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In the past when visiting my niece, I would bring a guitar to show off. Her daughter, my grand niece, would say "I want a guitar". So, when my wife and I came to visit this weekend I brought her a guitar that I had made. While playing it for her, I thought to myself, "am I doing the right thing? - this thing sounds so good and she might trash it... and she is just 10 years old". But, when I saw the look on her mother's face and the smile from my grand niece, it made me feel so good that I knew I did the right thing. It will probably be frustrating for her, since her fingers are so small, but if she has it around the house maybe she will eventually be able to play some...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

My youngest daughter started playing at 10, (13 fret Nick Lucas special) she was really rough for the next five years lots of dings and dents...... she's 16 and seems to avoid most of the targets of opportunity that were never missed in the past But she loves it and its played daily. No regrets at all.

Whether she plays it or not, she'll always remember Uncle Steve gift.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Nice.
Its a good feeling, giving them away.

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My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

She can capo it up and move it closer to the nut as her hands get bigger.

Her hands don't look too small at all. I'm sure she will do fine with it. 10 is a good age to start playing. She is old enough to appreciate the gift and take care of the instrument if you tell her how. Good Job!

Steve good going my friend and it's a pretty cool feeling for you giving one away I am sure. I always got the biggest kick out of gift guitars which had me beaming like an idiot...

I do a lot of set-ups for kids and you might want to consider a few things for her to make learning to play easier and more successful. Below is a list of some of the things that I do for newer, younger, smaller players, all reversible so that the ax can grow with her.

1) Set-ups become even more important to dial in for smaller players.

2) New nut with closer spacing (not required but helpful for smaller hands and reversible.

3) Custom light strings, lighter than lights but still enough string there to make acceptable noise...

4) Cut the nut slots very low for ease of playing.

5) action at the 12th of 4/64" or slight less for the high e an 5/64th" for the low e. This will make the thing play like butter.

6) Strap button on neck heel avoiding any associated metal hardware from a bolt-on neck. There are specs for where to locate on the heel too if you want them. I use a magnet too to interrogate the neck for metal hardware if I can't see where there neck bolts, if any... are. The strap is important because little folks have more trouble hanging on to the instrument so a comfortable, light weight strap can be helpful.

Congratulations, your niece will always remember this day - priceless!

Lovely story, lovely niece, and a lovely guitar. Mr. Sollod! She looks positively thrilled!

For those contemplating an instrument for a younger, the success of 12 year old Grace VanderWaal on the television show 'America's Got Talent' might see thousands of 'tweens opting for the ukulele over a guitar. We've had several tenors and one baritone uke built in the shop...quicker to built than a guitar or mandolin and a bit more robust.

The videos linked below seem to me to presage the fourth big uke boom...might be time to establish that reputation as both guitar and uke builder...

https://youtu.be/eNxO9MpQ2vA

https://youtu.be/My_FR8MqWm4

https://youtu.be/bTCNXvSWgsE

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A constellation only takes shape when one maps the whole.
- Beth Brower

I was 12 when I got my first guitar, but I had wanted one for years before that. When I was 7 or 8, I tried to make one with scrap wood and wire. When I was 10 or so, my parents bought a plastic toy guitar for a Halloween costume, and my mom considered that good enough for me to practice on (it wasn't). When I was 12, I spent the summer mowing a neighbor's lawn for $5/week, and at the end of the summer, I bought my first REAL guitar, a Stella Harmony (I still have it). I've been playing guitar now for over 40 years, and I'm not half bad. You've done a very good thing.

you didn't give her a guitar , you gave her and heirloom and a great memory
what more can you ask for
you dun good

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Way to go Uncle Steve!

+1 for what John Hall said...!

I say: "Good on ya!" Pretty little guitar and a pretty little recipient. Look at that expression on her face! Looks to me like a match that was meant to be. I've got a hunch she will cherish it forever.