FAQ's - Guitar and Fretted Instruments

Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Dulcimer, etc.

Q. How do I know what guitar and which size guitar to order for a child?

A. To avoid injury and to develop proper technique it is important to purchase a guitar that is the correct size for the child. Our recommendation is a nylon string guitar. Parents shouldn't scrimp on an instrument. The critical dimension is length, not width of the guitar. Here are suggested sizes by general age of a child and also by suggested string length for general ages.

The suggested guitar size by age:

Ages 4- 6 = 1/8 or 1/4 • Ages 7- 9 = 1/2 • Ages 9-12 = 3/4 • Ages 12 and up = 7/8 or 4/4.

The suggested ages by string lengths:

Age 4 - 6: under 18 inches • Age 7 - 9: under 22 inches •Age 9 - 12: under 25 inches.


Q. What are the sizes/lengths of the various size guitars?

A. They will vary by manufacturer. For instance, compare guitar lengths for Valencia and Strunal classic guitars. The Valencia 1/2 measures almost the same as a Strunal 3/4 and the Valencia 3/4 compares to the Strunal 7/8 size.

Refer to the charts and table at left and below to assist in comparing dimensions of various guitars.

 

 

A=length

B=string length

C=lower bout

E=depth



Scale Size A - length B - String Length C - Lower Bout E - Depth
Strunal 1/8 -1/4

Valencia 1/4
28.3 inches / 720 mm

30.5 inches / 770.7mm
17.3 inches / 440 mm

17.5 inches / 480 mm
10.3 inches / 262 mm

10.5 inches / 266.7 mm
2.9 inches / 75 mm

3.0 inches / 76.2 mm
Strunal 1/2

Valencia 1/2
32.5 inches / 825 mm

33.5 inches / 875.0 mm
20.9 inches / 530 mm

22.25 inches/ 555 mm
12.3 inches / 313 mm

12.5 inches / 317.5 mm
3.46 inches / 88 mm

3.6 inches / 91.44 mm
Strunal 3/4

Valencia 3/4
34.8 inches / 885 mm

36.5 inches / 925.0mm
20.9 inches / 530 mm

23.5 inches / 588 mm
12.3 inches / 313 mm

113.25 inches/ 336.55 mm
3.62 inches / 92 mm

33.7 inches / 93.98 mm
Strunal 7/8

Valencia 7/8
37.0 inches / 940 mm

not produced
24.4 inches / 620 mm

not produced
18.11 inches / 460 mm

not produced
3.7 inches / 95 mm

not produced
Strunal 4/4

Valencia 4/4
39.0 inches / 1000 mm

39.4 inches / 1000 mm
25.7 inches/ 648 mm

25.7 inches/ 648 mm
19.29 inches / 490 mm

19.4 inches / 492.76 mm
3.9 inches / 100 mm

44.0 inches / 101.6 mm

Q. What size guitar cover will fit my guitar?

A. Although there is variation between manufacturers this guide from Strunal guitars should prove useful.

Strunal 1/8 - 1/4 size bag fits guitars   28.3 inches / 720mm 
Strunal 1/2 size bag fits guitars  32.5 inches / 825mm
Strunal 3/4 size bag fits guitars  34.8 inches / 885mm
Strunal 7/8 size bag fits guitars  37.0 inches / 940mm
Strunal 4/4 size bag fits guitars    39.0 inches / 1000mm

Q. To what notes are a guitars strings tuned?

A. Standard guitar tuning pitches are lowest to highest string, E, A, D, G, B, E.

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