With those who lack an average finger spread, finding the best guitar for small hands is often critical for true playing enjoyment. It may also be necessary when forming better finger positioning on many chords. Musicians come in all sizes, and finding your optimal instrument can be difficult.
This article’s research will provide you with useful information you can use to make your shopping experience go smoothly.
Our research indicates that those products found in the table offer easier play with smaller hands. Each one is further reviewed, providing their key features that are discussed in more detail below. This actionable information will match your next purchase with your playing ability and needs.
What Should You Look for When Buying a guitar for small hands?
So, what actually makes a good small hands guitar? There is more than one thing you’ll consider when looking at potential instruments.
First off, you must think about what type of product you will be using. Do you prefer acoustic or electrical sounds? Will a classical-style be necessary? Are you into bass playing? Figuring this out can get you started in the right direction.
One of the major concerns users with shorter digits or spreads have is the neck size and width. Matching your hands with product neck designs provides comfort and chord accessibility. Body shapes and sizes should also be considered.
Even your length of scales plays into proper selections.
Let’s take a look at the common features of a small guitar
Type of guitar
Best electric guitar for small hands: In the decades since these devices have been massed produced in the market, electrics have come in builds that offer access for musicians with smaller statures.
- Body thickness shouldn’t be an issue, but potential playing device shapes must provide you proper finger access
- Its neck needs to be shorter and thinner then those found on many standard electric builds
Best acoustic guitar for small hands: If you have been shopping, you will have noticed that acoustic instruments have larger body sizes than those used for electric instruments. This is because electrical designs do not require hollow bodies to generate sounds.
- A body design with a smaller “parlor” shape should be sought out. Avoid “dreadnought” and “Jumbo” sizes
- Avoid thicker necks, like those found on classical instruments
Best bass guitar for small hands: Bass equipment does offer body designs found on six or twelve string instruments. Major differences are often located in their length of the neck on an acoustic or electric bass product’s build.
- Shop for a bass that uses a shorter neck design for easier finger spread
- Another thing you’ll look at will be smaller fret sizes that prevent over-stretching
Classical guitar small hands: These designs are often more compact than standard acoustics, which will favor smaller fingers and spreads, to begin with. Your major concern for this type of item will be their neck designs.
- Classical instruments often have a wider neck. When shopping, locate a product that use as thin of a neck as possible so that you can position your fingers without over stretching them when forming chords
Guitar neck
Thin neck guitar: Full-sized instruments may provide you with a neck that is too wide to play comfortably. Electric models often have thinner necks, to begin with, making these preferable for many musicians who struggle with smaller digits or hands.
- Thinner builds will present a thinner fretboard that will make structuring chords easier for you
- They will allow you to position your fingertips properly so that sounds are clear
- It can also help when preventing hand fatigue, allowing you to play longer without needing to take breaks
Thinner builds are also a plus when playing faster, something that many shredders appreciate.
Narrow neck guitar: Narrow designs also condense the frets into a smaller area. More condensed fretboards allow users with smaller hands to play comfortably.
- A narrow neck provides a more natural feel for smaller digits allowing you to play with fewer errors
- These layouts also allow teens and smaller women to concentrate less on their fingers and more on the music they are playing
- Condensed layouts make it easier for smaller users to move up and down the neck as they play
Slim neck guitar: Musicians with smaller digits also have shorter finger spreads as well as palm sizes. A design that is more narrow allows them to reach around the back of the neck without shortening their finger reach.
This can be an important consideration when shopping for an instrument for children and young teenagers. By creating a thinner neck, manufacturers allow younger players to reach the strings in the middle of the fretboard much easier.
This design may provide users with better contact with thicker strings, like those found on bass guitars.
Guitar body size
Before shopping for a small size guitar you need to consider its body is shaped like it is. This is especially true for acoustic models.
Traditional acoustical products require a hollowed-out body to generate the sounds that they give off. Its lower bout, especially on designs such as the “Dreadnought,” can be difficult to reach around. A smaller bout, such as those found on many “parlor” designs will allow you to position your strumming hand comfortably.
Classical designs are often smaller by nature, making these a good choice for small-fingered players.
Electrics have more compact shapes because they do not require a hollow body to generate sound. It is often easier to find a proper body size with these types of products.
Instruments designed for young musicians are often less than full-sized. The best 3/4 size electric guitar designs provide children complete access to their instrument.
String length
String length is another way to shop for instruments for musicians with small hands and digits. Scale size will determine the length of the devices’ fingerboard. With short scale length guitars, you will have shorter neck lengths. Longer scales will need longer necks to fit them.
Decent fingerboard radius for small hands is crucial for comfortable playing. Your shorter fingerboards will range between 22 and 24-inches. This will allow you to position your fingertips properly on the frets to produce a clean sound.
Shorter fretboards will not necessarily mean sacrificing frets. Musicians with smaller hands and fingers can have the advantage when playing higher positions. They will have a less condensed finger grouping when touching the thinner frets found near the base on guitar necks!
| Type of guitar | Neck type | Body size | String length | |
| Jameson Full Size Thinline Acoustic-Electric Guitar | Acoustic-electric | Nato | 41 inches | 25.5 inches |
| Davison Full Size Electric Bass Guitar | Electric bass | Maple | 45 inches | 25.5 inches |
| Squier by Fender 303000503 Classic Vibe 50’s Stratocaster Electric Guitar | Electric | Maple | 44.5 inches | 25.5 inches |
| Yamaha APXT2 3/4-Size Acoustic-Electric Guitar | Acoustic-electric | Nato or Mahogany | 36.2 inches | 22.8 inches |
Top 4 best guitars for small hands
When you are learning how to play the guitar, there comes a time when you realize that hand size does matter. Certain guitars just don’t feel right for little-handed people, as the frets are too far apart and require a lot of uncomfortable stretching to hit the right notes. On the other hand, some other guitars are smaller and stubbier, making them unsuited for large-handed people. In general, most guitars are made for larger-handed people, making it harder for little-handers to select the right instrument. With this in mind, we present our reviews of the four best guitars for people with small hands.
Jameson Full Size Thinline Acoustic-Electric Guitar – best guitar for small hands
This is a cheaper model but by no means an inferior one. It is meant to be a simple entry-level guitar. Its relatively minor size and narrow neck make it a good acoustic-electric guitar for small hands. Jameson offers a variety of Guitars, but this one is perhaps their thinnest model, hence the name. If you’re looking for a thin-neck acoustic-electric guitar, this is a good deal for the money. Is it the top of the line? Definitely not. However, it does the job and is easy to acquire.
Key features and benefits:
- Very thin body: only 3 inches
- Comes with a gig bag, cable, and some picks
- Nato neck
- Total length of 41 inches
- Scale length of 25.5 inches
- Single-cutaway body design
- Rosewood fingerboard
- Solid neck
- Die-cast tuners
- Plastic nut
- Built-in pickup
Pros
- Less bulky than most guitars of its type
- Comes with a bunch of accessories
- Very inexpensive
- Simple setup makes it easy to maintain and re-string
- Nice thick finish
Cons
- Thinner body equals a thinner sound
- Fretboard is a little rough
- Made in China
- Tuning keys aren’t the best
Verdict:
Overall, this one is a decent little workhorse that delivers a good bright sound and all the fundamentals. However, the scale length could be a little smaller.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WGHV92
Davison Full Size Electric Bass Guitar – best bass guitar for small hands
Playing the bass with smaller hands presents an especially large problem. This is an instrument that has traditionally been popular among the large-handed. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to give up your dream of being the next Les Claypool. This bass, however, is possibly not the best bass guitar for small hands because it is a full-size instrument. The smooth action and slick maple fretboard make it easier to glide up and down the strings, though, so you should be able to do okay with it. Good luck finding a bass guitar for small hands. Chances are, you will have to settle for something like this.
Key features and benefits:
- Maple bolt-on neck
- Total length of 45 inches
- Scale length of 25.5 inches
- Sold with an amp and other accessories
- High-gloss or sunburst finish
- Very simple design
- Double-cutaway body design
- Dual pickups
- built-in headphone jack
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Classic design requires no adjustment
- Headphone jack allows you to practice without an amp
- Good thin profile
- Whammy bar can be used
Cons:
- A little too big
- Prone to electrical shorts from the tone knob
- Inferior tuning keys
- Only 4 strings
Verdict:
Although this is probably the best full-size bass for a small-handed person, you could probably do better with a smaller instrument. The manufacturer has done a good job of making a less awkward bass with easy finger movement, but it’s kind of like driving a nail with the butt of a screwdriver.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AJECIVQ
Squier by Fender 303000503 Classic Vibe 50’s Stratocaster Electric Guitar – best electric guitar for small hands
It would be hard to say anything about the Squier Stratocaster that hasn’t already been said. This ax, together with its’ Cousin from Fender, is the very definition of classic. Ever since the Squier company was bought by Fender, they have used the company name to sell a series of cheaper (though still excellent) guitars. This has always been one of the best electric guitars for short fingers, as well as one of the best electric guitars for women. The rich, warm tone of a strat will instantly make you feel like Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Key features and benefits:
- Maple fingerboard
- Total length of 44.5 inches
- Maple neck
- Standard Fender bridge
- Whammy bar available
- Scale length of 25.5 inches
- Classic bluesy rock sound
- 1-piece construction
- 5-position pickup selector
Pros:
- A true American classic
- Company with good reputation and good support
- High-quality factory tuning keys
- Accurately replicates the classic rock sound
- Very thin and lightweight
Cons:
- Made with cheap potentiometers
- Not suited for all styles of music
- Not small enough for many
- Whammy bar usually knocks it out of tune
Verdict:
Overall, you can’t go wrong with this one. Any Stratocaster is sleek, classy, and soulful. However, this one isn’t specifically made for people with little hands.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001L8IILI
Yamaha APXT2 3/4-Size Acoustic-Electric Guitar – best acoustic guitar for small hands
If you want an ax that is specifically made for smaller hands, the Yamaha APXT2 is exactly that. It is a scaled-down version of the popular APX500, being about 3/4 the size of the original. It is made with the same standard of quality that the original is so known for. With a slim profile, you won’t need long arms to play it, either. When playing an acoustic guitar small hands can be an issue, but not with this model. Certainly, this is one of the best acoustic guitars for women or children.
Key features and benefits :
- Single-cutaway body design
- Spruce top
- Outfitted with a System 68 pickup and preamp
- Nato or mahogany neck
- Rosewood bridge
- 25 inches thick
- Total length of 36.2 inches
- Scale length of 22.8 inches
Pros:
- Shortest scale length we’ve seen so far
- Compact size is perfect for travel
- Frets are very close together
- Nice bright sound
- Tuning keys hold well
Cons:
- Doesn’t project sound as well as a larger model
- Thin body means a thinner sound
- Not particularly durable
- Gig bag isnt very sturdy either
Verdict:
So far, this looks like a great choice for someone with little hands. The designers obviously intended for that to be the case, as it is far too small for many guitarists. This is not one to buy if your hands are medium-sized. This one is for the really tiny people out there! My only complaint with this one is that is sacrifices fullness and tone for smaller size. You could just as easily get a ukelele!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DYIIQ0Q
Now let’s answer a few common questions on this subject.
What electric guitar is best for small hands?
Overall, your best bet is likely to be the Squier Stratocaster. It’s hard to beat the king, and it’s hard to top the classics. While these may not be particularly small, they are very sleek and lightweight, lending them well to the rapid movements that a slight-handed player must make. Electric guitars with thin necks are preferable if you can’t find one with a short enough neck.
What is the best acoustic guitar for small hands?
In our opinion, the Jameson Thinline is likely to be your best option. It offers everything you need in a cheap, compact package. While the neck may be a little long, a thin neck acoustic guitar for small hands (like this one) will give you just what you want at a reasonable price.
The best guitar for small hands – our choice
In our opinion, the best guitar for small hands is the Jameson Thinline. While it may not be considered as a “high-end” option, it should be remembered that manufacturing techniques have changed. It is now possible to produce quality guitars with a fraction of the cost and effort that it once required. As such, the bargain models are now some of the best. We couldn’t believe the rich tonal qualities that we observed from the Jameson, and that’s why it blows away the competition. The Squier would perhaps be a better option, except for its slightly thicker neck and greater cost. Therefore, the Jameson Thinline is our winner!