My friend wants to buy his 8 yr old son a guitar for Christmas.  It appears that a 3/4 size guitar is the right size for a child that age.  Any recommendations on  brands/models.  Budget is a concern, but sub $200 is doable.  Focus is mostly on play-ability and somewhat on tone.
 
I have see this particular one from Yamaha - JR1 but I am looking for other recommendations.  I'd love to be able to convince him to buy a Baby Taylor, but I don't think that's in the cards.
 
Thanks in advance.

I think you're on the right track by focusing on playability. The lad will be focused on the colour and cool factor. it's really tough to buy instruments for kids.

The other curveball my friend threw me was he doesn't know if his son should play lefty or righty (which probably means lefty).  I will show my ignorance here and ask the question -
 
For a dreadnought style body without a cutaway or pickup, can it be strung either way (for lefty or righty)?

A guitar built "right handed" would need more changing than simply turning it upside down and stringing it "backwards".

The nut will be cut to have the strings in the usual slots for right-handed playing and so would need swapping for a left-handed one (the thinnest slot in the nut would be where the heaviest string is if you turn the guitar over). The bridge and saddle would alse need some alteration - the intonation slope on the saddle would be in the wrong direction, and if the saddle is cut to give the highest action on the would strings that would need reversing as well.

For left-handed acoustic playing on a relatively inexpensive instrument it's easier to get a left-handed guitar, because having the necessary alterations done to a right-hander could add quite a bit to the cost. Unfortunately "cheap", "good" and "left handed acoustic guitar" are words not often found together.

It's generally much easier to "left" a "right" electric guitar but a new nut (at least) is still required and the ergonomics might not be ideal (not that Hendrix seemed to have a problem).

Another option is to play the guitar right-handed - there are some very good guitarists around who do this. Finally there's the Dick Dale option - just turn the guitar over and play with the strings reversed from where they're "supposed" to be.

tlw,
 
Thanks for that info - I was pretty sure that would be the case.  I doubt we will use the Dick Dale option.
 
My buddy is going to hold off on this for X-mas, get him to play some guitar hero to see how he uses the controller and we might take him to a guitar store under the guise of me looking for a new guitar or something.  If we get him in a guitar store, we'll see how he wants to play.

Super good idea to go to a GOOD music store and they will deal with it. A bad store will just sell you something. A good store will ask questions and take the time to figure out what is best for the kid. And don't rule out buying an electric. Electrics are way easier to play, and a cheap electric will ultimately outshine a cheap acoustic. When I had my shop I sold 80% electrics to kids.. they were happy and the parents soon get the fact that electrics are not loud, they are actualy dead quiet until you plug them in. 
 
Most cheap 3/4 size acoustics are total garbage. The Yamaha is a bit better than average. A mini Taylor will hold it's value so a good investment. 
 

Yep, taking him to a place full of guitars sounds like a good plan.
 
I'd second considering electrics as well as acoustics. It's not so much that they're inherently easier to play (just different), but you're much more likely to find an inexpensive playable electric (or one that can be set up so that it's playable) than acoustic, and the lower action and thinner strings are easier on the fingers, at least until the callouses build up, and a badly set up acoustic guitar can be murder to play. As JohnnyV says you're more likely to find a decent cheap electric than acoustic because with an acoustic the quality of body construction and the wood used is critical. With an electric the wood does make a difference but nothing like as much, and if you go for a budget "standard" design such as Fender, Squier or Epiphone then it's usually an easy job to swap out the pickups and hardware for something better later on (including better parts from the same manufacturer).
 
Just make sure whatever he goes for in the end is set up properly.

I'll talk to my friend about an electric.  My personal opinion is that the acoustic guitar fits his son's personality better (quiet and shy) but I will talk to him about that to see what his thoughts are.

Check out Seagull. A bit over the $200 mark, but factory setup is good(playability), and they sound pretty decent.
Imho, Seagull smokes the "budget" range.
A 3/4 size may seem appropriate for an 8 year old, but consider that he will be growing rapidly over the next few years.
There is nothing more frustrating for a new player than fighting a bad guitar.

RobertB
Check out Seagull. A bit over the $200 mark, but factory setup is good(playability), and they sound pretty decent.
Imho, Seagull smokes the "budget" range.
A 3/4 size may seem appropriate for an 8 year old, but consider that he will be growing rapidly over the next few years.
There is nothing more frustrating for a new player than fighting a bad guitar.

My daughter and I taught ourselves to play acoustic guitar when when she was in elementary school, can't remember what age.  I had a folk size and she had a parlour.  That worked well for many years.  She now has a Seagull dreadnought (cost about 350$) and it sounds great, a lot richer than the other two.  I still like the folk size myself.
 
At one point we bought her this really nice MIM Fender Strat Jr. just before it was discontinued.  A real strat, only smaller.  She still has it but it's too small to be anything more than a travel guitar (which is nice with one of those VOX amp-on-a-plug and headphones).
 
An electric is a heck of a lot more sturdy than an acoustic.