I get asked at least once a week what are the best electric guitars for kids. Most of these questions are from the local communities I belong to.
There is nothing that brings a smile to my face more than helping someone’s child find the perfect guitar.
That journey is like none other and if I can be someone to guide them in the right direction, what more could a guitar lover ask for?
It is not easy to find which guitar will be best for your kid.
There are a lot of factors that need to be considered including size, cost, overall sound, and mostly importantly…..comfortability.
Most parents would like their child’s first guitar to also be their last because it can take a lot of time and money to get to where they know how to play the instrument correctly.
However, we wanted to try and simplify things for you by bringing you this post.
It seems like there are so many choices!
Each guitar comes with pros and cons that make them more appealing or less appealing depending on what is important to you as a parent.
Ask any guitar player and they’ll tell you that guitars are a form of art, but for kids who want to learn from the very start, it can be hard to find an electric guitar with their needs in mind.
We will break the choices down by:
Best Overall – Our recommended best choices for your kids first electric guitar!
Best bundle– Looking for starter packs? Then check out our choices for starter bundles.
Best under $300 – Got a little money to spend? Great, we have some options for you!
Best ¾ scale – Looking for a smaller scale guitar? If so, then check out these picks.
As we said before, when considering a purchase you want to keep in mind size, sound, and comfortability. These factors are really what’s going to provide an enjoyable experience for your kid.
Best Overall Electric Guitars for Kids
Squier Bullet Stratocaster
Here at Guitar Exclusive we love Squier guitars. They are just a fantastic guitar to get started with for your child.
Turn your kid’s world upside down with this newest addition to your family!
With this guitar, learning is fun and playing is easy thanks to the single-coil Stratocaster neck and middle pickups. These features will allow your child to explore sound settings without any extra gear.
Keeping things light makes performance a cinch for beginners. This guitar’s thin and lightweight body makes it easy for them to bring their favorite instrument around with them day or night.
Easy comfort in play? You got it! A satin-finished neck comes ready to make fretting happen more smoothly. This is an important perk while you are learning.
Plus with a C shaped neck profile, playing is going to feel really easy on the hands.
This Silver Bullet has a single-coil Stratocaster neck and middle pickups so you can crank up (or down!) the volume to your liking. This also allows your kid to explore the sound possibilities.
The 6-saddle hardtail bridge allows for fantastic intonation up and down the guitar’s neck.
And you’ll love how striking this Squier Bullet Strat headstock is!
This guitar is perfect for young musicians and all of the reasons above are why it’s our # 1 choice.
Pros
Pros:
- Affordability.
- It has a comfortable neck shape, so it won’t feel too weird or tedious.
- Easy access controls knob that allows for quick tuning adjustments.
- Satin neck finish.
- Flexibility in tone.
- Lightweight.
Cons
Cons:
- Strings may be too high from the fretboard making it harder for your child to press down on the strings.
Epiphone Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar
Moms and dads- Let’s introduce your kids to the Les Paul with this Epiphone Les Paul Studio Electric Guitar!
The Les Paul is arguably the most iconic model for electric guitars and is the perfect guitar for kids.
It’s super easy to use, with a comfortable feel that will have them playing in no time.
The sound quality of this beautiful instrument is great throughout its range. And, though not all instruments are made to last, these beauties are built tough and designed to stand the test of time!
It is really easy to get used to the size of this guitar. The fretboard will be easy on smaller fingers, which is also great for those first few times a kid picks up the guitar.
The electronics are high quality which means you can plug in any amp or headphones without having bad sounding feedback while you’re learning your first notes.
This amazing instrument has an incredible sound and an easy-to-play tapered neck joint that will allow your kids to feel right at home.
Kids need special guitars that are fun to play and even more suitable for their size than typical electric guitars!
They must be built without sacrificing quality or durability because you want these instruments to last them for years to come.
One thing you don’t want them to miss out on is the sound and this guitar delivers on that!
Pros
Pros:
- A high quality guitar at a reasonable price.
- Quality pickups.
- Fretboard feels nice and smooth on the fingers.
- Classic vintage tone.
- Les Paul body design.
- Easy to carry.
Cons
Cons:
- May experience some slight string buzzing.
Best Electric Guitar Bundle for Kids
Fender Squier Stratocaster – Sunburst Bundle
The Fender Squier Stratocaster – Sunburst Bundle is the perfect guitar starter pack for your aspiring guitarist.
The bundle includes everything they need to get started, including an instrument cable, tuner, picks and amp so that you don’t have to break the bank purchasing them separately!
Features include a lightweight feel with easy-to-use strap attachments so performing can be easier than ever.
This guitar looks great with its sunburst finish and a sound that will make any beginner proud.
This guitar has all of the quality features that come from Fender, but at an affordable price too!
This bundle is perfect for your little Rockstar.
It comes with everything they’ll need to be out there wailing on their new guitar!
Lightweight and easy-to-carry, this will make learning exciting for them.
Watch as they play away to their favorite songs and learn how to tune it up once they are ready.
They can even bring it along for road trips, giving them both entertainment and improving memory skills at the same time!
Kids love these bundles because everything is included; all they have to do is plug in!
An Austin Bazaar instructional DVD is included so they can pick up some tips while learning their new instrument. It doesn’t matter what level of proficiency or experience.
Pros
Pros:
- Has a scaled neck which very young children find easier to play.
- Clear tones from each string.
- Comes with everything you need at a great price.
- Durable and easy to play.
- Lightweight.
- Comes with an amplifier.
Cons
Cons:
- May need to be properly set up.
Best Choice Electric Guitar Starter Kit
Unleash your child’s inner Rockstar with this awesome best choice electric guitar starter kit!
This includes everything they need to get started right out of the box – no other accessories needed!!!!!
Cool design, easy body shape to learn on for little hands and tons of customization options are all inside.
This starter kit has EVERYTHING they’ll need! It includes an amp, cable, strings, tuner, and strap.
This all-in-one approach makes it simple for the young player to learn with an easy-to-play and comfortable guitar body shape.
Customize the sound as they learn by adjusting the amp’s settings.
This bundle really is something of a new toy that will win the heart of any child.
No need to break the bank because this bundle is designed specifically to start their exploration into great music without shelling extra money on additional gear.
So go ahead, jump in feet first and surprise your little one by giving them this bundle that has lots of value.
Pros
Pros:
- Everything you need to get started.
- Budget friendly.
- Easy to start playing.
- Do not need to buy additional gear.
- Lightweight.
- Able to explore a variety of sounds.
Cons
Cons:
- Frets may be a little rough for the fingers.
Best Electric Guitars for Kids Under $300
If you have a couple extra dollars to spend and want to look at getting something in the next price tier, here are our choices:
Yamaha Pacifica Series Electric Guitar
If you’re looking for a great place to start with your child’s music journey, this could be it!
This guitar responds well to lots of styles like pop or blues or even metal.
Every time your child picks up this guitar and lets their fingers dance, they will be filled with a sense of empowerment and accomplishment that all kids deserve!
Available in a variety of colors for your little musician’s preference, we know you can’t go wrong.
This Pacifica electric guitar is perfect for beginners and comes in a variety of colors!
The Yamaha Pacifica Series Electric Guitar is the perfect beginner instrument for the younger, emerging player.
At an incredible price, it’s great for any beginning guitarist on a budget.
This guitar features a contoured body that makes it easy to hold by smaller hands, simple playability and it responds well to different genres and playing styles.
Quality craftsmanship combined with lightweight design make this instrument perfect for young players who are starting out or intermediate players getting back into music after time away from their instruments!
This amazing guitar will make your child love playing the guitar in no time!!
Pros
Pros:
- Contoured body to make playing the guitar easier.
- Variety of tones.
- Easy to play and Navigate.
- Sleek design.
- Quality craftsmanship.
- Affordable price.
Cons
Cons:
- May have some fret buzzing.
Squier by Fender Bullet Telecaster
If your kid wants a guitar that’s reliable and doesn’t break the bank, look no further than the Squier by Fender Bullet Telecaster.
Built with a thin and lightweight body to make it easy for your child to hold, this classy axe has been updated with die-cast tuning machines so they don’t have to worry about losing whacky tunings at inopportune times.
With an eye-catching classic Telecaster shape and sound, this is a beautiful way for them to join in on the family passion of music making or dive into their own!
Its sound is super clear and it features a C shaped profile that’s easy on your child’s hands.
Sometimes a new guitar player will become frustrated with guitars going out of tune which makes the guitar difficult to play.
The Squier telecaster by Fender has been designed for beginners- both in mind and body.
This guitar is durable and is without a doubt built to last.
Pros
Pros:
- Classic Telecaster design.
- Thin and lightweight body.
- Beautiful satin finish.
- Easy to play.
- C shaped profile neck.
- Built to last.
Cons
Cons:
- Will experience some fret buzzing.
Best ¾ Size Guitar for Kids
3/4 size guitars are for young students between 8 and 11 years.
They have an easier scale because it’s only about 3/4 of a full-sized guitar, but they still sound pretty great!
Ibanez 3/4 Size Mikro Electric Guitar
The first Ibanez compact guitar comes ready to play!
The durable maple neck has a 22″ scale and mounted on it are pickups that’ll let your budding guitarist explore a variety of sounds.
Harnessing the skills they’ve learned from you through music, your child will be able to enjoy learning the guitar the way only an electric model can offer them.
With smooth and responsive controls, this Micro size guitar won’t disappoint players of all levels.
The Ibanez Mikro guitar is for all you tiny rockers out there!
This sweet piece of instrument may very well be your child’s new best friend.
Whether they are running around the house or looking outside for inspiration, this 22 inch scale maple neck with smooth and responsive controls is an easy pick.
Pickups will allow them to explore a variety of sounds so don’t worry about it sounding terrible.
With its large pointed headstock, smooth fret edges, and expertly crafted features, this 3/4 size electric guitar conforms to the same high standards as full sized counterparts- just in miniature!
Pros
Pros:
- Great first guitar for your child.
- Solid construction.
- Perfect for smaller hands.
- Easy to play in small spaces.
- Fun to play.
- Great sound quality.
Cons
Cons:
- Your child may outgrow it soon depending on their age.
Squier Mini Jazzmaster – Daphne Blue
The Mini Jazzmaster electric guitar is a rocking way to start your Childs hunt for the perfect sound.
Designed with beginner players in mind, this Squier has a lightweight and slim design that’s easy to hold and play by just about anyone.
With only three simple knobs and switches, not only will your child enjoy playing around with all of its different tones but it also won’t take up all of their time trying to figure out how it works.
The Squier Mini Jazzmaster simplifies the process of learning the guitar for new players while providing a great way to explore tone.
Play the six-strings like never before with this lightweight, easy to play guitar that has a full-sized sound that really packs a punch.
This Squier Mini Jazzmaster is a compact and lightweight guitar with a cool indie rock look.
It has a real maple neck and fingerboard, along with chrome hardware and tuners, giving it a sleek – not to mention chic – vibe.
This versatile instrument is great for beginners who want an instrument that they can grow into as well as kids entertaining their parents at home.
Pros
Pros:
- Big sound in a small body.
- Comfortable to hold and play.
- Solid build.
- Tuners hold tune.
- Great indie rock style.
- Clear tone and overall sound.
Cons
Cons:
- Fretboards are not finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is appropriate for electric guitar?
If you talk to a guitar teacher, they typically throw out the age of 7.
It’s important to note that all learners are different so there really isn’t a perfect age, time, or day of week for you to start taking lessons – as long they’re able and willing!
Realistically though, kids can start playing once their grip starts becoming firm. They will also need strength in those hands to hold down the strings.
Beginning to learn an instrument at a young age is a wonderful thing.
It’s going to also depend on your child’s personality and skill set.
Here are some guidelines that can help parents make this decision.
1) Is your child focused and disciplined enough to practice for 30 minutes at least 5 days per week?
2) Does your child have fine motor skills (ex: hand-eye coordination)?
3) Do they already play another instrument or take voice lessons?
4) Has he/she shown interest in learning an instrument before?
If any of these sound like yes then it might be time for them to try out the electric guitar!
What else should I be looking for in a guitar for my child?
The guitar should be well-made and durable. You want one that is light, but it should also have a nice high-quality sound.
It’s important that the guitar has a neck width suited to your child’s hand size and it’s difficult for younger children to go too wide (even though they may like the feel of an electric).
Purchasing your first guitar can be very overwhelming, because there are many different brands and types to choose from.
One thing you’ll want to make sure in any potential buy is if it’s well made and will last you in terms of quality and durability (you don’t want it breaking on them!) so these 3 features are recommended when trying out guitars
What is an appropriate budget for a kid’s first guitar?
The answer to this question strictly depends on one’s budget.
You can find cheaper guitars but the quality won’t be as good and you might not have as much fun playing it.
A first guitar is a tough one because you want to get something that’s affordable yet is not cheap.
However, if we were to put a dollar amount to it, an appropriate budget for a first guitar would be between $200 – $400.
What accessories should you be purchasing with your guitar?
If you are interested in the bundles featured above then, they come with all you need to get started.
Guitars are an investment, but the right accessories can make it easier to care for your instrument.
The first thing you should buy is a guitar case.
This protects your guitar from scratches and other damage when not in use.
Another accessory you might want is a strap so that you can play standing up or walking around if need be.
Other useful items include an amp, picks, strings, tuners, and capos.
There are also some cool gadgets out there, but if you’re just starting out on guitar the above will get you started.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve examined a few of the best electric guitars for kids and young teens.
The best electric guitars for kids are those that have been designed with their needs in mind.
They should be lightweight and comfortable to play so they can enjoy playing and want to continue to do so.
The strings on these guitars should also be easy enough for them to press down and make a sound.
As parents, we want the best for our children.
That’s why it can be difficult to purchase a first guitar for your child.
The electric guitars that we have highlighted in this blog post are all great choices for a young person interested in starting to learn guitar.
Hopefully after reading our reviews you have enough information to go forth with your purchasing decision.
If there were any models in particular that caught your eye, let us know! Your input could help someone else learn from these suggestions when making their own purchasing decisions.
If not, also let us know in the comment section below!
We’ll be more than happy to help find an affordable guitar for your child or teen that will provide them years of enjoyment while growing up learning how to play it.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and remember to always HAVE FUN!
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