There are many hurdles to playing the guitar and playing it well. Apart from the actual learning process, there are a few issues you may run into. If you have a small hand you may realize that it is not as easy as you may think to wrap your hands around the neck of the guitar to find your way to the remote.
Don’t worry you are not the only one that suffers from this issue. So, if that’s the case, how do you find the right guitar for you?
In this guide, we will walk you through a few vital considerations and layout the best electric guitar for small hands options you have at your disposal. So, stretch your fingers and get the band tuned up so we can get to the good stuff.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Electric Guitars For Small Hands
- OUR TOP PICK: Fender Squier Classic Vibe 50's Stratocaster
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Squier by Fender Mini Strat
- Ibanez GRGM21BKN 3/4 Size Mikro
Table of Contents
How Does an Electric Guitar for Small Hands Compare to a Normal Guitar?
There are a few components that differ from a normal guitar and one designed for small hands. None of these affect the overall sound. In fact, the only true differences have to do with the build itself. With smaller hands comes smaller fingers and that means that a normal size fingerboard or frets could be difficult to maneuver.
So, on a guitar built for smaller hands, the fretboard will be shorter. Often the body itself is smaller with acoustic models but with electric, they tend to stay the same size. The neck thickness is also decreased to allow for better mobility and reach as well.
As you can see, by changing just a few minor things with the overall design of the guitar you can update that normal one and make it a customized model to figure out how to work with smaller hands.
Why Are These the Best of the Year?
There are many factors to consider when looking for just that right electric guitar especially if you are dealing with small hands. So, we have curated a list of attributes you can use to gauge whether the model you are eyeballing is the right one for you.
Tonewoods
One of the most important parts of your guitars build no matter what size you are looking at is the tonewoods used to build it. Every wood has its own distinctive sound that will change tonal qualities and sustain. Finding the right wood for the music you intend to create is the first step in finding that perfect guitar.
Hardware
You want your guitar to sound good and one of the components that impact that is the electronic hardware it is fitted with. This includes bridges, tuning keys and so much more. Every one of those and the other components plays a part in the end sound quality.
Pick-ups
Depending on your experience level, you may want to try new combination pick-ups, or you can stay with their tried and true single-coil or humbuckers that we all know and love. There are many derivatives of these two classics. You may want to go for something like a P-90 which is a nice combination of all the best qualities of both or perhaps one of the other styles of pick-ups that have been designed over the last few decades.
Fingerboard
Here is where you start paying attention to your small hands. As we said above one of the biggest issues that you will run into with small hands is the maneuverability of the neck area and this includes the fingerboard. You will want to look for a model that has a shorter fingerboard so that it is easier to find those notes.
Neck
The last thing you will want to consider, and this has to do with the build as well as the neck thickness. With small hands, you may find it hard to wrap your hands around the thickness of a traditional electric guitar. So, finding one that will allow the proper reach around and a good grip is key.
Comparison of the Best Electric Guitars For Small Hands
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Review of the Best Electric Guitars for Small Hands
Alright now that you have all that knowledge under you it is time to get into the breakdown of the best electric guitars for small hands. These models were selected using the above considerations as well as overall sound quality. So, without further ado, here are our selections:
Best Overall:
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 50's Stratocaster
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Who doesn’t love a classic designed Stratocaster? Not many have an issue with this synonymous with rock model. It offers great sound with lightweight small-scale length build. This makes it great for small hands and many recent buyers love it for these reasons. Now there have been some issues with some of the components being a little sub-par in the quality area but these are not global issues.
Why it Stands Out to Us
When you are looking for a great electric guitar for sale this model stands out to us on all levels. Quality build with that iconic look, you will be rocking it in style. It is a great price and you get a high-quality guitar.
Who Will Use This Most
The most obvious answer is the guitarist with the small hand that loves to rock out. This is a great beginner electric guitar and can offer anyone no matter what level of experience a great option. With its sound quality and durability, this could also be a great choice for that guitarist hitting the road for the first time. Not only will you look cool, but you will sound great too.
Bottom Line
Overall this is by far the best option on the market for that rocker with small hands. No matter what genre, you step out onto the stage or into the studio to play, you will be making a great choice by using the Classic Vibe 50’s Stratocaster.
Runner-up:
Squier by Fender Mini Strat
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This mini-strat is a great option for kids and small-handed players that offer great quality sounds. This seems to be the overall feeling from most recent buyers. There are of course a few issues with quality control. Some buyers complain of the neck needing serious adjustments before use.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This runner up for best electric guitar for small hands is a great sounding guitar. Labeled with a name that is synonymous with the guitar world, Fender has crafted a nice small-scale guitar with just as much power as its full-sized cousin.
Who Will Use This Most
Kids and beginners will find this a great choice. Other than those players, many guitarists that must struggle with finding the right fit for small hands will find this a great choice.
Bottom Line
Though this may have been crafted for the younger user this model still stands out as a great choice for even the adult that needs a smaller build to accommodate their frame. The quality of sound you get from this mini-strat is a great example of good things coming in small packages.
Best for the Money:
Ibanez GRGM21BKN 3/4 Size Mikro
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most recent buyers have only positive things to say about this mini Ibanez entry on our list. Nice design and amazing quality sound seem to be the most common things that radiate through the reviews online. There are some buyers that had an issue with the average quality humbuckers and the fact that you must adjust multiple things before you get to rock out.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The best thing about this model is that it offers outstanding quality for the price tag that is attached. It is perfect for small hands and is designed to look great too. Therefore, this model found its way to being listed as the best option for the money.
Who Will Use This Most
This model is a great choice for any beginner that is looking for short scale length options This model offers awesome easy to use control knobs so that the guitarist can adjust the sound to their needs. This guitar is good for any type of music.
Bottom Line
For overall budget-minded guitarists, this is a great choice. You will get a great quality guitar that will allow you to hone your craft comfortably that will not require you to take out a second loan on that mortgage.
4. Epiphone Les Paul Special VE Solid-Body Electric Guitar
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers love the look and the comfortability of use. The sound that comes from the Les Paul tone is another plus. Though overall, this is a great option for the price there are a few issues like neck bowing and sharp frets that some buyers take issue with.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Les Paul tone is what stands out to us. The quality and iconic sound quality make this a great option for the small-handed guitarist looking to lend a note of nostalgia to their stage presence. For this reason, it is one of the best guitars available today
Who Will Use This Most
The guitarist that will get the most from this model is one looking for a great designed high-quality sound playing a budget-friendly guitar. This guitar is great for most types of music but may find the sound quality not the best for harder sounds like metal, but any other music forms the guitar will shine in.
Bottom Line
The Epiphone Les Paul ¾ guitar is a high quality, a great sounding guitar that is perfect for any guitarist with small hands. The value you get for the low price tag is a great plus for any player.
5. Stagg S300 3/4 BK Standard S Electric Guitar
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have a lot of great things to say about this entry-level guitar. Built to be used for small hands the overall build and design have a nice look with good sound quality. This is not a professional guitar and therefore some buyers have an issue with the level of sound quality for the price of the guitar.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This model stands out as a great entry-level guitar for anyone. Though the quality of sound may not be professional grade it is still a rich tone beginning guitar and that means you can use it to play any type of music.
Who Will Use This Most
The beginning guitarist is the one that will get the most from this model from Stagg. This is great for lessons.
Bottom Line
Though this may not be a name you are familiar with you will be happy to pick this up and begin your journey to electric guitar aficionado. The price is not as awesome as others versus the quality, but it is still a very budget-friendly option that is perfect to get started with.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
So, we have talked about what to look for in a guitar and how to choose one but what we haven’t discussed are a few of the outside considerations that may not impact the sound but will impact your overall comfort. So, with that being said, let's take a little look at some of those aspects that you should consider along with the ones from above before buying that electric guitar.
Portability
When you are looking at the guitar of your dreams you will want to consider how much you will be lugging it around. The things that impact potentiality is weight and size. So, finding one that is lightweight and smaller for those that will be transporting the guitar from gig to gig is important. On the flip side if you are a studio musician that leaves their equipment there most of the time a little heavier and larger may not be so bad.
Strings
When you are looking for a guitar that works well with small hands you need to also consider the string length and gauge. For a short scale fingerboard, like you will be dealing with, you will want strings that measure between 22” and 24.6”. This will make it easier to get to the proper chords. As for gauge, lighter is easier for the guitarist with small hands. These are easier to hold down and offer better playability.
Budget
Always a consideration you need to add into the fray budget makes your range of selection either larger or smaller. So, when getting ready to buy, don’t only think about the price of the guitar itself but all the peripherals that may need to go with it. Then choose one that fits your needs and your budget.
Feel
Don’t negate the feel factor. This can mean both emotionally and physically. Physically you want to choose an option that feels good when it is strapped to your shoulder with a guitar strap and the natural feel you have when holding it. You also want to get that emotional feeling of connectivity. This may seem strange but when you are creating, you want your instrument to work with you not against you.
Conclusion
When you want to rock, you want to rock, and your hand size shouldn’t have any impact on that. That is why with the information we have compiled and the several options we have given you we hope that you now feel capable of making a choice that will not disappoint. Whether you choose one of our selections of the best electric guitars for small hands or find another choice, you are now equipped with all you need to hit just the right note and find the perfect guitar for you.
