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

Q. What size guitar cover will fit my guitar?

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

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.