So, you are looking for a guitar that needs to be a little smaller than standard?
You're not decided on whether it's to be an acoustic guitar or an electric, but you know a full-sized one is too big for whomever is intending to play.
I've got you! This blog is for you! You may be a little bewildered at the selection of instruments out there, so I've made this quick guide to help make sense of things a little. You may be buying a child their first guitar, or you may be looking for something small and portable to have as an easy 'go-to'. In any case, Read on!
Contents
What is a Three Quarter or Half Size Guitar?
What is a Three Quarter or Half Size Guitar?
This blog contains a small selection of guitars that are 1/2 and 3/4 sized. What does that mean, though? Well, it doesn't mean the size of the enitre guitar, weirdly enough! Some of these guitars are much smaller than 'normal' examples, and others are just a touch smaller overall. The '1/2' and '3/4' refers to the length of the fingerboard, and is normally measured in inches. Standard fingerboards tend to be between 24.75" and 25.5".
1/2 and 3/4 sized guitars are intended as a stepping stone for smaller players. The necks are shorter and narrower so that they are easier to handle. The should be comfortable and ergonomic, so that fledgling guitarists won't suffer unduly as they learn.
There are currently some great instruments on the market like this. Here is my shortlist of 1/2 and 3/4 sized guitars, both electric and acoustic, that I recommend looking at with further scrutiny and excitement!
Squier Mini Stratocaster
First off the starting blocks is the Squier Mini Stratocaster. Squier are Fender’s official little brothers and this pint-sized electric guitar is based on Fender’s world-famous Stratocaster. This is a guitar for mini Hendrixes everywhere! The Squier Mini has a ¾ sized body and a neck that’s shortened from the usual 25.5” scale length to a much more manageable 22 ¾”. Future Rock Legends of all sizes will find this little guy easy to handle.
The Squier Mini Stratocaster is a popular choice for seasoned players who want something little and portable to take around with them. People who travel a lot for work seems to really like these, for keeping in the truck or car boot!
We normally keep the Squier Mini in a range of finishes, so there is a choice there hopefully to suit everybody. It’s cool, it’s classic and it has three single coil pickups onboard (just like a full-sized Strat) to bring those famous twangy tones!
EastCoast ST1-34
Hot on the heels of the Squier is this ultra-affordable S-type from EastCoast. The ST1-34 is another three-quarter sized take on the world’s most famous guitar - the Fender Strat. Using a slightly redrafted silhouette, the ST1-34 is otherwise a faithful, smaller version of its inspiration. Featuring three single coil pickups for that famous twang, this guitar also has a nice flat fingerboard, which makes playing easy.
For not much money at all, you can have a proper electric guitar that’s just the right size for smaller players.
Jackson Minions
‘Wow’ is what we all said when these first showed up at guitarguitar. Shrunken down, bright neon coloured Jackson guitars, with shapes taken directly from the famous hard rock brand’s most out-there 80s models. These things are loud in more ways than one! Jackson has always been the go-to choice for shred guitarists who like to make a bold statement. Jackson have shrewdly figured out that the boldest Rock Stars are always kids and have therefore seen fit to provide them with guitars worth staring at! These beauties below are Jackson Minion Rhoads, based on the classic Randy Rhoads model. Jackson offers range of models and colours, all with quality hardware and great features like 'Sharkfin' fingerboard inlays! Rock till you drop!
Valencia Classical Guitar
From one side of the guitar world to its exact opposite! If acoustic guitars are more the flavour to go for, Valencia have some very affordable nylon string models for you in both ¾ size, and ½ size versions! These affordable and timelessly beautiful guitars are designed in the traditional Spanish style and are the perfect choice for small players whose fingers may hurt on steel strings. These Valencia guitars have narrow necks too, in order to appeal specifically to beginners.
Adam Black 0-2T
If steel strings aren’t a problem, though, this Adam Black guitar is a fantastic choice. It is great value for money as it, is well built, sounds lovely and comes with a fantastic soft gig bag for carrying it around.
Indeed, as the name suggests, this guitar is designed as a Travel guitar for adults but we feel it is equally valid as a great choice for little strummers. It’s comfortable, well-made and will remain useful as a portable guitar when the child grows and requires a full-sized guitar as their main instrument.
Buying a Guitar For a Child
The most important factor when buying a child a guitar is to get them something they actively want to pick up and play around with. The goal here is to keep them away from their tablet or PlayStation! If they stare at Youtube videos of wild rock stars all day long, a nylon string acoustic may not be the thing to go for!
In that same vein, if the child is perhaps unsure about the guitar and is only causally interested, it makes sense not to dive in and spend hundreds. In that case, an affordable nylon string classical is a great entry point. I put this list together to show you the range of what’s out there and what kind of choices you have available to you.
You know your child best of course. We are here to help though! All of our staff have plenty of experience helping young players connect with their first guitar so don’t hesitate to contact us and chat with the staff.
We hope you have fun checking out these awesome down-sized axes. Fun is what it’s all about and each of these will make a fantastic gift to begin learning with!
