Electric Guitars for Smaller Hands
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ส.ค. 2022
- 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 review many different guitars for these features.
Great guitars for smaller hands (by my method):
- Squier Bullet Mustang
- Fender Player Duo-Sonic
- D'Angelico Atlantic
- ESP LTD EC-256
Marginal guitars for smaller hands (your results may vary), great guitars:
- Gibson/Epiphone Slim-Taper
- Fender Player Series 25.5" scale lengths
Not good for me (although they are great guitars):
- Harley Benton DC Custom
- Gretsch G5220 - เพลง
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Thanks Robert! You hit the nail on the head. It being more comfortable has contributed greatly
Great information! Thank you for putting this on TH-cam!
Hey Robert, thanks for producing such an informative video. I ended up with the squier bullet mustang myself as it felt right in the shop. The neck is perfect. Some food for thought with the d’angelico when I look to add expand my collection. Thanks again, great video
Thanks for your feedback!
Squire mini. Have mine sitting right here. LOVE this little thing. Easy bends, awesome neck and pickups sound great. I use a focusrite solo and guitar rig 7. Addicting. 😁
Robert, Bravo! Thank you so much for this vlog. For some time now, I have been looking for this video, and you did it. You really should have more subscribers. I am now a follower of yours. You know the frustration which people with small hands or arthritis experience. When I purchased my Squier Affinity, the salesperson moved me away from the Mustang. Maybe because of its poor reputation among TH-camrs? I am definitely going to check out a Bullet Mustang and the Player Duo-Sonic on your advice. Great job.
Thanks for your feedback, good luck!
Awesome reviews!!
Great to see another guitarist with small hands. I have the Squire Bullet FSR and it has the best playabily of any guitar I have gigged and I have gigged about 50 in over 35 years of gigging. It helped that I worked in a music store and had access to many different guitars to try.
My main guitar is a schecter Solo ii custom. It's a single cut guitar but with a short scale and compound radius neck for easy playability. Plus locking tuners and coil split American made pick ups are a great.
I have a Solo Custom II also, great guitar, thanks for the feedback.
How is the neck on it.
Honestly the necks i have liked are the Epi Special II 😂😂 and the PRS 245 se.
they were beefier on the back than most strats and LPs, as my thumb sits more comfortable having full contact... The thing is, i dont like the way they look at all.
But may get either a PRS 245 se just becaus they are out of production now... Even the mustang bullet souns nice (in theory) with the 12" radius but have never touched the later
@@0000song0000 These are really thin necks, almost shredder necks.
Thank you Robert for the content. I have smaller arthritic hands and in my 48 years of playing I’ve tried lots of different guitars and neck profiles. For me personally, my most comfortable playing guitars are: Fender Player and Fender Professional 2 Telecasters (tuned down half or full step which helps to compensate for the scale length), Ibanez 540S (thin Wizard neck and double locking Edge Tremolo, helps compensate for scale length), Schecter PT, and my absolute favorite necks: Peavey Wolfgang (I’ve not tried Music Man or EVH versions) and my absolute favorite American made used budget guitar, the Peavey Predator ($150 to $300 used). Again, I tend to down tune on 25.5 inch scale length guitars which makes them easier to play. I hope this is helpful.
Great video rob just what I was looking for thanks david
Thanks for the feedback!
Thanks. I'll try this Squier Bullet
Very nice video Robert. This is the one I’ve been looking for. Thank you for the information. I’m a beginner and I’ve been searching for my first electric guitar. I’m gonna try it out at Guitar Center. 👍👍👍🎸🎸🎸
Thanks for the feedback. Good luck and enjoy!
I wish I had seen your video prior to purchasing my first guitar, a lot of great information here. I ended up buying a lefty Squier Telecaster. I am managing but I do have very small hands for an adult, and worry that my wrist/thumb aren’t in the proper position while I’m stretching my fingers to fret. When I purchase another one, this will be a great resource. I’m liking the offset models!
Thanks Alyssa, I’m really happy to help however I can.
I have the Ltd-EC256 great 24.75” scale length and slim neck put in Duncan JB pickup great guitar. I sanded down the neck of an Epiphone Les Paul replaced the electrics tuners and pickups it’s a great guitar. I have some Ibanez great thin necks but 25.5” scale is a stretch. PRS SE Tremonti fixed bridge 25” is nice after pickup change but neck is a bit thick.
Thank you Robert for taking the time and effort to provide a very thorough approach to a not uncommon set of circumstances. I have small hands, stubby fingers, arthritis and ME. I am 71 years old. I have played on and off for a number of years mainly in Church Worship groups. When arthritis/ME first hit me, I didn't pick a guitar up for over 5 years as it was impossible to intonate properly and use barre chords. Little by little over the next few years I started thinking more of how to adapt to my difficulties. I play fingerstyle as I cant grip a plectrum. I found playing in open tunings helpful as was slide guitar. Next, one of my favourite acoustics is a Yamaha APX5A which has a fairly reasonable thin neck. However, the scale was too long so I dropped the EADGBE tuning down a whole tone and then have a capo permanently fixed to the 2nd fret so it brings the tuning back to standard but more importanly, shortens the scale length and the width of the fret spacings. For chords I use triads, shell voicings etc. I am wanting to play jazz lead but am having great difficulty identifying a value jazz guitar with short scale, thin C neck and jazz tone. I cannot travel around the UK trying out each type so must rely on recommendations/reviews etc. Thanks again and God bless.
Thanks for your feedback. Your persistance is very inspirational. I have a new video in-work that goes even more broadly on guitar ergonomics. In December I had carpal tunnel surgery on both of my hands and thankfully I am getting some reach back. I am a worship guitarist also and love it.
@@robertsguitarsandgear I am pleased to hear that surgery has provided you with some improvement, Robert. I hope the progress continues. The opportunity to worship and praise our Father God in any way or form (Psalm 150) is a wonderful privilege but given my singing voice, I think using guitar was a blessing, not only for me but also the congregation! I am glad you have found outlets for your talents. God bless. Roy.
Great info Newwineskin! Your capo solution sounds very intriguing. I just recently picked up my Squier Strat again after a period of over two years. I'm 70 y.o. myself, so I felt some kinship right off. When I purchased it, the salesperson directed me to the Affinity rather than the Bullet Mustang which would have saved a little dough, but also would have made my learning process a lot less painful. I'm now thinking of trading my Affinity for the Fender Player Duo-sonic; a much better guitar, and much more comfortable to play than the Affinity I suspect. I will still have to road test the Sonic and the Bullet Mustang, but in the meantime I will try your capo route. Please give us a short primer on how you did this. I think if you just attach the capo on the first fret and retune each string setting to E, etc, it would be easier? I have Snark which is pretty good for tuning my Affinity. Please help us with a tip or two? Thanks so much.
I believe the young woman at Fo3ev3faithful suggested this same capo solution, if I recall correctly. She has several vlogs about playing with small hands and/or fingers. So, it appears you're in good company!
BTW, you could not have picked a better leader among men than King David.
Very helpful video. Thanks
Thanks for the feedback.
Great video! I started with super strat-style guitars with thin necks and when I got a Les Paul, the neck felt huge. I had no idea they could vary so much...
Thanks very much.
very helpful. Thank you!
Thank you for the feedback!
Thanks for the video Robert. I'm an older beginner with shorter fingers and a crooked pinky that had been broken. Aspire to play jazz style guitar so started with a 24.8" scale archtop and was struggling. After some research decided to splurge on an expensive, though not crazy vintage priced, Gibson Byrdland but it's 23.5" scale felt too cramped especially as I went down the neck. Additionally the Byrdland was too precious to think about traveling, so on a whim picked up a used Fender Japanese Jaguar from Reverb and its 24" scale and neck shape turned out to be just right. I've now lived with six Jaguars in different configurations (including semi-hollow Thinline) over time and found three great ones.
Yes, Jaguar's tend to be more expensive (and complicated) than Duo-Sonics or Mustangs but offer a wider range of sounds: from fuller jazzy with "rhythm" circuit (see video of Joe Pass playing Jaguar soon after leaving rehab) to classic surf to various avant rock sounds (e.g., Tom Verlaine, Marc Ribot). I just broke down and picked up a very pricey beautiful Fender Custom Shop Jaguar which feels and sounds amazing, but Fender's more budget lines offer considerably less expensive models. Also, Reverb lists lots of options, with some of the Japanese models in particular being great values. Two caveats: 1) there's range of neck profiles out there and some can possibly feel too thin or thick, and 2) the tremolo/bridge design can make setup more temperamental and often benefit from aftermarket replacements. If you're not interested in wild trem bends check out the Japanese dual humbucker HH model with hard tail.
Thanks, great input. I’m looking at the mod shop also but I want to play my Player Jag for a while.
@@robertsguitarsandgear Hey, came across above video first and had not seen your Squier Classic Vibe Jaguar review. Would be curious to see your thoughts on the Player Jag.
I had an American Pro Jaguar which has similar electronic scheme as Mod Shop Jag. Personally I have little use for the strangle switch, so if I really wanted phase shifting option between series and parallel might make more sense to repurpose strangle switch for that function?
BTW - appreciate The Kinks riffs that sneak into your demos
@@rubiera58 Thanks, I’m giving away my age on those riffs. Will do a video on the Player for sure!
..you seen to know alot and that is why I want to ask you, why are all guitar necks designed wider at the end that meets the body than at the nut and not the Same, at both ends? I know there must be a reason for that, but what are Is it?
@@benwright6330 Thanks Ben. Possible that is partially tradition, but probable that is mainly for strength.
thanks a lot my friend, watching from France
Merci!
thanks...great video...very helpful.
Thanks very much!
Intriguing perspective Robert. Thank you!
Another option to consider is the Warmoth custom necks. There is the option of G-scale 24.75" conversion necks for Strat/Tele style bodies. And also Jaguar/Mustang 24" scale necks. I would consider a 1.65" nut with the 10-16 compound radius. And for the neck back profile a standard thin. Although I would also maybe consider the 59 roundback neck profile as I find the prs and reverend necks comfortable.
I wish there was a 24" scale hollowbody, i think the closest is the gretsch with the 24.5 scale. So far I have been playing the Guild Starfire III (MIK) which has 24.75" scale neck and 9.5 fingerboard radius. The body can be a bit cumbersome at times. I've also been playing a Squier Jaguar.
Great advice - the 24" Fenders are hard to beat for this. Thanks.
Hi Robert I have the same problem smaller hands,but I have found a great guitar for smaller hands.The Music Man Silhouette.I have played for many years on lots of guitars I would tell anyone with smaller hands go find and play one.
Excellent video, just what I was looking for. Thank you! One quick follow-up, for small hands, any thoughts on the Gibson Les Paul Modern vs. Fender Ultra Telecaster?
The Tele will have a 25.5" scale length, which is a negative for smaller hands, but possibly not a show-stopper. The Les Paul Modern (at least the one I just looked at) has a Slim Taper neck as well as the 24.75" scale, should be much better.
Look for the Fender Japan Junior Strat (and Tele) for small hands 🤷♂
I agree but, try and get hold of one 😕
Especially look at the Japan Domestic Market guitars, the necks are designed for the average adult Japanese hands who generally have smaller sized hands. I have a Fender Japanese J-Craft Standard Stratocaster 1H, a JDM Strat that beautifully fits my US Size Men's Small hands. Love this guitar! It has one of the best fit and finish quality in my Herd of guitars. I got lucky in getting this guitar. Somehow this guitar made its way to Hawai'i and I bought it in a local Pawn shop.
I started off on a strat and really grew to hate the C profile, narrow nut and long scale length. When I tried a guitar with a slim taper neck I could finally play the way I wanted to.
There is a lot of variation in the Slim Tapers, but for sure it is a nice overall package with the slightly wider nut and just-right scale.
I am almost 70 yrs old, have small hands with arthritis in my left thumb joint. I have struggled over the past several years BUT I have just purchased a PRS SE Hollowbody Piezo and wow! the neck is so smooth its like playing butter, I can hit chords I couldn't hit before, with very little pain in my left hand. Now I have been able to explore voicings etc that I would not even attempt earlier. Anyone who suffers then try a SE PRS! It works for me.....I'm not saying it works for everyone, but it has certainly helped me. Good Luck from the UK
Thanks for sharing, so glad to hear that you are energized about playing again.
I am also almost 70 years old, a beginner with small hands and some neuropathy. I have a PRS Santana SE with the 24.5" scale. It is mostly working for me now, but I might want to go down to a 24" scale.
@@RJ-mz3co For sure you should find everything right in front of you with minimal reaching.
Hi, thanks for the great video! In your comments you listed the ESP LTD EC-256 as a good guitar for smaller hands, but I didn't see it in your video. Do you feature that guitar in another video?
Also, what were the neck circumference measurements you had for the guitars you featured? I would like to compare it to my current guitar.
Thanks for your comment. I have two reviews of the EC-256 on my channel. I'm not so big on this anymore for small hands as the neck circumference is more average and the "reach" parameter is actual worse than a Les Paul. For the measurements, if you go to the Community tab on my channel and scroll down just a bit you'll see my measurements, click on it and you'll have the full picture.
Thanks for this video and your advice here.
I'm around 5' 6" and I 've got very small hands , i mean, my wife has bigger hands than me ...I've played guitar for ages, started taking classical guitar lessons in 1970, and classical guitar necks are very wide. I had a rare electric Vox Soundcaster once in 1971, sky blue, VERY large neck like a baseball bat. It never stopped any of us although , yes , certain chords are a stretch and I became a jazz guitarist, so Jazz chords aren't sometimes the easiest with their extensions. Mind you, many jazz guitarists have had small hands, Lenny Breau and Pat Metheny even.
But of late I've found the Fender Performer Series to be REALLY good...VERY comfy for me at least, especially the rosewood neck models. ( some of the Performer MAPLE neck models can be a little chunkier). I cant speak for everyone on this issue but the Performers are incredibly good and exteremely smooth satin like. Thank you again.
Thanks for your comments. The classic Fender Modern C as on the Player and Performer series I believe work really well. The American Pro II has adopted a deeper C that might be a bit less comfortable. I'm going to do an update video, as my hands are healing I have a Classic Vibe Tele with the Modern C that is working really well.
@@robertsguitarsandgear ah yes, the Classic Vibe has a nice profile....I tried an Ultra Luxe a few days back and loved the stainless steel frets but the neck is bg far the largest on any Fender, though i could be wrong LOL...its an augmented D shape but it gets thinner and flatter passed the 12th fret(compound radius).thank you for the reply.
An excellent, knowledgeable review.
As an older guy with stiff, average hands this is just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, most of my guitars are standard Fender scale.
Thanks for the feedback. Keep working on those hands! I’m playing my fenders ok now.
Don't forget to mention the importance of string gauge when it comes to playing comfort. Changing to lighter gauge strings is very helpful in this regard. Also properly adjusted truss rod, properly filed nut slots and lowering string saddles can turn a neck that is "just ok" into one that is nearly effortless to play.
Having a nice neck is one thing but set-up is crucial imo.
In my experience (with measurements) the Squier Teles have the thinnest necks. I suspect the Player Teles are OK and likely the American Performer also.
This video is spot on!
My hands check all the boxes you mentioned: stubby, stiff, previously injured... Moving to a short-scale bass allowed me to keep playing. For guitar, started on a MIM strat (an incredibly lucky gift) which, just like you say, is a great guitar -- that makes my hands hurt. Got the Squier Mustang Bullet HH (same Sonic Gray even) and the neck is soooo much more comfortable. Love everything but the strings -- what do you recommend as replacement strings for the Mustang?
Thanks for your comments. Short scale guitars like thicker strings. I have 10-46 NYXLs on mine.
@@robertsguitarsandgear Great info! Thanks!
Hi, I like your channel! I've read other opinions on the Squier Bullet that said they had thick necks, seems people confuse opinions from facts! Also I didn't realize 25.5 scale length guitars (haven't played any yet) are more difficult for beginners. Thanks!
Thanks for your comment.
I agree. It has a wide chunky neck. Horrible for small hands.
That D'Angelico is a real beauty.
Is it "neck heavy" at all ?
I like your no-nonsense vids, thank you.
Thanks for the comment, it is balanced nicely, no problem at all.
This was very helpful. Ibanez uses a thinner "Wizard" neck on its RG series of guitars. Do you have any experience with that? I don't recall the scale.
Thanks for your comment. Ibanezes are mostly 25.5” scales except for the AX and AR guitars.
Can you tell me which Telecaster has the thinnest neck? I would love to have a thinline telecaster and I don't care if it's a Squier or an off brand. Thanks!
Thanks for the advice I've tried for years on and off to learn to play and always struggled due to.small.hands
Thanks for the feedback!
Wow, I wish I'd seen this video before I bought a PRS. While I love it, I probably would've been better served by those less expensive Squiers. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for your feedback.
Very informative and helpful! That D'Angelico is a beautiful looking guitar! I just have to find out where I could find one to try that out... BTW I'm having an eye on a PRS SE 245 Standard, they have an 24.5 inch scale length wich is also great for my small fingers, the curious thing is that I feel way more comfortable on thicker neck shapes rather than those thin Ibanez type D shapes... I found out for my self that scale length is great when it is shorter and when I have a "rounder" chunkier C shaped neck and that combined fits great and makes it very comfy to play then .. The prs 245 has a wide fat neck that feels somehow way better idk why but my hands don't cramp with that one.
Very interesting comments, thanks for the feedback. Absolutely scale length addresses so much of the issue for small hands. I would eventually like to try a PRS with the Pattern Thin neck.
@@robertsguitarsandgear absolutely, those prs se models are worth it! And for me, I have to thank you! I've never heard of those D'Angelico before but I immediately fell in love with them!! Thanks to you :) I need to try one now... Especially cause the scale length is perfect too and I'm most excited to feel the neck how that one feels!
@@Chris_OConnor I don’t know where to find them retail. You can look for a used Premier Atlantic and take your chances. They are also great guitars.
I have an American Fender Strat that over time had developed a slight bow with the truss rod maxed out. At the time I thought my only viable option was to get a new neck. If I had known about the methods that good luthiers can use to reshape the neck, I'm sure that would have influenced my decision. Instead I went with the nuclear option and found a new Warmoth roasted maple neck. Could have gotten a whole new guitar for what I paid for that neck, but it's an awesome neck! Problem is now the profiling of this neck is notably wider and flatter which (although it is thinner) makes it more challenging to reach the low notes! I'm also trying jumbo frets for the first time! My hand slides up and down the fretboard easier then ever! Low notes on scales can be tough. You are inspiring me to believe it will get easier. I think it will be a growing experience! (It has to!) 😁 Peace!
Thanks for sharing your story.
Robert, you recommeded D'Angelico Atlantic, in one of your highest categories. I bought and had to return a B-stock D'Angelico Excell SS, but had to return it because the controls were defective. I wanted a hollow or semi-hollow for its lower weight, and the scale length of the Excel was 25 inches. Now I am getting ready to try again. Did you only evaluate the one Atlantic model, or did you try any of the hollow or semi-hollow models? I think you only evaluated solid body electrics in this video. Do you have thoughts on easy to play hollow or semi-hollow electrics?
Hello Glenn, I'm sorry you had such a problem. I only tried the solid body Atlantic, I had a total of three of them over my time. I never had an issue with them. I think for hollow or semi-hollow the ergonomic question will be the thickness of the body. Weight should be good, and of course the Neck ergonomics go with their shape and dimensions.
very interesting information, thanks. I do have a question. The last guitar the bullet mustang i know has a 12 inch radius neck and the new sonic mustang has a 9.5 inch neck that replaced the bullet. Have you compared the bullet mustang to the sonic mustang? and if so do they feel the same?
Sorry I haven't tried the Sonic but the Fender site confirms the 9.5" radius. I'm not sure that in practice it would be that big a deal, but no doubt I would prefer the Mustang HH.
I got a Duo Sonic and it fits so well. The problem I'm having with it is I'm getting a lot pops and snaps from my amp. I don't get that with my other guitars. Did you have any shielding issues with yours? Thanks for this review. Very helpful.
I don't recall any major noise problems, but with the single coil that is possible. For sure you can shield the pickup and electronics cavities with copper tape or shielding paint and you will reduce that a lot. You might find that the cavities are already painted with shielding paint and you just need to connect the painted area with the bottom of the covers (shield them if necessary) so that you get a full Faraday cage.
@@robertsguitarsandgear Thanks for the feedback and info!
Yeah, when i make a "ratio" of the height of some players : chuck berry, slash, vai, etc...on some the ratio is 3:1... Aka one third of their height... Based on my height (and my reach on piano, i maximum can hit an octave cleanly)... I should be playing somethin between 22 -23 inches on scale...
There's exceptions like the 21 inch Rickenbacker 325 lennon used to play, around 21.7 inches (if i remember clearly)
I was just looking at the Squier mustang and they released a new sonic mustang which now has a 9.5 radius and the old model bullet had a 12” radius. What is your opinion on how that would effect this topic and which you would find a better option?
The Sonic does not have the body contours, that I find very comfortable. This is probably the bigger difference than the fretboard radius. Would be good to try them.
Thanks for this video. And yes, I did hit the subscribe button. But it's true, those of us who are older often need to pay more attention to this neck issue. I'm having some arthritic problems in my hands now but I don't want to give up playing the guitar. It's my escape from an often harsh existence! I was reading that earlier on in the war a lot of Ukrainians could only take a few things with them as they had to abandon their homes and many of them chose to take their pets and also their guitars for example and probably other musical instruments. Music is so important.. None of the guitars I bought have been very expensive fortunately but I find that I can't play most of them for extended periods without having some problems due to neck profile. . The one that I play the most is one I bought close to 15 years ago for about $130. Some Asian company. But well made and unfortunately they're discontinued and the ones you see secondhand the people are charging more than I originally paid for it. And I think people are holding on to them because they're good. Most comfortable neck of any guitar I have. Wish I'd bought two of them. Nice to have extra budget guitars to keep in different tunings. I can sit there for hours and play this guitar without too much problem. And you have to put in the time if you want to get good. Thanks for your other recommendations. Maybe I'll try something like a fender squire mustang if I buy another guitar. You play really well by the way.
Thanks for your comments and best of luck to you. I really like the Squier Bullet Mustang neck for comfort, and it is a cool guitar to boot.
Hi Robert, thanks for this topic. My hands are just slightly below average for an adult male (approximately 7.45 vs 7.6). I am also older, so not as flexible. I can play strats and get by comfortably for most things, it is always the annoying edge case that drives me crazy--for example, trying to play Little Wing where there is a very key note combination spanning the 5th to 9th frets on the 4th and 5th strings, pinky to index! Similar stretch for things like "Every Breath You Take" (add 9 chords, but you can cheat there as the notes are played individually) ... One thing that almost gets me there are the strats/teles using Warmoth necks that are Gibson scale, 24.75"... but I am finally going to try a Fender Jaguar to see if that gets me the single coil tones I like, with being able to hit the edge cases!
I really like the Player Jag for this. Also look at the new Squier Strat-O-Sonic with (I believe) a classic Fender C neck but a 24.75 scale. You can upgrade the hardware as desired.
@@robertsguitarsandgear I picked up a 2011 Player Jag, all was good except the bridge, it was absolutely terrible. Local luthier suggested a Mastery M1 ($200) replacement. Everything else was good. I happen to favor music that use "strat tones", I see there is a MIJ "Junior collection" (strat, tele, jazzmaster) that has 24" scale, and see a few on Reverb, may give that a go... all will depend on how much scale length factors into the overall tone.. if I can get "close to strat" on any 24" scale I will be happy!
Also, you did mention the 25" scale PRS... the Santana version of that is 24.5 (quarter inch shorter than gibson scale)... that is definitely worth a look. I use my PRS custom 24 (25" scale") for all things that I might use a les paul for
@@learningguitar7948 Thanks, they are great guitars for sure. From my investigations the shorter-scale PRSs primarily have a fairly think neck, with the exception for example of the McCarty S2 thinlines. Pls let me know if I'm wrong on this one.
Ive just started learning guitar (I own an acoustic) and was thinking of getting an electric, but I want to get the cheap ones to start off but on the other hand ive got small hands so I really dont know which one to buy considering that theyre all off my budget 😅
Should i prioritize the comfort of playing the guitar more or the price more if im a beginner?
Try to get your hands on the Bullet Mustang. It is such an overall terrific guitar and just fabulous for small hands. It is also really affordable.
I sometimes use a epiphone electric with a capo on first fret same scale as gibson birdland 23.5
Nice workaround!
I have not tried it but lots of players use sand paper to reduce the size of the neck. I saw a video on Jimmy Page's guitars and he actually had the neck sanded down on his iconic les paul and it was smaller than average 1959 beefy neck. I've also read about early players in the 1950s and 1960s who commonly sanded the neck to fit their hands. I have a PRS S2 singlecut (les paul clone) with a neck that is 1.65" wide at the nut, 25" scale and moderate C shape. I like it the best of my 4 electric guitars but would probably like it more if it were a 24.75 scale.
Thanks, I did that to my LP also!
I don't have smallish hands and they are pretty strong but I couldn't find an electric guitar that allows me to play the low E string with the thumb for instance. I have a Gretsch and the neck is very thin and it fits me well. I have Squier Thin line Telecaster and the neck is bulbous and I hate it. After one year I 'm done with it and I'm looking for something more comfortable.
Hi Robert. This is my second comment to you. I have been researching the electric with the narrowest or smallest in circumference nut or first fret for sometime now. Currently, I am playing one of your favorites; the Squier Bullet Mustang. I dream of John Lennon's 325 C64 Rickenbacker semi-hollow body. I believe 20 inches long with just 21 frets, and the narrowest nut/head stock ever built for a band like the Beatles. Many vlogs have remarked how small Lennon's rig was: just so he ould get his left hand around it. I dream this is the perfect guitar for my small hands. I've tried many others including D'Angelico, Gibson, Gretsch, and the Fenders of course. The Rick's are expensive, of course, but I am getting up there in age, and simply don't GAD about the money any more. Will the Rick be satisfactory? My hands are too small and too arthritic to waste any more time trying to find the smallest neck on by own search. I love to practice every day, and get too much enjoyment out of it. You're a good man, and your advice would mean so much to me. I'm a subscriber now, and I pour over each of your vlogs. Than you in advance for all your help.
Thanks for your kind words. I think you will be hard-pressed to do better than the Mustang ergonomically, but let me research the Rickenbacker and give you an update.
@@robertsguitarsandgear Robert, Thank you so much! When you look at the Rick up close, it appears to be very manageable. In one respect, I don't care all that much about appearances, so a Squier Mini could very well be the most accommodating of all. It's short dimensions seem to be pretty close to that of Lennon's 325 Rick. I've never seen a Rick up close (or even handled one for that matter), so I can not really tell how similar the 325 and the Mini really are. Like so many of us arthritic or small handed players, and even though I could not do a Rick, and Lennon's memory proud, it would just be too effing cool to strap one on. Could you possibly share with me if the 325 Rick's fingerboard radius or any other measurements would make an appreciable difference to us disadvantaged folks? Anything would help. Thanks again.
The Squire Bullet doesn't seem to be available anymore, all I see are the Squire Sonic. 24 in scale length. Does anyone know how similar these are to the Bullet?
The Sonic is quite similar to the Bullet except it does not have the belly or arm carves. It is still quite a think body so that might still be OK.
nut width and scale...
then neck cut and fret wire
size.
I just bought a thin neck PRS. Pretty good.
Which model? Thanks!
@@robertsguitarsandgear 2018 S2 Standard 24.
I have shorter sausage fingers and normal palms. All of my guitars are strats/super strats @ 25.5". My PRS SE is 24.5. I've played Gibsons and they are more manageable. I stretch, I play. If you can do diatonic scales starting at the first fret you can play that guitar. Im envious of the guys with long fingers, but it hasn't stopped me. Play what's comfortable. The Kramer guitars have 25.5" scales, but are thinner and easy to play.
For sure. I started with Tele’s and Strats and hope to get stretched out again after my carpal tunnel surgery in both hands.
@@robertsguitarsandgear gotta love wear and tear eh? Does that count for being "relic'd"?
I have recently started augmenting my guitar collection and learning about all the possible neck specs after a friend lent me his Godin LG which made me realize I dislike my Fender Strat's neck and scale length very much.
I have the same problem as Robert here where I was never really comfortable playing on some guitars and I didn't understand why. And I absolutely despise the fact that Fender and Gibson guitars are so expensive making them inaccessible resulting in you never being to explore.
I highly recommend going to music store and trying a variety of guitars before purchasing, and don't let the brand names impress you, they have built a lore around their names with many marketing dollars. I just recently started buying Godin guitars and I can say without doubt that they are better than any American made Gibson or Fender I ever played, and they cost about half or a third of the price on the used market. The only good thing about a Fender or Gibson is they retain value, so if you are into collecting as much as playing then get yourself one of those.
About the comfort level for small hands (my hands aren't huge): I am not sure Robert's "circumference" measurement is really what you should be looking for. What I think you should try to figure out is which neck shape/profile you like, nut width, fret board radius and scale length. And by the way your preference may vary depending on what music you are playing :)
Here is a rundown of my solid body electrics and some of the specs, and wether or not I think they are comfortable:
- Fender Stratocaster with 1-11/16" (43mm) or 1-3/4" (44mm) nut, 9-1/2" radius, 25-1/2" scale length, modern C shape neck => I find the nut slightly too wide, would like to have had a 1.650" (42mm)
- Godin Session with 1.650" (42mm) nut, 12" radius, 25-1/2" scale length, modern C shape neck => love this one but not the scale length
- 2 x Godin LG with 1-11/16" (43mm) nut, 16" radius, 24-3/4" scale length, modern C shape neck => these are by far my favorite ones
- Jackson Crackle replica with 1-5/8" (41mm) nut, 9-1/2" radius, 25-1/2" scale length, wizard profile neck => I hate this nut width and neck
In general I prefer the shorter scale lengths for comfort but I have to admin the 25-1/2" ones have a more solid ring to them. I also have an acoustic Yamaha with a sort of boat neck and I have to say I don't dislike it!
btw check out the Warmoth website and videos for good detailed explanations on all these things!
Happy playing
Thanks, lots of great information here.
Almost all cheap guitars have somewhat thick necks.
That includes most Harley Benton, but also EART, Squire Debut, Sonic (strat), Volgoa, Grote, Firefly, Leo James, IYV, Fesly. All these are thicker than fender standard.
Donner strat is an exception.
I guess you go to Ibanez but find an Ibanez 22 fret is difficult. My s521 is very nice to play but the SA series and SASEX is thicker than it strat.
I just bought an S521 and love the Neck and the weight. Video to come.
It would be helpful if you could do a short video showing how you grip the neck so we can compare. My hands are very small and although ive played guitar off and on I always struggle. The biggest problem for me is trying to "grip" the neck with thumb and then bend my fingers round. There isnt enough space if i make an "a" with thumb and index, to go round my 94 strat neck. As such I havent really learned to do vibrato because i cant anchor on the neck and reach the string. Cant decide if there really is a better guitar for me out there. I am prob going back to sax/wind as it was the one family my hands didnt hold me back. I even wonder if a thick neck would help as more to anchor on.
Will do. My thumb is loosely in the middle of the back of the Neck. It is good to experiment with the angle of your hand to get in flat and parallel to the Neck. I’ll do a fast video on this.
@@robertsguitarsandgear that would be great. I read that for a few people with small hands a V neck can actually be good. I think it might in my case as it would help tie my thumb onto the neck. Im thinkng of getting the mustang too.
@@furrymonsta1591 Here you go th-cam.com/video/KNB1mrmbO3c/w-d-xo.html
@@robertsguitarsandgear Just followed your advice and got the Bullet Mustang. What a difference. I can just about reach 5 frets on the top E when 4 was hard on my strat. I had just changed the strings on my strat to Zippy slinky and that had made such a difference I was thinking I was fine but then the Mustang arrived. Its a little weird the scale as its unfamiliar.. Im tempted to drop the strings down to a 9 on the mustang too but its already slightly buzzy maybe its not setup that well. Its a strange feeling but suddenly it doesnt feel to big for me. cheers I like both now but Im guessing the mustang will be the one I bond with at last.
@@furrymonsta1591 Awesome. If you can, get a pro setup, it will be worth it. Enjoy.
Is that d’angelico the Premier or Excel version? Looks beautiful.
Thanks. It is a Deluxe Atlantic LE. Great guitar.
@@robertsguitarsandgear thanks! How does it compare to an actual LP?
@@danielsudds8075 It is LP-shaped with LP-style controls. The Neck is much thinner and faster, and the body is thinner and has a major belly cut. Finally mine is an Alder body, it is much lighter than Mahogany, giving a brighter sound and perhaps a bit less sustain.,
Try the Fender Japan Junior collectios.....scale length 24 ....Stratocaster....Telecaster....Jazzmaster.....JazzBass.....FANTASTIC.....
I can't play my strats anymore
After multiple wrist fractures my hands don't stretch like they used to, I'm using my Les Paul type guitars now, I so miss the trem
Les Pauls have such sharp edges too
I’m sorry to hear that. I’m into Jaguars now that keeps a Trem in the picture.
have you looked at the Fender Player Mustang 90?
I haven’t yet, but the Fender offsets with 24” scales are great and the player series are really solid.
Any thoughts on how a flatter radius vs more curved has on comfort? Great video! Thanks.
This is a great question that I will cover in a future video. It is not a huge difference, but I find the 9.5” Fender radius the easiest for what I do.
Nice video, but I want to share my experience with everyone. I have moderate sized hands with very short fingers. I have tried skinnier necks and they make my left hand cramp . I find a,thicker neck to be more comfortable, even though my pinky is pretty useless, I can play much longer and more comfortably with a thicker and preferably rounder neck profile. So my point is that you may think that thinner necks are logically better for small hands, don't be afraid to experiment with thicker profiles...you might be pleasantly surprised!
Thanks for sharing. For sure ever body is different and a key point is to try before you buy.
Please send me the link where I can buy the exact guitar you are holding d'angelico atlantic
Hello Pritam. You will have to look around because they only made 50 of them. It looks like it may be in stock at Guitar Center: www.guitarcenter.com/DAngelico/Deluxe-Atlantic-Limited-Edition-Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar-Rust-1500000366557.gc?cntry=us&irclickid=xYwX15zlixyPUfyTljQq-SZIUkFWOB0VLUc8R40&irpid=2003851&irmpname=Bing%20Rebates%20by%20Microsoft&source=4ACJWXX2&irgwc=1&im_rewards=1
@@robertsguitarsandgear thank you sir for the link
Ok I’m a recently retired vet and am just like in the research stage- what is a small hand measure at?
Thanks for your comment and thank you for your service! This is an important question. Hand size is a bit of shorthand for hands that are truly smaller, and hands that are relatively stiff due to being a newer player or having medical issues. Very small people over time can play any guitar as their hands stretch out, whereas you can be a new player with bigger hands but they are a bit arthritic and not yet limber from a lot of playing. My hands measure 8.5" from the tip of my thumb to little finger when fully extended. I have played long enough that I can play a guitar with a 25.5" scale length and full-thickness neck, but thinner necks will always be more comfortable to me.
I wish I'd seen this before I bought my first guitar too. While I have a music background, I've played woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Stringed instruments have always been difficult for me because of my smaller hands. First guitar I ever tried was a full-sized. I was a kid, and I quickly became discouraged. As an adult, I later tried again, but it was during a difficult time in my life (divorce). I ended up frustrated and had to sell it to pay a utility bill. Later, I took some courses at the local college and took guitar as an elective. Full classroom, and the guy was so mechanical with it all. I'm not even sure he enjoyed playing guitar; there was no joy in the sounds he made. I wanted to learn to play music, not memorize a bunch of stuff, do a few covers of songs, and not really understand the instrument. I had a 3/4 guitar at that time, and I did what was necessary to do well in class. I just didn't enjoy it at all; it actually turned me OFF of guitar for many years. Now, 50 years old, and it's on my "Bucket List". Older and more determined, I ordered a full-sized acoustic guitar online (small town, no local shops) thinking it was a solid purchase because I love music, enjoy trying new things to keep my mind sharp, and it would help with the neuropathy in my hands. The numbness and muscle weakness is bad enough now though that I have a nerve conduction test and the doctor said the muscle difference in each hand is severe enough that surgery might be a better solution that therapy and medication. We'll know after the test results and go from there he said. But the full-sized guitar sits in the corner taunting me, reminding me of past failures. I have this and an Epiphone Les Paul electric. Small hands,... short, stubby fingers,.... I'll know next time and may put these up for sale as they are mint condition, get a smaller sized guitar I can better manage if my hands, touch, numbness recover. Ideally, I wanna learn guitar and bass-- especially bass. At this point, I'm ready to duct tape a slider to my hand and try to learn lap steel. I am cross handed (not ambidextrous; some things I use my left hand for instead) so I'm considering a left-handed guitar as well. I just REALLY wanna play. Thank you so much for your time and effort to help those who might otherwise feel hopeless. It's much appreciated!
I had carpal tunnel surgery on each hand in December, which 99.5% solved the numbness problem. My hands are still small(!) and a bit stiff, but the guitars I talk about I can play just fine, I played in Church three days after my first surgery. BTW I started from zero at age 55 four years ago. Good luck to you!
@@robertsguitarsandgear Thank you so very much for your reply, Robert! That's left me with such hope!
I played a few strats and what I've learned is the Modern C necks are too fat. That being said flat C and classic C's are the way go.
One other thing I disagree is on the matter of the fret size. A super jumbo fretted 25.5" scale guitar will have the exact same distance spread between frets as a standard Fender wire fret on a 25.5" scale. The only real difference will be in the height of the strings above the fretboard when fretted. If yer looking to minimize the grip circumference, then yes, a shorter frets may be desirable.
That said, keeping in mind that I have US Men's Small hands, I actually prefer the jumbo frets for a different reason: it has the same effect as having scalloped frets which eliminates finger and string contact with the fretboard. This allows "touch fretting" in similar skein as touch typing. Quicker, lighter touch on the fretting gets the job done, less stress and wear on fingertips. Plus faster arpeggios and fret changes. End results is longer finger durability in a session.
Plus if ye can learn to fine control the pressure, you can sharpen the notes slightly just by increasing fretting pressure for a little vibratto. If ye desire more vibrattos then ye can bend the strings. This is another area where a jumbo fret becomes an advantage: the flesh of fingertips gets a better grip onto the strings and not drag on the fingerboard, thus bends becomes less effort intensive.
It is far cheaper to refret with jumbo frets than to scallop fretboards. Scalloping is irreversible and I'd have concerns about the scallops reducing the total neck rigidity strength in response to environmental changes.
In fact, this is the formula that Ibanez, ESP and Schecter guitars use: real thin necks with more or less standard 41-42mm nut widths combined with jumbo frets that still adds up to similar or slightly smaller grip circumference as a typical Fender Strat. Twill be smaller if it's a Japan Domestic Market guitar for the typically smaller average hands of the typical Japanese guitarist.
Thanks for the detailed response!
Duo Sonic is good smaller hands too.
For sure! Check out my video on the Duo-Sonic.
Would like to see your opinion on a squier mini or ibanez mikro rather than just saying they are for kids. Plenty of adults are playing and enjoying them.
I’ll check into it, thanks.
I beg to differ about the Strat. Not all Strats are built the same way. If ye look at the Squiers, some models have very slim and thin necks, some of which are actually borderline too small for me. Im a guy who has size US Men Small hands. I have an older 2001 Affinity neck that have a 40.5mm nut and ultra thin and narrow neck. This neck is just on the verge of too small where there's almost not enuff spacing between the strings at the low end for my fingers to fret without touching adjacent strings. This neck will be ideal for kids and people with tiny hands.
Specifically, Id recomnend 41mm nuts on the slighttly newer (2004-up) Affinity necks which are thin and slim but not as tiny as the older 2001 neck I have. Once yer used to these necks one can then step up to the standard 42mm neck size found on the Squier Standards and the Mexican Standards.
Another brand that has excellent thin and slim necks are Ibanez and Schecters. But these are slightly upscale brands that costs more. Another are the ESP and LTD, but these are prwmuum guitars that cost noticably more but are excellent options when you're ready to upgrade for medium advanced skill levels or for starting to gig with.
Thanks, I working up a video to talk about Strat options for smaller hands, for sure there is a huge range. The current Players and Am Pro IIs are on the bigger side. Optimum for me are the classic C shapes, e.g. American Performer.
I wish whoever made these smaller guitars would make some with some Style & flare, coolness. All I see are traditional tele les paul & strat
Thanks, the D'Angelico Atlantic and the Player Jaguar I think are pretty cool and distinctive.
Js ibanez is perfect for small hands to m8 I have small hands and I use it wow
Is yours a Mikro?
I'm currently looking at a Ibanez mikro... I have small hands
I have huge palms and short, fat fingers. The only guitars I've played so far on which my fingers don't mute strings is 3-string and 4-string tenors.
Keep trying, there has to be something out there for you!
I am 5"6" and bought a Squier by Fender Bullet Mustang HH Short Scale . It was horrible for me. Chunky wide neck. I sent it back to Amazon.
Thanks. Everyone is different, but it has the smallest neck diameter of about 15 guitars that I have measured. Maybe you want to try an Ibanez Wizard neck.
What about a fender jaguar?
Not a bad choice for scale length, but the Necks are fairly thick. The Squier CV versions are better for that.
Or you can copy BB King. Fit 8’s and play higher up on the neck.
schecter
No Joe satriani model he has small hands
For sure most Ibanez guitars have very thin necks that work very well.
What does this dude consider "small"?
Just look at his hands...
Those are not small hands. 🤦♂️
Hello from this dude. I’m 5’8” and my hands are very stiff and arthritic. They are a little better since my carpal tunnel surgery a year ago.
Plenty of videos about "small hands" or "short fingers", but nothing for fat fingers.
And I know why. Because there's nothing that can be done about it. I'm just fucked.
You might want a thin neck with a Fender scale to open things up for you on the fretboard.
Look at the Ibanez mikro or Squire mini
@@troyvan6952 Making the instrument smaller just makes the strings closer together. 🤦♂️
Nut width/ fretboard is smaller also I believe
@@troyvan6952 You're proving my point. What are you trying to say?
so what about all the women and children that absolutely shred on full size instruments?
More power to them for sure. Over time and practice your hands do stretch out, but that is a journey and doesn’t work for everyone.
Bruh I have smaller hands than a petite woman but they are toothpicks in width so I just play higher frets
That works for sure.
but your hands are not even small...
Thanks. I have arthritis and just had carpal tunnel surgery two months ago, so lots of problems…
@@robertsguitarsandgear ah I see I get it
I have realatively small hands and it always bothered me on playing guitar or any other instruments. People say well i can get it with tons of practice but nailing down that 5 to 14 or even wider stretch is just physically impossible. So i always had to find narrow thin fret to even 24.75 or 25 inch scale. This thing is seriously critical for people with small hands. I even ended up giving up on design of guitar and stick to spec sheet instead. For the people in endless journey for right guitar for their hands... if the guitar doesn't fit your hands, don't try to fit your hands to it and just go for right spec that fits you.
Thanks for your important comment. It is really important for us to carefully study the specs and optimally try a guitar first.