Best
Acoustic Guitar
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Overall: Excellent playability with an ergonomic body shape
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Best Feature: Beautiful Tonewoods
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Classical Guitar
Sunburst,
by Gear4music A BEAUTIFUL ADDITION TO ANY PLAYER'S REPERTOIRE
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Overall: Lightweight body, making it easy to transport and hold.
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Best Feature: Easy on the fingers due to its softer strings.
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TedScore™: 7/10
Best
Electric Guitar
Axion Label,
Blue Chameleon AN EYE-CATCHING ROCK MACHINE
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Overall: Easy to play and reliable performance
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Best Feature: Equipped With Three Fishman Fluence Pickups
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TedScore™: 9/10
Ever grabbed a guitar and felt like it’s crafted just *for you*? That’s the **magic** of choosing the right size among various guitar sizes. Whether you’re a pint-sized rocker with *huge dreams* or an adult player who digs smaller gigs, there’s a *perfect-fit* guitar just waiting.
I know the excitement of walking into a music store surrounded by shiny guitars, each with its character. Getting a guitar is not just about getting one; it’s about choosing the one that suits your style, body, and the music you want to make.
Are you excited to learn more about choosing the right guitar size? Keep reading; I promise you’ll find the perfect guitar for your musical adventures by the end. Let’s make your guitar-picking journey as exciting as the music you’ll be playing!
The Different Guitar Sizes
A wide range of acoustic and electric guitars are available in different sizes. Here’s an overview of the most common guitar sizes:
Acoustic Guitars
Acoustic guitars come in a variety of sizes, with most commonly being Parlor, Concert, Grand Concert, Auditorium and Dreadnought. Knowing the differences between these guitar sizes can help you choose a guitar best suited to your playing style.
1. Parlor Acoustic Guitar
Parlor guitars are the smallest of all acoustic guitar sizes, making them very comfortable. They have a smaller body and neck than other guitars, producing a softer sound than larger models. These guitars typically have shorter scale lengths and smaller fretboards, allowing easier access to higher notes. They are usually equipped with 18 frets and a standard nut width, making them suitable for fingerstyle playing.
Parlor guitar typically has a mid-heavy sound that is great for blues and folk music and accompanying vocals.
DESIGNED FOR: fingerstyle players looking for a softer, mid-heavy sound.
FEATURES: Scale Length: 24.72”
OTHER INFO: Number of Frets: 20
PRS SE Parlor P20E, Ltd Edition Lotus Pink
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Has a bright, warm sound
- Easy to play on due to its smaller size.
- Build quality is great and offers good value for your money.
- Decent electronics provide a big tone from the small body.
- Not ideal for strumming and needs amplification to be heard clearly, making it less suitable for outdoor performances.
- Smaller scale length limits access to higher notes.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
2. Concert and Grand Concert Acoustic Guitar
Concert and grand concert guitars are slightly larger than parlor acoustics but still relatively small. These guitars have more projection and volume, making them great for live performances or recordings.
They typically have wider fretboards and larger scale lengths than parlor acoustic guitars, which gives them more tension and sustain when played harder. The body shape is often similar to a classical guitar, with a slightly shorter neck.
DESIGNED FOR: Intermediate to Advance
FEATURES: Neck Width:1-11/16"
OTHER INFO: Scale Length: 24-7/8"
Taylor Academy 12e Grand Concert Electro Acoustic
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- High mid-range punch
- Beautiful tonewoods
- Onboard Taylor preamp and tuner
- Excellent playability with an ergonomic body shape
- Smooth neck and action
- Slightly pricier than entry-level models
- You may need to adjust the truss rod or bridge saddle for optimal tuning stability.
- Lack of bass control
- Plain appearance
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
3. Auditorium and Grand Auditorium Acoustic Guitar
Auditorium and grand auditorium acoustic guitars are larger than the concert models but smaller than dreadnoughts. These guitars produce a richer sound that is great for fingerstyle playing or when strumming chords.
The body shape of both auditorium and grand auditorium guitars tapers from the neck to the middle, making them easier to hold. The grand auditorium is slightly larger than the auditorium, giving it a bigger body and sound.
DESIGNED FOR: Beginner To Intermediate players
FEATURES: Overall Length: 1050mm
OTHER INFO: Frets: 21
Auditorium Electro-Acoustic Guitar by Gear4music, Black Burst
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Rich sound, perfect for fingerstyle playing
- Slim body shape makes it easier to hold
- Sturdy build and good quality craftsmanship
- Cutaway design for easy access to the higher frets
- High-quality electronics
- Sound may not be as loud compared to full-sized acoustic guitars.
- Not suitable for professional players who require a higher output.
- May require some additional setup to get the most from it.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
4. Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
The Dreadnought guitar is the most widely used and popular body size, known for its deep, loud, and balanced tone. The larger dimensions provide full-bodied sound with plenty of volumes, making it a great choice for strumming or picking styles.
The narrower neck makes it easier to play, making it great for beginners and more experienced players.
DESIGNED FOR: Beginner to Intermediate Players
FEATURES: Neck Material: Mahogany
OTHER INFO: Scale Length. 25.3" (643 mm)
Fender CD-60 Dreadnought V3, 3-Color Sunburst
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Affordable price point
- Easy to play with neck profile and body shape
- Great sound quality
- Slightly average electronics and is not the best for fingerstyle players.
- The paint job isn't the most impressive; some may find the sound too "boomy".
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
5. Jumbo Acoustic Guitar
The Jumbo acoustic is the largest guitar, producing a full, deep sound perfect for loud solos or heavy strumming. Although they’re not as popular as dreadnoughts and auditoriums, jumbos are still widely used in some genres, such as bluegrass and folk.
With their long length and wide body shape, these guitars are quite hard to hold and can be challenging for musicians with smaller frames. But, if you’re willing to take on the size challenge, Jumbo acoustic guitars are available in all price ranges.
DESIGNED FOR: Intermediate and Advanced Players
FEATURES: Solid Sitka Spruce Top
OTHER INFO: Bridge Material: Pau Ferro
Guild F-250CE Deluxe Jumbo Electro Acoustic, Antique Burst
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Nice Low and good treble tones
- Great acoustic projection
- Feel of neck is outstanding
- Slightly heavyweight
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
6. Travel Guitar
The Travel Guitar is a great option for musicians on the go. The ultra-compact size allows you to take it wherever you go without taking up too much space in your bag or backpack. However, due to its small size, the travel guitar has limited string tension and can’t be strummed as hard as an acoustic guitar.
DESIGNED FOR: Beginner to Advance
FEATURES: 580 mm
OTHER INFO: Mahogany/Nato
Yamaha APXT2 3/4 Electro Acoustic, Natural
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Compact size yet the great sound quality
- Excellent playability
- Able to plug and play with an amp
- Lower string tension compared to full-size acoustic guitars.
- Not suited for harder strumming styles.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
7. Nylon String Guitar with a Classical Guitar body
The Classical Guitar is the way to go for a unique, delicate sound that’s perfect for, well, classical music and fingerpicking styles.
Classical guitars have nylon strings rather than steel strings, giving them softer and warmer tones. Nylon string guitars are also easier on the fingers because the strings are much easier to press down.
DESIGNED FOR: Beginner
FEATURES: Overall length: 1010mm
OTHER INFO: Neck: Ebonized Maple
Classical Guitar, Sunburst, by Gear4music
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Soft and warm tones
- Easy on the fingers due to its softer strings.
- Easy to keep in tune and maintain.
- Lightweight body, making it easy to transport and hold.
- Affordable
- Neck may be too wide for some players to access the higher frets easily.
- Some players may find the action a bit low for their taste.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Electric Guitars
Electric guitar sizes come from small ¾ size “Travel Guitars” to full-sized guitar models. Smaller guitars are often recommended for younger players. Bigger is not necessarily better; it depends on your body frame and physical size.
1. Hollow Electric Guitar
Hollow electric guitars are a great choice for jazz and blues. With their large hollow bodies, these guitars create delicate tones and warm resonances, making them perfect for casual music.
The body shape also adds to its unique sound as the resonance of the strings will be amplified by the body’s natural acoustic properties.
DESIGNED FOR: Beginner to Advanced Players
FEATURES: Adjustable Floating Bridge
OTHER INFO: Fret Wire: Jumbo
Hartwood Novella Hollowbody Guitar, Natural
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Great sound quality and resonance
- Beautiful aesthetics with a unique shape
- A versatile tone that can be used for any music style
- Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre
- May not be suitable for more aggressive playing styles
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
2. Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
The semi-hollow electric guitar delivers a unique sound between the hollow tone of a hollow body and the crisp, bright sound of a solid body. With their semi-hollow design, these guitars offer some acoustic properties, giving them strong sustain and great resonance. They’re also fairly lightweight compared to other electric guitars.
DESIGNED FOR: Beginner To Advance
FEATURES: This guitar has a layered mahogany body, maple centre block and an Indian Laurel fingerboard.
OTHER INFO: Has CTS electronics and coil splitting for different tonal options.
Epiphone Emily Wolfe Sheraton Stealth
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Versatile tone options
- Beautiful mahogany body adds warmth and resonance to the sound.
- Maple centre block enhances brightness and sustain.
- Comfortable neck and on-point factory setup for easy playability.
- It's a heavy semi-hollow electric guitar.
- The hardware has a light aged finish which could wear off over time.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
3. Chambered Electric Guitar
A Chambered electric guitar is a great option if you’re looking for an instrument that combines the traditional feel of an acoustic with the versatility of an electric. With their hollow bodies and semi-hollow chambers, these guitars produce warm sounds without losing any of the power and sustain associated with electric guitars.
They have slightly less output than solid-body guitars but are still great for rock and metal.
DESIGNED FOR: From Metal to Jazz and Everything in Between
FEATURES: 3pc Mahogany neck delivers a fat, warm tone
OTHER INFO: Vintage voiced VH3 pickups offer a blues-rock tone machine
Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20, Black
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Great full-bodied and balanced sound
- Lightweight with excellent playability
- Versatile design that can be used for a variety of genres
- Lower output than some other models
- Not the most affordable guitar in its class
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
4. Solid-Body Electric Guitar
If you’re looking for a loud, powerful guitar that can handle more aggressive playing styles such as metal, punk and rock, then a solid-body electric guitar is the way to go. With no hollow chambers or resonant air inside their bodies, these guitars produce big sounds with plenty of sustain, even at high volumes.
DESIGNED FOR: Intermediate to Advanced Players
FEATURES: Equipped with three Fishman Fluence pickups
OTHER INFO: Frets: 24
Ibanez S671ALB Axion Label, Blue Chameleon
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- High output and great sustain
- Easy to play and reliable performance
- Excellent pickup selection
- Sub-zero treatment on frets
- Price may be too steep for some beginner players
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
How to Measure the Size of a Guitar
Total Length
The total length of your guitar is measured from the top of the headstock to the bottom of the body. To measure this accurately, you’ll need to place the guitar on a flat surface and use a tape measure from the headstock to the bottom of the body.
Knowing the total length of your guitar is important if you’re trying to purchase accessories such as a guitar case, as it helps ensure that your instrument will fit snugly in it.
Scale Length
The scale length of a guitar is measured from the bridge (where the strings are attached to the body) to the nut (where the strings pass over at the headstock). The scale length helps determine things like string tension, playability and sound.
A shorter scale length generally means easier playing and lighter strings, while longer scale lengths mean more tension and a brighter tone.
Neck Width
The width of the neck is measured at the nut, which is usually around 1.69 inches in length (43mm). It’s important to measure this as it affects your playability.
Generally, a thinner neck will be more comfortable for rhythm guitar players, and a thicker neck is better for soloing. Some guitarists opt for wider or narrower necks depending on their personal preference.
Does the Size of the Guitar Matter?
Choosing the right guitar size is crucial as it should match your body size and the style of music you enjoy playing. It’s also essential to consider guitar dimensions, such as body width and scale length, to find a comfortable guitar that suits your playing style.
It can be intimidating for beginners to start learning on a full-sized guitar. Smaller guitars are great options for young children or those with smaller hands who may not yet have the finger and arm strength to play a full-sized instrument effectively.
Different Guitar Sizes
Summary
When choosing a guitar, it’s essential to consider the guitar size guide to ensure that the instrument matches your body size and playing style. The guide provides valuable information on dimensions and sizes to help you find a comfortable and suitable guitar.
- A small 1/4 size guitar is excellent for kids aged 4 to 7, and when they’re a bit older, around 7 to 10, they usually move up to a 1/2 size.
- A 3/4-size guitar is a perfect fit for children around 10, and it remains suitable until they’re about 15.
- For adult players, the standard full-size guitar, with its body about 38 inches long and a scale length of 25 inches, is the recommended choice.
But what if you like a slimmer neck or want something more comfortable? Jumbo sizes aren’t just for big people; a body width of 17 inches gives a big, rich sound while still feeling comfy in your arms.
Here’s a tip from me: sizes aren’t set in stone. While I’ve told you the usual sizes, remember that guitars are as unique as the people playing them. Different brands might have different sizes, so always try one before buying it. It ensures you’ve found a musical friend that fits your style.
Ha, traveling with a full-size Jumbo acoustic guitar must be like bringing your own row on the plane. Ever consider guitar slimming diets?
Interesting article, but I believe there’s a nuanced discussion to be had about the implications of chambered electric guitars on tone and sustain that wasn’t fully explored. While the distinction between hollow, semi-hollow, and chambered might seem minute to some, the tonal variations and weighting can significantly affect a musician’s style and approach. I’d argue that these subtleties could merit a deeper dive to truly appreciate the engineering behind each guitar type.
Loved the section on electric guitars! Solid-bodies are my jam, especially considering my bass background. It’s cool to see how the principles carry over between bass and guitar, especially in terms of body types.
Right? Electric guitars have such an amazing range. Solid bodies are great for that crisp sound!
Hey Lewis, thanks for breaking down the different guitar sizes, it’s super helpful! Quick question: how significant is the transition from playing a parlor acoustic guitar to something bigger like a dreadnought for a beginner? Is it more about the physical size or does the sound difference really play a big part too? Trying to figure out what might be the best next step as I progress. Thanks a lot!