1 Topic by YorkieDav (edited by YorkieDav 2010-09-29 06:16:46)

  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2010-05-20
  • Posts: 165

Topic: Help with a 1/2 scale guitar for my young 'un

I'm sure there are some fine people here who can help me with this...

My son is 6 yrs old and is showing enough attention in my guitar to warrant getting his own.

It seems that a 1/2 scale is most appropriate for his age and size so I've ordered a simple electric one for him to strum about on.

Now, this is where my problems start...I'm pretty new to this myself and am happy if I can string together half a dozen notes or more, but I do enjoy it (Enthusiasm - Natural Talent = god awful noise).
I understand that, because of the scale, it is very difficult to get these in a standard tuning and that alternative tunings are recommended.  That's fine and I understand the reasons for this. 
I'm not big on music theory so what I don't follow is, how will this tuning affect the actual notes played.  If he is trying to follow what I'm playing on my standard tune guitar, how different will it sound?
Will it sound completely different (all the wrong notes), or the same but in a different key?
Also, what effect does this have on the standard chord shapes and the sound produced?
Finally, what is a recommended tuning for such short scale guitars?

Thanks in advance.

What The Fuzz ?!
  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: Help with a 1/2 scale guitar for my young 'un

I too have a 6 yr old son that loves to jump around playing air guitar to the RAH vid and swears he wants to be just like Joe! (wow flash back 25-30 yrs and a little Joe B jumped around to another guitar god at the RAH) cool

Anyway - I looked high and low and bought him a short scale Squier Stratocaster that tunes normally and sounds OK. I encourage him to pick it up everyday and bang away on it just to get some cool sounds and we have a blast.

It's black with a white pickguard and maple neck. $200 w/ a little Traynor amp. He loves it and I'm proud of the little guy. I think it's important to not get caught up in actually "teaching" him stuff at this point - he likes to slide up and down the low E string doing a surf type thing and I tell him it sounds great no matter what.

Occasionally I will tune it to open E so he can strum away and it sounds good.

Anyway good luck in your search!

Cheers

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2010-05-20
  • Posts: 165

Re: Help with a 1/2 scale guitar for my young 'un

Thanks kevman. cool

I've got no real intention of trying to teach him much past the basics (blind leading the blind, kind of thing).
What I'd like to do is what you're doing; encourage, praise and keep him engaged.
He's asking really intelligent questions that prove he's interested, so all I can do is try and keep it going.
If his guitar sounds way different to mine, he'll pick up on it and ask me why.
Right now I don't have many answers ready, so I'd like to be prepared.
It's probably going to be one of his christmas presents (it's on his list to Santa) so I've got a bit of time on my side.

What The Fuzz ?!
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Help with a 1/2 scale guitar for my young 'un

A baby taylor or martin would be a guitar good enough for you to play and for him!
But I'd probably get a Squire strat... maybe full size. If you want smaller go with a Chiquita!

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool

5 Reply by RICjunkie (edited by RICjunkie 2010-09-29 18:09:07)

  • From: The Gates of Delerium
  • Registered: 2008-05-07
  • Posts: 1,412

Re: Help with a 1/2 scale guitar for my young 'un

I have a short scale Rickenbacker and the secret to get it to intonate properly is to use heavy gauge strings. I don't know if a 6 year old could wrestle a 12 or 13 gauge set... of course acoustics generally get shipped with heavier gauge strings anyhow.

Maybe go with a nylon string acoustic for now until he can handle a regular guitar. I bought my 7 year old nephew a child's acoustic (w/nylon strings) at Aldi's for Xmas last year ($20) and he absolutely loves it.

Here's a kid's rig endorsed by Tallan Latz sold by a store in Wisconsin. I'm sure they could ship to the UK.

http://www.interstatemusic.com/webapp/w … _900320963

Major Tom to ground control...
  • Registered: 2010-09-30
  • Posts: 1

Re: Help with a 1/2 scale guitar for my young 'un

As far is I know, most of these small scale guitar are tuned to A, instead of E on a full scale. It's going to sound different if you play the same things. However, you could resort to using a capo in the 5th fret. That way you can play the same things...

  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2010-05-20
  • Posts: 165

Re: Help with a 1/2 scale guitar for my young 'un

Thanks guys.

I got him a half scale electric.  It seems tiny, but I'm sure it's the right size for him.
Here it is...http://www.dangleberrymusic.co.uk/p-228 … ed-59.aspx

The main thing is to keep him interested, so this one will probably just be for leaping around with and playing 'rock god'.
On reflection, I don't think I'll get too obsessed with tunings and stuff like that.
We'll tackle that when he tells me he's ready for a bigger one.

Cheers.

What The Fuzz ?!