The 7 Best Guitars for Kids of All Ages (2024)
An electric/acoustic guitar is a fantastic gift for any kid and it can be an experience that they’ll remember for life. Whether you’re looking for a kid’s electric guitar, a 1/2 size acoustic guitar, or a 3/4 size guitar for young kids, we’ve got you covered!
My top recommended guitar is the Squier Bullet Mustang HH. This is a very popular electric guitar option with dual humbuckers and a thin, lightweight body design.
My second recommended guitar is the Hohner HAG250P. This is an affordable acoustic guitar with solid build quality that will not break the bank.
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The 7 Best Guitars for Kids of All Ages (2024)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. Squier Bullet Mustang HH
The Squier Bullet Mustang HH is a very popular option for kids. With a thin and lightweight body design, handling it is very easy for smaller kids and young adults. Of course, the price is also very modest for a quality-made, kid-friendly guitar.
This solid body, double cutaway guitar features a poplar body, an Indian Laurel fingerboard, and a maple neck. With 22 medium jumbo frets and 24-inch scale length, you’d think that it might be too large, however, due to the design and C-shaped neck, it’s quite easy to handle.
With dual humbuckers, a 3-way pickup switch, and master volume & tone, this guitar delivers on the sound front. It’s a great choice if you want to jump-start your kids’ musical journey at a price that is considered modest and affordable.
2. Hohner HAG250P
If budget is the main concern when choosing a guitar for your kid, the Hohner HAG250P is the obvious choice. Not only is this an acoustic guitar which is excellent for beginners, but it’s a 1/2-sized guitar, making it even more suitable for smaller hands and kids, in general.
Surprisingly enough, the HAG250P has a solid construction, despite its low price tag. It features an Agathis body & back, a mahogany neck, and hardwood fretboard material. With 30” in length overall, it’s a great option for really small children and even comes with a songbook upon purchase.
The low-action design and nylon strings are also a big plus for kids, making it a safe and easy-to-play option. For the given price, it’s hard to find a better alternative out there.
3. Martin LX1 Little Martin
The Martin LX1 Little Martin is the ideal guitar for smaller hands and kids. It’s a professional-grade acoustic guitar with a modified O-style body and 23-inch scale length, making it a great option for traveling, coaching musicians, and kids/young adults/people of smaller stature.
While the price is considered a bit steep, especially compared to other options on this list, the LX1 Little Martin brings value with quality craftsmanship. It features a mahogany back & sides, a spruce top, a Richlite fingerboard & bridge, and a Rust Stratabond neck.
Tone-wise, it delivers a lively and resonant sound, thanks to the solid spruce top. The durability is high so longevity is not an issue, and the low-maintenance finish and design make this a top-notch choice.
4. Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC012
The Yamaha PAC012 Pacifica is an affordable, good-quality electric guitar that is favored by many musicians. The C-shaped neck and design make it suitable for smaller hands and kids, even though it has a 25.5-inch scale length.
Featuring quality tonewoods and top-notch craftsmanship, the PAC012 has a mahogany body, a maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and Yamaha-sealed tuners. The configuration is equally impressive, sporting an HSS pickup system (single-coil, single-coil, humbucker).
The black color, Gloss Polyurethane finish, and lightweight design are what make this electric guitar stand out. Considering the price, the value is still up to par and makes this choice one to consider.
5. Fender CC-60S Concert
The Fender CC-60S is a modestly-priced, quality-made acoustic guitar from a renowned manufacturer. Met with positive reviews worldwide, it has become a fan-favorite for many. And best of all, it’s incredibly good for kids, small hands, and people of smaller stature.
For young guitarists looking for a suitable match, the CC-60S is the perfect first guitar. It features mahogany back & sides, a solid spruce top, a mahogany neck, and a rosewood fretboard with 20 frets. The natural, gloss finish makes it aesthetically pleasing and easy to maintain.
The plastic nut/saddle material is a bit of a letdown but it does have a 25.3-inch scale length which is the optimal length of a real guitar so upgrades along the line won’t be necessary (at least for a while). The easy-to-place shape and profile make this a choice for the ages.
6. Squier Mini Stratocaster
The Squier Mini Strat is another electric guitar option with an affordable price tag. This short-scale guitar is not only great for kids but it also comes in three different color options which are Black, Dakota Red, and Shell Pink. Also, it even comes as a left-handed option for all those lefties out there.
If you’re looking for affordability and compactness, the Squier Mini Strat is a standout among kids’ guitars. This 3/4-size Stratocaster is ideal for beginners. It features 3 single coils, a poplar body, a maple neck, and an Indian Laurel fingerboard. The C-shaped neck and 22.75″ scale length make it a worthy choice.
All in all, when it comes to electric guitars, the Mini Strat should be among the top considerations that bring an amazing value-for-price ratio!
7. Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4
The Yamaha JR1 is a 3/4-size Dreadnought acoustic guitar at a very affordable price that is great for beginners, kids, and young adults. If you want affordability yet still get a quality guitar, this one will not disappoint.
Featuring Meranti back & sides, a spruce top for warm sounds, a Nato neck, and a rosewood fingerboard, you’ll unlikely find a better option on the market that combines value and playability. With a 21.25″ scale length and 20 frets, it’s extremely player-friendly, especially for beginners who just started taking guitar lessons.
It comes with a gig bag upon purchase and nylon strings so it’s very safe for kids. Naturally, you’ll need accessories like a guitar strap, picks, and a tuner, but that won’t set you back a lot, and considering the price of the guitar, it’ll round up to a very good price either way.
Which guitar type is best for kids/beginners?
For kids and beginners, acoustic guitars are the way to go. They are much more simple to comprehend and learn with than electric guitars. Plus, you can go with nylon strings so that the fingers won’t suffer from the first few sessions. Additionally, with electric guitars, there are a lot of accessories that are needed like an amp, cable, etc. With acoustic guitars, all you need is a pick and you’re good to go.
Summary
I hope that this article has helped you learn a thing or two about children’s guitar instruments. No matter if you opt out for the more high-end options or for the budget ones, you are sure to get a good quality guitar for kids with any of these options.
My top pick is the Squier Bullet Mustang HH, a very popular electric guitar option with dual humbuckers and a thin, lightweight body design.
My budget pick is the Hohner HAG250P, an affordable acoustic guitar with solid build quality that will not break the bank.
