Best Acoustic Guitar Sizes For Beginners (Start Today!)

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When shopping for a guitar, you will see that there are way too many options for you to pick from. There are a few factors that define a guitar.

It can be anything from body shape, acoustic or electric, and even the choice of tonewood. When talking about a beginner guitar, this choice is narrowed down quite a lot.

Who can classify as a beginner in this case?

Well, beginner guitarists are anyone who is just starting to pick up the instrument. In terms of knowledge, a beginner is limited to the ins and outs of a guitar. However, a beginner can also be a child too. So a beginner guitar for an adult may not always be the same for that of a child.

So, today, we will talk about the acoustic guitar sizes. We want to outline all the types of guitar bodies available and which ones are the best sizes for beginners!

Check The Quick Size Chart For Beginners-sized Acoustic Guitars

What Makes A Guitar Suitable For Beginners?

Choosing the right guitar for beginners involves considering several key features that enhance learning and ensure comfort during practice. Here are the essential attributes that make a guitar suitable for beginners:

• Size and Shape: As a beginner adult guitarist large mody guitars may be difficult to maneuver. Smaller-bodied guitars like parlor, concert, or 3/4 size guitars are best for small to medium-sized adults. The body shape also plays a part in making a guitar comfortable to hold. ½ sized guitars are great for children as they can easily reach all frets when just starting.
• String-type: Nylon string guitars are great for beginners as they are less taxing on your fingers. They are softer and gentler on the fingers compared to steel strings. For a child, this can be a great thing as the learning process is more comfortable. Alternatively, guitars fitted with light gauge strings can also add to the comfort for young guitarists.
• Low Action: Sting action is the distance between the strings and the fretboard. It is ideal for beginners to get a guitar with low action as it will make it easy to press the strings down without causing a buzz. High action can lead to increased finger strain and discomfort, potentially discouraging beginners.
• Neck Width: Ideally, we recommend a guitar with a narrower neck for beginners with small hands. This helps in forming chords and reaching strings without stretching the fingers too much. The back of the guitar neck should also have a comfortable profile, such as the C shape, for proper grip

Best Acoustic Guitar Sizes For Beginners [Explained]

Here are the best acoustic guitar sizes that you should consider as a beginner.

Travel / Junior

Travel and junior guitars are the smallest in the acoustic guitar family. They are made for younger beginners and travelers needing a compact option. They have a short scale length with lower string tensions which makes them easier to play and handle

While their size may limit bass response, they project sound well enough for practice and casual playing.

Parlor

Parlor guitars blend great sound with portability. They also have a short scale and small body ideal for children and adults with a small build. Parlor guitars are known for their distinct sound profile, featuring reduced bass and enhanced treble.

Classical and Flamenco

Classical and flamenco guitars are available in various sizes but are typically grouped into school sizes of 1/2, 3/4, and full-size (4/4). They cater to students and performers of different ages and sizes. With a classical guitar, you can gradually increase the guitar size as you grow.

Here’s The Top 4 Guitars for Beginners – You Can Start Just Today!

Here are a few great small-body acoustic guitars you can consider as a beginner.

1. Zager Travel

The Zager Travel Size guitar is great for beginner guitarists and children because of its compact size. This acoustic-electric guitar is made from a durable solid mahogany. The Zager Travel is designed with smaller-handed players in mind. It has a custom easy-play neck great for young guitarists but may not be small enough for children between 2-8 years of age.

Its compact size does not take away its sound thanks to professional-grade hardware and genuine Fishman electronics. The slim neck design, custom string spacing, and Zager’s signature soft touch fret design make it ideal for beginner guitarists.

2. Zager Parlor

The Zager Parlor guitar is another guitar that has great quality at a competitive price. This guitar is slightly larger than other small-body guitars but is a great option for players with smaller hands.

The guitar features a 2-inch shorter scale neck for young players to easily navigate the fretboard. It is made from solid wood in its construction which adds to its sound. As a standard for all Zager guitars, this one gets a custom neck design geared towards beginner guitarists.

3. Zager ZAD20

The ZAD20 from Zager is a full-size dreadnought that is perfect for a beginner guitarist with a medium to large build. This guitar also features Zager’s custom neck design and special bracing system. As a result, it enhances the overall playing experience. For durability, the guitar has a solid wood construction coupled with a superior bracing system that produces a deeper tone.

The ZAD20 is designed for comfort with a slim neck that helps those with smaller hands. The adjustable truss rod and Zager soft touch fret design make it easier for your fingers. This guitar is geared towards beginner adults and may not be ideal for children.

4. Taylor Academy 10E

The Taylor Academy 10E is another great entry-level guitar for beginner guitarists. It is crafted with a solid Sitka spruce top and a maple neck with an ebony fingerboard.

This guitar shines in its ultra-playable setup. The action is set low for beginners to access the frets easily. This is great for beginners who are still building their finger strength. With its solid top, the Academy 10E offers a sound that is rich, clear, and surprisingly mature for a beginner’s guitar.

5 Tips To Buying The Perfect Guitar Size As a Beginner

• Pen Down Your Requirements: Start by establishing clear criteria for what you need: decide on the guitar size that best fits you and the style of music you wish to play
• Set a budget: if you are checking online you can get great discounts on guitars. Check out a few of these models online to get an understanding of how much you might have to spend.
• Do Proper Research: Take the time to explore various options online to get a sense of what’s available. Then, visit your local music stores to try out different guitars in person.
• It is okay to Spend Less at First: Remember, the guitar you buy now may not be your last. So think of this as the first level to complete before moving on to a premium guitar.
• Trust Your Instincts: Salesmen may sometimes try to lure you into buying a guitar that you do not need. So if you think a guitar is right for you, research it and then purchase it instead of letting the salesman decide for you.

How Many Guitar Sizes Are There?

An acoustic guitar can come in many sizes. Each of these caters to different musical styles, player sizes, and genres. Let’s classify these sizes into small, medium, and large body types. Here are all the common guitar sizes that you can find in the market:

Small Body Guitars

These are the smallest guitars you can find in the market. They include the following sizes

• Travel or Junior: They are designed to be portable portability and easy for younger players or travelers. These can be ½ to ¾ size guitars.
• Parlor: Parlor guitars are slightly larger than travel guitars. They are also built to be travel-friendly but have a more pronounced midrange tone.
• Classical/Flamenco: Classical guitars come with nylon strings and can come in different sizes. These can be 1/2, 3/4, and even full-size (4/4).

Medium Body Guitars

These guitars are the standard guitar size that a majority of first-time guitarists end up buying. They are the perfect middle ground in the guitar market.

• Concert: Also known as “0” size, concert guitars are popular for their balanced tone and comfortable size.
• Grand Auditorium: Known as “000” or “OM” size, these guitars can come in ¾ or full-sized variants. They have a well-rounded sound with good volume.

Large Body Guitars

• Dreadnought: the Dreadnought is perhaps the most popular acoustic guitar shape. Dreadnoughts have a powerful sound and great volume. Many manufacturers can also have ¾ sized versions of this iconic shape.
• Jumbo: The largest of the common acoustic guitar sizes available to buy. You will mostly find jumbo guitars in full-sized variants. They have deep bass with great volume.

Special Mentions

• Grand Concert: Slightly smaller than a dreadnought guitar and focuses more on the midrange.
• Grand Orchestra: Larger than a grand auditorium, these guitars have great low-end response, ideal for strumming.

Frequently Asked Question

Are Acoustic-electric Guitars Good For Beginners?

Acoustic-electric guitars are great for beginners. They cost $100 or so more than their acoustic variants. So dishing out the extra can always go a long way as you get a tuner with it. However, if you are buying a super-budget guitar, we recommend going for a fully acoustic version. This is because the electronics included may not be long-lasting.

How Much Does A Decent Beginner Acoustic Guitar Cost?

For children, spending anywhere from $200 to $500 should get you a decent entry-level guitar. However, if you are an adult you can find great deals on full-size electric guitars under $1000.

What Are The Best Acoustic Guitar Strings For Beginners?

The standard acoustic guitar strings are .012-.053”. However, beginners find this gauge a bit hard on the fingers, in which case a .011-.052” string will be a much better fit.

Which Guitar Size Are You Planning To Get?

This concludes the guide on the best acoustic guitar sizes for beginners. If you are buying for yourself, assess what size is best for you after testing it out. If you are buying for your child, remember the size chart we provided to make that decision. A great guitar does not always have to be expensive. At the end of the day, everything boils down to what feels good in your hand.

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This content is brought to you by Arnold Bloom

Photos provided by the author.