At the risk of seeming pedantic, check out a good accoustic electric similar to the Epiphone Red Dot. Not overly expensive and he gets the best of both worlds. Plus, if he chucks it in when he discovers girls and cars, you can usually sell it close to what you paid for it. Anyway, my advice is let him choose, and discuss all options with someone who can teach him the best.

Yours, Aye. Dave