7 Best Acoustic Guitars For Small Female Hands 2025

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Best Acoustic Guitars For Small Female Hands

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Being a female with small hands can sometimes be a challenge when playing guitar due to the finger stretch required to fret certain chords. Fortunately, there are some alternatives available that allow women with small hands to play comfortably. Don’t let your small hands hold you back from playing the guitar, check out these acoustic guitars that are best for women with small hands!

Taylor GS Mini Mahogany – Best Overall

Taylor GS Mini Mahogany

One of the best short-scale acoustic guitars on the market with the most value per cost is the Taylor GS Mini Mahogany. This guitar is an affordable Taylor acoustic that is highly accessible for women with smaller hands and also features Taylor’s premium build.

The Taylor GS Mini Mahogany features a body crafted from Sapele with a Mahogany top and produces a bright, full, resonant tone. The guitar build utilizes X-bracing architecture with a relief route. The neck and the body are combined using a standard Taylor joint.

The neck of the guitar is also crafted from Sapele and has a fretboard made of West African Crelicam Ebony. The neck has 20 frets and a scale length of 23.5”, which is considerably smaller than a traditional full-size guitar neck. The fretboard is outlined with dot inlays made of Italian acrylic.

This guitar sports a red-hued Tortoise pattern pickguard that tastefully complements the natural color of the guitar body. A decorative 3-ring plastic rosette adorns the soundhole for a complementary aesthetic.

The nut of the guitar is crafted from Nubone, which is a synthetic bone material from Graph Tech that is similar to their Tusq material. A Micarta saddle is affixed to the bridge, with black plastic bridge pins holding the strings in the guitar. The tuning machines are made of heavy-duty die-cast chrome.

The guitar does not feature built-in electronics for amplified use. However, there is an aftermarket pickup that was produced specifically for this guitar, which is called the ES-Go. This pickup can be easily installed into the guitar with a screwdriver in a matter of mere minutes. A V-Cable can then be attached to the pickup, which has control for volume built-in for easy adjustments.

A top-of-the-line padded gig bag is included with the purchase of the Taylor GS Mini Mahogany. This is a reliable gig bag that is suitable for nearly any travel situation.

Overall, it’s hard to beat the Taylor GS Mini Mahogany when it comes to a short-scale acoustic guitar that offers a quality build, easy playability, and a resonant tone for an affordable price. Sure, not having electronics built into the guitar is a bit of a drawback, however, this only encourages you to become more hands-on with your instrument.

Item Weight: 4.4 pounds

Product Dimensions: 42 x 18 x 8 inches

Taylor GT Urban Ash – Best Premium

Taylor GT Urban Ash

If you are in search of a comfortable acoustic guitar with pristine resonance, and budget is of no concern to you, the Taylor GT Urban Ash is worth a try. This guitar features a compact-sized body and neck that places it in the range between a full-size guitar and a miniature-sized guitar.

The body of the Taylor GT Urban Ash is, as the name suggests, crafted of Urban Ash, which is certified to have been responsibly sourced from sustainable resources, in combination with a Sitka Spruce top. The tone of the guitar has a warm low-end, with a responsive mid-range, and a sparkly treble.

The Taylor GT Urban Ash also features a unique asymmetrical C-Class bracing that is a new method used by Taylor. This makes the guitar extremely resonant and could be a great fit for those who specialize in fingerstyle guitar.

The neck of the guitar is crafted of Tropical Mahogany. The fretboard of the guitar is made from smoked Eucalyptus which is similar in playability to Rosewood but has a tonal character that is similar to Ebony.

The neck has a scale length of 24.125” and has 20 frets. Due to its shortened length, the neck has a playability that is more akin to an electric guitar. The neck also has unique triangular fret markers made of Italian acrylic.

A decorative 3-ring Hawaiian Koa rosette adorns the soundhole of this guitar alongside a dark Tortoise patterned pickguard. Aesthetically, the guitar has a matte finish with natural color on the top and a dark sienna color on the sides and back.

The Taylor GT Urban Ash also features a black nut made of Tusq as well as a Micarta saddle with black plastic bridge pins. The guitar also sports miniature nickel tuning machines.

Like the aforementioned GS Mini Mahogany, the GT Urban Ash does not feature any built-in electronics. This is mostly in part due to an effort to preserve the resonant profile as best as possible, as cutting into the side for preamp installation can diminish the resonance.

Included with the guitar is an Aerocase, which is essentially a soft gig bag that is reinforced with extra padding. The Aerocase provides the most protection a gig bag could possibly muster before a hardshell case is needed.

Overall, the Taylor GT Urban Ash is a guitar that cuts no corners and spares no expense. The guitar features responsibly sourced materials and quality craftsmanship and will likely last a lifetime. Having a fretboard that essentially combines the best characteristics of Rosewood and Ebony means there won’t have to be an internal debate about which type of fretboard to use.

Item Weight: 17.91 pounds

Package Dimensions: 43 x 22.8 x 8.4 inches

Ibanez PF2MHOPN – Best Budget

Ibanez PF2MHOPN

If you’re on a tight budget but are still looking for the most playable acoustic you can get your hands on, the Ibanez PF2MHOPN is a great option. This guitar is a ¾-sized dreadnought acoustic guitar that provides a comfortable playing experience and warm tone.

The Ibanez PF2MHOPN features a body completely crafted from Sapele. The guitar also features a natural open-pore finish that allows the guitar to sing with more resonance. X-bracing architecture is used inside of the guitar.

This guitar features a Mahogany neck with a Nandu fretboard. The shortened 22.83” neck scale length will really help to accommodate women with small hands.

The guitar has 20 frets, with dot-inlay fret indicators. An Abalone rosette is also featured for a classic aesthetic look, along with a semi-batwing style black pickguard.

The bridge is also made of Nandu, with a white plastic saddle affixed in conjunction with white plastic bridge pins. On the headstock, the tuners are chrome-covered, with the nut also made of white plastic.

An Ibanez gig bag is also included with the PF2MHOPN, allowing you to travel with the guitar and play it anywhere.

Overall, the Ibanez PF2MHOPN is a wonderful acoustic guitar option for those with small hands and a small budget. While the guitar does have some budget components, it still has a quality build. Despite its small size, the PF2MHOPN can produce a large, warm tone that any guitarist can be happy with.

Item Weight: 4.45 pounds

Package Dimensions: 38 x 17 x 5.5 inches

Martin LX1 Little Martin

Martin LX1 Little Martin

The Martin LX1 Little Martin is a wonderful guitar for those looking for Martin-quality build and playability, while still accommodating for females with small hands and smaller budgets. Despite its small size, the guitar produces much of the same tone that Martin’s full-sized guitars are known for.

The body of the LX1 Little Martin is comprised of a Sitka Spruce top with Mahogany-patterned high-pressure laminate back and sides. The body features Martin’s Modified X-Series X-bracing with a crowned cross-bracing.

The neck of the guitar is made of Rust Stratabond and features an FSC Certified Richlite fretboard. The neck has a shortened scale length of 23” and has 20 frets, with the neck being joined to the body at the 14th fret.

The guitar features an attractive hand-rubbed finish on both the body of the guitar as well as the back of the neck, making the natural look of the guitar pop aesthetically. Adding to the aesthetic is a red-fibered inlaid Boltaron rosette.

The bridge of the guitar is also crafted from FSC Certified Richlite, with a bridge made of compensated white Tusq and white plastic bridge pins. The headstock of the guitar features nickel tuning machines and a nut made of white Corian.

A soft padded gig bag is included with the purchase of the Martin LX1 Little Martin, aiding its portability.

Overall, the Martin LX1 Little Martin is a wonderful little guitar that can be highly accommodating for smaller-handed female players. While the guitar is definitely more affordable than higher-end Martin models, the guitar does feature quality materials in its build, many of which are used on said higher-end guitars.

Not only does this guitar have the quality build Martin guitars are known for, but this guitar is also extremely fun to play. It can be perfect for nearly any musical situation, from playing around a fire on a camping trip to performing on stage.

Item Weight: 6 pounds

Package Dimensions: 39 x 18 x 7 inches

Fender CD-60SCE

Fender CD-60SCE

If you’re a small-handed player looking for an acoustic that can not only accommodate women with small hands but provides access to higher frets and supports acoustic-electric playability, the Fender CD-60SCE is a great option. This cutaway dreadnought guitar provides the resonant sustain that these body styles are known for, while also remaining relatively affordable.

The Fender CD-60SCE features a body completely comprised of Mahogany, though it does have an option for a Solid Spruce top. The guitar utilizes a quarter-sawn scalloped X-bracing architecture inside of the guitar.

The neck of the guitar is crafted from Mahogany and has a glossy urethane finish. The scale length of the neck is 25.3”, which is somewhat similar to a regular full-size length but still accommodating to those who do not have a long finger stretch.

The fretboard of the Fender CD-60SCE is made of Walnut, has 20 frets, with Pearloid dot inlays marking the frets. A Fender CD Series rosette adds to the aesthetic of the guitar in addition to a black pickguard.

This guitar also has a Walnut-crafted bridge, a plastic saddle, and white plastic bridge pins. The headstock features a nut made of plastic and die-cast chrome tuning machines.

The Fender CD-60SCE also features a Fishman piezo pickup and preamp system. The preamp contains control settings for volume and EQ, as well as a built-in tuner for convenient tuning.

Overall, the Fender CD-60SCE is an ideal choice for those who perform live and want the resonant characteristics that come with a dreadnought-style acoustic.

Item Weight: 8 pounds

Package Dimensions: 42.8 x 18.9 x 6.5 inches

Fender FA-15

Fender FA-15

The Fender FA-15 is an acoustic guitar that is built with the traveler and the beginner guitarist in mind, though it can be very accommodating to ladies with small hands due to its ¾-sized build. This is a no-frills guitar that is very affordable.

The body of the Fender FA-15 is built completely of Sapele laminate, which gives the guitar a bright tone while also providing extreme durability. An X-bracing architecture holds the body of the guitar together.

The C-shape neck of the guitar is crafted from Nato and has a glossy urethane finish. An 18-fretted Walnut fretboard is also crafted onto the guitar, with white dot inlays marking the frets. As this is a miniature-sized guitar, the neck has a shortened scale length of 23.3”.

Aesthetically, the guitar has a very natural look, with no pickguard. However, a rosette with a concentric circle design is added around the soundhole of the guitar to add a slight decorative flair.

The Fender FA-15 does come in a variety of different finishes, including:

  • Natural
  • Black
  • Blue
  • Red
  • Green
  • Moonlight Burst

A Walnut bridge is affixed to the guitar with a plastic saddle and plastic bridge pins. The headstock features die-cast chrome tuning machines and a synthetic bone nut. A gig bag also comes included with the purchase of the Fender FA-15.

Overall, the Fender FA-15 is likely best suited for beginners, though it can make a great playing budget guitar for camping trips and playing at home. The miniature form factor helps to aid its portability while also being accessible to females with small hands. Multiple finish options also allow for more personalization than seen with other guitars.

Item Weight: 7.4 pounds

Package Dimensions: 46 x 17.9 x 6.5 inches

Yamaha JR1

Yamaha JR1

The Yamaha JR1 is another excellent budget-friendly short-scale dreadnought guitar that has a classic vintage look combined with a small, junior-sized frame that can fit comfortably with any female’s figure.

The body of the Yamaha JR1 is comprised of a Spruce top, with the back and sides crafted from Meranti. The body is a ¾-sized guitar which is modeled after Yamaha’s famed Folk Guitar series.

The neck of the Yamaha JR1 is made of Nato and has a Rosewood fretboard that provides a sweet and responsive attack. The scale length of the neck measures 21.25”, making this ideal for women with very small hands. Despite its shortened scale, the guitar still has 20 frets. Dot inlays are also included on the fretboard.

The bridge of this guitar is also made of Rosewood, with a white plastic saddle and black plastic bridge pins. Open chrome tuning machines are also built into the guitar, along with a nut made of plastic. Rounding out the total package of the guitar, a gig bag is included with purchase.

Overall, this is a pretty competent instrument that does feature some quality building materials. Due to its budget-friendly price, it may be best suited for beginners but can make a great everyday guitar for the small-handed player.

Item Weight: 4.75 pounds

Package Dimensions: 35.5 x 16.25 x 4.75 inches

What To Look For In An Acoustic Guitar For Females With Small Hands

There are a few things to keep in mind when you are looking for an acoustic guitar that will accommodate small hands with a minimal finger stretch. Keeping these things in mind will help ensure that you get a comfortable playing experience as well as the most value for your money.

Neck Scale & Body Size

Perhaps the most important factor to keep in mind is to look for a guitar that has a shortened neck scale length. Scale length is essentially the measurement of the neck from the nut to the string saddle.

Traditional full-length guitars will typically have a scale length around 25.5”, while any length below that measurement will fall into the short-scale category. Short-scale length necks provide a smaller finger stretch between the frets.

Quite often, many junior-sized and ¾-sized guitars will feature a shortened scale length. These guitars are usually built with a young beginner in mind to accommodate their small figure.

Budget

Your budget will determine the quality of the guitar that you can acquire. It is vitally important to honestly assess your skill level and the musical situations in which you will be using the guitar.

For example, professional guitarists will likely be able to justify a higher expense, as they will tend to be using their guitars both on stage and in the studio. Similarly, beginners likely can get away with a budget model due to the fact that they likely will not be using their guitars in those settings.

Fortunately, a wealth of options are available for any budget, and a very competent guitar can be had without the need of breaking the bank.

Best Acoustic Brands For Females With Small Hands

As with any niche market, there are several brands that are highly reputable for producing consistent, high-quality guitars that can accommodate females with small hands. These brands have built their reputation over a long period of time, with musicians continually holding their instruments in high acclaim.

Taylor

Taylor Guitars is one of the most famous American acoustic guitar manufacturers and holds a massive share in market dominance. The company was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug. These guitars are known for their high-quality craftsmanship and their bright and resonant tone. Taylor guitars are continually picked as the guitar of choice for many stage performers around the world.

Martin

Another very famous and dominant company within the acoustic guitar world is Martin Guitars. C.F. Martin & Company is one of the oldest American acoustic guitar manufacturers, having been founded in 1833. Their guitars were reportedly played by soldiers during the American Civil War. Today, Martin guitars are known for their superior build quality and their warm, resonant tone.

Fender

Fender is one of the most well-known guitar companies throughout the world. Their guitars and amplifiers have played an important role in modern music, offering a unique and identifiable sound. Fender was started in 1946 by Leo Fender, who helped to create the electric guitar as we know it. Today, Fender is backed by over 7 decades of influential instruments.

Ibanez

Ibanez is a Japanese company that was originally a large importer of classical-style guitars. The company actually derives its name from a guitar builder whose guitars were a part of the company’s main imports. In the 1930s, the company began to produce its own classical-style guitars.

By the 1970s, the company began to shift to electric instruments, with the company gaining mainstream attention and recognition. Ibanez guitars are best known for their precision craftsmanship, often being the choice instrument for extremely technical guitarists.

Yamaha

Yamaha is one of the largest manufacturers of musical instruments in the world, and currently holds the title of the largest piano manufacturer. The company was founded in 1887 and initially produced reed organs, with the production of pianos beginning around the dawn of the 20th century. Today, Yamaha is known for producing instruments that provide quality for every budget range.

Top Acoustic Guitars For Small Female Hands, Final Thoughts

Having small hands can be somewhat of a hindrance when it comes to playing the guitar. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be something that completely deters you from picking up the instrument, as many short-scale and miniature-sized guitars are available to offer the same playability as a standard-sized guitar. No more excuses!

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