Guitars come in a variety of sizes. From the jumbo guitar to the travel guitar, different people prefer different sizes. This blog post will discuss why you might want a different size and how to determine which size is best for you and your playing style.
Table of Contents
Guitar Sizes:
In this discussion we’ll be focusing on the five conventional sizes as follows:
Jazz Guitar:
This is a small guitar that was created to allow better access for Jazz players. This style of guitar is common among electric guitarists and is popular among Rock, Blues and Jazz musicians alike.
Melody/Steel/Hollow Guitar:
These guitars have been particularly designed to produce a crystal clear sound from the very lowest notes to the highest sounds possible from the instrument.
Classical Guitar:
This is a tall instrument that was designed for classical performers and stringed instruments. This instrument has a wider neck for accessing the frets more easily and with this it has a mellower, warmer tone. It can also be used as a small concert guitar as well as a stage guitar at larger venues.
Instrumental Guitar:
This style of electric guitar is designed to resonate from the bottom to the top so that the sound from the lowest notes to the highest sounds possible will be able to come out of this instrument. It is primarily used by classical musicians, but is becoming increasingly popular among rock, jazz and blues players as well! Also known as ‘Jazzbox Guitar’.
Nylon String Guitar:
This is a smaller guitar that features nylon strings. The sound of this guitar is mellower and warmer with the most sound coming from the middle of the range. This is also an excellent choice if you are looking to try out playing classical music. It has a wider neck for easier access to frets and it has a longer lifespan because of this.
How to Choose the best Guitar size:
Now that we understand the different sizes of guitars, we can finally start talking about which is best for you and your playing style. And this is where it gets a bit confusing! There are many factors that determine what size instrument you should get including such as personal preference, previous experience and the kind of music you like playing.
Let’s take a look at some factors to consider when choosing your instrument:
Larger Instrument:
The first thing we want to consider is perhaps the biggest factor. It seems like an easy choice; but it doesn’t have to be! If you are taking up guitar seriously for the first time, then it might be tempting to go for a larger instrument. Sometimes, smaller is better.
We are all used to big guitars being the only choice, but really, it’s about what you are comfortable with. If you are not used to playing one of these instruments, it can be difficult getting used to the different size and shape of the neck.
Playing Style:
The second factor that should influence this decision is your playing style. Many people have different preferences when it comes to their instrument.
If you plan on playing classical music then a small guitar may suit you better because they have a longer scale length which is perfect for classical music. On the other hand many Rock and Blues players prefer the feel of a jumbo or dreadnought guitar.
Experience:
The third factor that could influence this decision is your experience. If you are a beginner, then it might be wise to start out with a small guitar. Even if you are good at the guitar, it might be best to start out small until you are comfortable with the instrument.
Also if you are buying for a child under the age of 16 years, it would be best to go for a smaller size until they are more accustomed to playing it.
Budget:
The fourth factor that can determine your choice of size is your budget. Our last blog post discussed the difference between genuine wood verses synthetic materials and how they affect the price of an instrument.
Ease of Use and Comfort:
Finally, the fifth factor is your personal preference. There are many people who prefer smaller guitars because of ease of use and comfort among other things.
Bigger guitars are for bigger sounds, however they can be difficult to transport which is why some people might prefer a smaller instrument. If you are looking for a top end instrument then you might find that the larger guitars offer better quality wood that is more expensive.
Conclusion:
So in conclusion, you need to take into consideration all the factors we’ve discussed when picking out your guitar size! Doing this will help you pick an instrument that will suit your needs and preferences so it’s easier to learn and play on.
As you can see the decision of size is not an easy one, but there are many things to consider when making your choice! Have fun choosing your instrument and we hope this guide helps you in that process!
FAQ:
Q: What is the best size guitar?
A: An affordable Taylor that sounds way beyond its price point. Scale: 25.5” Taylor’s American Dream series of guitars,although one of their lowest priced offerings,is far from cheap. An innovative acoustic,with unbeatable playability. … A faithful recreation of an Epiphone icon. … A slimmed down jumbo that won’t break the bank. …
Q: What are guitar sizes best?
A: ¼ Size ½ Size ¾ Size 4/4 (Full) Size
Q: What size guitar should I buy?
A: – Yamaha FG830. – Fender CC-60SCE. – Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat. – Yamaha APX600. – Blueridge BD-16. – Alvarez Artist Series AD30. – Epiphone DR-100. – Rogue RA-090.
Q: How to choose a guitar size?
A: How easy the guitar is to handle for you How easy the guitar is to play The sound that the guitar produces How compact you need the guitar to be