Best 1/2 Size Guitars

For younger students and those new to the guitar, it's often difficult to play a full-size guitar. Younger children will struggle with a regular guitar and may end up quitting as a result.

Thankfully, you can buy what are called ½ sized guitars which are ideal for younger students that are first starting out on the instrument. This guide will help you find a great smaller-scale guitar that plays great and has a wonderful tone.

Most of these instruments are acoustic, and you can get both nylon as well as a steel-string guitar. I recommend that new players get a guitar with nylon strings as these are easier to press down and produce less wear on the fingers. Younge players don't have the finger strength for steel strings.

Keep in mind that ½ sided guitars are designed for new players, so you won't get the tone that comes with a full-sized guitar. You will get a guitar that sounds good and is easy to play, which makes learning the instrument a lot of fun. Let's have a look at our 1/2sided guide.

1/2 Size Guitar Buying Guide

Should I Buy a Low-Cost ½ Sized Guitar?

A ½ sized guitar is ideal for beginners or younger players. These guitars lack the full tone of full-sized guitars but are easy to play and better for young kids as the guitars are easier to hold.

The guitars are below cost, and for parents, this provides a lot of value. Many of them come in kits with all the basic accessories that you need to get started playing guitar. It's an ideal guitar to begin on. As the child gets older, transition to a larger guitar.

Acoustic or Electric Guitar?

Most ½ sized guitars tend to be nylon-string acoustic guitars. These are ideal for beginners since nylon strings are easy to press down, which won't hurt the fingers of the new player. I recommend the nylon string as a first guitar due to the ease of play. You will also find some electric guitar options which are suited for the older child. They tend to come in kits with plenty of accessories.

Do I need an Amp?

Many guitar kits come with an included amp, and the nylon string ½ sized guitars don't require an amp. It can be better to upgrade the amp if you get a kit, as some of them can be quite poor, and the tone isn't all that good. Make sure you have a good guitar cable, as this will enhance the tone of the electric guitar and amplifier.

Are There Any Advantages to a ½ Sized Guitar?

There are a few advantages to playing a ½ sized guitar. The first advantage is that the guitar is smaller and easier to play. This makes it ideal for younger students who probably can't hold a full-size acoustic or electric guitar.

Many of the guitars are also nylon string classical-style guitars, and these types of strings are easier to press down, which is perfect for younger children as regular acoustic or electric guitar strings may be too difficult for them to press properly for an even and full tone. The nylon strings make ideal starter guitars for first-time younger students.

Another advantage is that the guitars are low-cost. Parents won't have to worry about spending a lot of money. If the student gives up playing later, then the initial guitar purchase isn't going to break the bank. A lot of these guitars also come with the basic accessories that students need to begin to play, so this can be another cost savings.

Older students can take this type of guitar on vacation as the small size makes it ideal when you're limited for storage. They are also small enough to fit in cramped apartments or dorm rooms where there may not be enough room for a full-sized guitar.

Are There Any Disadvantages to a ½ Sized Guitar?

One of the main disadvantages to a ½ sized guitar is that they lack the tine of a full-sized guitar. The tine is nice, but it's not full and rich, so they aren't the best option if you want a good tone. For beginners, the tone is fine, but this type of guitar is not suited for recording where you want a richer sound.

Another disadvantage is that the guitars may need some sort of initial setup by a guitar technician. The strings tend to be too far off the fretboard, and this can present problems when trying to fret the guitar properly. Not all models will require this, but some may need some set up at a music store to get them into better playing condition.

This type of guitar may also lack the full features of a regular guitar. For example, ½ sized electric guitar may only have one pickup and volume knob while lacking the additional controls that full feature guitars may have. This isn't a problem for beginners but may present a problem for more experienced players.

Some of the accessories included with kits may not be all the best, and you may want to replace these accessories with something a bit better. These accessories may be fine for first-time players, but there are better options out there that can improve the sound and tone of a new ½ sized guitar.

Should I Buy A Case?

Many ½ sized guitars come with a simple gig bag, and these cn abe fine but tend to be poorly designed. To protect the guitar, a hardshell case is recommended or at least a better gig bag. Better gib bags have mire robust storage compartments and better protection for your new ½ sized guitar.

A Note on Cost and Quality

You may want to spend a little bit more on your ½ sized guitar if you can afford it. The reason for this is that guitars which are very low cost may not offer you all that much. Plan to spend at least $75-$150 if you can. Higher-cost guitars won't have as many problems, and the new player will find them easier to play. These guitars are made with better quality materials and are generally better options than extremely low-cost products.

Nice, these guitars are made for complete beginners. You can expect a tone that is decent but not outstanding. Instruments may be a bit harder to tune than other guitars but shouldn't present that much of an issue for you. Most of these lower-cost guitars are quite playable and will give the new guitar player a lot of joy.

FAQs

My Guitar Doesn't Sound Right, What is Wrong?

Your new guitar may not sound right as it needs to have a setup done at a guitar shop. This can improve the action of the guitar, which makes sit easier to play. Another thing to do is change the strings, as the ones on the guitar may have been sitting there for a long time. New fresh strings will make the guitar sound and play a lot better than it does out of the box.

Make sure you use good quality accessories like guitar cables and picks, as this will also give you a better tone. If the strings are buzzing a lot, this is usually due to the fact that you are new to the guitar, and it takes time to be able to fret the guitar in the correct way. A guitar tech can address any other problems you may be having with your new guitar.

How Do I Clean My Guitar?

Your new guitar will require periodic cleaning. Make sure you wipe down the surface of your guitar with guitar polish and a guitar polishing cloth each time you change the strings. This will keep your guitar in good condition. You want to make sure that you use regular guitar polish and not household cleaners, as this can damage the surface of the instrument. A good clean cotton cloth or a guitar polishing cloth is your best option. It's advised that you change your strings at least once a month. This will ensure that you get the best tone out of your instrument.

What Else Should I Buy for my Guitar?

Here are a few extras that you might want to pick up for your new 1/2 sized guitar.

Strap

Many guitar kits will come with a strap, but this strap usually isn't all that great. You should plan on getting a heavy-duty nylon strap or a leather strap as this will last a long time and give you the most comfort. If you plan to stand up to play all the time, then you're going to need a good strap.

Strings

Make sure you have several sets of replacement strings on hand. As a new player, you may end up breaking more strings than normal, so you went to replace strings on a periodic basis. It's a good idea to change the entire set at least once a month for the best results.

Picks

Try to have several picks. They come in different thicknesses such as light, medium, and heavy. A good rule to follow is to use a medium pick for most playing circumstances. As you get better on guitar, you can vary the different pick thicknesses that you use.

Gig Bag or Case

It's a good idea to have a gig bag or a hardshell case for your guitar. You want to protect your guitar from damage. A lot of the cases that come with kids may not be the best. It can be beneficial to upgrade your case as this will provide more protection.

Instructional Materials

You may want to pick up some lesson books or DVDs to help you learn how to play. You can also use the internet and sites such as YouTube to help you learn the basics of playing the guitar. It can also be a good idea to get yourself a regular guitar teacher as you can learn the basics from a good teacher.

Conclusion

This concludes our guide to the best 1/2 sized guitar. These instruments are designed for beginners, but other players can use them as well. They are perfect for students as well as people that are traveling because they are so small.

You can get both acoustic as well as electric versions. The acoustic versions tend to be nylon string which are easier to play when compared to steel-string acoustic or regular electric guitars. The electric versions are also a good option if you want to play electric guitar.

These guitars are low-cost, so you're going to save a lot of money. You will have a basic guitar to learn on, and you can always upgrade at a later time to something a little bit better. Have fun with your new 1/2 sized guitar.