I am in the market for an electric guitar. I currently have a Yamaha acoustic-electric with a thinline body that I enjoy playing, and am looking to pick up an electric.


The issue I'm having is finding a guitar that is not too expensive but also has a shorter scale and is decent quality. I have short fingers, so it's important for me to have a guitar that's 25'' or less on scale length. Anything more than 1 and 3/4'' nut width is too wide. Can anyone make a suggestion of a brand/model that meets those requirements?

Your transition from acoustic to electric should be easy. Have you tried a Fender Tele?

The new Les Paul Studios are $999 and have a short scale slim taper neck

If you go Gibson, I would get a Les Paul Jr Special as opposed to the Studio.

P-90's win against the 490R.

As an acoustic guitar player, you should be well acquainted with the idea of playing a guitar before choosing. Electrics are the same way.

I personally love Strats. I love the body contour, I love a maple neck, and I love the bell like tone. I also find my Strat much easier to play than my Les Paul Jr., but the Jr. has a slightly thinner neck.

I believe both Stratocasters and Telecasters are readily available in 1 5/8 and it just so happens they're the 2 best guitars ever made.

Choose either one and you made an excellent choice.

Find a Mexican strat, they sound great and are affordable.

if you like sound and feel of teles, check out the Squier Classic Vibe Tele. Read reviews and try to go play one. They are great guitars for the price.

if you like strats, the fender made in mexicos from the past decade are really good. I wouldn't touch anything on the squier line but if you do, the classic vibe is a good bet.

another great lower priced guitar is the j mascis squier jazzmaster. I've played $4,000 guitars that don't have as nice of necks as the squier jmjm. the one drawback (particularly someone with small hands) is that it comes with jumbo frets. you'll need a pretty big string gauge to keep from bending out of tune when pressing down for chords. might not be a good combo for someone with smaller hands.

i don't know s--- about gibsons.

[This message has been edited by carter4133 (edited 1/22/2014 6:10p).]

I'm a Fender fan but their scale typically is larger than Gibson by 3/4". (25.5" vs 24.75") That 1/2" over 25 should be a non-factor. The narrower C-shaped Fender necks actually make them a little easier FOR ME to play. (Then again that's what I'm used to playing though.)

Made in Mexico Fenders (MIM) are around $400-$500.


First though, play them and find out what you like. Go to Guitar Center and plug them up.

Mexican strat huh? I like the sound of that. Thanks for the pointers.

I just came here to suggest a vintage 62 strat.

If you are already a serious guitar player on acoustic, I wouldn't go cheap on an electric. Mexi strats are fine and dandy if you are on a strict budget or beginning, but if you know you love to play guitar, then fork up the extra $200-$300 and get an American Standard Strat.

I picked mine up after I graduated 3 years ago on sale for $950. That was a steal for such a quality instrument.

You can also find decent used USA strats and teles. I picked up a nice sunburst strat for 650 and a white USA tele for 600. Both were in excellent condition. You just have to keep an eye open.

You'd be surprised what your fingers can adapt to. I've seen some stubby fingered dudes rock out. Look for a thinner neck like an ibanez thin line if you are that concerned. There's also a million videos of 7 year olds playing guitar.

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You'd be surprised what your fingers can adapt to. I've seen some stubby fingered dudes rock out. Look for a thinner neck like an ibanez thin line if you are that concerned. There's also a million videos of 7 year olds playing guitar.

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+1 on fast necks like those found on Ibanez's and the like. Also, like mentioned above, don't be above going used.

Just devote an hour or two and go check out all kinds of guitars.