What are some quality short-scale guitars?
December 30, 2010 12:00 PM Subscribe
What are some quality short-scale (22") guitars in the ~$400 range?
I'm 5'1" with a 7" finger span. I've tried learning guitar multiple times over several years and completely sucked. Recently I picked up one of those Wal Mart mini guitars and found I can actually play without all the chord forming problems.
I'm having a lot of fun with it but I'd like to upgrade. Also, I have a fear - am I going to look totally ridiculous playing on a small guitar? Can I still be taken seriously?
I'm 5'1" with a 7" finger span. I've tried learning guitar multiple times over several years and completely sucked. Recently I picked up one of those Wal Mart mini guitars and found I can actually play without all the chord forming problems.
I'm having a lot of fun with it but I'd like to upgrade. Also, I have a fear - am I going to look totally ridiculous playing on a small guitar? Can I still be taken seriously?
I recently bought a Fender Squire Jagmaster, which is sort of a combination of the Fender Jaguar and the Fender Jazzmaster. I'm 6' with relatively long fingers, and this was my first experience with a short scale guitar, and I could not be happier with it. It is amazingly easy to play, even with my kind of big hands, and I am sure you would love it.
As far as the size of it, it is an "offset" shape, and does not feel tiny at all, although it is rather light. I don't think you would look ridiculous playing it at all.
Also, it has two double-humbucker pickups, so no annoying buzz when you plug it it.
Seriously, give it a try. I think you will love it. I second guess myself all the time, but not on this purchase.
I got mine here. They were easy to deal with and they have a good exchange policy with free return shipping on exchanges. Also, I went with the black one.
posted by 4ster at 12:25 PM on December 30, 2010
As far as the size of it, it is an "offset" shape, and does not feel tiny at all, although it is rather light. I don't think you would look ridiculous playing it at all.
Also, it has two double-humbucker pickups, so no annoying buzz when you plug it it.
Seriously, give it a try. I think you will love it. I second guess myself all the time, but not on this purchase.
I got mine here. They were easy to deal with and they have a good exchange policy with free return shipping on exchanges. Also, I went with the black one.
posted by 4ster at 12:25 PM on December 30, 2010
Apologies. The Jagmaster is 24" scale, but still, still worth a try.
posted by 4ster at 12:27 PM on December 30, 2010
posted by 4ster at 12:27 PM on December 30, 2010
I used to have a Fender Duo-Sonic and was fond of it. I'm considerably taller than you and thought I looked dignified and intriguing. Most people won't notice that it's smaller than standard, I suspect, unless they're really into guitars or pick it up to play.
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:29 PM on December 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by The corpse in the library at 12:29 PM on December 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
Yep, Fender Duo-Sonic. Cool enough for Patti Smith and a teenage Scott Walker, cool enough for you.
posted by Scram at 12:42 PM on December 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Scram at 12:42 PM on December 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
You could do worse than a Godin SD. IMO they're tonally a little more versatile than many of the Fenders. On sale or used, they'd be in your price range. I think I paid $350-ish for mine used. I'm 5'2" with teeny little hands.
posted by treblemaker at 1:10 PM on December 30, 2010
posted by treblemaker at 1:10 PM on December 30, 2010
Also, I have a fear - am I going to look totally ridiculous playing on a small guitar? Can I still be taken seriously?
As a regular live music attendee (although not guitar player) I can honestly say that "look at that dude play the guitar!" well overshadows "is that guitar slightly smaller than average?"
posted by griphus at 1:22 PM on December 30, 2010
As a regular live music attendee (although not guitar player) I can honestly say that "look at that dude play the guitar!" well overshadows "is that guitar slightly smaller than average?"
posted by griphus at 1:22 PM on December 30, 2010
Response by poster: Looks like I'll have to try out a 24" before making the decision.
posted by Pericardium at 2:38 PM on December 30, 2010
posted by Pericardium at 2:38 PM on December 30, 2010
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posted by Pericardium at 12:15 PM on December 30, 2010