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What Guitar?, Small Hands

roggie13 View Member Profile	Aug 2 2008, 11:25 PM
Aug 2 2008, 11:25 PM	GMC:er Posts: 3 Joined: 10-July 08 From: Canada	Hi I was just wondering if anybody knows what is a good guitar for someone with small hands? I am just starting out ,been playing for about 3 months but have trouble with certain pull-offs and chords when I have to stretch from the 5 fret to the eight fret. I am using my index and my pinky finger but am still stretching to far to be comfortable. Is there a guitar with a smaller fret board? If so maybe someone can tell me what to buy, maybe a few names that are not to pricey after all I'm just starting out. I have a Ibanez right now that was about $450 it sounds pretty good so I would like the next one to sound about the same if not better. Any advice would be greatly appricieated....thanks You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Rated Htr View Member Profile	Aug 2 2008, 11:30 PM
Aug 2 2008, 11:30 PM	Experienced Rock Star Posts: 2.119 Joined: 15-October 07 From: Leiria, Portugal	I think the distance between the fretboards on a eletric guitar doesn't change, usually the difference I see is between Fender Stratocaster an an Ibanez, which as a fretboard until 24 and fender until 21 if I'm not mistaken...That's the only thing I can say...if you keep practicing your muscles well develop and you'll get the grip of the streches sooner or later... You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Currently Practicing Rhythm: Finnish Power Metal III: Nightwish Legato: Ben's Land Of Legato Alternate Picking: Alternate Picking Workout #5 Chords: Chord Melody Technique

John In Socal View Member Profile	Aug 2 2008, 11:32 PM
Aug 2 2008, 11:32 PM	GMC:er Posts: 56 Joined: 3-October 07	every stretch is going to feel uncomfortable or difficult at only 3 months playing. I have small hands too and when I started playing some things like some EVH pull off stuff in eruption and other stuff I thought for sure the music tabs I was looking at were typos, no way you could stretch like that. Now those don't seem difficult at all. To improve your stretch just practice doing the stretches, make it a small part of your daily routine and you will be surprised at how much more your fingers can stretch than you ever thought possible. I play a fender which is same scale as your ibanez. A gibson is a smaller scale guitar but only 3 months in I would not worry about getting another guitar at all, just keep practicing the stretches and work on technique, it will come with time. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

MickeM View Member Profile	Aug 2 2008, 11:42 PM
Aug 2 2008, 11:42 PM	Born of NWOBHM, Moderation Team Leader Posts: 8.562 Joined: 9-January 07 From: Stockholm, Sweden	Try a Les Paul, that could work for you (24 3/4" scale). Or a Fender Mustang which is shorter 24" scale. Fender Strat and Ibanez (as far as I know) are 25 1/2" EDIT: and to develop this further for an understanding. The distance between fret 1 through 12 equals half of the scale length. Meaning on a Les Paul 24 3/4" scale (628mm) you fit 12 frets on 314 mm On a 25 1/2" scale (e.g Ibanez, Strat) (648) you fit 12 frets on 324 mm. Resulting in a further distance between the frets. It has nothing to do with the number of frets you fit into a scale, may be 21, 24 or 32 the distance from fret 1 -> 12 is still half of the scale. The more frets you add only means it gets more crowded further down the neck towards the bridge. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! This post has been edited by MickeM: Aug 2 2008, 11:50 PM -------------------- My bands homepage All time favourites: B. Streisand - Woman in Love, M. Hopkin - Those were the days, L. Richie - Hello

Canis View Member Profile	Aug 2 2008, 11:44 PM
Aug 2 2008, 11:44 PM	Learning Rock Star Posts: 3.319 Joined: 22-October 07 From: Molde, Norway	I know there are some 3/4 scale guitars out there, but I would rather practice my stretching ^^ You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- GMC is not just a website... It's a lifestyle! https://www.youtube.com/CanisArctus ->Click here for the ultimate practicing tip!<-

ZakkWylde View Member Profile	Aug 3 2008, 12:47 AM
Aug 3 2008, 12:47 AM	Learning Tone Master Posts: 3.185 Joined: 22-June 07 From: Germany	There is no other way than constantly stretch you fingers and getting used to it. It takes some time until youre comfortable to play solos with your index on the 12th fret and the pinky on the 20th... You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Gear: - Jackson USA Select KV2 King V with EMG 81/85 - Gibson Les Paul Custom Arctic White with EMG 81/85 - Ibanez Rg 8527 J Custom 7-String with DiMarzio Evolution and Air Norton - Peavey 6505+ head with Marshall 1960AV 4x12 cab - Peavey Vypyr 30 Practice Amp - Dunlop Crybaby From Hell, Maxon OD808, Boss TU-2, MXR CarbonCopy, ISP Decimator, MXR Custom Audio Electronics Booster

Oxac View Member Profile	Aug 3 2008, 12:31 PM
Aug 3 2008, 12:31 PM	GMC:er Posts: 693 Joined: 14-June 07 From: Sweden	check out marty friedman. He's got small hands and adjusted to that. I can't see why you shouldn't be able to do that (with the right amount of practice) You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Olle "AJ" Svensson

Duncan View Member Profile	Aug 3 2008, 12:36 PM
Aug 3 2008, 12:36 PM	GMC:er Posts: 620 Joined: 20-January 08 From: Whistler, Canada	Michael Romeo has midget hands as well. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

kaznie_NL View Member Profile	Aug 3 2008, 12:51 PM
Aug 3 2008, 12:51 PM	Experienced Tone Seeker Posts: 4.809 Joined: 8-December 07 From: Hedel, Netherlands	Just practice, and when you are under twelve, it's normal to use a 3/4 guitar. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My YouTube Channel Here My Rec Takes Here --- GEAR --- Ibanez SA08LTD2 BAR Vox AD50VT Pod Farm Line 6 Pod Studio GX El Cheapo Strat Dunlop Slide Korg Toneworks AX5G

Marcus Siepen View Member Profile	Aug 4 2008, 01:24 PM
Aug 4 2008, 01:24 PM	Instructor (Blind Guardian) Posts: 3.433 Joined: 5-March 08 From: Germany	Gibson guitars have this short scale, so this might be a help for you You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Guitars: various Gibson Les Pauls / Gibson J 45 Amps: Mesa Boogie Tripple Rectifier / Triaxis / 2:90 Poweramp / Rectocabs Effects: Rocktron Intellifex / Rocktron Xpression Homepage: www.marcussiepen.com www.blind-guardian.com Check out my video lessons!

Guitar1969 View Member Profile	Aug 4 2008, 10:40 PM
Aug 4 2008, 10:40 PM	GMC:er Posts: 346 Joined: 30-October 06 From: Southern California	QUOTE (Marcus Siepen @ Aug 4 2008, 05:24 AM) Gibson guitars have this short scale, so this might be a help for you I think a standard Gibson(such as a Les Paul) would not be a good choice, because although it has a shorter scale(and the frets may be closer togther for stretches) the necks are wider than something such as a Fender Strat and with small hands it would be more difficult to play(Such as notes on the 6th string(Low E). I own a Strat as well as an LP and I notice this, and I have normal size handes. As others suggested, you should probably spend more time trying to develop the skill, and then down the road maybe consider buying another guitar. You definitely don't want to be limited in your technique by the specific guitar you are playing at the time - you need to be able to stretch on pretty much any guitar that is in your hands. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- "Three Chords & The Truth . . ."

Scott Gentzen View Member Profile	Aug 5 2008, 06:43 PM
Aug 5 2008, 06:43 PM	GMC:er Posts: 683 Joined: 16-January 07 From: Centreville, VA, USA	QUOTE (MickeM @ Aug 2 2008, 06:42 PM) Try a Les Paul, that could work for you (24 3/4" scale). Or a Fender Mustang which is shorter 24" scale. Fender Strat and Ibanez (as far as I know) are 25 1/2" Telecasters are short scale too. mmmm...Telecasters... There's not a lot you can do with a full sized guitar to get smaller distances between the frets, really. Neck thickness and width can make a lot of difference and unfortunately that's something that really you have to just go out and play guitars to get a feel for it. Small neck profiles are highlighted as a feature for Daisy Rock guitars. My first guitar was a Daisy Rock (long story...it's in the introduction forum somewhere). It's good quality, and feels good. Not all of them are overly girly either. They're worth a look, I think. I started playing guitar late because I thought my hands were too small. With the Daisy Rock, it felt good, but I still had no reach up and down the neck. As I've been playing and practicing, my reach is getting wider and my hands are getting stronger. I'm playing an ESP Eclipse and an Ibanez Roadstar now too and they're more comfortable to me now. The big fat Les Paul necks are still too fat for me though. The way I see it, there are certain things on the guitar that I'm not going to be able to do but it's not going to stop me from playing....I just need to stretch and be creative in how I do things that I can't reach. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Guitars: ESP Semi-Hollow Eclipse, 1984 Ibanez Roadstar RS440, Peavey T-60, Daisy Rock Rock Candy Custom Amps: Peavey Transformer 112, Epiphone Valve Jr head with custom 2x12 cab Pedals: Boss TU-2, Budda Bud-Wah, Chuck Collins Harmonic Percolator clone

Storm Linnebjerg View Member Profile	Aug 5 2008, 09:44 PM
Aug 5 2008, 09:44 PM	Learning Rock Star Posts: 7.676 Joined: 14-June 08 From: Odense, Denmark	Not having read all replies, but only some, I too suggest sticking with a "regular" guitar. Don't take the easiest route. You will eventually learn to cope and stretch your hands and fingers properly. Of course how you position your thumb on the back of the neck could cause the problem. Try having it far down on the lower side of the neck, as that will give better access to the frets. On a whole different note, I've heard of people being able to stretch from fret 1 to fret 8, while I am only comfortable with stretching from 1 to 5 or 6 at most. You don't need anymore though, as the notes are on the string below too. Otherwise you'll learn to move your hand and slide up and down the neck to eliminate this flaw. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my TikTok! - or check out my GMC video comments on YouTube

Trond Vold View Member Profile	Aug 5 2008, 10:32 PM
Aug 5 2008, 10:32 PM	Instructor Posts: 3.497 Joined: 16-February 08 From: Norge!	I've got small hands too. I got my Les Paul when i was 16 or something, and It was the first guitar i really felt comfortable with playing on, so i would recommend atleast trying one of those. Nowadays i dont mind what scale the neck is, i still have small hands though But i find playing on 25.5 scales just as easy, or even easier. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Guitars: Schecter Stiletto Classic, Jackson SLSMG, Ibanez RG-380 Japan, Gibson Les Paul Studio Amp: Marshall JMP-1 -> Rocktron Velocity 100 -> Marshall JCM-900 Lead 4x12 FX and stomps: T.C Electronics G-Sharp, Korg SDD-1200, Emma Transmorgrifier, BYOC Tribooster, GGG Green Ringer, Dinosaur Overdrive, Voodoo Lab SuperFuzz, Sovtek Bassballs, Line6 Tap Tremolo, EHX Screaming Bird. ___________________________________________________ My Lessons! My Instructor Board! My Myspace!

Daniel Robinson View Member Profile	Aug 5 2008, 11:19 PM
Aug 5 2008, 11:19 PM	Instructor Posts: 560 Joined: 22-March 08 From: Normal, Illinois	I pointed this out in the "Ladies forum" awhile back but you could check out Luna Guitars. As i stated in that post Luna guitars makes topnotch instruments but they cater heavily to female artists. The scale size is smaller and the nutwidth is generally smaller making it a much more compact playing surface. They are beautiful guitars too with top of the line hardware. Here is an example of one of their guitars, its definately worth checking out. I have had a chance to play on 1 and i can say its a solid guitar. The other benefit is how light they are as well. http://www.lunaguitars.com/electricproduct/andrphoenix.php Daniel You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my video lessons!

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