Hi,

I teach guitar for a living.

If he wants to play electric you should get him an electric. If the level of sound is an issue don't let him turn his amp up oor get him headphones.

I don't believe you should start on acoustic if you want to play electric, doesn't make sense to me. Electric guitars are much easier to play!

On the right-handed vs left-handed issue- I've taught both (lefties that play righty and lefties that play lefty). IMHO it's a tough call but Don is right that you have to use both hands to play. The advantages of a right hand guitar are: they are cheaper; easier to sell; the chord diagrams are all written for righties.

This question remains: Why wouldn't right-hand guitarist all play left-handed guitars?

Also since he's a big kid, I'd be inclined to get a full size guitar. If you get an electric guitar the body is smaller anyway.

Richie