Agree with so many comments here:
+1 on used for value
+1 digital with modeling (Something modern with aux input and headphone/digital out would likely be greatly appreciated by all)

$0.02:
- Name brand is worth it for resale/trade, you get your $ back. (I've seen and experienced clone or knock-off lose more than the original savings on the back end)

- Ages ago, buddy of mine had a top of the line 100watt Marshal clone. It was sick, but needed to be quite loud to sound really good. Another guy had a nice Fender, tube, combo (? wattage 2x10" I think). 1/3rd the size I think and sounded better. It could keep up with a small band to include bass and drums no problem

- "Reverb" is the e-bay for musical stuff. Not really auctions, but thousands of listings for New, Used, demos and seconds. Many have "Make offer" options and are linked to real stores in case you want to call them directly to try and make a deal. Not sure if I would buy off there unless it was a well known mainstream model that I knew for certain I wanted. BUT, it is a very good gauge of current pricing... If you see something you like in the real world use the advanced search on Reverb and see what recently sold went for as a sense check

So it doesn't get lost, the Line 6 and Boss Katana amps that have been suggested are digital modeling amps that have the ability to be plugged into computers and/or used with headphones.

Digital modeling means they can sound like many different amps with different combinations of speakers and cabinets. The ones mentioned do a good job at this and have lots of support from other users for different settings to get the different sounds on the internet and YouTube. These amps also have a variety of built in effects as well. For under $300, you get to try out a lot of different sounds for a fraction of cost of the real thing.

The guitar is a personal preference item that which makes it hard to recommend one. All of the used guitars I bought 20 years ago are worth more than I paid for them now. Some of them, I could have sold and not lost much if any money on at any point in the last 20 years.

All great advice, but as I said I’m out of my depth here. I reached out to him yesterday to call me and he has not (teenagers!). Not much I can do until he helps.

You said he's 20, not a teenager. Are you saying it's not going to get any better when they hit 20?

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
You said he's 20, not a teenager. Are you saying it's not going to get any better when they hit 20?

He turned 20 today!

Well happy birthday to him!

I have 3 teenagers that were really good kids when they weren't teenagers. They are still really good, but the attitudes now.

As a side note, after I gave them to my daughter this morning, my wife said picks and strings would have made great stocking stuffers. I figured why wait since my daughter is on break and has a lot of extra free time.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
I’m going to buck the trend. Modelers are the future. I plug my guitar into my Line 6 HX Stomp which is connected to my computer. I play along with YouTube videos and the video and the guitar comes out of my computer speakers.

I also have a Tonex One that works similarly.

Not a bad solution at all, and especially for a beginner who won't be in a position to really know and appreciate what a proper amp will do. Some day very soon, modelling amps will be so good that you literally won't be able to tell it isn't a "real" amp.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

Not a bad solution at all, and especially for a beginner who won't be in a position to really know and appreciate what a proper amp will do. Some day very soon, modelling amps will be so good that you literally won't be able to tell it isn't a "real" amp.

They pretty much are that good already. Plenty of bands now plug directly into the house system without any amps on stage to mic up. In a true A/B comparison we might hear the difference, but maybe not.

I just gave my son a Zoom G3n multi-effects pedal, which he can plug headphones into, or DI to a house system. He's a professional multi-instrumentalist (primarily violin, viola, cello) and this thing is plenty good enough for almost any situation when he plays guitar.

As players, I think we grossly overestimate our listeners' discernment. For personal joy, yeah nothing will replace a true vacuum tube amp. But now we're out of beginner level equipment pricing.

Guitars and amplifiers are a matter of personal choice. It's all about what guitar feels right to the musician and what amp sounds right with that guitar.

Quality matters. A cheap guitar or amp won't play or sound right and can turn a person off to the craft. He doesn't need a $20K Les Paul or Strat. But a $99.99 Leo Jaymz will be hated in days.

My suggestion is a gift card to the local Guitar Center or guitar shop in the amount you are willing to spend for a guitar, and one for an amp. Let him pick and if he wants to add a little of his own money to get a nicer rig he can.

I recommend having the guitar go over by an experienced guitar tech. Having the action, neck, frets, tremelo, intonation, etc. worked over while the new set of strings of his preference installed.