I remember back in the late seventies, my folks going to the local music shop and helping me buy me first “proper” guitar - a Rosewood neck strat with trem. (In those days trem/no-trem and rosewood/maple neck were the only choice… oh and colour too but who cares eh?)
Well my eldest is 18 this week (how did that happen?
I’m only 19 myself).
He’s a pretty mean guitarist so his coming-of-age pressie is a guitar.
We spent a hour or so in the local guitar emporium - mummy couldn’t complain - and we tried just about every guitar in the place.
Ended up with a rather nice Deluxe Mex strat (http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0139410380).
I was proud to be part of it and have to admit a little emotional during the whole process.
I’m proud as he chose the “right” guitar for him rather than the others that were on offer (eg US strats, etc).
He bought by feel rather than by name.
And it’s rather lovely.
Any mummy capped it all by telling him that my strat is his when I finally croak it (what?
I’m only 19!!!)
A proud daddy.
oops. Sorry about the subject heading
Very nice Mark. Hope he has his dad’s heart. 
Quote: (Poppa Willis @ Feb. 08 2009, 4:58 PM)
Very nice Mark. Hope he has his dad's heart.
Thanks Poppa.
i’m still waiting for my dad to bequeath the ricky bass.
Way to go Mark. It’s a great thing you’ve done… kudo’s!
I started slapping guitars in my eldest boy’s hands when he was ten. It really grabbed him and got ahold of him good at around 12. He’s 19 in a few weeks and regularly “schools” his old man. He learned to play “proper”. Keeps that thumb planted on the back of the neck and flexes those fingers… watch the smoke fly!
D - also a proud Dad!
PS My other son, age 12, just earned second chair alto sax in band. His grand-dad just gave him an old violin today. We have to get it re-strung and serviced but it looks really great and ooooollldddd…