I want to play the guitar, but can hardly reach (small hands!). Is there a smaller electric guitar I could buy

Question

I learned classical guitar as a child but really stuggled because I could hardly reach many chords, which put me off persuing more than the basics. But I fancy taking up electric guitar after a jam with a friend, if I can get a smaller size (but not too small - don't want to look stupid!) Any recommendations for music shops in central London would be great, too.

Answer 1

Look for a guitar with what is called a 'small scale', it has the same sized body as regular guitar so it doesn't look like a kids toy, but it has a narrower space between the frets and is easier to play for smaller hands.

if you ask in a shop to try a small scale, any good shop will know what you mean. most 'les paul' style guitars use a small scale.

Also check the position of your thumb, ideally when playing it should be in roughly the middle of the neck, good thumb position can really help a lot for small hands

try Denmark St. in London for lots of music shops http://www.coventgarden.uk.com/denmark.html

Answer 2

I have small hands too, but I play a regular sized acoustic. I still haven't mastered some chords, but you just gotta keep working at them. Your hands stretch and become more flexible the more you play. Either way I am pretty sure the neck of an electric guitar will be a bit smaller than a classical guitar's neck to begin with. My suggestion is to go to a music shop and pick up a bunch of different guitars and find one that feels right. That would be better than just going by someone elses opinion of a certain model of guitar.

Answer 3

You have to try the squiers, and the epiphones and the others. I think the Epiphones are easier to play because the frets are closer together (shorter scale) than the Fender / Ibanez and your fingers have to stretch less. The Les Pauls and SGs aren't so bad, in terms of neck size. The SG will be a little thinner than the LP. I personally don't like the thin necks of the ibanez and fenders. I have small to average hands for a guy and find there is very little to hold on to for playing rhythm and chords. You'll notice a lot of female guitarists play acoustic guitars that have huge necks compared to an electric, so I don't think it should be an issue for you once you get used to it. Stretching fingers to reach frets is probably more of an issue if you have small fingers, and I'd consider one of the shorter scale models.

Answer 4

Certainly I have to agree with the respondent who suggested a three-quarter scale guitar. The necks of electric guitars are generally thinner and more manageable anyway, so many classical and acoustic guitars have strings and setups that make them like cheese-cutters rather than musical instruments.

Go to a music shop that has a good range of electrics and try a few, you may be surprised how easy it is to get on with a full-sized guitar with a slender neck, and one that has been well setup and has a good 'action' (the height of the strings from the fretboard)

Answer 5

Classical guitars have wider fretboards than steel strung acoustics or electrics so that could be why you had problems. Go into your local music shop and try out some guitars to see what suits you. It's really like trying on a pair of shoes - you'll know what feels most comfortable. Fender Teles and Strats have thiner necks sometimes. You don't say if you're male or female, but if you're female, try a 'Daisy Rock' Guitar as they are made for females especially.

Answer 6

Couple of options, look for a Fender 'shortscale' - I think the Musicmaster is the best known, which makes it easier in terms of how far up and down the neck you have to go. Alternatively, if the problem is reaching across the neck, a Fender Jagstang has got a nice narrow neck (as has whichever guitar it 'borrowed' the neck from - the Jaguar or the Mustang... can't remember...). Both have the value of being more suited to players with small hands, but retaining full size appearance...

Answer 7

Try Daisy guitars - they are focus on the female market and they are nice guitars for anyone. Also Ibanez guitars have thin necks. If you looking to spend a little more - Gibson just came out with a "Vixen" line of guitars geared more towards female players (ie smaller hands) - they are sweet. Not sure what brands are available in London, but aren't Laney tube amps relatively inexpensive there - If so get one, they rock. Check out Paul Gilbert for a sample of what Laney's sound like.

Always test drive before you buy, Always!

Answer 8

You can get a "mini" electric guitar. They range in size from 1/2-3/4 or a regular size electric. My sons both play, they're young teenagers, and they started with 3/4 size for ease of learning. We ordered ours from Musician's Friend, an online company. The service was good and the prices were very competitive. They will ship to the UK, but you would need to contact them to see how much.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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