Guitar neck radius for small hands This is the reason why the John Petrucci Signature series of guitars Go look on YouTube and you will find a bunch of videos of young kids and women with small hands shredding on guitar. Certain guitar neck shapes better accommodate small hands. It’s not the most important factor, but I want to mention a couple of things you can keep in your mind when choosing a guitar To me, fretboard radius is a bit different than the other aspects of the guitar’s neckbecause it’s not like small-handed players should choose a 15 Here you'll find the best guitars you can buy if you got small hands. I think it’s their best neck. Imagine having a guitar that you have played every day / toured with for 20 years. The bottom line is that neck width plays a big role in an overall playability of a guitar. The fretboard radius refers to the As mentioned earlier when talking about the types of guitar that suit small hands the neck radius and shape can have a big impact on how easy it is to play. Nevertheless, this comes down in the end to personal preference. However, it just doesn't work like that in the real world. A narrow or slimmer neck will make it easier for you to grip the strings and press them down. The slim neck design and custom string spacing make playing chords and navigating the fretboard To make the shoulders more robust, the U-shape guitars need to have a thicker neck and a broader radius. This is why I have quite small hands , which neck do you think would be better suited to me : The new 1 3/4 performance taper? Or the older 1 11/16 neck ? That turned out so well that I've commissioned a new neck for a guitar I already with the goal being to match that '48 neck. 5 gibson 10 or 12, some guitars are 16" which is basically flat over the small size of a fingerboardIf you measure a circle the tighter the circle the more radical the curve. Understanding this aspect can help tailor your instrument choice to better match your playing style Related: Guitar Sizes Explained. Value For Money. 5" neck. Blues (9) Country (49) Funk (53) Hard Rock (48) Slim taper is also the thin neck profile, and many guitar models have both 60s and slim taper neck profiles. The Silver Sky SE neck is slightly smaller but with the same profile. Good luck, o' fellow small handed one! Go forth and PLAY! Here are 10 of the best guitars for anyone with small hands — tried and tested for ease of playability and compact neck thickness to ensure they will work just for you. Compare and search more guitars to find the best one for your needs. Look At The Best Guitars For Small Hands In 45 Seconds! Zager Travel Acoustic-Electric: especially for players with smaller hands. The electric guitar is really the only stringed instrument that offers multiple fretboard radius options. What would be the ideal guitar neck shape and fretboard radius for a player with small hands and short fat fingers? Unlike Dave Mustaine or Marty Friedman, I don't have 12 inch thin spider fingers and massive hands. 5" radius neck can be a little cumbersome and tiring to play. And to give you an answer, I would recommend a D shape neck which usually has a slimmer profile than the other neck types. A flatter neck radius will have lower string action, which makes it easier to play faster licks. 10" radius, 1 5/8" nut, asymetrical/broken-in back profile. I also like the neck on my Hamer Eclipse - 12" radius, nice medium C profile, 24. Definition and Types of Guitar Neck Radius . FRETBOARD RADIUS. After taking into account the neck profile, scale size, fretboard radius, and nut width, we can conclude that the Taylor GS Mini Rosewood's construction favors people with relatively small If you got really small hands, you probably will feel more comfortable playing this guitar than a Fender Stratocaster. Different guitar model designs, along with so many other variables, such as neck carve profile, fretboard radius, string gauge, hand flexibility and dexterity, etc, etc So this guitar is practically classical with a steel-string acoustics neck (Crossover C Shape helps with this). Players with small hands The most important point when you have small hands is the width and radius of the neck. Even though the scale length is 25. 25" neck radius and the Affinitys and strats of today are typically a 9 inch radius. The 21 fret set up as well as the 9. I have small hands. A thinner neck makes reaching around and holding the guitar easier, which is good for people with small hands. Electric Guitars Best in 2025. 5-inch radius neck essentially makes it ideal for players Thus, it’s crucial to make sure the guitar’s neck radius matches your individual playing style as it may interfere with your progress if it does not. They typically feature a smaller fretboard radius and thinner profile than standard shapes. Ideally, a somewhat flatter fingerboard radius and thin neck guitar makes for easier playing for those with smaller hands. Summary. 75" scale, 1 11/16" nut. Certainly in my case. You might want to look for a radius of 9,5 inches or more, because when the radius is small and the fretboard has a big curve, doing bends and hitting the right strings can be a little bit harder. 5 radius and it is a much easier neck to play as well because of the neck being upside down it allows easier bends, faster playing up and down the neck and helps with arthritis & small hands. Thin Guitar Neck Dimensions. That said, as the owner of a Fender Japan Mustang and having owned a Jag-Stang once upon a time, and as someone with tiny, childlike hands, I can attest that the necks on both guitars are amazing. What is the best guitar neck radius for small hands? People with small hands tend to have an easier time playing on flatter, thinner necks, which means that they will often benefit from a fretboard radius that is 12“ or above. 7 Related Question Answers Found. You can likely tell from Still, the necks of the early ’70s were cumbersome for a lot of playing styles, for people with small hands or short fingers, and for electric players, who turned out to be some of Taylor’s early customers. 25 some go up to a 16" radius which is flatter. The thin neck makes it easier for a small-handed player for grab onto the neck, The LXK2 Best Electric Guitars for Small Hands; Loog Guitars; Best Acoustic Guitars for Small Hands. I have my own opinions about how these two fretboards stack up against each other, but what is the conventional wisdom 12″-16″ compound fretboard radius; Mean & hot metal tones; Not just a metal guitar; High-quality Gotoh locking tremolo; Really fast & easy to play; What I don’t like. Guitar neck radius is one of the most important things that you need to check while betting on a guitar for shorthand. Find the perfect fit with the 10 best electric guitars for small hands in 2025. back then Factors like hand size, music style, string action, neck profile, and personal preference play crucial roles in selecting the ideal fretboard radius. Scale length is the distance between the nut of the guitar and the I’m thinking of ordering a Private Stock. The Silver Sky neck is pretty damn fat and I could see a person with large hands enjoying it, it's taken me some time to adjust to it with my small hands. I’m 5ft tall, I don’t think I was meant to have big hands. Any guitarist i hand that guitar to immediatly comments on the great neck. You can more easily measure a wheelchair users hand than overall height. Necks with a larger fingerboard radius have a flatter fretboard and are Players with small hands and/or a small stature often find the neck on 5-string bass guitars too thick for comfortable playing, particularly for low notes close to the nut. The most common types of guitar neck radius are 7. A handsome guitar with a cutaway, auditorium-style body, Martin’s OOOCJR-10E is a great choice for aspiring or practicing guitarists with smaller When your hand is around the neck it seems that a curved fretboard would be a little more accessible to the hands. ) shorter Its all in the hands, go for what feels good in your hands. 5″ fretboard radius which was introduced in the ’80s. For example, on my 12” radius Les Paul, it’s a bit harder to get purchase on strings w/fingertip during bends (since action is lower & fixed by bridge saddles being adjustable only up down and not individually). My newest guitar has a mighty mite neck with a 42mm nut, 9. The standard neck width on Fender Mustang P90 – My Favorite Guitar for Small Hands. Knowing which one fits you best is important! And other factors can come into play when selecting the right neck radius. 5” radius and thicker C shape neck than my Epiphone. Forum. The neck has a small nut width / fretboard kind of like a strat. Find the guitar radius gauge that matches the arc (or radius) of your neck. You can still play a 5 or 6-string bass with small hands. Reviewer: Teemu Suomala. The scale length of a guitar refers If you like the song I’m singing so far, let’s look deeper at what makes a guitar better for small hands. Here are the top electric guitars with 9. On the flip side, a larger fretboard radius implies a When it comes to playing guitar with small hands, there’s one key factor that largely influences comfort and playability: the neck. Both have a 12" radius and the neck on the Mikro 5 string Around 2/3 of Fender electric guitars have a 9. I have a heavily modified GAX30 for playing in drop B (mostly just Slipknot and Devildriver) and think the neck is great, the body is light without feeling cheap, the fretboard radius is 12" and fast, the string spacing isn't too far apart if you have small hands flat/thinner profile neck (larger radius) wider than average nut width shorter scale length maximum number of frets As a short person with small hands, I went into a few guitar stores with a certain guitar in mind, but bought something completely out of left field. 25" radius and was 1. This makes some guitars harder to play, for example Gibson 335 (or deeper bodied jazz guitars) while sitting down. To summarize, here’s the Here are a few factors to keep in mind while choosing a guitar for people with small hands, 1. Fretboard Radius. The best guitar neck shape for small The Dinky JS22 has a compound-radius fretboard. I have very small hands and the Slim Taper is Choosing the Right Guitar Neck Profile: A Guide for Guitarists and Bassists Choosing the Right Guitar Neck Profile: A Another type of neck profile is the compound radius neck profile, which is a combination of different radii Yeah, I don't think having small hands prevents you from playing any guitar well enough. Do not let a guitar neck or guitar strings limit your skills and ability to While playing a full-size clunky neck guitar is seemingly impossible for small hand players, a thin neck would make it easier and entirely possible. For people with small hands, finding the right bass guitar can be quite a challenge. Along with small hands comes a small body sometimes. The shortcut to classical guitar mastery with small hands. 78" Nut: Black Tusq XL: Nut Width: 42mm (1. Bottom Line Up Front. . All of them offer superb quality for their respective price segments. 75". While it's true Its narrow C shaped neck and 9. Finally, another thing affected by scale length is tone. After taking into account the neck profile, scale size, fretboard radius, and nut width, we can conclude that the Ibanez TOD70's construction favors people with relatively small hands. Expensive; Some prefer hardtail or TOM-bridge over floating tremolo bridge; Best Guitar Neck Shapes for Small Hands – Full Guide; Conclusion. SG Style Guitars; Hollowbody Electric Guitars; BASS GUITARS. Most modern guitars come with some variation of a C If you're looking for the best guitars for small hands, look no further. This scale length also allows for easier bends and vibratos because the strings will have lower tension due to the shorter For a small radius, the smaller number radius, the more round, higher number more flat. There is no definitive answer when it comes to guitar neck radius for small hands, as each person is different and will have their own preference. 5" radius and thinner 1. I personally prefer slim and thin necks because of my The depth or thickness of a guitar neck greatly affects how it feels and who will find it the most comfortable. My question is: scale length AND frets My idea is: the Santana Singlecut SE as a starting point. 25″ radius was used on most Welcome to r/guitar, a community devoted to the exchange of guitar related information. The neck is called a “speed” neck, The neck on their Axis guitar is sublime. And one guitar I've played that hand a really small neck, but I loved, is a vintage Hagstrom Viking semi-hollow. It is totally normal to struggle with chords changes after a month. ) This Explore All From Kramer > Hand Size Comfortability. Find out which guitar neck size is best suited for you, and learn how the radius, fret size and the type of finish affect a neck's playablity. People with small hands tend to have an easier time playing on flatter, thinner necks, Pau Ferro is used for the Vintera ‘60s Mustang’s fretboard, featuring a 7. Make sure you choose a guitar with a flat fretboard having a fretboard radius of 12 inches or above. 25" fretboard radius. However, there are some special guitars with higher and lower guitar radii. 5 on different makes and models. Look here for an in-depth look at this model’s cousin, the Little Martin LX1. Designed for right-handed players, this 6-string electric guitar offers an amazing playing experience. I have smaller hands. As you move up to solo on higher frets, the radius flattens to allow for more significant bends and faster runs. The thinner the neck is, the The radius on a bass guitar neck refers to the curvature of the fretboard. I definitely felt like Goldilocks. Top Lists. 5 cm). In classical guitars, there is usually no curve on the fretboard at all. It has a short scale, which gives it a tight, compact feel, while making it easy to bend notes and pull off complex barre chords. On the other hand, a flatter radius gives a more even playing surface, which is great for string bending and shifting vertically across the fingerboard with as much ease as possible, especially in higher positions on Imagine playing a barre chord on a guitar with a small radius (curved fretboard). Some guitars have a thick and chunky neck, which makes it hard for small hands to wrap around. 5 Best Choices for Electric Guitars for Small Hands. Nut width: This means the width of the guitar’s neck when measured from the nut Fender has teamed up with children’s guitar experts Loog to create a 3-string Telecaster with a super thin neck that is ideal for the smallest of small hands. Discover a curated selection of top-rated guitars designed for comfort and playability, complete Having a slim neck on an acoustic guitar for small hands is also essential, for the same reason that having a shorter fingerboard is. There are two main types of fingerboard or fretboard: Guitars with a short radius (in other If you have large hands, yes, wide neck guitars are much easier to play. Lighter string gauge 2. A guitar neck radius usually starts from 7. Its open-coil humbucker pickups sound great when driven or distorted through When picking the right guitar for your small hands, keep these things in mind: Fretboard radius. Lists. Guitar players with small hands who want a standard scale but can handle strings that are closer together than standard spacing have another option. It's more about finding a guitar where the neck isn't as fat, not the scale length (24 or 25 or whatever) or the body size (3/4 as opposed to full) you want to look at the neck of the guitar and find one that fits your hands better. Check Price . The smaller the #, the more of a curve that you feel. So these were my recommendations for the best bass guitars for small hands. I have small hands and I love the feel, while chording at least, of a small radius neck. string spacing at the bridge is usually 2" -2 3/16" until you get into classical acoustic which have a much wider fret board and its flat. Key point: don’t just look at the length of a guitar, take a closer look at the However, all things being equal, there are some basic guidelines you can follow if new to the guitar, or you have limited experience in playing guitars with different neck profiles and are interested in finding the best fitting Full-size guitars with shorter scale lengths and smaller bodies include the Fender Duo-Sonic, Fender Mustang, Fender Jaguar, and Rickenbacker 325C64. A Explore All From Taylor > Hand Size Comfortability. It has an asymmetrical neck carve, which makes it chunky on the bass side of the neck like a les paul, and thinner on the treble side, like a strat. Based on the company’s ever-popular APX500 model, Its Pattern Regular–shaped The missing solid top and slightly boxed tone are cons for sure, but the comfortable body and spot-on neck for small hands secure place for APX-600 from my top acoustic guitars for small hands list. This shape impacts how your hand wraps around the neck and how easily you can reach different notes. Great guitar for chording, but Cobain could rip up grunge-ified solos, too. I’d say the ultra-thin U profile is the best neck profile for small hands and short The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > General Acoustic Guitar Discussion: Fretboard radius and hand comfort User Name: Remember Me? Password: Register: FAQ: Calendar: Page 1 of 2: 1: 2 > Thread Tools #1 09-02-2022, 06:30 PM Deliberate1. 5-12 inches in thickness. Taking the tried and tested Tele design and shrinking it down, the Hello everyone! A few weeks ago I traded a Squier Deluxe Vintage Modified Custom 2 Telecaster ( or something like that, they really need to shorten the names they give a guitar ) for a 2012 MIM Strat. It affects playing comfort and technique adaptability. Standing is fine. When musicians discuss the playability of a bass guitar, the neck’s radius often takes center A larger fretboard radius makes string bending and fast playing easier. Menu. There are 22 frets here, outlined by white dot inlays. But if you’re into fast solos, you might prefer a neck with a flatter surface. Also Gibson Melody Makers will be good for smaller hands because of the thinner neck and slightly shorter scale. Play comfortably and Ibanez!! They have thin necks I’ve played them for a long time I have smaller hands as well imo I like them try some out. 65" at the nut Then I got a slim neck Epiphone with a 43mm nut width and 12” radius. 5 fingerboards have been deemed the most suitable radius for both small and big hands. Tools. You can put a known Biggest difference is that the strats of the Hendrix era had a 7. It’s a great option for those looking for traditional Taylor tone and quality without the overly hefty price tag. Your problem isn’t your hand size, it’s your lack of experience and practice. The fretboard radius will better match the natural curve in your finger compared to a flat fretboard. Neck pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound Fat ’64 Single Coil Strat (Single Coil/Passive) 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs; Big Hands; Small Hands; Average Size; Genre . From head to tail, the length of your guitar’s neck is its depth, also called its thickness. As the neck gets wider, the fretboard gets flatter, which is said to be an aid when soloing. What is the best guitar neck radius for small hands? People with small hands tend to have an easier time playing on flatter, thinner necks, which means As you can see, the higher the radius value, the flatter the fingerboard. _____ Kragenbrink OM Fingerstyle Boucher GR-SG 61 T-M Martin 0000-18 12-Fret Bedell 64 Special OM The larger the #, the flatter the feel to your hand. As for 4-string Whilst on the larger side of small, the LP Special is a great electric guitar for small hands thanks to its 1960’s SlimTaper neck and compact fretboard. The body on the 114ce features a solid Sitka Fender Telecasters often had fat necks but increased fingerboard curve. 1 cm), and 12 inches (30. The jumbo frets also make it possible to play harder. 5’’, the super thin neck allows you to grip the neck easily even with small hands. 5-inch radius; Gibson guitars have almost always 59 votes, 223 comments. 5″) suit rhythm playing and barre All dimensions vary radius on old tele is 7. I have smallish hands and always thought I preferred the Fender 9. Learning guitar (or any instrument) takes a long time and a lot of practice. If you have How do you pick an electric guitar for someone with smaller hands? What are the key factors? In this video I explain my technical methods for this and revi The radius is just the curve of the fingerboard. Dare I say, more comfy than the "modern C" neck I'm used to on my KC Jaguar. If you have guitar related questions, use the "Search" field FIRST, Then ask the community. Set the gauge on top of the strings next to the bridge. In this post, we'll review the top 10 best guitars for small hands. About the only thing you can't do real well with this is slide (because the radius is too round). 5 over 12" and beyond. You can photograph a hand with a reference object if necessary. of a small radius neck. 5 scale length BUT changing the profile from WF to One exception I found was that I do have a Hendrix Signature Strat and it's a 9. This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. Fretboard radius is as irrelevant as the nut width. Playability. This is why “shredding” guitars have very large fingerboard radiuses. Radius in Guitar Neck Design Defining Fretboard Radius. Charter Member : Join Date: Feb 2019. Width and Radius The width and radius of the guitar neck can The neck shape is crucial for your comfort when looking for the perfect short-scale guitars for your needs, especially for the small hands of women and children. The way you can’t fit a football into a golf hole, you can’t fit large fingers into small frets or string spacings. guitars become easier to use for people with small hands. 25″ which is used on vintage inspired guitars. The Jagmaster has a fretboard radius of 9. 65". I have been trying to decided between a vintage 7. A Great Example. A guitar’s fretboard’s radius is calculated using the A typical fretboard radius for electric guitar is around 12 inches. Small Versus Large Radii. A higher radius and thinner guitar neck will allow you to reach Guitar Neck Radius For Small Hands. This is why shred guitars like the John Petrucci Signature series for example, have a fretboard radius of 16″. 2 – Classic Vibe ‘50s Stratocaster. I think the neck thickness and radius How to measure the fretboard radius. The neck of a guitar will be flatter with a higher radius. Most thin necks are around 9. You will be surprised just how small a difference 3-5mm your hands can feel. I discovered radius doesn’t matter much to me if the Common Myths and Misconceptions About Fretboard Radius. I own the slightly narrower “Pattern Regular” neck. Consequently, how do you measure a fretboard radius? How to measure the fretboard radius. 5” fretboard radius make it easily playable for those with small hands. 5" nut width until I got my Ibanez Mikro and Mikro 5. Tuner; Metronome; Chord Generator; Capo Chord Converter; Keys to Chord If you got really small hands, you probably will feel more comfortable playing this guitar than a Fender Stratocaster. In this section, we will explore three key aspects to consider when choosing a guitar for small hands: scale length, neck width and thickness, and fretboard radius. Versatility. Yeah, if you have smaller hands you want to look at the neck radius. Play comfortably and unleash your musical potential. Which one you like best depends on you and what you want to do with your guitar. 67mm) with acoustic guitars. That's why I came to prefer 9. After taking into account the neck profile, scale size, fretboard radius, and nut width, we can conclude that the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer's construction favors Im just the opposite. 68″ (42. The C-shaped slim or extra-slim necks are commonly You really need to concentrate on holding your guitar neck at an angle that gives you the best reach. The best neck ever on a production guitar IMHO. 65” (42mm) nut width with electrics and to 1. 25″-9. Overall Quality. ) Lower action 3. I see a lot of love for Warmoth Boatneck and 59 Roundback necks on various guitar forums, they are both pretty fat. Some players prefer a rounder feel for chords. Baritone Guitars; Resophonic Guitars This design distributes mass evenly across the neck’s radius, creating a balanced feel in the fretting hand. A For individuals with small hands, it is crucial to consider certain factors that can make playing more comfortable and enjoyable. If you’re going to make a decent investment in an instrument, it should be something you’re If you have small hands, the width of the guitar neck is important for playing comfortably. The neck shapes we will go over in this Guitar Neck Shapes Explained guide, are classified into two main groups: Symmetrical profiles: C, U, D, and V-shaped (also soft V Additionally, a rounder neck radius allows for easier fretting with the left hand. A shallower profile provides One of the best acoustic guitars with a slim neck is the Taylor 114ce. 24" short-scale neck, 41mm width at the nut, 7. 24 frets, 24. (happening tomorrow!) Still, with perseverance small hands can still play a big guitar. Skip to The Ibanez RG550 from the RG Genesis Collection stands out for its striking Road Flare Red color. This tells you how curved the fretboard is. I’ve also played full size, full scale guitars for four decades (since I was seven) and in that time I’ve rarely come across But there is more at work than just the profile—factors like fretboard radius, nut width, fingerboard wood, fret size, and the presence or absence of binding combine to create the experience of how the neck feels in A compound radius neck has a smaller radius at the nut, and a larger radius at the neck and body joint. Find more acoustic guitars What is the best neck shape for small hands? Most guitar players with smaller hands will prefer C and D shape necks with narrower fretboards and a shallow width. Location: Maine had/has more to The ideal fretboard radius for smaller hands is 12″ or above, since people with small hands generally tend to find flatter, thinner necks easier to play. This, and great tones and quality are why Cordoba C9 Crossover is the top classical guitar for small hands in my opinion. If you're someone who has small hands and short fingers, learning guitar can be rough. Also you should work on technique whether you have small hands or not you should be able to play the same song on any guitar on any gauge strings. Imagine trying to wrap your hand One of the challenges of playing guitar with small hands is the ability to span frets. My hands are small but the longer you play the more youre able to stretch them (when i was starting 3rd fret to 7th was the biggest stretch i could physically do, now its 3rd to 10th), i also find having small hands to be advantageous for lead playing on the higher frets, i couldnt imagine a chromatic run from 15th fret or higher with bigger hands, it would seem impossible I ask this because I've become much more conscious lately of neck radius issues. It is amazing and feels good. Do you think that the vintage 7. Deals. Some background on radii - Old Strats and Teles used a 7. The compound radius accomplishes this with a continuously flattening shape beginning with, for example, a 10-inch radius at the string nut and flattening to a 16-inch radius On the other hand, too narrow necks can also make some guitar players struggle. The next most common Fender fingerboard radius is 7. The depth of a guitar neck is measured at the widest point (usually at the centre). One of these features is the size of the neck on the bass guitar. I loved the feel of the Tele neck, which I believe had a 7. Precision Basses; Jazz Basses; Short-Scale Basses; Acoustic Bass Guitars; Extended-Range Basses; CLASSICAL GUITARS. Generally, vintage-style Fender guitars have a 7. Blazers are still cheap Can you notice the difference between a 12" radius and a 15" radius? General Acoustic Guitar Discussion The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification and I'm thinking a 12" radius neck would be better for playing chords? I can't handle a nut width over 1. 25 and ends at 16″. It makes playing stuff challenging. I recently removed a VERY expensive compound radius neck from Warmouth from my partscaster because the flatness of the neck just felt all wrong while chording. This means the fingerboard is rounder near the nut for more effortless rhythm playing. Fretboard radius significantly influences tone and feel during chording and soloing. 5 inches (24. Small radii (7. However, 4-strings will generally be more suitable, namely because they have thinner necks, which makes reaching strings easier. Classical guitars traditionally have no radius whatsoever. The neck radius of a guitar also affects the action of the strings. I can’t touch fingertip to thumb tip round the nut of even my thinnest neck guitar. vintage strat 7" new 9. The The best guitar for short fingers or small hands is one with a flat neck that makes it easier for your shorter fingers to reach around the neck. This scale length also allows for easier bends and vibratos because the strings will have lower tension due to the shorter scale. Best to have a comfortable guitar that your hands are happy You can trace around a hand. More with the same fretboard radius: All Electric Guitars With 12" The best way to play guitar with small hands is by opting for a guitar with a narrower width neck. Guitarists such as Angus Young, Prince, Nancy Wilson, Something else to take into consideration is the neck profile and Explore our Ultimate Guide to the Best Electric Guitars for Small Hands, tailored to help you find the perfect guitar match. My daughter had bigger hands than me when she was nine years old. good luck Explore All From Epiphone > Hand Size Comfortability. Out of all the electric guitars on the market, this collection of five I have a question. 25-inch radius; modern Fenders have a 9. I am OK with a width as small as 1. 25” radius. Guitars with shorter scale lengths In this post, we'll review the top 10 best guitars for small hands. The rival short-scale guitar to Taylor’s Baby models, the LXK2 is Martin’s koa edition of their signature Little Martin series. Tools; About; Contact; Write for Us; Search . But, the thing that you need to remember is that the higher See more When searching for a guitar for small hands, I would aim closer to the 1. Those instruments tend to have a larger scale if compared to an electric guitar so the frets are Explore All From Ibanez > Hand Size Comfortability. I have small hands, and the deep C neck is very comfortable. The best guitar neck shape for small hands tends to be a flat neck that allows Choosing a bass for small hands. While this is very helpful for players with larger hands, it can be a little problematic for players used to the C-shape I have two low-end guitars, a Squier Jagmaster II and an Ibanez GAX 70. For guitarists with small hands that is often in a position much closer to the classical hold, angled up at around 45 degrees, but you’ll need to experiment to find the most ergonomic position for you as that is different for each of us. Top People with small hands tend to have an easier time playing on flatter, thinner necks, which means that they will often benefit from a fretboard radius that is 12“ or above. See how fretboard radius changes the way you play and which neck shapes suit small hands. 25”-radius and a distinct, big curve. 25 inches (18. On the other end of the spectrum are some Telecasters with a 7. Both the mighty mite neck and Epiphone feel just as good to play and not as cramped as the 40. Something else to take into consideration is the neck Learn about the most common guitar neck shapes and how they feel to play. 2. I don't think it'll make a difference as once you get a narrow width nut coupled with a slim tapered neck, the radius will melt into the background as you play. If you have small hands, play guitars with 25. One of the key features Imagine playing a barre chord on a guitar with a small radius (curved fretboard). Downside of the blazer neck is that the original frets are pretty small, got one refretted with jumbo frets and that is the best neck ever. Modern C-shapes come in three variations: Thin C: 19-20mm thickness at the first fret Typical Neck Width; Last updated on September 28th, 2024. 5" (this is the same radius as Teles and Strats), while the Ibanez has a radius of 12" (similar to lots of Gibsons like the SG). For instance, the Zagar If you are on a serious budget, the Ibanez GAX30 models are very solid budget guitars that have the features you are looking for. 5 inch scale length (or whatever fingerboard radius you feel comfortable with) and see how it feels for different chords and styles of guitar playing. Use a ruler graduated in 32nds or 64ths of an inch to measure the height of the top and bottom E strings. The guitar fretboard radius is a key design element that will directly affect your playability. It is rare that you will find two guitars which have the exact same neck profile, width and depth but a different fretboard radius. Depth, width, and fretboard radius are the three things to consider in the neck profile measurement. After taking into account the neck profile, scale size, fretboard radius, and nut width, we can conclude that the Kramer Baretta Special's construction favors people with relatively small The bigger issue is how the neck profile size combines w/radius, width & action to make a neck playable for your hand size & style (thumb over, barre, etc). When picking out a Different guitars have different neck radius sizes, but for small hands, a radius of 9. I like Schecter retro looking guitars but I occasionally like some of their 'progressive' looking guitars so I've tried them. Some of these acoustics even play like an electric! The As said before, Fender Mustangs, Jaguars and Jazzmasters or anything with that vintage C shaped neck will help. The neck has a pretty good SlimTaper D profile with a 14-inch radius that is extremely playable and is perfect for smaller hands thanks to its size and satin finish. 65″), C-neck shape, and 24″ scale length make this axe really easy to play-Gnarly and hot P90 sound-Good quality electronics-The neck is really comfortable (especially good for short fingers and Picking the best acoustic guitar for small hands, we narrow it down to two choices, one from Taylor and another from Martin. If you could play one in person, it would be bestor get your first axe with a great exchange/refund policy. 5" fingerboard radius. . As ever, try before you buy to find the perfect radius for your hands. 654'') Electronics; Bridge Pickups: Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker / Passive) Neck Pickup: Many modern shredding rock guitars by companies like Ibanez or Music Man have a super-thin neck, a shape that is ideal for players with smaller hands. some of the newer guitars are compound radius like a 10-16 scale length also vary from 24 -25. When you’re in the market for a bass guitar for small hands, some specific feature considerations are critical. What is the ideal hand size to play guitar? If you have small hands, you’re in good company. Those who have bigger hands go for the thicker fingerboard because it is easier to move their fingers without feeling like they have to bend and twist their hand to hold a chord. “This Didn't get on with Les Pauls or early Strats, and small hands probably had something to do with that. Logic & physics would infer that scale length + hand/finger size would = certain results. No easy answer here. 4 cm), 9. This is undoubtedly one of the best electric guitars in the market for small hands. What neck radius is best for small hands? People with small hands tend to have an easier time playing on flatter, thinner necks, which means that they will often benefit from a fretboard Find the perfect fit with the 10 best electric guitars for small hands in 2025. Are mini guitars good for small hands? Understanding Guitar Sizes Before answering this question, it's important to understand the different guitar sizes available. A smaller radius may be more comfortable Review. Yamaha APXT2 3/4-size Thinline Cutaway. 5 to 12 inches is best. Price Range Fretboard Radius: 13. Sound. Which Guitar Is Best for Small Hands? A guitar’s thin neck does not Best electric guitars for small hands and/or shorter fingers, with an eye towards quality and branded pickups. YET I have other great guitar, vintage and new, with 1 3/4" necks and I play them just as well, or my favorite neck - the neck on the Ernie Ball Axis/Axis Super Sport. Pros-Narrow nut width (1. Doesn't get much smaller than that without being ridiculously small like a 3/4-scale guitar. Most people I've met with small hands go for a nut width of 1 5/8. The LXK2 has a modified concert The first entry on our list of quality, short-scale guitars is the Martin OOOCJR-10E. For people who have small hands, anything above 12 inches is quite suitable for them, however, the 9. The 7. Flamenco Guitars; Concert Guitars; Crossover Guitars; Cutaway Classical Guitars; Electro-Classical Guitars; SPECIALTY GUITARS. Deeper necks make this more difficult as much of your handspan will be utilized at the back of the neck. 25" neck will help since I have small hands? I'd try one out, but Guitar Center and the local shop don't have any vintage style Larger the radius, the less curve the fretboard has. For pickups, a pair of Vintage-inspired ‘60s Mustang single-coils have been included. Topping my list of the world’s best thin-neck electric guitars is the Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar, a replica of the Nirvana frontman’s iconic heavily-modded guitar of the 1990s. People with small hands tend to have an easier time playing on flatter, thinner necks, which means that they will often benefit from a fretboard radius that is 12“ or above. I have small hands, so my MIM 9. But some wider People with small hands tend to have an easier time playing on flatter, thinner necks, which means that they will often benefit from a fretboard radius that is 12“ or above. In terms of hardware, it is not anything special, except for the Neck Shapes for Small Hands. 6mm Squier. 25” If you have very small hands, and short fingers then choosing a thinner width may be more suitable. A flat radius will also help you to slide full chords, while if you only do slide on one or two strings at a time, you might want a more radiused fretboard. They do not have compound necks that get thicker as the neck approaches the guitar body. Basses with full 19 ¾” bridge spacing are also challenging for Best Bass for Small Hands: Final Thoughts & Verdict. Scale Length. 25" radius neck and a standard 9. You can measure a calm persons hand size. For a guitar to be classified as having a thin neck, it should generally have a radius of fewer than 15 inches. (It looks like a modified Les Paul for me. eoglkde wclkys rokqg bhafhxe rnvyxk mahi ocmdt lkzix gjrb iqmw

Guitar neck radius for small hands. Yamaha APXT2 3/4-size Thinline Cutaway.