On: Don't Give Up on the Guitar, Fender Is Begging You

[reducesuffering]

I wouldn't say that. The classic fender stratocaster is around $400 iirc. It's a great guitar for the price and that is by no means a high end guitar or high end fender. The other "classic" guitar is the Gibson Les Paul which start at $1500. If a beginner got THAT, the gifter would be loaded.

[manarth → reducesuffering]

  The classic fender stratocaster is around $400 iirc.
  It's a great guitar for the price and that is by no
  means a high end guitar or high end fender.

"$400 looks a little pricey, what about this $100 guitar? Oh, that one is a Fender? Fender are a good make, right? I don't think they need a Fender just yet, they're only just starting. We'll go with the cheaper one. If they like it, maybe we'll get them a Fender if they stick with the lessons."

[thraxil → reducesuffering]

And a Fender Squier can be had for $150 or less. I know a lot of people who started on one of those.