My son has the itch now to play a real guitar. He got this itch by playing one his favorite games, Guitar Hero (I and II).
If I hadn't converted a guitar into a game controller, I would have given him that one but I had already made that dumb mistake before he announced his desire to learn guitar.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a guitar that is not incredibly expensive and good for a teen to start learning on? The wife and I do not want to buy those cheap ones which Toys-R-Us sells unless it is recommended. I've read mixed reviews on these and would not want another headache to deal with.

He first liked the form of a flying V, then switched to an Les Paul Sunburst (I think that's what it's called). If we can find a cheap LP style, we can always ask my brother-in-law to paint it to his liking.

ETA:
His birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and we'd like to give it to him then.

You could try maybe a Epiphone Les Paul Special 2.

they are cheap and not as heavy as the proper Les Pauls and have a nice sweet tone.

they r around £120 in the UK but dont no if ur in the states or not, so price could differ.

but i wud recomend the Epiphone.

well since he likes the v style, i own a Jackson Rhodes style, they are amazing guitars, very light, and extremely comfortable to sit in your lap , and prices range from 250 to 1200 so if thats in the anywhere in there is in the budget you will not go wrong

You could also try a Squire by Fender. They're very inexpensive, sort of the beginner version of the Stratocaster.

I'd recomend ESP guitars. Many musicains use them today. I've got a few basses of theirs and they deliver, and for the right price in my opinon. If your going to buy online I'd recomend Sam Ash, thats where I buy all my stuff.

Good luck with this, hopefully he'll stick with-it, and not quit like others I've known.:D

Asked a friend of mine and this is what he had to say. It was an MSN Messenger convo and I just left it in that format:p

Der_Toter says:
Prolly a fender.
Der_Toter says:
Most people start with fenders
Der_Toter says:
Just your standard 6 string electric
Der_Toter says:
if you're talking electric?
Smidget says:
any particular type of Fender? Squire, etc...
Smidget says:
yeah, electric
Der_Toter says:
Yea, squire is the cheaper brand
Der_Toter says:
so if you don't want to spend much and just need something to play on for now
Der_Toter says:
Squire would be good. Especially if you're not looking for a particular sound or anything.
Der_Toter says:
I still have my first bass, the squire, and I ripped out the internals and put in EMG pickups.
Der_Toter says:
Smidget says:
what if you wanted one step above the squire? (just covering the bases)
Der_Toter says:
uhm
Der_Toter says:
maybe an epiphone?
Der_Toter says:
Uhmmm
Der_Toter says:
ibanez i think is good
Der_Toter says:
I personally suggest Ibanez or Epiphone.
Der_Toter says:
I prefer Ibanez over Ep, but it's up to the person.
Der_Toter says:
One step above that would be like Gibson.

I personally recommend either a Gretsch Synchromatic Junior Jet or a Peavey Raptor. Both can be used for a wide variety of musical styles and are plenty durable for the expected teenage abuse. I've been playing these two guitars since I started playing five or six years ago and I'm only now feeling the itch to upgrade. The Raptor runs about 130 new and my only major complaint was that after a few years, it needs to be tuned every hour or so during usage. The Synchromatic Junior Jet is a bit of a mystery though, they're Korean made clones of the Electromatic line and I've never been able to figure out if its officially supported Gretsch product, so customer service may be an issue, although I've had mine for two years and I have no complaints. The Synchromatic runs about 125 or less and can occasionally be found new on ebay for as little as 60-75 dollars.

Additional note, there's currently a used Synchromatic Sunburst on ebay for $10 and $35 shipping, reserve not met.
Item number: 300109121753

If you're sure hes going to play guitar, then go for something a tad bit more expensive, thats what I'd do.

Thanks. You all gave me some great leads.

It's hard to tell if he really will stick to it so I think we'll settle for something not expensive. I'd like him to get his feet wet before we buy something better and more expensive.

Thanks again.

Just wanted to update everyone who helped with this.

We bought one yesterday and he's loving it.
We got the Fender Squire Fat Strat Pak in black but from a local store. His uncle can airbrush it at a later date (I'm not ready to have my investment painted just yet). The gentleman at the store said that they're easy to take apart for painting and I just didn't have the heart to tell him I already did that to one to make my GH controller. Now I know where I can buy my replacement pickups :D

They even offer lessons in mini studios there. :) A major plus.

Off to download the Internet for all guitar training information I can find.