Guitar For Juniors -A Guide By Zager
Are you ready to ignite your child’s passion for music with an acoustic/ electric guitar? The possibilities are endless, but many choices can be daunting.
Don’t fret! We’ve got you covered with this ultimate guide that will make the process a breeze.
From finding the perfect size and string type to staying within your budget, we have all the tips and tricks you need. Plus, we’ve scoured the market to bring you the top eight acoustic guitars for kids in 2023. Get ready to rock and roll with these guitar tricks.
How To Choose a Kid’s Acoustic Guitar: A Buyer’s Guide
Before we dive into our reviews of the best acoustic guitars or the best electric guitars that are perfect for kids, let’s review everything you need to know when choosing the right guitar. We’ll cover essential factors such as the size of the guitar, the type of strings it uses, and the various price points available so that our young musicians have the best guitars without breaking the bank.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed purchase and find the perfect electric or acoustic guitar just for your child. Let’s get started!
How Old Should a Child Be When They Learn To Play the Guitar?
Before looking into the selection process, a critical consideration is determining whether your child is ready to start playing the guitar. This can be a challenging decision for any parent, depending on several factors, such as your child’s personality, motor skills, learning style (visual or auditory), hand size, and ability to reach the fretboard comfortably.
While there are occasional child prodigies who start playing as early as two years old, realistically, the youngest age a child should start learning is around six years old.
However, this is not a hard and fast rule, as younger children can start learning to play guitar but may require more coordination assistance. Let’s explore the essential features to consider when choosing an acoustic guitar for your child.
Types Of Acoustic Guitars Suitable For Kids
The first step in choosing the perfect acoustic and electric guitars for your child is deciding between an acoustic steel-string guitar or a classical nylon-string guitar.
While these two choices for kids may appear similar at first glance, their differences can significantly impact your child’s learning experience.
What Size Guitar Is Best For Kids?
When selecting a guitar for your child, size is crucial to remember. Many guitars can be too large and unwieldy, making it difficult for young players to carry or play them effectively if their fingers can’t reach the frets.
Guitars are available in various sizes, including 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and full size, allowing you to choose the most comfortable and suitable for your child’s needs.
- For a small child, 3 to 6 years old, a 1/2 size guitar with a scale length of 20.5 inches is ideal
- For a medium-sized child, 7 to 12 years old, a 3/4 size guitar with a scale length of 22.75 inches is ideal
- For a big kid or teenager, 13 years or older, a full-size guitar with a scale length of 24.75 inches or 25.5 inches is ideal
It’s important to ensure that the guitar fits comfortably against their arm and shoulder and that they can easily reach the end of the guitar strap neck with their other hand.
Budget
Cost is an important consideration when buying an acoustic guitar for kids. It’s always wise to explore options in different price ranges to determine what extra features you get for a little more investment. Fortunately, acoustic guitars for kids are generally affordable, and most on our list are priced under $500.
However, we recommend avoiding sub $100 guitars as they are of poor quality and may not last very long. It’s better to spend at least a couple hundred dollars to get a well-made guitar that will provide a better playing experience. Even if your child doesn’t continue to play, a good quality guitar can be sold reasonably, unlike the budget models that won’t hold their value.
Top 5 Acoustic Guitars For Kids
Zager Travel Size Solid African Mahogany Acoustic
If you’re searching for a high-quality travel acoustic guitar for your child or yourself, the Zager 3/4 size travel guitars are the perfect solution. They’re crafted with the same premium materials and components as our full-size guitars but with a size that’s 25% smaller, making them ideal for smaller players and children.
The solid wood construction sets the small guitars apart from others on the market. As the guitar ages, the sound will only improve, providing a richer and sweeter sound year after year. The hand-carved bracing also allows for more significant soundboard movement, resulting in a fuller sound. The travel guitars also feature a slim neck design that feels natural in your hand, making it easier to form chords. The custom string spacing also allows for greater speed and accuracy, with less rattling.
Zager also incorporates its soft touch fret design and steel strings, reducing string bite and finger fatigue and allowing longer playing sessions. The adjustable truss rod lets you customize the action to your playing style.
Finally, the hand-laid abalone inlay rosette with pearl fret markers, genuine Grover tuning machines, hand-carved bone nut, and saddle are all features typically found on guitars that cost $1500 or more. They are, quite literally, the best acoustic guitars on the market.
USD $695
Fender CC-60S
The Fender CC-60S is a fantastic option for children who want an acoustic guitar built to last and offers exceptional value for money. This popular model features a solid top, which gives it a rich and full tone that’s surprisingly impressive for a guitar at this price point.
The concert-sized body is ideal for most new players and provides a comfortable playing experience without feeling like a toy. But what sets this guitar apart is its build quality – it’s a Fender, after all – and is built to last your child well into their intermediate years.
The guitar has various features, making it an excellent choice for young players. It has a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, a nato neck, and a walnut fingerboard. It includes a gig bag, an extra pack of strings, and a 3-month Fender Play subscription to help your child learn the guitar.
Overall, the Fender CC-60S is an outstanding choice for any parent looking for a high-quality, reliable guitar for their child.
USD $199
Ibanez PN12E Mahogany electro-acoustic
The Ibanez PN12E isn’t just an excellent option for young players, it’s a fantastic affordable choice for all those who are looking for a guitar on a budget. The onboard preamp and tuner are just the icing on the cake.
The mahogany top and back give the guitar a warm, balanced tone that will only improve with age. The parlor-sized basswood body is comfortable to play with and easy to handle, while the shorter scale makes it perfect for players with smaller hands. And with 18 frets on the rosewood fingerboard, you have plenty of room to explore your musical creativity.
What sets the PN12E apart is its versatility. Whether you’re practicing at home, playing an intimate gig, or recording in the studio, this guitar can handle it all. The pickup and preamp system allows you to easily plug in and amplify your sound while the onboard tuner ensures you’re always in tune.
So whether you’re a young player whose guitar lessons are just starting or an experienced musician looking for a reliable and affordable electro-acoustic guitar, this one is worth considering. With its impressive features and unbeatable value for money, it’s no wonder this guitar is a popular choice among musicians of all ages and skill levels.
USD $199
Yamaha JR1 3/4-Size Dreadnought
The Yamaha JR1 is an excellent option for beginners who want to experience a dreadnought guitar’s rich, booming sound quality without feeling overwhelmed by its size. With the shorter scale length and compact guitar body, this guitar is an excellent choice for those just starting to learn the ropes.
One of the standout features of the guitar is its construction. The solid Sitka spruce top delivers a resonant tone perfect for strumming or fingerpicking for intermediate and pro players. At the same time, the meranti back and sides provide a hard-wearing and attractive finish. The nato neck and rosewood fingerboard also feel great in hand, making it easy for beginners to form chords and progress their playing.
To top it all off, the Yamaha JR1 includes a padded gigbag, so you can protect your investment and take it wherever you go. With its combination of playability, tone, and value for money, the JR1 is a fantastic option for anyone looking to get started on the guitar.
USD $139
Zager 38-inch Parlor Size Solid African Mahogany Acoustic
Looking for a guitar that’s easier to play for small players but still produces a rich sound? Look no further than the Zager 38-inch Parlor size guitar. Its solid wood construction provides a sound that gets better and better as it ages, and many players who have switched from the Taylor GS Mini and Little Martin to the Parlor have been thoroughly impressed.
Designed by Denny for players who love the feel of smaller guitars but not the more minor sound, our Zager Parlor series guitars feature a 2-inch shorter scale neck that makes them easier to play for smaller hands. But unlike other small guitars, Denny gave them a slightly larger box to produce a more prosperous and deeper sound.
While it may not have the same sound as the best guitars, the OM or Full-size guitars, customers say it has the best sound of any small guitar on the market today. Comfortable and fun are the two words we often hear from players when describing the parlor guitar. So why not give it a try and experience it for yourself?
USD $795
Top Five Electric Guitars For Kids
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J
The Yamaha Pacifica guitar is often regarded as one of the best value-for-money instruments in the market. It is famous for school music programs due to its affordable price, quality build, various finish options, and great tone.
One of the standout features of this guitar is its HSS pickup configuration, which includes a humbucker in the bridge position for thick and high-output tones suitable for rock and metal genres and two single coils for clean styles of music with precise and trebly sound.
The Yamaha Pacifica is not only a guitar for beginners to learn but also an instrument to discover different types of playing guitar styles and tones. Additionally, the tremolo bar adds a vibrato effect to show off once a piece is learned.
USD $259
Squier Bullet Mustang
Imagine you’re a beginner looking for your very first guitar. You want something easy to play, sounds great, and won’t break the bank. Let me introduce you to the Squier Bullet Mustang – the perfect starter guitar for any child or novice!
Not only is it compact and lightweight, but it’s designed with small hands in mind. And don’t let the modest price tag fool you – this guitar delivers a killer sound with its two humbuckers that are ideal for rocking out to your favorite tunes.
Sure, it may not have the same status as a legendary Stratocaster or Les Paul, but who cares? The Bullet Mustang is all about having fun and making those first steps into the world of guitar playing. So, why settle for anything less? Get your hands on the Squier Bullet Mustang and unleash your inner rockstar!
USD $199
Epiphone Slash AFD Les Paul Special
Have you ever dreamed of shredding like Slash, the legendary Guns N’ Roses guitarist? Well, now you can take your first steps towards emulating your hero with the Epiphone Slash AFD Les Paul Special package. Not only does it include a unique Epiphone Les Paul Special guitar with two humbuckers to help you dial in that iconic, raw tone, but the bridge humbucker also comes with a built-in tuner to ensure you’re always ready to rock. Plus, with a few essential accessories, it’s the perfect package for aspiring young rockers. Get ready to unleash your inner guitar hero!
USD $329
Ibanez miKro GRGM21
Are you searching for the perfect guitar for a young aspiring shredder with a more petite build? Look no further than the miKro GRGM21! This guitar is designed with a short scale length and thin neck, making it easy for smaller hands to handle.
Equipped with two humbucking pickups, the miKro is an excellent choice for those who love to rock out to heavy metal. While the humbuckers are not super high-output, they still provide a satisfying crunch.
And don’t worry. This guitar is not limited to just one genre – it’s versatile enough to accommodate various musical styles. So if you want to inspire a young musician’s curiosity and creativity, the miKro GRGM21 is a perfect choice.
USD $230
Epiphone Power Players SG
If you’re looking for the classic SG sound but don’t want to deal with the hassle of a full-sized guitar, the recently released Epiphone Power Player might be your perfect guitar and match.
Designed with young beginners in mind, this SG is slightly over 3/4 of the original size, making it much more manageable without sacrificing the tone. I feel that makes an SG so iconic.
Made with a mahogany body and maple neck and equipped with Epiphone 650R and 700T humbuckers, this small but mighty guitar delivers a well-rounded, warm tone that will suit various styles.
Not a fan of the SG shape? No problem – the Power Player also comes in a Les Paul model, both available in three sleek finish options: Lava Red, Dark Matter Ebony, and Ice Blue.
USD $279
FAQs
What Age Is a Junior Guitar For?
A junior guitar is for children between ages 6-12. It’s smaller and easier to handle, but appropriate age range may vary. Consult with a music teacher or professional to find the right fit.
What Size Guitar Is Best For An 11-Year-Old?
An 11-year-old child is typically best suited for a 3/4 size or 7/8 size guitar. However, the appropriate size also depends on the child’s height, arm length, and hand size. Trying out different sizes and consulting with a music teacher or professional can help in finding the right fit.
What’s the Difference Between a Junior Guitar and a Regular Guitar?
The younger the child, the smaller they need for their instrument. The 3/4 sizes guitar are generally played as children have more effortless playability. The small dimensions make it easier to reach fretboards when you’re young.
