You take a good guitar player with you, same as with somebody who doesn't play piano.
OTOH, if I were you, I'd hone in on what kind of music the lad wants to play. I'd take the wife with y'all. I'd ask to look at appropriate guitars with the salesperson playing a bit on each guitar...Same tunes and I'd play them soft and I'd make him dig into them a bit. Some guitars can sound pretty good at lower volumes, but the sound can mush at higher volumes.
And guitars can be good, but not have a tone you really like. When shopping for my daughter a few years ago, she really thought she wanted a Taylor, but after shopping with my nephew (who I think plays well enough to work as a sideman) she really started to lean towards Martin or Martin-type (Blueridge) guitars.
It's all in what you like and what you want to spend.