If you have children, you may be looking for the best electric guitar for kids to play. It can be confusing as there are a lot of different guitars and brands that you can choose from. This guide will help you find the best guitar for young beginners. Playing guitar is a lot of fo fun and it’s a blast with a new electric guitar.
If you have children, you may be looking for the best electric guitar for kids to play. It can be confusing as there are a lot of different guitars and brands that you can choose from. This guide will help you find the best guitar for young beginners. Playing the guitar is a lot of fun, and it’s a blast with a new electric guitar.
In a Hurry? Here Are the Best Electric Guitars for Kids
What is a Good Guitar for a Beginner Child?
You will find a wide range of acoustic, electric, and nylon string guitars on the market. Here is a breakdown of the various types and what to expect.
Nylon String Guitars
Nylon strings are the easiest to play, but they are quite boring for children to learn guitar on. Most children won’t have the attention span to enjoy a nylon string guitar. The strings are harder to change on nylon guitars, and they have to be tied a certain way, which requires a bit of skill. These guitars are not that loud, and the songs you can play on these guitars is limited. They are called “classical” guitars for a reason. They are mainly for classical guitar playing. For example, it’s almost impossible to play rock guitar on one of them. On the plus side, the strings are easier on their smaller fingers. Another advantage is they you’ll find plenty of student-sized guitars to choose from that are nylon strings.
Acoustic Steel-String Guitars
Another option is the steel-string guitar or what we normally call an acoustic guitar. These guitars are louder when compared to nylon string instruments. They come in a wide variety of shapes as well as sizes. They have student sized acoustic guitars for children. They are suitable for a wide range of different guitar styles and music. A child will get more enjoyment out of a steel-string style guitar than a nylon string due to the fact that they make more noise when compared to the other instrument.
On the downside, the acoustic guitar features strings that are harder to play. Acoustic guitar strings will dig into the fingers of a child more than the nylon string will. This can make them difficult to play and also cause more finger pain. A child may not practice as much if their instrument is hurting their fingers.
Acoustic-Electric Guitars
Another type of instrument is called acoustic-electric. This is a blend of an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar. It’s usually an acoustic that has a pickup installed in it. The instrument will also have an equalizer built into the guitar body or inside of the guitar. These instruments are used with acoustic amplifiers.
This instrument really isn’t child-friendly. There are not many of them made for children. This is more of an instrument that someone would buy when they’ve been playing for a little bit of time.
Electric Guitars
One of the better options for children is an electric guitar. The reason for this is the instrument is fun to play. You get to plug one into an amplifier and make all sorts of different noises. You can add various effects such as distortion, delay, reverb, and other effects, which make the music you play sound more interesting. There is nothing that more thrilling than plugging an electric guitar into an amplifier and playing some music. Children will have an absolute blast playing this type of instrument. This makes the electric one of the best guitars for kids since it’s so fun to play.
The downside to electrics if they cost a little bit more when you compare them to the nylon or the steel-string. You usually have to buy additional accessories such as cables, amplifiers, effects, and so on. In terms of strings, the electric guitar strings are easier to play than acoustic but not as easy as nylon strings.
Why The Electric Guitar is the Best Option
If your child is interested in music, the electric guitar is the best option. Their favorite musicians normally play electric guitars. They might play a Les Paul, Fender, and other famous electric guitars. Children want to learn guitar so they can sound like their guitar heroes. If you come home with a plain Jane nylon string or regular acoustic guitar, they will see a little bit disappointed.
An electric guitar will let them have a lot of fun. Not only is the instrument fun, but it’s easy to learn on. There is more you can do with an electric guitar. Acoustic guitars and nylon strings can be fun also, but they are a bit limited. The electric guitar allows you to plug into an amplifier and play all sorts of music. This can give children a lot of incentives can play the guitar.
Electric Guitar Kits
You will find that many electric guitars design for younger players come in what is called a guitar kit. You can get them for acoustic and nylon strings as well. this provides you with a lot of accessories, but you have to buy separately if you don’t get a kit. Accessories can include picks, a set of strange, a tuner, strap, and instructional booklets or a DVD. When you buy an electric guitar kit, it will often ship with a small amplifier.
Buying a guitar kit can save you a lot of money. You won’t have to buy all of those accessories separately. Many of the guitar kits today have a decent instrument, although the quality can vary.
What Size Guitar Should I Buy For my Child?
To make playing guitar easier for kids, manufacturers make what is called a student-sized guitar. These guitars are typical ¾ or ½ size. Acoustic guitars tend to be ½ size. Most electric guitars designed for children are what we call ¾ size. They are smaller than a regular electric guitar and comfortable to hold. The best electric for a child is a student sized electric guitar or one that is ¾ size up until around age 10. After age ten, a child should be able to manage a full-sized instrument.
Tips When Buying an Electric Guitar
- Look for ¾ size or “student” electric guitars
- You need an amplifier
- Make sure you buy a guitar strap
- You need extra picks, guitar strings, and a tuner
- Get a music stand for books and learning materials
- Make sure the guitar has a case or gig bag to protect it
- A guitar kit can be a good option as it has most of what a beginner needs
Best Electric Guitar for Kids
1. Fender Squier Mini Strat Electric Guitar Kit – Best Beginner Kids Electric Guitar
Fender makes quality guitars, and they also feature instruments for beginners that are a smaller size. The Fender Squier Mini Strat is a smaller version of the famous Fender Stratocaster. It’s easier to play and perfect for small hands.
This guitar kit features a guitar with a 22.75” scale length, and it has a ¾ size body, so it’s comfortable for kids to play. It comes with three single-coil pickups, which most Fender guitars have. It has one tone, one volume knob, and a pickup selector switch to switch the pickups. The bridge is a hardtail, so it doesn’t move, and this stabilizes the tuning. The neck is C shape, so it’s comfortable to play. The fingerboard is made with Indian Laurel. The accessories for this kit includes an instructional DVD, picks, strings, amplifier, cable, strap, and a clip-on tuner.
Pros:
- Looks like a real Fender guitar
- Has excellent sound
- Easy to play
Cons:
- No gig bag with the kit
- Can have tuning issues
2. Ibanez GRGM21BKN 3/4 Size Mikro Electric Guitar – Best Hard Rock Style Kids Guitar
Ibanez is known for its superior hard rock style guitars. They also make a smaller version in a ¾ size for younger players. The Ibanez GRGM21BKN 3/4 Size Mikro is the perfect option for the little rocker in your family.
This instrument is set up like the full-sized models. It’s the ideal guitar for beginners due to the small size. The neck is comfortable to play and made with solid maple wood. The body is mahogany, so it resonates well, and it has a rosewood fingerboard. The guitar features two high output humbucking pickups for big tones and sound. There is one tone, one volume, and a pickup selector switch.
Pros:
- Huge rock sound
- Nice pickups
Cons:
- No case or gig bag included
- You need to buy an amplifier for it
3. Oscar Schmidt 6 String Double Cutaway 3/4 Size – Best Tremolo Guitar for Kids
The Oscar Schmidt 6 String Double Cutaway is a Strat-style guitar and ¾ in size. This instrument has most of the features of a full-size electric guitar. The body and the neck are made out of maple wood. It features a rosewood fretboard. It comes with a white pickguard, tone control, volume control, and a pickup selector switch. The truss rod for the instrument is adjustable. most small-sized guitars don’t have a tremolo system. This instrument features a standard fulcrum tremolo bridge so you can do with whammy bar tricks with it. It has die-cast tuners and chrome hardware. You can get the instrument in a wide variety of colors. It’s the perfect instrument for the up-and-coming guitar player. The 3/4 size makes it easy to hold, and it’s comfortable to play.
Pros:
- Tremolo system
- Nice Strat-style look
- Easy to play
Cons:
- Lacks the additional tone control of real Strat guitars
- Tremolo can put the guitar out of tune
4. No products found. – Best Low Budget Guitar for Kids
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If you’re looking for electric guitars for kids or very young beginners, try the ST-Rise by Sawtooth. This instrument is simple to operate and easy to play. It comes with plenty of accessories to get the young players started right away.
The instrument has a maple neck and a Basswood body. It has a solid maple fretboard, so the instrument is comfortable for the child to play. It ships with chrome hardware and diecast tuning machines. It features one tone control and one volume knob for simple operation. It has one humbucking pickup, which gives it a little bit more outfit when compared to other child-sized guitars.
You get a lot of value for your dollar. It comes with a small amplifier, so you don’t have to buy one separately. You get a guitar cable, strap, gig bag, A three pick sampler pack, pitch pipe, and access to online lessons. This provides you an entire package so your child can begin playing the guitar right away.
Pros:
- Simple operation
- Comes with accessories
- You get an amp
Cons:
- Amp is a little on the poor side
- The guitar can have some tuning issues
No products found.
5. SX 3/4 Size Electric Guitar Package – Best Beginner Guitar Package
When you buy your child’s first electric guitar, you want to save money. The SX ¾ Size Is an excellent option because it comes with a full guitar kid. You get everything that the child needs to begin playing guitar in one low-cost package.
The nice thing about this instrument is it is a Strat size guitar that has all the regular features that a regular Stratocaster has. It is an outstanding value in a lower-cost student size guitar. The instrument itself is made out of Alderwood, and it has a rosewood fretboard. It comes with a tremolo system so you can use a whammy bar. It has one volume control, two-tone controls, and a pickup selector switch. It looks just like a regular Fender Stratocaster, except it is designed for kids.
Not only do you get an excellent instrument in the package, but you also get a gig bag, guitar strap, cable, and a guitar amplifier. Other extras for this package include picks and a pitch pipe so you can tune the instrument. It comes in a wide variety of colors, and you can also get a left-handed model. If you want a full package at an outstanding value, this is the one you want to buy.
Pros:
- Low cost
- Full beginner package
- East to play
Cons:
- Has tuning issues
- Am isn’t the best
6. No products found. – Best for the Youngest Player
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A 3/4 size guitar is ideal for most beginner guitar students. The problem is it can still be a little bit large for the smallest player. The Raptor ½ sized electric guitar Is a great option if you have younger children that want to play guitar. It comes in a great package that has everything that the young Rockstar is going to need to get themselves started.
This instrument is built for children Age 3 and up, so it’s perfect for the very young guitar players. The neck is small, so it will fit comfortably in their small hands. It has a solid wood body with a maple neck and fretboard. The neck itself is easy to play and will be comfortable for their small hands. It includes one pickup and one volume knob to make the guitar simple to operate.
The instrument comes with a small battery-powered 3-watt amplifier. the amp is small enough to clip to a belt but still it loud enough to be heard. It comes with a guitar cable, strap, gig bag, replacement E string, and some guitar picks.
Pros:
- Simple guitar to use
- Comes with an amp
- Low cost
Cons:
- Amp is small and not that great
- Lacks tone control or extra pickups
- Could use a full set of replacement strings, not just the “E”
No products found.
7. YMC 30 – Best ½ Guitar Kit
Guitar kits are excellent options for very small children. The problem with these kids is that they don’t come with that many accessories. The YMC guitar kit is the best option as it has everything that the young student will need in one full kit.
The kit includes a 30-inch guitar. It features 21 Frets. It’s the ideal instrument for a young beginner. It has a basswood body along with a maple neck. The fretboard is also made out of maple wood. It features a volume control knob and a single-coil pickup. It features a chrome alloy hardtail bridge to help stabilize the tuning.
Many 1/2 size guitar kits have poor amplifiers. This one is a little bit better as it’s watts and powered with a 9-volt battery. It’s easy to store in the nylon carrying case that it ships with. It comes with plenty of accessories. You get it guitar cable, strap, picks, and even strap locks for the strap, so the guitar doesn’t fall off the strap. It is an exceptional value in a 1/2 size guitar kit.
Pros:
- Full guitar kit
- Lots of accessories
Cons:
- There are some quality control issues with the product
- Tuning can be a problem at times
8. Epiphone Les Paul Express – Best Les Paul Style Kids Guitar
One of the most iconic guitars is Les Paul. The problem is that you rarely a student size guitar that looks like the famous Gibson. Epiphone is Gibson’s lower-cost brand, and they also feature Les Paul Express. This is a small travel-size Les Paul type guitar. It’s also suitable for small children due to the instrument’s size. This is a great alternative to the mini “Fender Style” student instruments on the market.
Guitar has two big Epiphone humbucking style pickups. This gives the instrument an excellent one. It has one tone control and one volume knob. You also get a pickup selector switch. The body is made with solid wood, and it has a Rosewood fingerboard. It has a Tune-o-Matic style bridge, which helps stabilize the tuning. You can’t go wrong with this Les Paul inspired Epiphone Express as a beginner electric.
Pros:
- Looks a lot like a Les Paul
- Good sound
Cons:
- You need to buy an amp
- It ships with no accessories like a gig bag
Conclusion
This guide should give you some options for electric instruments for your children. The winner on our list for kids’ guitars for the best electric guitar for kids is the Fender Squier Mini Strat Electric Guitar Kit. The reason for this is that it’s an exceptional guitar made by Fender, which is a well-known guitar company. It has everything a young beginner needs to play. The instrument is of high quality and sounds great. On the downside, there is no gig bag or amplifier, so you’ll have to buy those separately. The Ibanez GRGM21BKN 3/4 Size Mikro is ideal if you want a harder rock sound as it has humbucking pickups that are suited for rock styles.
If you have a low budget, try the No products found. as it’s a good low-cost guitar kit. For young kids, the YMC 30 is ideal as it’s smaller ½ sized guitar for those young hands. If you want a Les Paul inspired guitar for kids, try the Epiphone Les Paul Express as it’s another one of the best electric guitars for kids.