The Kids' Electric Guitar WCEG by Woodstock Percussion can make any pint-size musician feel like a heavy metal hero.

Children ages six and older will find the guitar small enough to easily handle, but realistic enough to feel like a budding professional. The Woodstock Percussion Kids' Electric Guitar is the real thing: It has the satisfying sound of a real wood instrument, as well as a built-in amplifier and speaker, and a jack for plugging into an external amplifier. Plus, the guitar sports a metallic red finish that is nearly irresistible to young players.

The Woodstock Percussion Kids' Electric Guitar comes with a shoulder strap, pick and instruction booklet written by renowned folk musician Happy Traum. The booklet includes basic instruction for beginners: It names and describes the various parts of the guitar and has several pages of surprisingly helpful tuning, technique and chord-playing information. There are even a few beginner songs to play once the basic chords have been mastered.

Parents will love the fact that this guitar even comes with its own 9-volt battery (necessary for the built-in amp). After all, it's the little things that matter.

The best feature of the Woodstock Percussion Kids' Electric Guitar is its quality construction. Even though it is child-sized, it handles, looks and feels like a real electric guitar -- not a toy version. At about $130, the Woodstock Percussion Kids' Electric Guitar isn't likely to be an impulse purchase, but it is a good buy for a child who would like to begin taking guitar lessons or who would like to learn at home. We give the Kids' Electric Guitar high marks for its realistic feel and sound, and of course, its style.


Pros: Realistic sound, feel and look for a child-sized guitar
Cons: Moderately pricey

Warranty
1 year, limited