What are the Best 1/2 Guitars for Beginners Today?
When finding the best 1/2 guitars for beginners, locating one that lets users practice the basics without problems is crucial. The half-size guitar is perfect for beginners and experienced guitarists. It’s just a matter of size preference. But what should you look for in 1/2 guitars?
Discovering the best 1/2 guitars for beginners involves searching for guitars that are simple to hold, durable, lightweight, and easy to travel with.
Finding the right guitar is essential for any budding guitarist. That’s why starting on smaller models is ideal for younger players getting used to simple techniques.
1/2 guitars provide that opportunity by being much more compact and lighter than their bigger cousins. However, what are some of the best 1/2 guitars for beginners?
The 12 Best 1/2 Guitars for Beginners
1. Enya Nova Go
- ♫ A TASTE OF CARBON FIBER – Carbon Fiber may have become a buzzword in the…
- ♫ WHY CARBON FIBER – Nova Go is made of carbon fiber composite material, which…
- ♫ SOLID BUILD & EASY TO PLAY – The body of Nova Go is 1/2 sized (35 in.),…
- ♫ ZERO FRET – Also, the “Zero Fret” feature is added to this acoustic guitar…
- ♫ PRACTICAL ACCESSORIES – This Nova Go acoustic guitar comes with an EVA case,…
It’s hard to go wrong with the Enya Nova Go. The Go is a sturdy piece that is suited for use anywhere. With a carbon fiber body, the Nova Go retains a sturdy compact shape that is easy to hold and transport.
The Go’s synthetic material is perfect for use in outdoor settings, letting you learn in the comfort of your own backyard. On top of that, the neck and body are assembled as one piece, guaranteeing extra rigidity and strength across the instrument.
The Nova Go is also easy to play. This comes through the neck having a truss rod inserted, making it easier to adjust and tune each string. An extra fret is added to the fretboard, making it easier to tune and grip.
To make this an all-around beginner package, the Enya Nova also has a case to protect when traveling. This great combination makes this a great beginner package for any new guitarist.
Pros:
- Durable
- Easy to grip
- Comes with a travel bag
Cons:
- The case may smell rubbery
- Headstock heavier than neck
2. Cordoba Mini II
- Comfortable 1/2 size guitar, with standard tuning
- Layered Mahogany top, back and sides
- Nub one nut, 1. 875″ Width
- C-profile Mahogany neck; 22. 875″ Scale Length
- Satin polyurethane Body and neck finish
If you are looking for a striking beginner guitar, look no further than the Cordoba Mini II. It is a beautiful instrument that stands out to its striking finish. Sporting sharply toned mahogany tops, the body looks like a piece you want to show off to your friends.
You can also guarantee some great sounds with both the body and neck made from mahogany. This generates a breadth of soothing warm notes, no matter what song you try to learn.
To add to the ease of playing, the body has cutaways near the bridge, making it easier to balance the guitar and reach the frets. It also comes with nylon strings that are comfortable to pluck and aid in producing rich, warm tones.
Throw in that the guitar comes pre-tuned to standard E scales, meaning it is ready to play any chart hit. It is an enticing bundle that looks and sounds immense.
Pros:
- Attractive finish
- Warm tones and sounds
- Easy-to-reach all frets
Cons:
- Plastic tuning keys feel off
- Some tight sounds towards the neck head
3. Pyle PGA820 Bundle
- 34” GUITAR SET: Pyle brings you a complete all-in-one acoustic guitar set,…
- HAND RUBBED VARNISH: Features a beautiful hand rubbed varnish with matte finish….
- LINDEN PLYWOOD: The classical guitar has a traditional body style featuring…
- BEGINNER KIT: The guitar comes w/ a storage gig bag case, (6) spare guitar…
- SPECIFICATIONS: Total Length: 34”; Scale Length: 22.9”; Headstock Material:…
Some manufacturers go all-in with starter packs, which is the case with Pyle USA’s PGA820. The star of the package is the 1/2 PGA820 guitar, which is perfect for novices.
Thanks to the plywood body, it is extremely lightweight, making it easy to rest on your lap. The tuning keys are made from die-cast materials, allowing strings to stay tuned for longer. This is finished with an Okoume head, making for a durable, lightweight piece that sounds excellent.
Alongside the guitar, Pyle has thrown in many accessories to give novices everything they need to get started. This includes a nylon strap and bag to aid in its transportation and spare nylon strings. It also comes with links to two months’ worth of beginner lessons. All this combines into an excellent starter package that will engross any young guitarist.
Pros:
- Very lightweight
- Loads of accessories
- Durable guitar
Cons:
- Rough frets
- Plywood edge may splinter
4. Oscar Schmidt OGHS Dreadnought
- 1/2 size dreadnought style
- Select Spruce top
- High gloss finish
- Fully adjustable truss rod
- Lifetime
Oscar Schmidt is no stranger to guitars and they prove it through their excellent OGHS 1/2 guitar.
This little piece is extremely well-made sporting a spruce body and laced with nylon strings. The guitar generates soothing tones, easy to play across the entire fretboard. That comes thanks to the dreadnought body making it simple to hold and maintain a well-balanced shape, no matter how you play it.
There’s plenty to like within the mechanics of the instrument itself too. The neck has an adjustable truss rod making tuning easy to master.
The guitar is adaptable to suit left-handed players, meaning anyone can learn using an OGHS. Add a fantastic gloss finish to the wooden body and have the perfect starter piece. It is excellent first instrument for beginner players
Pros:
- Excellent finish
- Left-handed version available
- Great sounds
Cons:
- Only one finish is available
- Tuning keys feel cheap
5. Strong Wind Beginner’s Guitar
- 30 Inch Acoustic Guitar – Size: 32.08*11.61*17.91 inches,Net Weight: 24…
- Durable Guitar – Made of quality solid basswood for the top, back and side. Hard…
- 1/2 Size Steel-String Acoustic Guitars – This Steel Strings guitar are…
- Tune your Guitars – Brand new guitar will take several days to settle and…
- Strong Wind! Music guarantees quality and affordability. This guitar Without any…
If you want to look different when learning guitar, then Strong Wind’s Beginner 1/2 Guitar is just what you need.
The most striking feature is the look, thanks to a striking bright finish. This comes in various colors, from neon pink to sunburst brown, meaning you always look like a star. It’s more than just looks, though. The guitar produces rich sounds that suit all song genres thanks to its all-basswood construction.
There’s also been a lot of thought into making the guitar a durable piece.
Steel strings are attached to hold the tune longer and reduce the risk of strings snapping. Each tuning key gear is rustproof and corrosion-proof, so you can use it outdoors. With a striking look and excellent durability, Strong Wind has an instrument made for novice guitarists.
Pros:
- Striking look
- Durable tuning keys
- Warm tones
Cons:
- Comes unturned
- Small body proportions
6. Ortega Student Series 1/2 Guitar
- RST5-1/2 – 1/2 Size Nylon String Classical Guitar – Student Series – Recommended…
- Spruce Top, Catalpa Back & Sides, Natural Gloss Finish
- Mahogany Neck, Natural Gloss Finish – Walnut Fretboard & Bridge – ABS Binding
- 1/2 Body 560 mm Scale – 85 mm Body Depth – 43.5 mm Nut Width – 18 Frets – Fan…
- Ortega Guitars Custom Made Medium strings
With the apt Student Series title, Ortega Guitars have their 1/2 guitar designed especially for new guitarists. This comes thanks to the use of lightweight materials within its construction.
With a spruce top and catalpa back, this piece is extremely light to hold and play with. Aided by a classic dreadnought shape and 18-fret neck, Ortega has crafted a guitar that little hands can wield easily.
Despite the aim toward younger players, this is still a guitar sporting plenty of craftsmanship. It has a two-way truss rod to help adjust the tuning and the chrome-plated tuning keys hold strings in tune for a long time.
The Student Series is lined with custom-made strings, making it refined for beginner use. It is a guitar that is truly made to aid new players in finding their way.
Pros:
- Easy to play
- Holds tune
- Very well-made
Cons:
- No custom finish
- Right-handed form only
7. Stagg 6-string Classical Guitar
- 1/2 Size
- Linden top, back and sides
- Pau Ferro fingerboard and bridge
- Nickel machine heads
- Highgloss finish
If you want a beginner’s guitar that is easy to play and customizable, then Stagg’s 6-string Classical guitar could be for you.
Coming in no less than 4 different finishes, this lightweight guitar looks and sounds good. This is due to a linden body helping produce warm tones whilst the pau ferro neck feels easy to grip when moving between frets. It’s well-constructed, giving a rich balance for new players to hear and feel their way comfortably through things.
To aid in longevity, the headstock has nickel-plated tuning keys at the top of the headstock. This helps keep the strings holding their tune for longer and can be adjusted to suit different scales.
When it comes to the finish, guitarists can opt for a classical wooden look to switch things up between choosing a blue, red, or black finish. The customization option gives a personalized touch to someone’s first instrument. A great all-around option for a first guitar.
Pros:
- Holds tune
- Well-made
- Custom finishes
Cons:
- No extra gear
- Comes untuned
8. CNBLUE Beginner Dreadnought
- Top Quality Materials: 30 inch acoutisc classical guitar top, back, and sides…
- Clean Amazing Sound：Sounds so much better than your cheap beginner guitars,…
- Guitar Tuning：To avoid damage in transportation, the guitar hasn’t been tuned…
- Handcrafted: The classical guitar features handcrafted wooden construction with…
- Gift For Beginners: Perfect for beginner students or a young player, started on…
When finding an instrument that is well-designed for kids, CNBLUE’s Beginner Dreadnought is a great option to consider. The instrument uses a dreadnought-like shape to curve in the middle, making it easy to hold.
The basswood body produces a wealth of warm tones, making each note shine as it’s played. The neck is made from maple, so it’s easy to hold and find frets upon as you play.
In terms of construction, it also has each tuning key individually fastened and wound on the headstock. This aids in precise tuning and extends the strings’ longevity.
The nickel frets are also rounded to give greater surface area for novices to touch and feel. Combining all these elements, the CNBLUE Beginner Dreadnought is a great way to introduce new guitarists to the world of music.
Pros:
- Well made
- Holds tune
- Warm tones
Cons:
- High action on strings
- The thick saddle can be uncomfortable to hold
9. Yamaha CGS102A
- Spruce top
- Meranti back & sides
- Rosewood fingerboard & bridge, natural finish
- Strings scale 25.6 inches, body depth 3.15 – 3.3 inches, finger board width (Nut/Body) 2.05 inches
Yamaha’s stellar reputation for guitar quality has made the company a household name. Yamaha has released the CGS102A, adding to that reputation.
Spruce for the top, meranti for the front and sides, and nato for the neck make this a hardy little guitar.
The Yamaha CGS102A guitar has nylon strings, the first three of which are nylon itself and the others of which are nylon wrapped around a metal wire. Nylon strings are gentle on the fingers and ideal for beginners and younger players.
The sound quality of the CGS102A is ideal for classical music because of its clear and well-balanced tones.
The best thing about this guitar is its adaptable tone allows it to work with various musical genres. In addition to being great for novices and younger players, the classical instrument is also quite simple to tune.
Pros:
- Constructed of a solid body
- Maintains its pitch effectively
- It has the strongest nylon strings available
- Miniature and user-friendly in terms of playing
- Value for money
Cons:
- No gig bag is included
- Fret markers are absent from the guitar neck
10. Fender Redondo Mini
- Fender-exclusive Redondo Mini body shape
- Spruce top with scalloped “X” bracing; mahogany back and sides
- ½ body size; 22 ¾” scale length
- Nato neck with slim-taper “C”-shaped profile; walnut fingerboard and bridge
- 6-in-line headstock
The Fender Redondo Mini has an in-built steel-string system, making it easy to play. It has an iconic look with its vintage sunburst finish and iconic Fender headstock. The beautiful, modern sunburst finish looks great in pictures.
This Redondo Mini will last long because it is made from laminated wood. This makes it more resistant to temperature changes. The only drawback is that laminate tends to be a bit quieter.
The nato neck fits nicely in the palm of your hand and doesn’t add any extra bulk. To get the most out of an acoustic guitar in this price range, you should take it to your local guitar shop for a basic setup.
When the strings are too high above the fretboard (meaning high action), the player must use more force than needed. It is a common problem with guitars that come straight from the factory. Fender Redondo mini here is fine, making it a good choice for anyone seeking to add to their Fender collection.
Pros:
- Constructed with laminate wood, sturdy
- Ideal size for children
- Sturdy
Cons:
- Quieter than all-solid guitars
- Strings are mounted too high
- No internal amplifier electronics are included
11. Squier by Fender Mini Jazzmaster HH
- 100% Designed by Fender
- Thin and lightweight body
- Dual humbucking pickups
- Sealed die-cast tuning machines
- Hardtail bridge
Squier by Fender Mini Jazzmaster HH has a c-shaped maple neck, offset body form, and humbucking pickups. The whole package is manageable in size and pleasant in appearance.
The Squier is inspired by Fender’s premium line: the Jazzmaster. While it doesn’t have the same sound quality, the guitar’s tone is incredibly solid.
The c-shaped maple neck is simple, so younger players won’t have trouble getting a good grip on the instrument. Because of its humbucking pickups, the Mini Jazzmaster HH produces less background noise when connected to an amplifier.
Customers buying the guitar mention the need for setup. So, you might need to bring it to local stores for guidance.
Being an electric guitar, you must also buy some extra equipment. A good guitar amplifier or a computer-based amp simulator must be part of your investment.
Regardless, it’s a great entry-level guitar with a higher investment point.
Pros:
- Its c-shaped maple neck suits players with tiny hands.
- From a recognizable band
Cons:
- Sharp fret edges make it uncomfortable to hold
- A guitar amplifier and additional gear are required.
12. Cordoba Requinto
- Solid Canadian cedar top
- Mahogany back and sides
- Lightweight, 1/2 size classical
- 47mm nut width
- Savarez Cristal Corum strings in High Tension, 500CJ
Because of its playability, quality construction, and solid wood top, the Cordoba Requinto 1/2 size guitar is highly recommended. It’s an excellent option for guitarists of all skill levels.
The sound is warm and well-balanced because of its mahogany wood material. This creates a great feeling of responsiveness and a gentle touch.
This handmade nylon-stringed guitar’s mahogany back, sides, and cedar top create an inviting, well-balanced sound. The nylon strings and small-scale length make it a breeze to pick up and play, making it ideal for novices.
It’s perfect for kids and novices because it doesn’t require advanced finger strength to play well. The nylon strings and shorter scale length help with this.
The Cordoba Requinto has the guitar a looser, more relaxed sound and feel. Still, experts admire how that meticulous construction results in such a beautiful-sounding guitar.
Pros:
- Perfect to learn chords and songs on.
- It is lightweight
- It has a clear, rich, and resonant tone
- User friendly
Cons:
- Sometimes, the neck is just too thick.
- Guitars with solid tops like this are more susceptible to damage.
What to look for in a good beginner guitar?
You must consider certain factors when finding a good beginner guitar. These elements can make or break your affection for learning the instrument. That’s why you need to consider things such as:
- Feel & shape
- Construction & longevity
- Brand & price
When searching for the best 1/2 guitar for beginners, these can all be deal breakers. But why are these aspects so crucial?
Feel & Shape
Guitars are instruments that need to feel right to be truly enjoyed. This makes a bigger impact than you may think with any new guitarist. It only takes one misstep to kill the drive and passion to play it.
That’s why many smaller guitars look to use the classic dreadnought shape that many full-sized models adopt. The sleek curves in the middle of the body make it easier to rest on your lap and maintain a good balance when playing.
Having larger and rounded frets makes it easier to get used to playing on the fretboards. With rounded frets having a larger surface area, they are easier to grasp for smaller fingers and remember their positioning. This makes it easier to learn the placements and allows for faster transitions when playing chords and different strings.
Construction and Longevity
There’s nothing worse than getting a brand-new guitar only for it to break within minutes of using it. Therefore, you must look at how an instrument is crafted and made. Any instrument that strays away from traditional materials may raise red flags. For example, substituting wood and metals for plastic is always a warning sign.
Take a look at how this affects tuning keys on the headstocks. Most are made from cast alloy metals such as steel or nickel. This helps improve string tension and the note tunes for longer. Any instrument that sacrifices this for plastic may risk strings losing tune quickly or snapping unnecessarily. The materials used should be noted when looking for a good beginner guitar.
1/2 Guitar FAQs
Are 1/2 guitars suited for adult players?
Even if some 1/2 guitars may be geared towards younger users, some adults enjoy using these just as much. That’s because they can be used for a relaxing jam by the beach or as a smaller guitar that is easy to use when always on the go.
Do all 1/2 guitars have nylon strings?
No – many beginner guitars will either have nylon or steel strings. Nylon strings are known for losing their tune quicker than steel but are easier to use because of their softness. It’s why many manufacturers have no hesitation using either in their 1/2 guitars.
Are 1/2 guitars expensive?
No – many of the best 1/2 guitars for beginners are relatively cheap to get hold of. Ranging anywhere from $30-$250, these are much cheaper to use than larger models yet still produce just as rich sounds. It’s why they are always a popular starting point for beginner guitarists.
What Size Is a 1/2 Size Guitar?
Half-size guitars range from 22 to 34 inches, making them suitable for people as short as 4 feet and 3 inches.
If I Want To Buy a Half-size Guitar for My Kid, at What Age Should I Do So?
If you want to get your kid a half-size guitar, they should be at least seven to ten years old. Guitarists on the go or those with smaller hands will benefit just as much from a half-size instrument.
Discovering the best 1/2 guitars for beginners
You aren’t short of options for finding the best 1/2 guitars for beginners. All these guitars are small enough for new players to enjoy and learn the basics with no problems.
Many are also similarly constructed to ensure they are well-made and not likely to disappoint young musicians. Some young players will be taken aback too by striking visuals highlighted by examples such as the Strong Wind and Stagg Beginner Models.
On top of that, some are tailored not to blow the bank, which is why options such as the CNBLUE and Pyle guitars are worth investing in. You can also rely on extremely well-made models like the Cordoba Mini II or the Oscar Schmidt OGHS to avoid bitter disappointments.
However, the Enya Nova Go offers the best package for beginner guitarists. It is well made and easy to play with, has a sleek look, and comes with its travel bag. It presents itself as the best 1/2 guitar for beginners today.
