If you have smaller hands than most, this list is tailor-made for you. Today’s article showcases the 7 best classical guitars for people with small hands. Guitars come in all shapes and sizes; the information we bring you will help determine the best guitar for your hands.
Chances are that you won’t find a list like this anywhere else. The guitars showcased are generally smaller in size, making them easy to hold and just as easy to play. The lightweight and ergonomic designs also add to the comfort and playing longevity.
We’ve handpicked some of the best guitars from iconic brands such as Fender, Alhambra, Yamaha, Cordoba, Ibanez, Epiphone, Ortega, and Kala. Let’s find the best guitar for you. Our journey starts now.
What Factors make a Guitar more suitable for Small Hands?
The materials used and the size and thickness of the guitar necks also play a vital role when it comes to smaller hands. The average adult male’s hand measures 7.6″, and the average adult female’s hand measures 6.8″ when the tape is drawn from the wrist up to the tip of the middle finger.
Shorter scale lengths make things easier since the fretting hand doesn’t need to stretch too much while playing scales and notes. Popular neck radii that support smaller hands fall in the 9 to 12-inch range.
People with smaller hands understandably tend to face some difficulty with guitars made for average-sized hands. It may even deter some from becoming guitarists altogether. Unfortunately, the world of guitar-making hasn’t seen many such guitars, but some quality pieces have been made specially to solve the problem.
Top 7 Classical Guitars For Small Hands
1. Fender FA-15 3/4 Scale
This compact Fender offering is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise quality.
The acoustic guitar world has constantly been evolving, and over the years, we’ve seen guitars that vary in everything from looks and size to playability. This guitar stands out from the crowd due to its 3/4 scale.
The guitar is ideal for people with smaller hands. The form factor makes it very easy to play and convenient to carry, and coupled with its sound and playability, this offering by Fender is a truly versatile instrument.
Key Features:
- Hardware
Known mainly for its length, measuring 3/4 the size of a regular-sized acoustic guitar, this guitar looks similar. The design and form factor make this guitar comfortable to hold and just as easy to strum or switch between chords. The compact size also adds to portability, so it’ll be great for those who wish to keep a convenient on-the-go instrument. - Lamination and Finish
The body of the Fender offering is fashioned from laminated agathis wood, which creates an ideal balance between resonance and durability. Since the wood is laminated, the guitar won’t be as prone to the elements. The gloss polyester finish also adds warmth to the guitar’s sound. Finding a spruce top on guitars at this price point is a bit of a rarity. Spruce improves the tonal by adding vibrance and brightness. - C-Shaped Neck Profile, Walnut Fingerboard, and Bridge
The guitar’s C-shaped neck profile is sleek, which encourages playability and assists the movement of your hand along the fretboard. The ergonomic design reduces friction, increases comfort, and adds to the guitar’s playability. The walnut fingerboard and bridge enhance the guitar’s aesthetics and contribute to the sustain and overall resonance. Walnut is a tonally versatile wood, dense in nature. It aids in transferring vibrations evenly and effectively from string to body. This results in articulate, well-defined sounds. - Chrome Die-Cast Tuners
The chrome die-cast tuners look great and are practical as well. The inclusion of die-cast tuners ensures stable and accurate tuning. This stability and accuracy play an integral role in maintaining sound quality. Players can also play longer without the constant worry of re-tuning.
Character & Sound:
The guitar possesses a unique character shaped mainly by the body’s design, size, and construction material. The spruce top and laminated agathis body create a balanced and rich tonal profile. Although comparatively smaller in size, the guitar produces surprisingly high-quality sound. Its tonal versatility makes it great for various music genres and playing styles, from strumming to fingerstyle. If you’re used to playing regular-sized acoustic guitars, you’ll notice that this guitar doesn’t produce the same resonance or depth. However, what it lacks in size is made up for by the uniqueness of its character, which is very inviting and hugely charming.
Pros:
The guitar’s compact size makes it an amazingly portable, on-the-go option, especially for those with reduced storage space. The 3/4 scale and the slim neck profile make this guitar an ideal pick for younger players or those with a smaller pair of hands.
Cons:
As a result of the smaller size, the guitar loses out on the deep notes of regular-sized acoustic guitars. The smaller body will also affect the guitar’s amplitude, resonance, and overall character. People accustomed to regular-sized guitars may find this Fender uncomfortable or challenging to get used to.
2. Alhambra 1 C HT
Alhambra always delivers the goods if you want a quality classical guitar.
Based in the Alicante province of Spain, the brand has been manufacturing nylon string guitars since 1965. With a keen eye for detail, the company has meticulously enhanced its instruments by adding modern embellishments while keeping the band’s heritage intact.
The careful selection of tonewood is what adds to the expressive nature of the Alhambra sound. You’ll get your money’s worth with both variations, be it a classical nylon string guitar or a flamenco instrument. The 1 C HT, too, is an exception instrument from the Alhambra catalog.
Key Features:
- Hybrid Terra
The “HT” in the name stands for “Hybrid Terra.” Being the first hybrid guitar built by Alhambra, the instrument comes with a glossy headstock and top, while the back, sides, and neck have an open pore finish. The 1 C HT is made with non-harmful, environmentally friendly material through and through. - Best of Both Worlds
The guitar’s top is made of solid cedar, which is commonly seen on most classical guitars. The cedar has a rich tonality and a very expressive response. The back and sides, however, are made of mahogany, providing a balanced tone and unrelenting warmth, which compliments the sonic characteristics of the cedar top extremely well. - Scale Length
The shorter scale makes this guitar perfect for younger players or even musicians with smaller hands. Ideally, full-sized classical guitars have a 26-inch scale. The Alhambra 1 C HT is a 3/4-sized instrument, so the scale length is only 24 inches. This not only makes it a good travel option but makes it well suited for small-handed players. - The Neck
As far as the neck goes, the material used for the fingerboard is Indian rosewood, whereas the back is made of mahogany. The fingerboard hosts 19 moderately sized frets, so you don’t need to stretch too much to get to the further notes. This, again, makes the 1 C HT a decent choice for small hands. - The Bridge, Nut, Tuners & More
The bride and nut on the guitar are both made of melamine. Melamine is, of course, a durable synthetic material that shows resistance to wear and tear. The melamine nut has a width of 1.889 inches. The guitar also features 6 nickel-plated tuning machines arranged on the headstock 3 x 3. In addition, the guitar also comes with a soft gig back, which adds even more value to the overall package.
Character & Sound:
The great thing about the cedar top is its vibrant range. Whether fingerstyle playing or chord work, the guitar is immensely responsive and resonates much louder than its size. The mahogany back and sides produce a rich mid-range, paired with the tonal warmth, producing a musical canvas to impress and inspire. The sound projection is enough for playing at home or performing in a small, closed setting.
Pros:
Each Alhambra instrument is made by hand, so the quality is exceptional, and you won’t find any flaws in the finish and overall presentation. The combination of cedar and mahogany provides an impressive tonal palette to the instrument. Lastly, the machine heads have great tuning stability.
Cons:
The open pore construction means the guitar’s body is more susceptible to extreme temperature changes. Also, the 1 C HT is priced a bit higher than most guitars that deliver a similar sound. Perhaps the addition of a preamp system could justify the price tag more.
3. Yamaha CGS103A
This Yamaha offering is simple but excellent. It’s the perfect acoustic guitar in so many ways.
Yamaha was founded in 1887 and was initially known as Nippon Gakki Co. Ltd. At the time, the Japanese brand manufactured reed organs. Today, the company is known the world over. Yamaha’s guitar lineup is impressive. It caters to the needs of beginners as well as professionals.
Geared towards young learners and beginners, this guitar is a blend of comfort and quality. It serves as a reminder of Yamaha’s commitment to quality sound and superior craftsmanship. The guitar is very easy to use and is truly inspirational with its nylon strings and 3/4 scale form factor.
Key Features:
- Design
The brand designed this guitar with a 3/4 scale design so that it may be an optimal choice for beginners, especially younger players and those with smaller hands. The smaller size ensures comfortable playability and encourages proper hand positioning and sliding. - Finish
The Yamaha comes with a gloss finish that adds to the elegance of the classical design and protects against scratches. Over time, you’ll also realize that the finish protects against wear and tear. With longevity and comfort in mind, the guitar comes with nylon strings. Nylon Strings are much softer and easier on the fingertips, which is ideal for beginners. - Spruce and Meranti Tonewoods
The top is crafted from spruce, whereas the sides and back are made from meranti. Spruce is a tonewood known for producing vibrant and clear tones. On the other hand, meranti is a tonewood that adds resonance and warmth to the guitar’s sound. This combination adds significantly to the versatility and balance of the guitar’s tonal character, accommodating various musical genres and playing styles. - Nato Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, and Bridge
The Yamaha offering comes with a nato neck. This neck brings durability and stability to the guitar, ensuring its structural integrity is maintained over time. The neck profile makes it easy to hold and encourages movement along the fretboard. This makes playing effortless and adds longevity as well. Beginners can easily navigate melodies, scales, and chords. The rosewood fingerboard enhances the aesthetic appeal of the guitar and plays an integral role in sustaining and projecting sound. Rosewood’s tonal properties introduce richness to the sound.
Character & Sound:
The 3/4 scale size serves as a platform for younger guitarists to commence their musical journey. The tonewood combination of meranti and spruce provides a balanced sound from clear resonant lows to melodic highs. This allows beginners to explore various playing styles and musical genres, from contemporary tunes to classical compositions. The guitar produces an expressive and charming tone when it comes to sound. Nylon strings create a soothing, mellow sound. The guitar’s tonal qualities are ideal for intermediate or adult players with smaller hands.
Pros:
The 3/4 size, comfortable neck profile, and nylon strings make this an ideal guitar for beginners. The guitar brings you Yamaha’s fabled craftsmanship at an affordable price. The balanced tonal profile of this Yamaha offering makes it great for various genres and playing styles.
Cons:
The guitar is constructed from nato, meranti, and spruce. Although cost-effective and practical, these materials may fall short when it comes to the tonal complexity of more expensive tonewood. The brand geared this guitar towards beginners, so experienced players may need to look elsewhere.
4. Cordoba C9 Parlor
Compared to the guitars discussed above, the Cordoba C9 Parlor is a 7/8-sized guitar.
Cordoba is another Spanish manufacturer that prides itself on making high-quality classical guitars for players of all ages and skill levels. Each instrument in the product line is made by hand with a clear intention of providing unmatched sound and aesthetics.
Founded in 1997, the Cordoba brand is relatively new but has attracted a cult following worldwide. Several mainstream guitar players like the legendary Tony Emmanuel, Julio Iglesias, and the ever-versatile Ed Sheeran have been rocking Cordoba guitars in many live performances.
Key Features:
- Dimensions
From the tip of the headstock to the base of the body, the guitar measures 38 inches in length. The body comes in a classical parlor shape with no cutaways and has a width of 10.6 inches and a depth of 3.6 inches. - The Body
The top is solid Canadian cedar with fan bracing on the underside. This feature alone contributes immensely to the overall sound. The back and sides are made of mahogany and offer a great contrast in appearance compared to the cedar top. Other intricate qualities like the Indian rosewood binding and the eye-catching mother-of-pearl rosette make the instrument’s appearance even more pleasing. - Scale Length
The less-than-standard scale length makes this particular guitar suitable for small hands. Although not as small as the 3/4-sized instrument, the C9 Parlor has a scale length of 24.8 inches, which is still smaller than the full-sized classical guitar. This makes it slightly easier to travel with and play. - The Neck
The C9 Parlor has a traditional neck shape, which feels very comfortable for fingerpicking or chords. The material used for the neck is mahogany, while the fingerboard is made from ebony. The great thing about ebony is, of course, its durability. Reasonably resistant to weather changes, your guitar frets won’t sprout on you any time soon. As in most cases, you’ll get as many as 19 frets on the C9 Parlor guitar. - The Nut & Bridge
Another useful component of the guitar is the 1.96-inch bone nut. Not only do bone nuts resist wear and tear, but they also have very likable tonal characteristics and resonance. On the other end of the body, you’ll find a bone saddle sitting on top of an ebony bridge, both of which will stand the test of time. - Strings & Tuners
The guitar comes installed with Cristal Corum High Tension 500CJ strings. As the name suggests, these are high-tension strings made by the French manufacturer Savarez and use a material called “cristal” for the treble strings. These fascinating strings are kept in tune by Cordoba’s premium gold tuners. Finally, including a polyfoam softshell case is a welcome feature as it protects this pricey instrument from the elements.
Character & Sound:
If you’re looking for a classical guitar that delivers an enhanced focus in the mid-range, you can’t go wrong with the C9 Parlor. The guitar’s tone and clarity truly shine through when fingerpicked. The cedar top is where the instrument gets its depth and warmth. In addition, the mahogany doesn’t hold back either and contributes to the C9’s vivid sonic characteristics. You can play genres like classical, blues, and even folk with the Cordoba C9.
Pros:
One of the most obvious advantages of this instrument is the use of durable/long-lasting materials in its construction. The instrument looks good and has a balanced response for beginners and professional musicians alike. The softshell case has a premium look and feel.
Cons:
First and foremost, this is one of the more expensive classical instruments on today’s list. Due to its smaller size, you may not get the projection you’re looking for. Also, the C9 Parlor is more suited for the intricate fingerstyle player and may not be suitable for aggressive chord strums.
5. Ibanez TOD10M Tim Henson Signature
This offering from Ibanez is just as unique as it is gorgeous and an absolute treat.
Ibanez was founded in 1908 and was known as Hoshino Gakki then. The brand gained its initial popularity from sheet music distribution. Ever since Ibanez has gained quite a reputation thanks to cutting-edge designs and exceptional craftsmanship. The brand continues to stir the market with its innovation.
The Japanese brand has indeed come a long way, and one example of its innovation can be seen in this Tim Henson Signature Ibanez guitar. The guitar brings a perfect blend of artistic expression and technical excellence.
Key Features:
- Hardware and Design
As the name suggests, the guitar is the result of a collaboration between Ibanez and the iconic Tim Henson, and it does not disappoint. The creative flair of Tim Henson has been encrypted into this offering from Ibanez. The unique design, finish, and other intricate details in the guitar make it look subtle yet phenomenal. The artistic identity of Tim Henson, incorporated into the design and layout, makes this guitar stand out from the crowd of bland, generic guitars. The ergonomic design provides comfort and eases the fingers and hands. The guitar also ensures you can play longer, designed to reduce fatigue. - High-Quality Construction
The guitar was constructed with an emphasis on tonal excellence. It features a maple neck and a mahogany body. Mahogany is a tonewood that brings warmth and adds richness to the sound. On the other hand, maple adds clarity and brightness to the tone. This helps create a balance ideal for a wide variety of music genres. Known for excellent craftsmanship, Ibanez built this guitar to withstand the test of time. The combination of tonewoods, the tremolo system, and signature pickups assists players in various styles and genres. - Signature DiMarzio Pickups and Synchronized Tremolo System
The guitar incorporates signature DiMarzio pickups to replicate Tim Henson’s tonal palette. These pickups bring improved dynamics, extraordinary clarity, and wide frequency response. The combination of single-coil pickups and humbuckers offers a wide range of tones, from searing leads to pristine cleans. The synchronized tremolo system significantly adds to the guitar’s expressive capabilities and general playability. Players can use this system to create dramatic dive-bombs or make subtle pitch variations. This tremolo system also ensures precision in pitch control.
Character & Sound:
This Ibanez offering possesses a distinctive character and a unique sound profile. You’ll effortlessly be able to get a ton of artistic versatility from this guitar. The guitar allows you to switch between music genres in a heartbeat. You can go from progressive metal to intricate technicality and vice versa with utmost ease. The tremolo system, signature pickups, and the tone-wood material result in a bright and rich sound. The combination of mahogany and maple provides warmth, resonance, clarity, and a balanced tonal palette.
Pros:
The guitar embodies Tim Henson’s playing style and creative vision. The tonewood used was carefully selected so it may add to the harmonious and balanced tonal profile. The guitar’s versatility ensures a diverse array of sounds and playing styles. DiMarzio pickups offer a wide range.
Cons:
The tonal character of the guitar is heavily influenced by Tim Henson’s style of playing. This may pose a problem for those unfamiliar with his musical approach. Although the guitar brings a lot to the table, it is priced at the higher end of the spectrum.
6. Epiphone PRO-1 Classic
It’s hard to discredit the Epiphone name thanks to its impressive variety of stringed instruments.
The brand specializes in quality products that mimic the more expensive variants from the Gibson product line and offers the perfect blend of flawless tonality, exceptional construction, and appealing aesthetics.
Since the company made its way to the United States, Epiphone has been tickling the fancy of musicians of all skill levels. The PRO-1 Classic is an instrument that caters to the needs of aspiring musicians and players from the younger generation.
Key Features:
- 3/4 Scale
The main feature of this impeccably crafted instrument is the 3/4 scale length. The smaller size means that the PRO-1 has a scale length of just 22.8 inches, considerably lower than the standard instrument. This provides frets closer to each other, so finger picking and chord switching become a breeze if you’re a budding guitarist or just have smaller-than-usual hands. - Neck Profile
The PRO-1’s neck offers a “D” profile. This means the instrument’s neck is slightly deeper than a “C” profile but not as deep as the “U” shaped neck. The neck has been designed in a way that provides comfort while playing. The idea is to anchor your thumb on the slightly flatter back, giving your fingers more stability and mobility. - The Body
The body is decorated with ivory/black binding on the edges, which is hard to ignore over the antique natural coloration of the cedar top. The back and sides are mahogany, while the sound hole is adorned with a beautiful patterned rosette. In addition, the Custom Pro-Prietary bracing adds tonal balance, controlled resonance, and structural support. - Neck Construction
You’ll find a NuBone or synthetic nut with a 1.89-inch width on the neck. The neck carries forth the same theme as the rest of the body and is made from mahogany. The fingerboard is made of rosewood and employs “JumboPRO” frets. As the name implies, the frets offer plenty of room to accommodate your fingers. However, since they’re quite large, you’ll only find 18 frets on the PRO-1 guitar. Another unusual component concealed inside the neck is the dual action truss rod, which you hardly find in the average classical guitar. - Bridge/Saddles
As is commonly seen on classical guitars, the nut and saddles are usually made from the same material. The PRO-1 follows the same pattern, using a rosewood bridge with a NuBone saddle. In addition, the instrument comes fitted with Epiphone’s “Ultra Light” strings. - Headstock
Although this is an extremely affordable guitar, the headstock on the PRO-1 gives it the feel of a much more expensive instrument. The classic white Epiphone headstock badge looks extremely stylish and truly stands out on the otherwise simple-looking neck. Also installed on the PRO-1 are 6 Deluxe Classical 16:1 open gear tuning heads that provide a vintage feel.
Character & Sound:
Considering its 3/4 size, the PRO-1 is deceptively loud and can serve well if you’re just noodling around at home or playing a small gig in a closed environment. The strings can be accurately fretted with wide fret spacing so the notes sound clean and on pitch. The sound projection is such that the instrument delivers a full-bodied sound during delicate arpeggios and even aggressive strumming.
Pros:
It’s a miracle how Epiphone has come up with a nylon string guitar that offers so much and costs so little. The negligible price tag may dissuade some of you, but make no mistake about this unique instrument’s quality and tonal abilities.
Cons:
Because of the larger fret sizes, you get one less fret than the usual 19 on full-sized classical guitars. Furthermore, the machine heads are a bit average regarding tuning stability, so you might have to swap them out with a more reliable one.
7. Ortega R121 3/4
Available in a handful of colors, this acoustic guitar is ideal for both seasoned and aspiring guitarists.
Ortega Music was established in 1994, making it one of the younger, if not the most youthful, brands with a guitar featured in this list. The company designs its guitars in Germany, incorporating German design. Ortega guitars are produced in China and Spain.
This offering by Ortega combines the realms of tradition with modern innovation and artistry. This simple-looking guitar packs quite the punch, and the brand’s superb craftsmanship ensures comfort as well as durability.
Key Features:
- Artful Aesthetics, Scale Length, and Playability
This Ortega guitar is truly a work of art. It shares a similar design with many iconic guitars, paying homage to them. The guitar’s refined and classy appearance is very traditional. The guitar’s 3/4 scale is deliberate as the brand wanted to cater to younger musicians, providing them with a taste of the years gone by. The guitar has intentionally been kept smaller, so it may be easier to handle for youngsters and those with smaller hands. The small size of the guitar makes it more comfortable to hold, thereby allowing players to continue playing for extended periods. - Neck and Fretboard Design
The guitar’s neck is constructed of mahogany, a tonewood that adds stability and durability, essential for prolonging the guitar’s lifespan while maintaining playability and accurate intonation over time. The fretboard is made of rosewood; another tonewood cherished for its precise fretwork and smooth texture. This encourages effortless navigation across the 19 frets, which is helpful, especially for beginners. - Tonewoods for Resonance
The brand’s selection of tonewood is a testament to its meticulous attention to detail regarding the guitar’s construction. The cedar top is valued for its rich tonal palette and responsiveness. It introduces character and warmth to every note. The mahogany sides and back enhance the presence of the midrange, adding balance to the tonal spectrum and depth to the guitar’s sound. This combination of tone-woods guarantees an expressive and resonant sound.
Character & Sound:
The character and sound form the musical identity of a classical guitar and are essentially the instrument’s heart and soul. Ortega’s strategic use of tone-woods ensures that the guitar’s sound has a warm and expressive character. This warmth is especially prominent when it comes to fingerstyle playing. The guitar’s impressive dynamic range is an integral part of its character. The guitar makes up for its compact size through its precision and grace. As stated before, Ortega has ensured that this guitar maintains its traditional touch. The guitar showcases classical music’s heritage while also possessing qualities of modern times. Impressively, the compact instrument produces remarkable articulation and clarity. The guitar possesses the ability to articulate notes crystal clearly, regardless of how they’re played.
Pros:
The guitar incorporates an ergonomic design with a 3/4 scale length. This makes it comfortable to hold and increases playing longevity. The design also assists people with smaller hands. The tone-woods used significantly add richness and warmth to the sound.
Cons:
Since this guitar is 3/4 the size of a regular-sized guitar, it can’t compete with the level of low-end resonance produced by a full-sized guitar. This means that the guitar may be suitable to comparatively fewer music genres as well, especially those relying on deeper bass tones.
Bonus
1. Kala Cedar Top Mahogany
The lesser-known Kala Cedar Top Mahogany is dubbed the “student guitar.”
This is partly because the instrument is highly affordable and sounds equally good. It’s surprising to know that when the Kala brand was founded in 2005, the company started as a ukulele manufacturer.
It was much later that they ventured into the world of guitars and basses, and it’s a great thing that they did as their products exhibit great craftsmanship and deliver exceptional value for money, too. The Cedar Top Mahogany captures the essence of a full-sized instrument in a much more compact size.
Key Features:
- 3/4 Scale
This student guitar from Kala has a much smaller scale. Measuring just 23.25 inches, the shorter scale means that the player’s fingers don’t need to stretch too much to get to where they need to be, making it an ideal choice for children and musicians with small hands. Other benefits come with the compact instrument, including portability and weight relief. - Tonewood
Much like the other classical guitars on the list, the Kala student guitar avoids deviating from the preferred choice of tonewood commonly used for such instruments. The top is made of cedar, and mahogany is used for the back and sides, hence the name Kala Cedar Top Mahogany. The body has a natural gloss finish and a beautiful rosette pattern around the sound hole to give it a more modern spin. - The Neck
Regarding the neck, the profile on the Kala student guitar is made from mahogany and has a “D” profile with a flat radius. The fretboard is made of laurel and hosts 19 complete frets. The neck also features a bone nut, which isn’t often seen at this price point. The bone nut has a width of 2 inches. - Tuning Machines
The headstock has a standard classical shape with 3 x 3 tuners. These tuners are of the gold-slotted open gear variety. One might expect a guitar at this price point to use less than premium materials for cost-cutting, but the tuners do their job and hold tuning well. - Bridge & Strings
To the other end of the sound hole is a rosewood bridge fitted with a bone saddle, which again is a welcome addition. The material is resistant to wear and tear, adding to the guitar’s tuning stability. The Kala Cedar Top Mahogany has high-tension strings with a thicker gauge and delivers more projection, resonance, and sustain.
Character & Sound:
From subtle finder picking to chord strums and everything in between, the cedar top and mahogany body deliver a warm tone and decent resonance. The guitar is quite expressive, especially in the quieter passages of a performance. When played with more intensity, the clarity remains intact. However, the hallmark of the guitar is how well the instrument brings out the mid-range.
Pros:
This guitar is the perfect instrument for a beginner or a guitar player looking to venture into classical music. The shorter scale length is ideal for travel and is perfectly sized for smaller hands. Finally, the Kala Cedar Top Mahogany is jaw-droppingly affordable.
Cons:
Since this is a smaller guitar when it comes to overall size and scale length, the sound projection isn’t the best. However, you should be fine playing at home or for a smaller gathering. The compact size also means you don’t get enough bass response as the full-sized instrument.
2. Ibanez FRH10N-NTF Thinline
The guitar is a work of art, with its perfect blend of artistry, functionality, and playability.
Ibanez has come a long way and has created quite a reputation since its initiation. The brand is known for its habit of causing stirs in the market on a regular basis. Known for its consistency in pushing boundaries, the iconic brand manufactured this guitar as a testament to its innovation and legacy.
Ibanez has a very impressive and versatile product line comprising effect pedals, guitar amps, tuners, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, electric guitars, and guitar accessories. Constructed with strategically selected tonewoods and exceptional craftsmanship, this thinline guitar is an absolute masterpiece.
Key Features:
- Thinline Design
The brand has always been known for going against the norms, and as a testament to this, this guitar’s design truly challenges conventional norms. This innovation in design ensures that the guitar is remarkably comfortable and significantly lighter to hold. The sleek, ergonomic design allows you to play much longer. The guitar’s gentle curves assist the player while sitting or standing. - High-Quality Construction
The semi-hollow construction provides the advantages of both hollow-bodied and solid guitars. With this guitar, you’ll get the stability of a solid guitar and a hollow-bodied guitar’s resonant qualities. The use of mahogany for the sides and back, along with the spruce top, cement the instrument’s rich tonal brilliance. - T-bar Under-Saddle Pickup & Walnut Bridge
This Ibanez offering comes equipped with a T-bar under-saddle pickup. This pickup produces a very natural piezo-styled sound and offers plenty of range. The walnut bridge adds to the guitar’s look and contributes significantly to the sustain. It also provides a boost to the guitar’s overall resonance. Walnut is a tone-wood known for its versatility and dense nature. It assists in conveying vibrations effectively and evenly from string to body. This results in a well-defined, balanced, and articulate sound. - Comfortable Neck Profile
This Ibanez offering has a sleek neck profile focusing on precision and longevity. It strikes the perfect balance between comfort and speed. The guitar’s ergonomically profiled neck assists the player with intricate melodic runs, making transitioning between chords effortless.
Character & Sound:
This Ibanez guitar is known for its character, which is versatile and refined. The semi-hollow construction adds a resonant and rich tonal quality. The semi-hollow design also adds warmth to the sound, which makes the guitar ideal for a variety of genres, including jazz, blues, and even pop and rock. The sides and back of the guitar are made of mahogany, which gives the guitar a solid foundation. The spruce used for the top brings articulate and bright characteristics. The guitar, thereby, has a very well-rounded tonal palette. Dual humbuckers allow for quite a range of tones as they introduce complexity to the guitar’s overall sound. The guitar neck provides velvety, smooth tones, great for expressive phrasing. The bridge pickup adds a dynamic response and delivers a powerful punch, ideal for searing leads and driving rhythms.
Pros:
The well-crafted neck, coupled with the guitar’s ergonomic thinline design, make it exceptionally comfortable to hold. The premium tonewood materials used, along with the dual humbuckers, provide great richness and warmth to the tone. The bridge adds stability to tuning and intonation.
Cons:
Although the semi-hollow construction improves the guitar’s tonal qualities, it can’t compete with the acoustics of a guitar that has a fully hollow construction. The guitar’s sound and characteristics encourage versatility, but they might not be every player’s cup of tea.
Conclusion
We’ve truly targeted a very specific niche today by listing more than 7 great options for players with smaller hands. Most of the guitars have smaller scale lengths and specific neck dimensions to appeal to such players. The added benefit of such instruments is that they’re also compact and portable, making them a decent choice for traveling.
If you’re in the market for an electro-acoustic nylon string guitar, the ever-versatile FRH10N by Ibanez combines both features well. The Tim Henson signature TOD10N is a significant upgrade from the standard version and is equipped with Ibanez’s AEQ210TF preamp system to make you sound like the guitar wizard himself.
We’ve listed a myriad of 3/4 scale guitars that are extremely affordable and offer great value for money. The options in this category include the Fender FA-15, the Yamaha CGS103, and Epiphone’s Pro-1 Classic guitar. Other contenders are the Kala Cedar Top Mahogany and the Ortega R-121.
Finally, if you’re in a spending mood and the 3/4 scale length seems to be the right size for you, the Alhambra 1 C Hybrid Terra can be just the instrument you need. Cordoba’s C9 Parlor, although slightly more expensive, is a great option for those who prefer the 7/8 scale length.
Sultan Zafar is a guitar player from Islamabad, Pakistan. He has been playing music with various mainstream musicians for over 20 years. He is a song writer and music producer. These days he spends his time exploring different music genres and collaborating with fellow musicians on various projects. Read more..