I would like to purchase a guitar for my young nephew who is showing a lot of interest in music. Which is the best guitar for a beginner? I heard that beginners usually begin with acoustic or electric guitars; but I have also heard that learning to play a bass guitar right at the beginning can be extremely beneficial. What would you suggest?

If he wants to play bass, let him play bass. Electric/acoustic guitars don't need to be a step between him and what he wants. If he wants to play an electric guitar, let him play that. Same deal with an acoustic guitar.

I like to think of it this way: If you wanted to go live in a ranch house, or a flat, and you currently lived in a 2-story house, would you buy a trailer in between?

All I ever recommend to my students (and I stand firm on this) is that they still study aural and written theory along with the instrument. Just a little bit of knowledge in those fields and some ear training can immediately set them worlds apart from half of the guitar/bass/piano players/vocalists out there.

You really don't realize just how much difference there is until you see the rehearsals they have (people who know theory vs. people who don't). With a basic understanding of harmony and a decent ear, a guitar player can learn a 2-hour set in a 3-hour rehearsal for the next day. And because of the understanding of theory, it doesn't even require much memorization, because theory leads to chord progression making so much more sense. To the point where the guitar player can just predict what's coming next.

Okay. Sorry for the rant, but that's my honest opinion. Let him play what he wants to play, but push him (don't force him, though) to get some theory behind it. It'll get you more gigs than all your talent put together. I guarantee it.

What does he want to do? And how old is he? I learned on an acoustic but I agree with ShackMan that where ever the kid is showing interest is where they should start. I think it's a nice thing you're doing trying to get him involved with music.

I agree with Shackman about the benefits of knowing theory.

I'd also suggest that if your nephew has smaller hands, then maybe looking for an instrument with a smaller scale of the neck may be a good idea as a starting point.

Kids sometimes seem to pick up on things quicker than adults do and I know this first hand from myself and child. I am going to end up before the year is over from an Aunt with a drum set for my child and I have no doubt before mid year they will sound better than I ever could.

The Fender Bass Precision is a great guitar for a beginner. The tone is great and will produce a sound your nephew will be proud to play. The prouder he is of his instrment the more he will enjoy playing.

Darn right, Sasha. I've played on a few of the Squier Vintage Modified P-Basses, and they're very solid instruments, from head to tailpiece. I'd recommend them for any beginner.

I know first hand Fenders are good for newbies but I figured depending on the age of the person it might be better to go with something else. I know I started a little older but some kids now are breaking out the jams at such an early age its kind of shocking to an oldie like me.

Knowing theory and being well rounded with multiple instruments is always beneficial, if he is interested in Bass, I would recommend the Ibanez GSR200, it was my first bass, it was very easy to learn on.