best guitar for small hands

Best Guitar for Small Hands 2020 (Amazing Material Quality)

Most guitars are full-sized, which makes learning to play the guitar even trickier for the minority such as those who have hands that are simply smaller than the rest. Most of these souls have plainly given up searching for the right fit and has resigned themselves to learning the guitar even if the instruments are too large for their hands.

It is for those people that we have created this list of top guitars for small hands. We’ve curated the most astounding guitars out there to give guitarists with small hands the chance to own a guitar that suits them perfectly.

Along the way of searching, we’ve also found out that a lot of guitar player these days are actually children. This explains why some of the guitars found on this list are specifically targeted for the younger crowd.

But there’s no difference really on whether these guitars were originally intended for children or for grownups who have slightly smaller hands. None of this matter because, ultimately, what matters is that you will get a guitar that best suited for you.

Hopefully, this list will prove to be of some use to you.

Best Guitar for Small Hands : Top Picks

Music Alley MA34-N

Cost-Effective Pick

Getting your perfect guitar does not have to ruin your wallet

Music Alley MA34-N Classical Junior Guitar
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    Free two-month Take Lessons Live 
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    Very lightweight 
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    Nylon strings 

Rated by: Scott

Hola! Music Guitar

Best Overall Pick

Top performing entry-level guitar

Acoustic Guitar Bundle Junior Series by Hola! Music
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    High quality wood 
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    Very fine craftsmanship 
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    Capable of producing tones of superb quality 

Rated by: Scott

Epiphone DR-100

GOOD OPTION

  For those who love the soulful tone of acoustic guitars 

Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar, Vintage Sunburst
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    Quality wood combination 
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    Finely crafted instrument 
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    Impressive clear, crisp highs and rich, full-bodied lows 

Rated by: Scott

YMC Classical Guitar 

Quick Summary

YMC Classical Guitar

Rated by: Scott 

Even in guitars, there is no one size that fits all. For guitar players who have smaller than average hands, using normal-sized guitars might be possible but it would put too much strain on their hands as they cope up with a fret size that is large for them.

It would be much easier to look for the great guitar for small hands. One such guitar is the YMC Vizcaya 34" junior-size classical guitar with nylon strings. Due to its smaller body size, it is perfect for younger guitarists or those with small hands.

It is a 34-inch (half size) guitar, which offers greater playability for players with smaller hands. 

It is also lightweight and weighs only 2.2 pounds making it easier to carry and transport. It is said to be perfect for guitarists with ages in the 56 to 12 years old range.

This is s nylon-string acoustic classical guitar. Since nylon is a lot gentler than steel strings, this guitar is ideal for players who find steel string versions a bit too painful for their hands.

The guitar has a linden basswood binding, Its full wood construction coupled with gloss finish allows it to deliver deep, rich tones.

There are just a few restrictions on this guitar. While it did not say that this is a guitar for girls, the guitar’s body is actually pink in color which would be a major turnoff for most male guitarists. In addition, the guitar is only available for right-handed persons.

PROS

  • Perfect for younger or small guitarists
  • Affordable price

CONS

  • The pink color might not suit male guitar players
  • Only available for right-handed persons

Acoustic Guitar Bundle Junior Series by Hola! Music

Quick Summary

Acoustic Guitar Bundle Junior Series by Hola! Music

Rated by: Scott 

Body Size is very important when it comes to guitars. When a size is just too big for the guitarist, it will be very difficult for the smaller sized guitarist to play the instrument.

Thankfully, musical instrument manufacturer Hola! Music understands this need and has come up with its own junior series targeting this niche.  

The Acoustic Guitar Bundle Junior (Travel) Series Model HG-36N is one superb instrument, which earns it a spot in this awesome guitar for small hands 2018 list.

The craftsmanship of this beautiful instrument is simply astounding. Of course, an instrument’s quality is dependent in part on the quality of the materials used in creating it. Thankfully, Hola! Music did not spare anything to come up with a high-quality end product and used only quality materials in the manufacturing process.

The top of the Hola Music Model HG-36N of the Junior Travel Series is made out of spruce while the back, sides, and neck are made from mahogany. The bridge and fingerboard are made from rosewood. This combination of high-quality woods, along with a thin lacquer layer enables the guitar to produce only the best tones possible.

But that quest for excellence did not end there. You’ll find that the Acoustic Guitar Bundle Junior (Travel) Series by Hola! Music employed various technologies to improve its sound even further. For instance, it uses high-quality D'Addario EXP16 Coated Phosphor Bronze strings which are considered one of the best in the market.

It sports a TUSQ nut and compensated saddle since both nut and saddle are in direct contact with the string and could influence the tone produced. There is also a 2-way truss rod so you’ll be able to adjust string action or the distance between string and fingerboard. Low action is easier on your finger and having this ability to adjust is a very welcome addition.

Aside from the amazing ¾ size 36-inch guitar, the set includes D'Addario EXP16 Steel Strings, Padded Gig Bag, Guitar Strap and Picks.

PROS

  • High-quality wood
  • Very fine craftsmanship
  • Capable of producing tones of superb quality
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    Perfect for guitarists with smaller hands

CONS

  • The rice might be an issue for some buyers

CB SKY 30-inch Junior/ Student Acoustic Guitar

Quick Summary

CB SKY 30-inch Junior/ Student Acoustic Guitar

Rated by: Scott 

This CB SKY acoustic guitar is specifically designed for younger guitarists who are still at the beginner level. The guitar can produce clear sounds and very good acoustic echo, which earns it a spot in the versatile guitar for small hands 2018 list.

It features an acoustic echo effect made possible via its patented wooden sound box construction. It has a solid wood neck as well as a personalized and safe AABS fingerboard. Extra E&B strings and a pick are included.

At 76 centimeters, it is perfect for kids and other guitarists with smaller hands.

PROS

  • Acoustic echo effect
  • Perfect size for kids/guitarists with smaller hands

CONS

  • Complaints on bridge and saddle suddenly detaching from the base

Music Alley MA34-N Classical Junior Guitar

Quick Summary

Music Alley MA34-N Classical Junior Guitar

Rated by: Scott 

There are a number of reasons why we’ve included the Music Alley MA34-N Classical Junior Guitar in our top guitars for small hands 2018 list. First, its size is really perfect for kids and those guitarists with small hand based on its 34-inch size alone.

In addition, it is lightweight at only 2.12 pounds that kids won’t have a problem carrying it around. In addition, it is a classical guitar which means that it uses nylon strings.

Nylon strings are way gentler on your hands compared to steel strings which make this guitar the ideal instrument to practice on.

Lastly, buying the Music Alley MA34-N comes with a free two-month Take Lessons Live where one can access over 200 live, online group classes with expert instructors each month. Since they are online lessons, you can take them anywhere you want.

And remember, these are live lessons with real guitar experts. You can ask them any guitar-related questions and tips to enhance your skills. These lessons are also a great way to connect and socialize with like-minded individuals since these are groups lessons.

PROS

  • Free two-month Take Lessons Live
  • Very lightweight
  • Nylon strings

CONS

  • A lot of complaints especially over quality and durability issues

Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar, Vintage Sunburst

Quick Summary

Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar, Vintage Sunburst

Rated by: Scott 

There was a time when Epiphone guitars were considered as copies of more famous guitar brands. But, that is no longer the case today. In fact, the brand has already successfully built its own reputation among guitar enthusiasts, thanks to consistently coming up with guitars that do not compromise on quality.

That breed of high-performance guitars that Epiphone is known for definitely includes the DR-100 Acoustic Guitar, Vintage Sunburst design.

In fact, it consistently high rating among major e-commerce sites which is proof enough of its quality. Of course, it’s reason enough for us to include it in the electric guitars for small hands list.

The Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar, Vintage Sunburst sets a new standard for affordable entry-level guitars. One of the brand’s best selling models, the guitar sports select spruce for its top and mahogany for its back and body. Even the neck is solid mahogany while rosewood is used for its fretboard. These three wood combination is probably the most popular combination for guitar manufacturing these days. It is one of the most affordable guitars for small hands.

The Epiphone DR-100’s bridge is also made of rosewood and comes with a compensated synthetic saddle. The guitar also has a synthetic nut as well as die-cast tuners.

The tri-wood combination used in the DR-100’s construction shines when it comes to sound quality. The spruce top enables the guitar to produce sounds of impressive clarity while the combination and mahogany and rosewood are responsible for the guitar’s capacity to produce clear highs and rich full-bodied lows. Which is a bit surprising when you consider this to be a beginner level guitar priced only in the $100 vicinity.

PROS

  • Impressive clear, crisp highs and rich, full-bodied lows
  • Quality wood combination 
  • Perfect for beginner level guitarists
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    Ambidextrous design for both left and right-handed people

CONS

  • The guitar’s fret is a bit sharp

Yamaha JR1 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar

Quick Summary

Yamaha JR1 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar

Rated by: Scott 

The Yamaha brand is best known worldwide as a motorcycle manufacturer. However, this prolific Japanese conglomerate has actually entered into just about anything.

Yamaha has built boats and watercrafts of all kinds, 4-wheel all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, helicopters, and wheelchairs. All these manufacturing experience proves of the Japanese firm’s genius when it comes to creating something and it certainly shows when they created the Yamaha JR1 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar.

Yes, Yamaha has entered the music industry a long time ago but you’ll probably miss their exposure in this niche given the reach and diversity of their manufacturing operations. 

True to its DNA, the Yamaha JR1 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar is certainly a capable guitar and we have no qualms including it in our list of the best guitar for small hands.

The Yamaha JR1 ¾ acoustic guitar has been marketed as a travel guitar – ideal for travels because of their compact size and lesser weight. Of course, those two factors also made the model ideal for the younger set as well as those who just have smaller hands.

The famous Yamaha quality of craftsmanship is ever present in this guitar. To improve its acoustic properties, the guitar uses spruce for its top and meranti for the rest of the guitar. It also features a rosewood bridge which comes with a compensated synthetic bone saddle.

The acoustic guitar has no problems churning out high-frequency sounds, notes are crisp and clear. Mid-range is not a problem either but if you’ll listen closely, you might notice it’s a bit weak in the low-frequency department. That’s to be expected, of course. Since travel guitars are a lot shorter than full-sized ones, there is an understandable tradeoff in the low-frequency range. However, it’s not that noticeable and the Yamaha acoustic guitar still remains one of the best electric guitars for small hands out there. its easier to play.

The bundle include a Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar, a rain-resistant On-Stage GBA4550 Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag, a D'Addario NS Micro Clip-On Tuner, a Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1: Book/CD Pack, 1 Ernie Ball Black Polypro Guitar Strap a set of D'Addario EPS510 ProSteels Electric Guitar Strings, Regular Light, 10-46, and, lastly, a set of D'Addario Assorted Pearl Celluloid Guitar Picks, 10 Pack, Medium.

PROS

  • Very good sounding guitar
  • Exquisite, ultra clear highs and mids
  • Finely crafted as expected of Yamaha
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    Perfect for travel

CONS

  • A bit on the expensive side for an entry-level guitar

ADM Beginner Classical Guitar

Quick Summary

ADM Beginner Classical Guitar

Rated by: Scott 

All Days Music Inc.(ADM) wants to cover all the basis by coming up with products that cater to the needs of niche markets. For instance, its ADM Beginner Classical Guitar 30 Inch Nylon Strings Bundle even aims to serve those guitar players 10 years old and below.

Finished in a natural gloss, the ADM 30-inch beginner classical guitar's top is made from laminated basswood, the same material that is used for its back and sides.

Meanwhile, the guitar’s neck is made from nato while its fingerboard and bridge is maple. The guitar also sports chrome-covered tuners.

The combination of nylon strings as well as the guitar’s low action setting offers a situation that’s optimal for children. Nylon is definitely gentler than steel string and the effect is even reinforced given its low action. Accessories of this set include a gig bag, E-tuner, extra strings, picks, strap, and cleaning cloth.

PROS

  • Suitable even for children under 10
  • Very lightweight
  • Decent sound quality

CONS

  • There were complaints regarding the difficulty in keeping the guitar in tune

HUAWIND Acoustic Guitar 41 inch

Quick Summary

HUAWIND Acoustic Guitar 41 inch

Rated by: Scott 

The HUAWIND Acoustic Guitar 41 inch is a finely crafted guitar.

The instrument delivers a rich and warm tone where one can notice the presence of bass and treble in a balanced proportion.

The guitar’s top, back, and sides are all made from basswood. Its neck is made from maple while its fingerboard is rosewood.

It is finished in black matte that elegant without being flashy.

PROS

  • Perfect for beginner level guitarists
  • Warm Tone
  • Affordable

CONS

  • There are complaints about quality

Some guitar enthusiasts might have previously erroneously thought that it would be hard to get their hands on small sized guitars. This list just proved that the best beginner guitar for small hands that’s just right for you is out there waiting to be discovered. Of course, feel free to use this list as a guide or, better still, just pick up one of the guitars listed.