I have small hands [insert sexual innuendo here]. Would I benefit from playing smaller scale guitars?

Question

Would I play better with a Les Paul 24 3/4 inch scale rather than a Strat 25 1/2? I watch SRV or Jimmy Page play and their hands just seem to wrap around the entire neck. John Mayer, Steve Vai, and Eric Johnson have big hands too and these guys just dominate their guitars. I just feel like I've plateaued and I can't get over this hump. I've been playing for 10 years. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Not only is the shorter neck easier for a player with small fingers, but they're easier to bend notes on. Even though the difference between the Gibson and Strat is only 3/4", try the shorter neck guitar at your local music store.
You already have 10 yrs. invested in playing, so try everything you can. Just keep playing.
I think some Strats come with the 24 3/4" neck too. The Fender Jaguar '69 re-issue has a 24" neck and has great tone, plus it's fun to play.

Answer 2

Actually the scale shouldn't make much difference due to your hand size because it is the length of the neck. different guitars have different neck widths and that is what you should focus on. Fender Strats have a smaller neck width than say Gibson guitars, just as Ovation acoustic guitars have a smaller neck width than most acoustics. try a few and see what feels comfortable in your hands.

Answer 3

>>I have a steel string classical guitar...<< No you don't. Classical guitars have nylon strings, not steel strings. Maybe you should talk to a professional guitar teacher to both evaluate the size of your hands and more important, how you're holding and playing the guitar. It's also possible that the action on your guitar is so high that it's causing problems. By the way - never, ever paint an acoustic guitar.

Answer 4

Play a fiddle

Answer 5

You'd think so huh...

Go for it, see what works best theres no wrong way.

keep jammin!!!

Answer 6

size doesn't matter, its how well you do it