Oh flip, I deleted accidentally 
What I was going to say Tory, is a have a little book I find really helpful, use it most days before guitar practice.
It’s called Basic Guitar Workout by David Mead. It has 3 sections warm-ups, co-ordination and ear training. It’s not a, you must do each one in order type book, you choose at random. I find it great for loosening my fingers up and concentration, I think your son will find it helpful without overlapping with his lessons.
I got my copy in a Uk charity shop, but I’m told it’s available on Amazon for under £10, might make a nice little stocking filler.
I used to have Guitar hero for an old PS2, I was crap 
It’s also useful to record yourself every so often. Then you can hear your progress.
Thanks for the tip, I’ll try to get hold of it for him, we have his birthday late November too!!! Oh how I miss the book depository!
That’s a good idea, we did a few times in the summer but I’ll try to do it more regularly!
Another idea: it’s good to start performing before an audience as soon as possible. Family to start with; then family and friends.
It’s amazing how much you learn doing that (including the ancillary skills like keeping on after a mistake; pretending the mistake didn’t happen (or acknowledging it and laughing at it, like I had to do multiple times this morning); making the groove more important than the chords or notes).
He’s fab, with all the confidence of a 10/11 year old! He played probably a 1/2 hour or more set at our fête des voisins the other week. Everyone was very impressed!
I’ve finally made a decision, this is what I’m going for, any thoughts?
Harley Benton RG-Junior BK Set
Harley-Bentons are usually a safe bet. That one looks like it’s a knock-off of a Jackson guitar so is more “heavy metal” in style - twin humbuckers and probably a fairly thin neck with a lowish action.
Not necessarily a problem, especially if he likes to play that kind of music, but not quite as “general purpose” as a Strat, Tele or Les Paul style guitar.
I think getting a 3/4 size is probably sensible.
It might need a bit of a set-up (intonation, string height, pickup height) although reviews I’ve seen of H-Bs say they are often pretty good straight from the factory.
I’m expecting to have to set it up, I can do all that myself and if I think it needs the pick up height adjusting, I know a man that will happily help me get that right.
I thought it a good introduction for a good price, it will live with me until they find/move house and they find a tutor for him then he’s got pretty much everything he needs. Mum and Dad can do the upgrade when he’s ready.
That looks like a good starting point. The RG was an Ibanez original shredder guitar, used by some well-known players, and has become a classic in its own right. This set may be a little ‘wasp in a beercan’ with the gain wound up, but will give him a gentle start to playing and this is very generous of you.
My Remy has just ordered an electric guitar set from Thomann, I think its a HB as well. I’ll ask which one when I get home.
I’m no expert, but every HB guitar I’ve bought has been good. I think they’re quite jealous of their reputation.
And - not that it matters - I think he’ll think the guitar is quite cool. I mean, you can’t beat black, can you?
the upgrade???
You’re right, it’s an Ibanez lookalike not Jackson. Quite similar though.
I want him to have something he’ll see as ‘grown up’, enough to respect and he can grow into. He’s fantastic with mine, treats them with respect, even the really shitty one I got him, he’s careful with because it’s not a plastic toy.
Hopefully Porridge playing guitar is something that’ll stay with him all his life, and at some point one guitar is never going to be enough!
Seeing his face when we get the guitars out is priceless, he goes from a child that can’t keep his body or mouth still, to a picture of calm concentration. Being honest, I’m the one that has to call time when we’re stretching guitar time to 2 hours plus, my concentration’s shot by then😵💫
The mind boggles… 
(sorry couldn’t resist)
Sticky fingers 