Best 1/2 Size Guitar: How To Choose The Best Half Sized Guitars For You

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Are you planning to hone your guitar skills? Does a regular-sized guitar overwhelm you?

Well, there is no need to worry because half-size guitars are here to help you. As the name suggests, half-sized guitars are the as the regular ones but half in size.

If you are facing difficulties in playing the right notes on a regular-sized guitar, a half-sized guitar is a much better option for you.

Buying a half-sized guitar comes with a plethora of benefits when compared to a regular-sized guitar. The former is a great fit for novices and children who are likely to learn the instrument at a much faster pace with the smaller size. In this article, we’ll go over the best half-sized guitars and how you can choose the best one for you!

half sized guitars

Top 5 Best Half Sized Guitars

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS  
Cordoba Mini II M. Mahogany Halfsize Guitar
  • Exceptional sound quality
  • Portable and lightweight
  • Perfect for novices
Oscar Schmidt OGHS-A-U 1/2 Size Guitar
  • Comes with steel strings and acoustic sound quality
  • Stunning appearance
  • Comes with a guitar kit
  • Produces loud sound reach
Yamaha CGS102A 1/2 Size Guitar
  • Pleasing sound quality
  • Beautiful appearance and aesthetics
  • Remains in tune throughout use
  • Lightweight and easy to carry around
Hohner HAG25QP 1/2 Sized Classical Guitar
  • Offers a high-quality experience at an affordable price
  • Comes with all the required accessories plus more
  • Easy to play and carry around by children
Pyle Beginner 30 Half-Sized Guitar With Beginner Guitar Kit
  • Comes with a complete guitar kit
  • Easy to play due to its nylon strings and small size

Cordoba Mini II M. Mahogany Halfsize Guitar

The Cordoba is an exceptional choice for novice students of this instrument. It is a half-sized guitar with nylon string and only comes in mahogany color. You can play easily and hold it conveniently. Satin polyurethane finishes the body for a beautiful look. Everything about this instrument is impressive, from its looks to its size and features.

Furthermore, the Cordoba makes an ideal because it’s lightweight and small in size.

The Cordoba Mini II MH has been well arranged, which adds to its amazing sound quality. The instrument contains the top back, and sides layered mahogany.

This wood enhances the instrument’s tone. The neck of the guitar comes with an ergonomic C-Profile, which means it’s very comfortable to hold.

Pros

  • Exceptional sound quality
  • Portable and lightweight
  • Perfect for novices

Cons

  • Not the best size for adults
  • Low sound reach

Oscar Schmidt OGHS-A-U 1/2 Size Guitar

These guitars are great for students; however, they usually come with nylon strings.

It can be aggravating to search for the perfect half-sized guitar with strings of steel. That’s not the case with this model, as it comes with high-quality steel strings that produce a beautiful acoustic rhythm. This is a fantastic 1/2-size acoustic guitar in the Dreadnought style.

The best aspect is that it’s a steel-stringed acoustic guitar instead of a nylon-string acoustic.

The top of this guitar is made of spruce tonewood Catalpa is used for the sides and back. The neck is made of real mahogany. Die-cast tuners are included to maintain the instrument’s tuning stability.

A retractable truss rod is also included with the instrument. This guitar is ideal for anyone looking for a half-sized guitar with the bursting sound of the acoustic guitar.

Pros

  • Comes with steel strings and acoustic sound quality
  • Stunning appearance
  • Comes with a guitar kit
  • Produces loud sound reach

Cons

  • Steel strings can be tough for novice’s
  • Trickier to play in comparison to nylon string guitars
  • Requires initial tuning and set up by an expert

Yamaha CGS102A 1/2 Size Guitar

The Yamaha CGS102A is known for its timeless look and pleasant sound quality.

As a learner, you will be able to learn all the classical chords, which are extremely necessary if you are serious about music. Being well-versed with the classics will make it a lot easier for you to learn other variations of this instrument.

This instrument sticks out because it meets all of the essential needs for a guitar at an affordable price.

While its basic feature set isn’t very impressive but this won’t be a problem for newcomers or many potential customers. This is one of the best half size guitars!

Pros

  • Pleasing sound quality
  • Beautiful appearance and aesthetics
  • Remains in tune throughout use
  • Lightweight and easy to carry around

Cons

  • Does not come with a case or guitar strap

Hohner HAG25QP 1/2 Sized Classical Guitar

The Hohner HAG250P 1/2 Sized Classical Guitar stands out in its entirety, in part because a range of useful accessories is available for purchase. Picks, an electronic tuner, and a songbook are all useful items.

In contrast to the Yamaha guitar, this guitar is only for children under seven (07) years of age.

In case you purchase the whole package, you will also get pretty useful accessories that you probably would have to purchase separately.

These accessories include; guitar case guitar picks, a songbook, a pack of stickers, a tuner, and more!

Pros

  • Offers a high-quality experience at an affordable price
  • Comes with all the required accessories plus more
  • Easy to play and carry around by children

Cons

  • Requires tuning often
  • Misleading appearance causes its nylon strings to seem like steel strings

Pyle Beginner 30 Half-Sized Guitar with Beginner Guitar Kit

This is a little nylon-string acoustic guitar with a 1/2-size body.

Everything a novice student requires to get started is included. A gig bag, digital tuner, shoulder strap picks, and cloth for cleaning are all included. The guitar has a traditional design and is compact, plus it is easy to carry around. It’s made of Lindenwood, which was handcrafted.

You must consider accessories when looking at half-size guitars. The majority of these guitars don’t come with any extras.

You may buy guitar kits that include several of these accessories, such as the Pyle Beginner 30″ Classical Acoustic Guitar. It can help you save a considerable amount of money.

Pros

  • Comes with a complete guitar kit
  • Easy to play due to its nylon strings and small size

Cons

  • Could be small for an adult
  • The sound quality isn’t too impressive

Stagg C510

The Stagg C510 is a great purchase for kids who are not too excited about learning the guitar.

It comes in a wide variety of funky colors which will definitely excite your child. No kid would prefer the plain and traditional guitar over their favorite color.

These funky colors include; blue, pink, red, white, black, greenwood, and yellow.

This model offers various cool features other than its awesome colors such as cartoon graphic stickers or body, a nato neck, nylon strings, maple fingerboard, and the rest of the body is built with basswood with a gloss finish.

Pros

  • Comes with a lifetime warranty
  • Nylon strings are the best for children
  • Strong and sturdy body
  • Good sound quality
  • Loud sound reach

Cons

  • Not suitable for adult beginners
  • The size is almost too small
  • A bit on the expensive side

Fender 0950816021 -COMBO-DLX Acoustic Guitar Bundle

The Fender half-size acoustic guitar comes with steel strings which aid in amplifying the sound quality of this instrument.

Steel strings are typically not the best choice for novices, but it is a great choice for intermediate students.

The guitar is well-strung and exceptionally manufactured with an ergonomic hold. The model comes in a wide variety of colors which add character to its appearance. These beautiful colors including; black, sunburst, light wood, and a combo of blue and black.

There are more reasons why this model has been included on this list than its aesthetic appearance.

The best thing about this product is that it has a number of other great features. In addition to these features, you will also find precise and consistent tuning, metallic gears, ABS keys, and a straight and comfortable sized neck.

It is a great option for anyone looking for an exceptional half-size guitar without hurting their pocket too much.

All the credit goes to the strong and sturdy lime wood used in its construction, keeping its manufacturing costs low.

The best part is that the guitar comes with an essential kit which includes a lightweight case, guitar picks, pitch pipe for occasional tuning, and a guitar strap.

Pros

  • Strong and reliable construction
  • Comes with essential’s kits
  • Does not hurt the wallet
  • Ideal for kids and adult learners
  • Well strung and high-quality manufacturing

Cons

  • For the price, the sound quality could be better
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Ortega Guitars 6 String Family Series 1/2 Size Nylon Classical Guitar

The Ortega Half Size guitar is a cult favorite for offering a high-quality experience at such a low price. The model comes in a wide range of options in sizes and colors. You can bag this mode in light wood, dark wood, white, wine red, and black colors.

These colors are available in satin or gloss finish, and you can also choose whether you want a spruce top or a cedar top. Moreover, you can even customize your hand orientations in case you’re not right-handed.

If that is not enough, the guitar comes with a lightweight backpack, gig bag, and extra D’Addario string.

Pros

  • Exceptional sound quality
  • Great for kids and adults
  • Comes with extra high-quality strings
  • Allows you to customize the model
  • Offers great value for a cheap price

Cons

  • Rarely available in the market
  • Does not come with a lifetime warranty

Half Sized Guitar Buyers Guide

A half-sized guitar might seem that it is made for children but, that’s not the case; really, anyone can play it.

They might be ideal for children due to their size but, adults can play music on a half-sized guitar as well.

Your age or size has no relevance here. The only thing that matters is convenience and ease of use. Hence, if you struggle to use the regular guitar, switch to a half-sized one.

The best part about purchasing a half­sized guitar is that they typically come with a guitar kit. This kit includes all the accessories that will make the whole learning process easier for you.

In general, this guitar kit comprises a pack of picks, learning DVD guides, extra strings, a guitar strap, and an amplifier in the case of electric guitars. It helps cut down costs and saves you money and time as you don’t have to shop for these items separately.

Talking about convenience further leads to various aspects which determine the type of half-sized guitar you should pick. You can either go for a steel-stringed guitar for acoustics, or an electric guitar, or the traditional nylon-stringed guitar.

Let’s take a look at some of the factors that will help you choose the best half-sized guitar for yourself.

What type of sound do you prefer?

The type of wood used for the construction of a guitar determines the type of sound that instrument is going to produce. Tonewood is the best fit for a half-sized guitar.

Tonewood refers to the type of wood that is used in the construction of a guitar, and it has a particular tone that allows the guitar to produce certain sounds.

halfsize guitar

You can either get a guitar that has been built entirely from the same tonewood, or you can go for a mixed wood combination. Remember, the building of the guitar and the type of wood used for it impacts the sound quality and sound reach. You would like to have cedar or spruce for the top in an ideal situation.

Many of these half-sized guitars are made of splinter or plywood. The wood is not a problem for most beginners.

If you’re looking for rich sound, then a half-sized guitar is not the best option for you. Hence, it should just be considered a learning instrument or to be used for one’s pleasure only.

What strings work the best with a half-sized guitar?

It is best to use strings made of lighter materials on a half-sized guitar; therefore, you should use light gauge strings since they will be easier on your fingers, as they will be lightweight.

Using a half-sized guitar with nylon strings is a great option for beginners. There will be no cutting or bruising, no callouses on your fingers, and the shoes will not dig into your fingers, allowing you to practice for extended periods of time without hurting yourself.

What type of half-sized guitar would work best for you?

As mentioned earlier in the article, there are three main types of half-size guitars such as the acoustic guitar with steel strings, the electric guitar, and the guitar with nylon strings.

As we have established that nylon strings work the best with beginners, so that is your go-to if this is your first time playing.’

half size guitar

Acoustic guitars are recommended for older or intermediate students. Moreover, a half-sized electric guitar is ideal for someone who can’t handle a full-sized version of it, either due to their age or size.

It will allow them to practice and hone their electric guitar skills without any discomfort.

Does the overall look of the guitar appeal to you?

Well, it is a well-known fact that we human beings are visual creatures. We like to use those items more, which are found visually appealing to us. The sound and appearance of an instrument are generally the first things that attract people to it.

While appearances may not have much to do with how an instrument sounds, a guitar that appeals to the user is more likely to be played and practiced. It is especially true if you are buying this instrument for a child.

Is the guitar easy to play?

A guitar that is ergonomically designed to make playing easier for you will encourage you to play more often.

When the notes are not ringing out, it is discouraging to feel like you are exerting a lot of force on the string in order for them to ring out and without the constant buzzing. At the end of the day, you are here to enjoy the pleasant music, not to become a technical expert.

Is the sound quality pleasant?

A guitar with a nice and lovely sound will also encourage you to play it more often. One factor to consider is how well it maintains its tuning.

It is perfectly usual for a guitar to go out of tune from time to time, and it’s perfectly OK to tune it up every day before a practice session.

However, a guitar that is frequently out of tune can be an irritating user experience, to say the least.

Overall Winner

The information provided in this article will assist you in your search for the best half-size guitar on the market.

Beach guitars come in sizes similar to those found on larger instruments and have a similar tone. The good thing about them is that they are kid-friendly and simple to operate.

You can choose from a number of low-cost options that are suitable for both children and young adults who want to learn how to play the guitar.

A variety of small acoustic, steel-string and electric guitars are available with nylon and steel strings.

For the finest acoustic size guitar, we recommend the Oscar Schmidt OGHS-A-U. Steel strings, as opposed to nylon strings, produce an improved tone. For those looking for nylon strings, this model, i.e., the Cordoba Mini II MH, is a great choice and our overall winner.

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About Jayden Buckley

Hi, my name is Jayden and I am author/editor for PlayTheTunes. I remember the first time I hopped on the drums, I was hooked. Music has played an enormous part of my life, and I'm honored I get to share my experiences with you!