If you’re considering a new guitar either for yourself or your partner, there are many acoustic and electric guitars that would easily qualify as a great guitars for women.

What to Look for in a Guitar for a Woman

Let’s start with some obvious assumptions:

• The guitar should fit a woman’s body reasonably comfortably
• The guitar’s neck should be comfortable for smaller hands
• The sound should match the player’s taste in music
• The guitar’s price should fall within an expected budget
• And finally, it’s gotta look good!

Granted, the above list isn’t exclusive to females guitars for women or girls.

Compared to guitars for guys, finding a perfect fit in a guitar for a woman or a girl will have its own variations. In other words, a guitar that might appeal to a guy doesn’t necessarily mean it works for a woman.

Still, finding a perfect guitar for a female player is easy – if you know what to look for.

To help you make a better informed decision, we’ll weed out the junk and stick to better choices available from reputable sources – and that’s what we’re here for.

Women Know, Guitar is Not Just for Dudes

Reacting to a slump in guitar sales, guitar manufacturing giant, Fender, saw an opportunity in marketing guitar playing to women – and why not? There’s no reason guitar playing needs to be male-dominated.

In December of 2018, GuitarGirlMag.com published an article reporting:

“Fender Study Reveals Women Continue to Account for 50% of Emerging Guitar Market”.

Then a couple of years later, thanks to a pandemic, even more women started picking up the guitar to kill time while the storm blew over.

Fender Blazes New Paths for Guitar Girls

In a recent article from Forbes, Fender has also been keeping up with the latest in social media trends. Tops on that list is TikTok:

“It’s way more female and a lot younger than it used to be even 20 or 30 years ago.”

Fender Chief Marketing Officer Evan Jones

Women Guitar Players That Lead the Way

It doesn’t take much to conjure up a host of famous female guitar players. Well recognized personalities such as Bonnie Raitt, Joan Jett, Joni Mitchell and Sheryl Crow have been sources of inspiration for decades.

As musical styles have continued to diversify over time, so have the number of names attached to female players.

In more recent times the landscape has given way to landscape to popular names like Orianthi, Samantha Fish, Nita Strauss and St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark).

In terms of overall musical inspiration, let’s not forget Taylor Swift. Early on in her career, we saw a huge uptick in young female players picking up the guitar after being influenced by her songwriting, performance and creativity.

How to Choose the Best Guitar for a Woman – What to Look For

What Size Guitar is Best for a Woman?

While most women can easily adapt to with a full-sized guitar, you might want to consider guitars with slightly smaller bodies and shorter scale lengths of 23.5″ to 24″.

Otherwise, here are a few typical body sizes to choose from:

• Parlor
• Concert
• Classical
• Auditorium
• Contoured Electric

The long and short of it is, depending on your own physical body type, the best size guitar for a woman can be slightly different person to person.

Are You a Young Beginner or Upgrading?

Another factor to consider is where you are on your guitar playing journey.

Are you a female beginner who’s new to the instrument? Or are you looking to upgrade from an entry level guitar you’ve been using for some time.

Depending on your age, the size and type of guitar can be directly related to your age and body size.

As a gender-specific example, a typical teenage boy may be looking to upgrade to a full-size dreadnought whereas a young girl may be moving from a 3/4 size guitar into a more professional grade small bodied instrument – a guitar that will last her right through to adulthood.

Acoustic vs Electric

When you’re first starting out, choosing either an electric or acoustic guitar is a major consideration and will be directly related to your own taste in musical style.

Are you drawn more to acoustic oriented music? Or does the electric vibe suit your senses better?

There’s no right or wrong answer.

In comparison, acoustic guitars are a superb choice for beginners due to their simplicity. Being self-contained, you’re ready to go right out of the box.

Electric guitars on the other hand need extra purchases like an amplification and hook-up cables.

One important point to make between acoustic and electric guitars is the fact that some electric oriented songs don’t translate well to acoustic guitar. But an electric guitar can cover acoustic material rather convincingly with the right approach.

In a sense, you get the best of both worlds.

Having said that, there is the acoustic-electric type of guitar which, as the name implies, has one foot in each sonic camp as well. Though they do tend to lean more towards the acoustic side in terms of body style.

Overall Sound

Ultimately and as mentioned, the biggest deciding factor will be your music taste. Your sense of what speaks to you as a female guitar player has an impact.

If you want to thrash and noodle with high-gain metal, you’ll have to go electric.

With electric guitars, a major consideration is in the pickups. Being the engine of an electric guitar, they’re responsible for reproducing the the natural energy of the guitar.

Variations in different pickups types will produce more or less bottom, midrange and high end, while others will centered around warmth or modern clarity.

Plus endless combinations of all possible features designed to satisfy virtually any musical taste.

If your musical tastes lean more towards the lighter side, such as folk, you might want to go acoustic.

With acoustic guitars, the tonewoods themselves, particularly those used for the top of the instrument, become the major driving factor in sound.

Traditional top materials such as solid sitka spruce, cedar and mahogany will influence the natural tone of the guitar.

Depending on the structure of the guitar, the sound can vary from full and rich, to something like a tissue box with rubber bands!

Either way, regardless of whether your guitar is electric or acoustic, it should sound reasonably good to you.

Body Style

The design, size, and color of the guitar body, being the largest element, can make or break a decision.

Since beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder, it makes sense that your choice is based on visuals. Whatever your gender, you want it to look good!

Editor’s note: I’ve personally passed on some incredibly great playing and sounding guitars – near perfect 10’s – just because they were butt-ugly!

Style Factors Worth Considering:

Body Size: Depending on your own body type, the best size guitar for a woman can be slightly different person to person.

While most women can easily adapt to with a full-sized guitar, you might want to consider the various body styles mentioned above.

The different shapes, scale lengths, and necks are all factors that contribute to buying a guitar you’re sure is comfortable for you.

Body Type: Most female beginners will generally find a more natural fit with relatively small bodied electric guitars.

If you’re leaning more toward acoustic instruments, Parlor guitars, Concert size guitars, and Auditorium guitars would be most comfortable.

Dimensions: Body width and contour will have a significant impact on comfort. Edges that dig into your ribs or are uncomfortable under your elbow can be a deal-breaker.

Performance Style: Are you more of a rhythm player or go for leads? A guitar body with a cutaway will help you gain easier access to the upper frets allowing you to play higher notes in a killer solo.

Tonal Versatility: Do you need sonic variety? If you want versatility, consider guitars with controls that modify the output of the guitar.

With more switching combinations, you’ll have more opportunities to shape your tone.

Playability

Many factors contribute to a guitar’s playability. For instance acoustic guitars use heavier strings which, compared to electric guitars, are much stiffer to play.

Along with build general build quality, there are a few inherent properties that have a direct impact on what helps qualify a good guitar for a woman.

Scale Length

A guitar’s scale length, which is the distance between the nut and the bridge, is very much associated with the size and style of the instrument.

Generally speaking, the smaller the guitar ,the shorter the scale length.

Technically speaking, a scale length below 24.75″ can be considered a short scale, whereas a long scale would be 25″ and over.

Here’s a few examples of common guitar scale lengths:

24″ – Fender Jaguar and Mustang

24.75″ – Most Gibson and Epiphone models

25″ – PRS, Carvin, and Danelectric models

25.5″ – Most Fender, Squier, Ibanez, Jackson, Kramer and Schecter models

30″ – Short scale bass guitars

34″ – Standard length bass guitars

“What difference does scale length make?”

Simply put, the scale length will have a huge impact on how flexible the strings are to play.

Compared to long scale lengths, shorter scale lengths will feel more “slinky”. In other words the strings will feel more loose.

A short scale length combined with a smaller body style can in many cases, make a perfect size guitar for a woman.

Neck Size and Radius

The neck radius, which refers to the curve of the fretboard, is much less important than the overall shape of the neck itself.

For someone with smaller hands, a slender neck will be much more comfortable.

Most women would find guitars made Ibanez and Taylor, and many others, produce excellent instruments with player-friendly necks that are easy to get used to.

As for the neck shape, the most comfortable guitar neck profile for a woman would be the modern “C” and “D” shapes.

General Setup

When you first pick up a guitar, it should at least be playable right from the start.

A good setup will ensure the guitar is easy to manage – for instance the strings aren’t too high, and that all the controls are functioning properly.

Better guitar suppliers will offer this service for free. Plus many of the better manufacturers make sure their guitars leave the factory in great playing condition to start with.

Still, regardless of quality control, it’s not uncommon for guitars to need adjustments after the fact.

The beauty of this is, as a female guitar player, you can have the instrument tailored specifically to your playing style.

Build Quality and Materials

A guitar’s build quality can be directly related to, but not exclusive to its price point.

The brand name will also have a huge impact on the quality and materials used – and warranty.

Generally speaking, established brands like Gibson, Fender, Taylor, PRS and others exercise higher standards of quality control to ensure their customers get a better built guitar.

Whether the guitar is made in north America or overseas, you can find the right combination of quality, materials and price point that works for you.

For instance, Fender’s Squier Classic Vibe series offers an excellent value dollar for dollar. But the Squier series is not necessarily made in North America.

On the whole, look for trusted brands and buy from reputable, recommended sellers.

Price

Like the saying goes – “You get what you pay for.”

Still, there are some great deals out there. In a highly competitive market, better guitar companies want to make sure their customers are getting a good bang for the buck.

Most major guitar manufacturers will have their signature brand guitars as well as sub-brands that cover lower price points.

Here are a few examples of major guitar companies and their related brands:

• Gibson – Epiphone
• Fender – Squier
• Ibanez – Ibanez GIO
• PRS – PRS SE
• C.F. Martin – Sigma Guitars
• Takamine – Takamine G-Series
• Ovation – Jasmine

And many more.

If you’re just starting out, you might want to stick to a relatively low budget – somewhere between $200 and $400, or around the $300 mark. This is the “sweet spot” for entry-level acoustic and electric guitars.

If you have a little more to spend, the next level would be around the $600 price point.

Looking to upgrade? There are many fine and professional grade instruments starting in the high hundreds and going well up into the thousands.

Acoustic and Electric Guitars for Women – Treasure Hunting for the Eyes And Ears

Our Top 3 Acoustic Guitars for Women

1. Yamaha FG800 Dreadnought

Known for building excellent quality instruments for nearly every price any price point, Yamaha’s FG800 represents one of the greatest values in beginner acoustic guitar.

Featuring a solid top, it delivers a rich, full-bodied tone usually found in more expensive acoustic guitars.

The smooth feeling neck is extremely playable and comfortable – perfect for players just beginning their musical journey.

2. Martin LX1E Little Martin Acoustic Guitar

With well over 150 years of experience, Martin certainly knows how to build acoustic guitars. The small bodied LX1 is no exception.

Though it’s not full size, it still projects a powerful full tone, plus it benefits from Martin’s expertise in building quality instruments.

With two versions to choose from, one with electronics and one without, the LX1 hits a home run in the lower mid-hundreds sweet spot.

3. Taylor GS Mini-e Mahogany Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Not that long ago, Taylor set the bar much higher for the competition. Using innovative build methods combined with superior materials and design elements, it’s no wonder the GS Mini gets the acclaim it does.

In terms of sound and projection, this little powerhouse easily stands up to instruments sporting larger bodies, plus it plays like a dream.

Better yet, thanks to forward thinking design, Taylor guitars are also very easy to maintain compared to more traditional acoustic guitar construction.

Our Top 3 Electric Guitars for Women

1. Squier Bullet Mustang HH

Considering its entry-level price point, the Squier Bullet Mustang is without a doubt one of the best electric guitars for women looking to start playing.

With its broad sounding electronics and relatively small size, it’s fully capable of providing a truly enjoyable – and fun, playing experience.

As a well established brand under the umbrella of guitar manufacturing giant Fender, Squier is known for making electric guitars tailored to smaller budgets, and the Bullet Mustang is no exception.

2. Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Telecaster

Squier’s Classic Vibe Telecaster is hands down one of the best values in a vintage-style guitar you can get.

With it’s traditional styling and high levels of quality control manufacturing, this electric guitar represents an excellent value right out of the box.

Since its parent company, Fender, had the good sense to use really good pickups to start with, there’s very little you need to upgrade to get an instrument literally worth twice as much, plus It’ll easily last a lifetime!

3. PRS SE Standard 245 Electric Guitar

Paul Reed Smith guitars are known for exceptional build quality, astonishing playability and killer sound. The PRS Standard 245 Electric holds true to that ideal.

Though it is a more cost-effective version, the company sourced one of the absolute best offshore firms to reproduce its iconic designs to maintain the standards the PRS customers expect.

Overall the PRS SE series is, without a doubt, one of the best imported electric guitars you can get for the money – period.

Final Words

Regardless of your inspiration, guitars for women come in wonderful combinations of different body shapes, scale lengths, and necks.

All of these features should be considered to ensure you’re buying a guitar that’s the right fit for you.

All of these factors should be considered to ensure that when buying a guitar, you’re getting one that’s the right fit for you.

The post Guitar For A Woman – How To Find The Perfect Fit first appeared on GuitarNiche.

Should You Start with a Classical or Acoustic Guitar?

To the untrained eye, acoustic and classical guitars look very similar. This is often a big problem for beginners who don’t know which guitar is better to start with. In this article you will learn the main differences between acoustic and classical guitars.

The first thing that needs to be said is that no one can really blame you for confusing these types of guitars since in the family of string instruments acoustic and classical ones are very close relatives.

Honestly, you can even be somewhat good at guitar, but if you only played acoustics or electric guitars, you may not even know what’s different about classical guitars.

However, let’s not rush the horses and first look at the similarities.

Similarities between acoustic and classical guitars

Acoustic and classical guitars work in the same way in regards to sound production and amplifying. The air vibration caused by the strings is amplified by the hollow body of the instrument (guitars with bigger body types will product a deeper tone).

With that being said, both acoustic and classical guitars don’t need electronics or extra equipment like amps, chords or pedals to sound good. Acoustic and classical guitars often have similar size, shape and even color!

With so many similarities one might think that the differences are fairly minimal or not really that important. This is definitely not the case. Let’s look at why acoustic and classical guitars are much more different than they seem on the first sight.

Differences between acoustic and classical guitars

The neck

Classical guitars have a significantly wider neck than their steel string counterparts. The string spacing is also different as they are set further apart from each other. On one hand it’s very comfortable to play finger style since there’s more room to move between adjacent strings with your picking hand.

On the other hand, with a wider neck it may be harder to strum and play chords, especially in the case of a youngster with smaller hands. If you’re a beginner and want to practice strumming basic chords – you might want to stay away from classical guitars for now.

Strings, truss rod and action

Most steel string acoustic models have a considerable amount of tension on the neck. On average, about 160 pounds between the headstock and the bridge. That’s nearly double to the 85 pounds of pressure created by classical strings.

For this reason you’ll notice that acoustic guitars are equipped with a reinforcing metal truss rod. The truss rod used to counteract the string tension that would otherwise cause it to warp up or pull towards the body.

Steel strings come in many different gauges, materials, and pressures that can impact the sound as well. If an instrument reacts adversely, you can adjust the truss rod if the action happens to be a bit too high or too low.

Lastly, one of the primary drawbacks to learning with steel strings is that they will hurt your fingers until you develop calluses.

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D'Addario Pro Arté Nylon Classical Guitar...

Classical guitars on the other hand come with softer feeling nylon or synthetic gut strings. These different materials have an effect on tonal quality and overall feel. Standard classical nylon strings also come with different gauges, but what makes the difference in tone and feel is again, the string tension.

Because of the nature of the materials, nylon strings are easier on the fingers and produce more mellow sound. As mentioned, they don’t impart the same amount of tension on the neck which also shifts their frequency response.

This reduced tension is also why classical guitars generally do not come equipped with a truss rod, although higher end models will as an extra reassuring feature.

Size and body shape

Acoustic guitars come in all sizes and shapes – from half size instruments to giant dreadnoughts. However, the most common acoustic guitar sizes are 3/4 or full size. A standard classical guitar is usually 25-26 inches – which is about the same length as full size acoustic models.

Keep in mind that classical guitars have smaller bodies in general, and despite the having a similar scale length, will have a very different tone.

Besides having differences in body structure, the headstocks are also specific to each type of instrument. A classical guitar is instantly recognizable by its slotted headstock, whereas steel string instruments feature a flat face with vertical pegs.

Sound and styles

Because acoustic guitars come in larger sizes, they produce louder, stronger and more vibrant sounds than the classical ones. They are suitable for playing music genres like rock and jazz. Therefor if you want a brilliant tone and the ability to cover a vast majority of modern, popular acoustic songs, a steel string acoustic is your choice.

Even though these features are likely to attract most guitarists, some beginners may be better off with a classical instrument as they are easier on the fingertips and have a beautiful warm tone. But it’s important to note that they often have a hard time maintaining a modern contemporary guitar voice.

Price

Your budget also plays a great role in the type of guitar you choose. Even though prices can vary greatly between instrument styles, steel string acoustic guitars are usually more affordable simply because of market acceptance. To put it in a different way, for $200 you have a broader range of sizes, shapes and colors compared to classicals.

Parting Thoughts

Learning to play the guitar is a very rewarding experience. The type of guitar you start with will have great influence over the future of your musical career.

Unfortunately in this age of instant gratification, many beginners quit because the guitar they started with gave them a hard time while learning.

Still the question remains, which guitar should you choose as a beginner?

To sum up, classical guitars are easier on the fingers, easy to play and produce a mellow sound. In contrast, steel string acoustics are more versatile allowing you to practice a wider range of music.

Finally, it has been our experience that regardless of the category of guitar you choose, making sure the instrument is properly setup makes a huge difference in the enjoyment factor for the player.

Contributor: Alan Jackman from Beginnerguitar.pro

The post Classical Guitar vs Acoustic Guitar [Which One Should You Start With?] first appeared on GuitarNiche.