I wouldn’t bother with Chinese etc the quality control is hit and miss. I would go for Yamaha Pacifica. Available new around 200 e or cheaper on le bon coin.
That was true 30 years ago, but not any more. Chinese luthiers will build a guitar to any standard you’re willing to pay for, often just a little cheaper than anyone else.
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Exactimento!
There can be a difference though between a Chinese guitar made for a decent brand (like Chinese Squiers) and a knock-off sold via Ali Express, e.g. the famous fake Gibson Les Pauls aka “Chibsons”.
Fender themselves put their name on Chinese made guitars (the Modern Player series) and they could have easily destroyed their reputation by doing that if they hadn’t been any good!
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There are good reasons not to buy from China, but quality is not one of them.
I’ve got guitars made in Indonesia, Korea, Mexico as well as Japan and the UK. They’re all great quality.
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Arguably yes, but since such a huge amount of manufactured products are made there, it’s a difficult boycott to sustain (no mobile phones or computers, for example).
Sad, but too true Chris, if I avoided countries I have issues with, I’d never buy anything!
I wouldn’t recommend buying direct, but buying a Chinese-made house brand of a reputable dealer who takes responsibility for quality is safe enough. There was a time when Japanese made guitars were described in the same way.
After reading everyone’s comments I’m leaning towards a Harley Benton or Squire for him, he’d have something that would last him quite sometime time.
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While I’d recommend HB over Squier for value, a good Squier will probably be easier to resell in due course.
If the budget can stretch to a Mexican Fender, even better.
If you buy from Thomann, their QC is great and CS is the best I’ve ever experienced. You could order it and check you’re happy before handing it over.
I’ve bought stuff from them before so I know they’re good to deal with, always helpful and quick to get back to you if needed and shipping to UK is around £10 , stuff usually arrives within a week and well packaged. I’ve got a little bit of time to make my final decision so I won’t rush into anything, nearly as much fun as buying one for me 
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I know what you mean, Rémy has just started college sns has joined the music group. He is so excited. They are doing the Beatles and this week he’s been trying to learn Blackbird. I’ve not seen him cry for so long but the other day he was in frustration, I was thrilled today to have him mega excited as he’d cracked it! So wonderful to watch them learn and love music 
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The Beatles. The Cranberries. U2.
I assumed it was the teachers’ fault, but perhaps not!
Blackbird is a great achievement.
Not at all, he mentioned it as what they bare doing next and Rem came home and wanted to learn it straight away! I need to tell his guitar teacher yo work on it. The current plan is a Metalluca song 
so I’m happy if they work more on Beatles dongs 
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Nothing else matters
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I like the sound of his teacher Metallica, mmm nice. Toby loves AC/DC, I’ve shown him the opening riff to Thunderstruck, he’s determined to do it 
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Try suggesting to Remy that when he gets frustrated, take a few minutes out walk away, get a drink then try again, slow it right down he can always speed up when he’s happier with it, no great guitarist made it without lots of practice and patience.
I hope you share a bit of his journey with us, he’ll learn something that will bring him endless pleasure, exciting stuff.
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Are you sure about that? 
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That sounds more like The Rolling Stones.
I was tyPing without my glasses
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Shoelaces?
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Fingers all in a knot 