Best Guitars for Small Hands

We’d all like to have the spidery, long fingers of Steve Vai or the daunting stature of James Hetfield. But for those of us with smaller hands (and smaller frames), a 6-string solution that is comfortable to hold and play is needed! The neck and fingerboard widths among guitars, despite their measurement differences, can be very similar in the grand scheme of things. The body of the guitar is where a lot of the variation is, and, when it comes down to playing feel, it’s going to present the most problems if it doesn’t rest properly. For instance, if you’re five foot five, then trying to play a standard dreadnought acoustic could feel like trying to hug a sequoia! So, instead of only looking at guitars that will feel great in hand, we’ll be diving into some acoustic and electric models with body shapes that more easily fit folks with smaller frames, as well. Nailing down this combination will prioritize playing comfort and will let you play and feel your best every time you start strumming.

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Best Acoustic Guitars for Small HandsBest Electric Guitars for Small HandsLoog Guitars

Best Acoustic Guitars for Small Hands

Yamaha APXT2 3/4-size Thinline Cutaway

Based on the company’s ever-popular APX500 model, the Yamaha APXT2 3/4-size thinline cutaway is a beautiful and functionally appealing scaled-down option that will feel great in the hands of any smaller guitarist. The single-cutaway design, painted headstock with classic white tuning pegs, and larger soundhole combine for a unique design that is sure to attract some attention! The standard neck shape pairs with a rosewood fingerboard to provide a more traditional playing feel but in a smaller package that travels easily, too! This guitar’s A.R.T.-based preamp system uses a System 68 contact pickup to let you easily switch to plugged-in playing, supplying an onboard tuner and independent tone and volume controls.

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Taylor Baby Mahogany BT2 Acoustic Guitar

For top-notch, compact acoustic sound, check out the Taylor Baby Mahogany BT2. This 3/4-size acoustic features a stunning mahogany top that not only looks great but also packs a midrange punch with a bluesy edge that will really stand out in jam sessions. This is a great chance to take advantage of the superior projection and full tone of a dreadnought without the overwhelming bulk that can come with holding a standard-size model. Little elements like the chrome-plated tuners, pearloid inlays, and varnish finish add to the good looks of this Taylor. Plus, it boasts a smooth-playing, 19-fret ebony fingerboard. Great feel, aesthetic, and sound — for a steal of a price, too!

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Fender Malibu Classic Acoustic-electric Guitar

You’ll love the old-school design of the Fender Malibu Classic acoustic-electric and the incredible sounds that come with it! The vintage Malibu body design just oozes charm and features a gorgeously finished Sitka spruce top. The rest of the body is mahogany, extending up the slim-taper C-shaped neck — ideal for comfortable chording among smaller-handed players! The koa binding and koa rosette complement the rest of this guitar’s stunning appearance. Plug in for a show or an amplified rehearsal, and hear the beauty of the Fishman-designed pickup/preamp system, additionally housing a digital tuner, 3-band EQ, and phase controls for a truly customizable tone that’s entirely unique to the Malibu Classic.

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Takamine P3NY New Yorker Acoustic-electric Guitar

The Takamine P3NY New Yorker is so finely crafted for tonal and playable excellence that it’s hard to believe its footprint is so small. Inside the parlor-style body, Takamine has given the P3NY New Yorker scalloped X-bracing and has topped it with cedar, resulting in a versatile tone that will effortlessly accommodate any genre of your choosing. Outside, ivory binding and a dark wood marquetry rosette construct a show-stopping appearance. The mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard combo plays fast and smooth, sounding especially articulate when amplified through its CT4B II preamp system. Add some brightness or warmth to your tone with its 3-band EQ, and stay in tune wherever you play, thanks to an onboard tuner.

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Martin 000-28 Brooke Ligertwood Signature Acoustic Guitar

Effortless playability awaits with the Martin 000-28 Brooke Ligertwood Signature acoustic. A Martin fanatic herself, Ligertwood designed a guitar that’s exceptionally appointed — and we’re positive you’ll never want to put it down! An elemental combination of Paul Simon’s PS2 and Eric Clapton’s 000-28EC, this signature acoustic boasts an aged Sitka spruce top with stunning binding around the rosewood back and sides, as well as a unique rosette design that is sure to turn some heads. A modified V-shaped neck holds an ebony fingerboard that plays fluidly for all and allows for articulate finger response reminiscent of Ligertwood herself! This shape is great for a vintage feel — and one that doesn’t affect your ease of chording!

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Best Electric Guitars for Small Hands

Danelectro Stock ’59 Electric Guitar

This Shorthorn semi-hollowbody Danelectro Stock ’59 is chock-full of midcentury magic that will thrill the smaller-framed guitarist! Rocking some vintage-styled Lipstick pickups, this Danelectro produces all the intoxicating jangle of a bygone era with phenomenal center-block sustain, giving you the genre adaptability for everything from classic country to rock ‘n’ roll. The eye-catching selection of finishes and the unique pickguard contribute to a style that’s remained unmatched since its conception — right down to the trademark skinny headstock! This guitar’s double-cut body style makes it a charm to hold and even nicer to play, and it’s equipped with a classic 3-way pickup selector and master controls for your tone-shaping pleasure.

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Fender Player Mustang 90

The 24-inch scale length and offset body style of the Fender Player Mustang 90 offer the perfect downsized playing platform! But don’t be fooled by its size — these MP-90 single-coils will unearth some massive sound, whether clean or overdriven! With a player-friendly master control layout and pickup selector, adjusting and crafting your tone onstage and in the studio is as intuitive as can be. Glide up the 22 frets, and feel how easy it is to chord, bend, and dart between notes on a low-tension, pau-ferro-on-maple Player Series neck. Lightweight handling and compact dimensions put the Mustang in a league of its own, and guitarists here at Sweetwater can confirm that this guitar will feel and sound just as good as it looks.

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Gibson SG Standard Electric Guitar

The Gibson SG Standard represents one of the earliest and most popular small-bodied electric guitars. Its compact body design and iconic double horn cutaways leave guitarists with an axe that prioritizes comfort and freedom of movement, both when held and when played all the way up to the very top of the fretboard. Per-pickup tone and volume controls let you channel the rumbling thunder of the 490R neck humbucker or the searing jab of the 490T bridge humbucker. A classic finish, black top hat knobs, and trapezoid acrylic inlays across the 22-fret rosewood fingerboard complete this famous aesthetic with unmistakable style. Plug in and join the ranks of legends like Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, and Pete Townshend!

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PRS Satin S2 Vela Electric Guitar

Featuring an offset and contoured mahogany body is the PRS Satin S2 Vela. This electric guitar provides an incredibly bold look and an impressive degree of comfort. Its Pattern Regular–shaped neck houses a 10-inch-radius rosewood fingerboard that feels comfortable in hand, while its contoured body with deep cutaways allows tremendously easy access to all 22 frets. Additionally, the sound of this 6-string is a force to be reckoned with! Courtesy of a Type-D single-coil neck pickup and a Starla humbucker in the bridge, you’ll channel an enticingly beautiful blend of vintage ’50s tones and true PRS sonic character, respectively. And for some serious twang, just coil tap the Starla bridge humbucker!

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Loog Guitars

Designed for players ages six and up, guitars from Loog Guitars are compact instruments for new players. These guitars boast a 3-string design that translates perfectly to the 6-string when the player grows up. Loog manufactures both acoustic and electric guitars, so every aspiring player can get the right axe for their goals. Every Loog guitar includes supplementary educational materials to help beginners stay engaged with fun songs and lessons. Plus, all Loog guitars feature a convertible design, which ensures both right- and left-handed players can use any guitar in any color. Whether you’re buying for yourself or a loved one, it’s hard to go wrong with a Loog.

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Small Hands? Says Who?

As you can see, we’ve got a fascinating selection of both acoustic and electric guitars to accommodate small-handed and small-framed guitarists, and most options offer the same degree of tonal customization and aesthetic styling as standard models. It’s important to remember that despite our differences in size, we are all guitarists, and we all deserve the comfort of an axe that works just as hard for us as we do for the music — and we here at Sweetwater really take that to heart! We hope this article has helped you get a foot in the door in terms of tracking down your ideal instrument. And, as always, if you have any questions or would like some extra help in your search, then make sure to give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700. We’ll be standing by to help!
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