I have had no trouble with this product, however, I have taught my daughter to handle the guitar with care eventhough it was labeled a "toy".
It's durability could be made a little better, however, it is apparent the instrument was built with affordability in mind. In short, the wood seems very fragile, however it is small and light for children.
As for tuning the guitar, I had it tuned by a professional who had no trouble doing the same, and concurred it was a good start for my daughter without having a lot of investment. He also showed me how to tune it myself so I may also show her, and to avoid the possible risk of her or I snapping the strings.

I believe the hardest part in teaching guitar to a child, is knowing what book to buy! After careful research and discussion with others, I would recommend purchasing First Act's Learn & Play Guitar book & video which is an excellent resource for the very, very beginner. After that, I recommend buying other books as the child progresses at a music store with professional recommendation.
In summary, I feel this product is a good starting point for children and their parents alike, however, please understand eventhough it is labeled a "toy", the guitar still needs to be handled with care, and if tuned too tight, the strings will break as with any guitar. In all, I feel it is a good product for children provided they know how to respect it. I will keep you posted on its'performance.

My six year old got this guitar as a real instrument and had lessons. She loved it, it sounded great and she had lots of fun with it. However after a few lessons with the teacher tuning it, it started to break. The neck bent forward from the pull of the steal strings. It wouldn't stay in tune and the teacher refused to teach her on it as she said it could snap and hit my little girl on the face, as children lean over to see the strings. With it having steal strings, the teacher said it could cut her face! Good as a toy, but not good for keeping tune. DON'T TIGHTEN THE STRINGS TOO MUCH!

My 9-year old daughter received this as her big gift for Christmas. Two days later, the front separated from the back at the bottom of the instrument. We tried to exchange it for the last one in stock at our local store, and were told that it, too, was defective! Now, we are shopping around for a different one. Note that it does not come with a pick or instructions. An instruction CD, book and video package sells separately ....

Please do not think of this instrument as a first instrument for a serious young student of guitar. Think of this as a way of gauging whether your child is willing to play it every day, whether s/he will care for it, and whether s/he gets tired of it before moving on to the next fad.

[Update: The instrument lasted over two years, until another child in the house damaged it. The instrument would have lasted longer otherwise!]

This instrument is about par for what you will find in this price range. It is not designed to last forever, and (from trying to find one in great condition at a local retailer) they often vary in quality from box to box.

If you are seriously interested in this starter instrument, I recommend you take a guitar-playing friend with you to a retail location and examine what they have in stock. If you are looking to buy this more as a toy or novelty that has some musical potential, go ahead and order one.

TWO IMPORTANT NOTES ON STAYING IN TUNE:

All guitar strings stretch. This is especially true of new strings and nylon strings. It is not uncommon to need to re-tune a newly stringed guitar during or after every few strums. As the strings stretch out, retuning should be needed less frequently. Within the first week (assuming 30 minutes of use each day), the instrument should stay in tune while strumming through a song, or while left unplayed for a period of time.

The second factor that affects guitar tune is how hard it is played-by that I mean literally how hard your child bangs down on the strings. The harder the instrument is played, the more the strings will stretch--wheter 20 minutes or 20 days after the instrument has been re-strung. Go to a local music store and buy your child a very soft (flexible) guitar pick. Then spend a few moments teaching him/her to strum the strings using the pick, not his/her hands. Remind him/her that the guitar is an instrument that must be treated gently [At this point they will likely describe the people they see on TV who appear to hammer on their guitars. Remind him/her that they a) had to learn how to play just s/he does first, b) the people on TV use different guitars than the one they have (more expensive and durable), and c) that even though it looks like they are playing "hard", they are actually playing their instruments correctly, but (like any good showman), they are exaggerating their actions.]

Good luck to each of you. I hope your children find a life long love of music.

Andrew James Riemer
Guitar player since age 9 (27+ years)

I am a guitar instructor and have had a couple kids come in with this guitar. I was nervous seeing the size and thought it couldn't possibly work. But after just a couple short minutes it was tuned and played wonderfully! For thirty dollars this is a sweet deal! Both kids were playing full chords within minutes! I was almost lauging at the other reviews saying it didn't hold tune for more than a day and that it was closer to a toy than a musical instrument. It's thirty dollars!! It's made for kids! Kids don't take care of things so don't spend hundreds of dollars on an instrument that you will catch them standing on, sitting on, jumping on, throwing, hitting friends and family with. This guitar is perfect for a starter! If you're looking for a lifetime investment, you're not going to buy a guitar that comes in a box! But if you have a child age 5 to 9 who wants to learn to play, GET THIS GUITAR!! Don't be concerned that it only stays in tune for a day, most kids mess with the tuners anyway. Plus then they get to learn how to tune it back!! Tah dah a lesson learned! The steel strings won't snap like that other reviewer said. When tuned correctly, they are actually looser than on a full size guitar due to the shorter neck. (this will make sense if you know a thing or two about the guitar) Anyway, this is a heck of a deal for the money!! So, for less money than "Guitar Hero" buy this and get them playing for real!

I bought this guitar for my 7-year-old daughter three months ago, and it has been a really pleasant surprise. The tone is remarkably good for such an inexpensive instrument. The neck is narrow enough for my daughter's hands to form most chords comfortably. We have, so far, suffered none of the durability problems experienced by some of the other reviewers - strings have held up well (I don't need to tune them any more frequently than I tune my own guitar), the paint, body, and neck remain in fine condition. My daughter has loved this instrument - she was playing it immediately, and can knock out several two and three chord songs now. My two older kids have asked for guitars of their own. My only caveat - when buying, select your instrument carefully - I noticed some guitars in the box where fret bars were installed irregularly. Perhaps there is a quality control problem at First Act that needs to be addressed, but when they get it right, they produce a fine, inexpensive instrument for kids to learn on.

I have to say this has been the hit of Christmas. My daughter asked Santa for a guitar and he brought her one. It is not a toy though. I must stress this to you...and her (a million times over) Two days after Christmas and one string already snapped from strumming to hard. You have to teach kids to treat this like the instrument that it is...gently. I will have to say that after that first incident she has changed and finally understands. She loves to be able to make noise and know that she is the one doing it. She turned 5 in November and the guitar is the perfect size, it may be a hair to big but that will change in about...what?...two days, the way these kids grow! Anyways its a great instument to judge whether the child will pursue this as a hobby or not. At least you don't feel so bad if it gets broken or left in the corner because it wasn't too expensive. Musical things just have a way of reaching out and grabbing children, give it a try..what could you have to lose?

When Grandson Evan told me he wanted an electric guitar, I researched recommendations at various guitar web sites, learning that the first guitar should be an acoustic guitar. The Student Acoustic Guitar arrived today when expected. Wrapped in protective box within an Amazon packaging, the guitar arrived in excellent shape. It is gorgeous, and I'm so thrilled to have found this on sale. Perfect price for the quality, and higher quality than anticipated.

While tuning the instrument, I realized that the guitar is more than a toy. I'm so impressed that I decided to take lessons, too. The size of the guitar for a young child under 12 is just right! Picture examples provided in manual will ensure the student will learn the right habits before starting the lessons. The acoustics produces sustained sound when picking strings. It is light to the touch, so that there is very little need strength for a young learner to concentrate on playing first chords. I recommend this for every child that asks for a guitar.

As a musician, my husband agrees that it is a remarkable first guitar for our 8-Yr. old Grandson. Included were extra strings, set of picks, and instruction book with beginner lessons. If I can be as excited, I know my Grandson will be thrilled, and he is expecting to start using it this weekend when we see him.

Guys...this is a TOY...if your child is seriously interested in learning to play guitar, you should actually search for a real instrument. Amazon.com offers 25" guitars with accessories for only about $50...and they're actually pretty good. Don't waste your time with this thing...it's pathetic. Search for starter guitars in "Musical Instruments"...not "Toys", you're asking for disappointment.

It won't stay tuned.
It doesn't come with anything that you need to start out with (picks, extra set of strings, books, strap, case...etc.).
It's not even put together like a guitar should.

Go for the real things. Don't waste your time with this...

My kid loves this guitar, but it is NOT durable. However, it is a "real" looking and feeling guitar - not like many of the kids toy guitars (Elmo, Wiggles, etc. ). If your kid is rough on things, expect the following to happen: the strings will break soon after arrival, followed by the body of the guitar cracking open (not fixable), and finally the death blow...the neck will snap off. Oh yeah, this does not include general cracking, chipping, dents and dings that will make this poor little guitar look [bad]. Other than that, it's a neat guitar that your kid will enjoy until it's demolished.