Your young musician decided to take guitar lessons. You want to buy the best guitar for kids, but with all of the different options available, it can be tough to know where to start. Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a guitar for your child.
What things to pay attention to?
- Size: A full-size guitar may be too big for a young child. Look for a 3/4 size or 1/2 size guitar instead.
- Age: If your child is under 8 years old, a nylon-stringed classical guitar may be the best option. For older children, an acoustic or electric guitar may be more appropriate.
- Cost: Guitars can range in price from around $100 to over $1,000. Don't feel like you have to spend a lot of money to get a good guitar. You can find affordable options that will be suitable for your child.
- Materials: The body of the guitar can be made from different materials, such as plywood, solid wood, or laminate. Solid wood is the best quality, but it can also be the most expensive.
- Finish: The finish on the guitar can be either glossy or matte. A matte finish may be more suitable for a child, as it is less likely to show fingerprints and smudges.
- Action: The action is the distance between the strings and the fretboard. If the action is too high, it will be difficult for your child to press down the strings.
- Frets: The frets are the metal bars on the fingerboard that divide the strings into different pitches. Smaller guitars may have fewer frets, which can make them more suitable for beginners.
- Pickups: Electric guitars have pickups, which are magnets that convert the vibration of the strings into an electrical signal. Acoustic and classical guitars do not have pickups.
- Strings: Guitars can have either steel or nylon strings. Nylon strings are usually found on classical and acoustic guitars, while steel strings are found on electric guitars.
Now that you know what to look for in a guitar for your child, you can start shopping around and find the perfect one for them.
What makes a good guitar for kids?
There are several criteria that allow saying that a guitar is good for kids. The main characteristics are the following.
The best guitar for your kid is one that keeps him or her engaged, enthusiastic, and passionate about playing the instrument. In reality, what this looks like will vary based on a number of circumstances. What is the age of your child? Have they yet completed their growth? Have they ever played before or have they been playing for a while now? Is it true that they are taking the instrument seriously? What motivates them to play guitar in the first place? All these questions will help you better understand what kind of guitar is best for your kid.
Moreover, when you answer all those questions, you will have to look for a guitar that is comfortable for your kid, one that is the appropriate size and has the right kind of strings. Also, keep in mind that no matter what guitar you get for your kid, it is important that they practice often if they want to improve. The best guitar for kids is not always the most expensive one. In reality, it is often better to start with a less expensive model and then upgrade as your child's skills develop. This way, you can be sure that the instrument is being used and not gathering dust in a corner.
When looking for a guitar for your kid, make sure to take into account all of the above-mentioned factors. This way, you will be able to find an instrument that is perfect for your child's individual needs and will help them develop a love for music.
What is the best guitar for children to learn?
Fender CC-60S:
This guitar features a solid spruce top, which gives it a nice bright sound. The guitar is also very lightweight, making it easy for children to hold and play. It has a shape that is easy for small hands to grip, and the fingerboard is also very smooth, making it easy for children to play. Strings and pickups are pretty good quality too.
The body is made of laminated mahogany, which gives it a warm sound. The sound quality is very good for a guitar in this price range. Every song with this guitar will sound great. Moreover, the playability of this guitar is superb. That is because the action is very low and the neck is very comfortable. The guitar also comes with a case, so your child can take it with him or her wherever they go.
Yamaha CGS103A:
This guitar is perfect for children who are just starting to learn how to play. It has a small body that is easy for children to hold, and the neck is very thin, making it easy for small hands to grip. The parameters of this guitar are:
- Top: Spruce
- Back & Sides: Meranti
- Body Depth: 3.15″ (80 mm)
- Nut Width: 1.69″ (43 mm)
- Scale Length: 22.8″ (580 mm)
Yamaha CGS103A is one of the best guitars for kids according to many professional guitarists. If you're looking for an instrument that will last your child a long time and be easy on their hands, this is a great choice. The playability for children is excellent, and the guitar has a nice, warm sound.
Ibanez PN12E Mahogany electro-acoustic:
Your kid would be pretty happy to get their hands on this guitar. The Ibanez PN12E is a great choice for kids. It's an electro-acoustic guitar, so it can be used for both acoustic and electric playing. The mahogany body provides a warm, full sound, and the rosewood fingerboard gives it a nice look.
Now, a beginner's amplifier may not equal the sound quality of a professional pickup such as the LR Baggs, but that isn't an issue. The most important thing is that they can be amplified if necessary. So, due to this guitar's good quality and reasonable price, we have to choose the Ibanez PN12E as the best guitar for kids.
If you're looking for an electric guitar for your kid, then the Ibanez PN12E is a great option. It has a mahogany body which gives it a warm, full sound. The rosewood fingerboard looks great, and it's also very playable. The pickups on this guitar are good enough for a beginner, and they can be amplified if necessary. So, due to its good quality and reasonable price, we have to choose the Ibanez PN12E as the best guitar for kids.
Fender CP-60S:
Another guitar from Fender that is perfect for kids is the CP-60S. It has a smaller body size, making it more comfortable for kids to play with. It also has a shorter scale length, which makes it easier for kids to press down the strings. The CP-60S comes with a gig bag, so you can easily take it with you wherever you go.
The Fender CP-60S is a fantastic choice, demonstrating its excellent build quality and tonal depth - which we wouldn't expect any less from a Fender. The CP-60S also has an easily understandable form factor because it isn't excessively big for youngsters.
Besides, the sound quality is clear and distinct, which is perfect for kids who are just starting to learn how to play the guitar. This guitar has a vintage sunburst finish that looks great. The body is made of laminated spruce, while the neck is maple. The fingerboard is rosewood, and it has 20 frets. The scale length is 25.5 inches, and the nut width is 1.69 inches.
The CP-60S comes with a gig bag, so you can easily take it with you wherever you go. It also has a limited lifetime warranty, so you can be sure that your investment is protected. If you're looking for an affordable yet high-quality guitar for your child, the Fender CP-60S is a great option.
Martin LX1 Little Martin:
For those who are looking for a guitar with the best sound, the Martin LX1 Little Martin is a perfect choice. It has a Sitka spruce top and mahogany-grained HPL back and sides, which gives it a look that is very similar to that of a full-size Martin dreadnought guitar. The sound of this guitar is clear and bright, with plenty of volumes. The action is also very low, making it easy to play for beginners.
Although there are some differences, the Little Martin MLM 32 is based on a lot of the same technology as its larger brother, the Martin Steelbody. The neck and body are constructed using laminated maple construction with a solid cedar top (as opposed to solid spruce), which gives this dreadnought an excellent voice. The other major difference is that the Little Martin MLM 32 has a shorter 24.9" scale length, which can make it easier for smaller hands to fret the strings. If you're looking for a guitar with a big sound that's easy to play, the Little Martin MLM 32 should be at the top of your list.
Finally, the sound quality at this price range isn't going to be as good as what you would get from a more expensive guitar. However, if you're just starting out or you're on a budget, the Yamaha FG800 is a great choice. It has a solid spruce top and nato back and sides, which gives it a bright and balanced sound. The action is also very low, making it easy to play for beginners.
Squier Bullet Mustang:
This electric guitar from Squier is perfect for beginners. The simplicity of the design makes it easier for little hands to play, and in our tests, we discovered that the two humbuckers sound fantastic at this price point, and are perfect for rockier and louder genres.
The body of Squier Bullet Mustang is made of basswood, which is a softer wood, making it lighter and therefore easier to handle for kids. The guitar also has a rosewood fretboard, and we love that it comes in so many different colors - there's definitely one here to suit every child's taste.
We've also included the Squier Mini Electric Guitar in our roundup of the best guitars for kids. This 3/4-size instrument is perfect for younger beginners, or those with smaller hands. It has a basswood body and maple neck, just like the full-sized Bullet Mustang, meaning it sounds great for its size and price point.
Should kids start with acoustic or electric guitar?
This question doesn't have a definitive answer, as every child is different. Ultimately, it's up to the parents or guardians to decide which type of guitar is best for their child.
There are pros and cons to both types of guitars. Acoustic guitars are typically less expensive than electric guitars, and they're also more portable since they don't require an amplifier. On the other hand, electric guitars are often easier for kids to play, with since the strings are usually thinner and they're less likely to hurt the child's fingers.
If you're not sure which type of guitar is best for your child, it might be a good idea to start with an acoustic guitar and then move on to an electric guitar once your child has mastered the basics. Whichever type of guitar you choose, make sure it's the right size for your child – a guitar that's too big or too small can be difficult to play.
Conclusion
All in all, when looking for the best guitar for kids, it's important to consider the child's age, skill level, and what type of guitar they're interested in. Acoustic or electric? 3/4 size or full-size? There are so many options available that it can be overwhelming, but we hope this guide has given you a better idea of where to start. If you're still not sure which guitar is best for your child, feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to help you find the perfect instrument.