Thin Neck Acoustic Guitar Small Hands For Sale (2024 Update)

I was looking for a travel guitar that sounded half way decent. I saw the Ibanez and checked out some clips on You Tube of folks playing it. Sounded pretty good. The thing is well built, has clean bracing and a rosewood neck and bridge. One piece back with false center purfling (painted on). Bound top and bottom. Ogonkol wood, likely a laminate. But pretty darn decent tone and sustain. Mine came with very low action, and very light gauge strings. So I plan to shim the bridge saddle. Likely not capable of handling strings of anything but a light gauge. Tuners are OK, some have reported trouble with them. But that is probably more to do with string gauge than the mechanics. The neck is small for those who have played a full size guitar and are now switching. I play mandolin, too. So its an easy change to this size of neck. Tuned a fourth up from standard, and as was pointed out previously, essentially a requinto tuning. Overall as very decent little travel instrument for an extremely reasonable price. I'm very pleased.fourweedogs

I was looking for a tiny guitar because of pain in my right shoulder even from playing my Taylor GS Mini guitar. I chose this instrument because it's so small, I like the sound of steel strings, my fingers on the left hand are already calloused, and especially because the neck is much more narrow than that of the many nylon string models – less cause for pain in the left hand. At first, the neck was so narrow that I couldn't fit my fingers to form chords and thought I'd have to return it. With continued practice, however, it became easy to play. Now, it's so much fun to play, I can't stop. I thought I'd retune it to E to E like a guitar because it would be too much trouble to transpose all my songs to a different key, also that it would be too hard to play with other people. Now I realize, it's no big deal. If, for example, they play in C, I play in G, always 5 notes up. I've fallen in love with the unique sound – sort of like an autoharp or banjo. The people that I play guitar with love that it adds another quality of sound. It's not just another guitar. It's also a pretty little instrument. I highly recommend it.jeannie7is

Overall: The bag for this product is Ibanez IUBT541BK POWERPAD Bag. At the time of purchase, zZounds did not offer this bag. I purchased this to encourage my son’s interest. He plays it daily. He isn’t too bad considering he has never had any lessons!Anthony

At first I was going to say it's a great guitar for the price, but that really doesn't do this thing justice. It's just a great guitar. It has a great sound, it feels good in your hands, it's easy to hold and to play. I can't fault this guitar at all. The action was a bit high out of the box, but the tech at Guitar Center gave it a great set-up and now it's very easy to play. I'm planning to give this one to my daughter, but I would happily keep this myself. I have only been playing guitar for a few weeks, but even I can make this thing sound good!Todd

There is a place in my project studio for FS800: 48 years ago I sold Yamaha Guitars and found them excellent. When the group "America" presented a acoustic sound (Horse with No Name; Ventura Highway; Tin Man . . . et al) the solid rhythms of Yamaha solid top guitars proved Ideal. Through the years I have experimented with various genres as a singer songwriter; now a days I have returned to folk and "heavy on" acoustic guitar sounds. To complement my more expensive guitars I needed something that could deliver the solid rhythms I fondly recall. Now the Yamaha FS800 excels for finger styles as well: I layer tracks this guitar is a breeze to play and its character naturally stands out in the mix. I cannot see a beginner or a more advanced guitarist going wrong with The Yamaha FS800. JHajarhill

Perfect couch and campfire guitar. Sustains and project very well with a surprisingly round warm sound. Gorgeous burst finish much nicer in person. String spacing is slightly narrower than standard, make note. Bridge saddle needed to be shaved down for lower action. Neck and frets were perfect otherwise. Tuning very stable. A set of 11-52 will be next string change. Love playing this thing, and exploring alternate tunings! It seems Yamaha's reputation is true.Greg

I purchased this guitar for my 11 year old daughter. I wanted to find a quality instrument that is smaller in size, easy to play, and stays in tune. I have owned other Yamaha guitars before, and they are a great guitar for the price. The Yamaha FG JR1 did not disappoint! The guitar is easy to play, stays in tune and it sounds pretty good for a small guitar. The strings do feel a little heavy for a beginner. I would definitely recommend changing the strings to a lighter gauge for a beginning player. I recommend the Ernie Ball Earthwood Silk and Steel Extra Soft 10-50. They’re a great string for tender young fingers.Jimmy

I bought the Yamaha JR2 for my daughter as a Christmas present and I was surprised. I didn't expect it to be that good because of its price but WOW!!! The resonance is unbelievable given that it's not made from solid wood and the neck is so comfortable, perfect for kids who are learning. This is my third guitar from Better Music and they never disappoint me. The guitars are well set up and the packaging is unbelievable every time. It just shows how much they value their customers and that's why I keep coming back. I don't usually leave reviews but I appreciate what these guys are doing. Keep up the good work!Marvin B.

I bought this on the 7th birthday of one of my twin girl. I was on a tight budget of around $100 and then I thought to speak to one of the representatives at SamAsh. After having a talk with him I was convinced to get a good guitar to start even though I have to stretch my budget. Since my family is a newbie in musical instruments i am happy that my girl is interested in learning music. She is very happy and we are thinking to take her to few lessons. It's well-made and offers a good tone. Great buy!!Preeti

I loved the sound, sustain and warmth of this guitar off the shelf. Sounds great acoustically or direct through a board or through my Marshall amp. This is my go to acoustic over my Martin. I had some trouble finding the right strings when it came time to replace the ones that came on it from the factory. I recommend D'Addario EJ40 Silk & Steel Folk Guitar Strings 11-47. They keep the warmth of the original sound and have a great feel. I tried others like Martin Phosphor Bronze and they were too brassy/tinny on this guitar.k8thnote

Really nice guitar, aside from the price. Considering price, this is a great value. This small body Guitar fits Even my tall daughter and tall son, and I notice that friends who come over choose this guitar over others to just sit down and play with or without amp. Sounds really nice along with the piano also. Lowered action (string clearance to frets) using enclosed Allen wrench (1/8 turn) to suit my daughter but my son did not mind as delivered action.littlehorseranch

I took this off of a local guitar store wall display, fell in love and purchased on the spot. Now, I do own more expensive guitars, but that doesn't mean lower cost guitars are lower quality. This Is a Well Built Guitar. The tone is rich. Tuning with the built in tuner is pretty darn accurate, Great playability and beautiful Finish. The D'addario EXP strings are a perfect match. There is a buzzing of the third string around the 2nd fret and 4th string open. I have had the action tonal balance adjusted and has gotten better, but not completely eliminated which has caused me to approach playing this guitar a little differently. My first guitar was a Yamaha and I have come back to them after playing approx. 40 years now. I would highly recommend this guitar.billr920

I've only had it a week, but it's a blast! A lot of sound from a little guitar. Really looking forward to taking this on trips. The included bag is *very* basic, so I might look for something with a little more protection.NICHOLAS

The guitar is cool looking, with the moon phase fret markers and the logo on the headstock. Sounds a little tinny, but it's small and light and fun to play. A short 22 1/2" scale length makes the strings easy to fret for beginners and experienced musicians as well. The gig bag is nothing to write home about, it'll keep the dust out, but doesn't provide much protection against bumps or dings. It's basically a canvas bag with no padding whatsoever. The fit and finish on the guitar I bought was excellent. I would recommend to anyone wanting a smaller guitar for well under $200.Mshark

This is a nice little guitar for travel, camping and taking to the lake, places you might not want to take the fancy Martin or Taylor. It is light but sturdy and has a quality feel. The sound is not great, but not bad for a small 3/4 laminate guitar. It is very easy to play–the action is low and light, almost like an electric guitar. Has an attractive 'Celtic Moon' look that I like as well. All in all, not a bad little ax for hauling around on my travels.Sideflyer

Wow. I can honestly say I like this little guitar. I was skeptical about ordering it without having played it first. I took a chance after reading many positive reviews. I wanted a decent travel guitar, not wanting to spend a ton of money. I made the right choice. Good tone. Solid construction. Tuners that stay in tune. Action was decent when it arrived, I still had to adjust the truss rod a time ny bit. Good Mahogany wood. Would definitely recommend to those wanting a good travel guitar. Also, a great size for young players wanting something to fit their size.Thomas

Rogue Starter Guitar. Bottom line: NOT for beginners, requires too much set-up work and the strings feel very harsh on the fingers. I really tried to make it work. I was warned against buying cheap, but I thought I wanted something I could learn on, that I wouldn't be intimidated by, and eventually donate somewhere. But it was not playable out of the box. At first the tuning was awful. I figured out why they include an Allen wrench, and eventually put on my big-girl shoes and adjusted the truss rod. There are no instructions included with this guitar, so here's a clue: the access panel is in the front of the head stock, and you need to open the rhomboid black panel to access it. It was difficult to turn, but I adjusted it and made it sound a bit better, even though I was afraid of breaking it. However – the D-String tuning peg turned out to be totally defective, the screw threads were not lined up. How can I learn what it's supposed to sound like if it never sounds right? We are still in the middle of Covid-19, and I was unable to bring it back to Guitar Center for repair or replacement for weeks, so I tried to work with it and continued my self-guided lessons. As soon as the shop opened to walk-in customers, I returned it. I will not be replacing it with this model. It did serve its purpose in a way, I researched the guitar parts and repair, and took it upon myself to try to fix the issues, so now I am not intimidated by a guitar.J-net

Sorry, I hate to write negative reviews but… in what world are these the same guitars? From the picture, the Red Burst guitar looked like a dark mahogany color. Instead it's a bright red with a black edge. I'm sure that's some people's style, but not mine. It also won't stay in tune, and it's a pain to retune it every day I pick it up. I picked this guitar because I'm just starting to learn and didn't want to sink too much money into something I don't stick with. I'm not sure if I want to spend the extra money to upgrade to a better guitar, but I at least plan on taking it into the nearest guitar center store and see if I can exchange it for another color. Even that will be a pain, since I'll have to take it on the train and I don't have a case for it yet. I just wish the pictures were more accurate to the product!Rachel

Bought for my ten year daughter. Action is insane for such a affordable price. Sounds good. Beautiful color. My guitars were too big for her. This one fits just really get. Love that the scale is normal still. Allowing for a great transition. When it's time to upgrade.Nick

At first I was going to say it's a great guitar for the price, but that really doesn't do this thing justice. It's just a great guitar. It has a great sound, it feels good in your hands, it's easy to hold and to play. I can't fault this guitar at all. The action was a bit high out of the box, but the tech at Guitar Center gave it a great set-up and now it's very easy to play. I'm planning to give this one to my daughter, but I would happily keep this myself. I have only been playing guitar for a few weeks, but even I can make this thing sound good!Todd

There is a place in my project studio for FS800: 48 years ago I sold Yamaha Guitars and found them excellent. When the group "America" presented a acoustic sound (Horse with No Name; Ventura Highway; Tin Man . . . et al) the solid rhythms of Yamaha solid top guitars proved Ideal. Through the years I have experimented with various genres as a singer songwriter; now a days I have returned to folk and "heavy on" acoustic guitar sounds. To complement my more expensive guitars I needed something that could deliver the solid rhythms I fondly recall. Now the Yamaha FS800 excels for finger styles as well: I layer tracks this guitar is a breeze to play and its character naturally stands out in the mix. I cannot see a beginner or a more advanced guitarist going wrong with The Yamaha FS800. JHajarhill

Perfect couch and campfire guitar. Sustains and project very well with a surprisingly round warm sound. Gorgeous burst finish much nicer in person. String spacing is slightly narrower than standard, make note. Bridge saddle needed to be shaved down for lower action. Neck and frets were perfect otherwise. Tuning very stable. A set of 11-52 will be next string change. Love playing this thing, and exploring alternate tunings! It seems Yamaha's reputation is true.Greg

This was a good value as a first guitar (with cutaway) for a beginner. Had some difficulty with pressure needed to form chords properly. Took back to GC to see if action needed adjustment. Recommendation was to leave it as is just change to a lighter set of strings. This made considerable difference until I was finally able to toughen up the fingertips after a couple of weeks. Getting better results and happy with purchase.D.S.

I have purchased this guitar about 6 weeks ago, and I am someone who likes to strum almost every day. Within the 6 weeks time frame after replacing the strings with proper bronze acoustics from Dadario, I started to feel and see the changes on the guitar. It is extremely prone to bending and warping on the neck. The Nut also feels very cheep so the strings are carving in a lot faster than they should. I have been modifying the height of the strings (this would be the 5th time in 6 weeks) to a point where my E string is pretty much contacting all frets…. If you are not familiar with readjusting the height of the strings in any shape or form, stay away from this guitar because you will have to throw it out by the second realignment (at a standard store a realignment will cost you around $70-80…)U Can

I swapped a cousin Electric Acoustic Fender that was about $300w/hard-shell case for him to buy me this Jasmine on special sale in 2012, for $99. "Ramona" went through me learning to play; my bf passed away 5 days after I got her on June 4, 2012, and he was impressed with her sound and he was 35 ahead of me playing guitar VERY well; so I grieved 4 years & just never put Ramona down. For the first 5 years she was played 5+ hours a day, she slept next to me in bed. I had already played piano so I taught myself my basic open chords then learned from friends along the way. I already ordered Gotoh locking tuners, a rosewood nut and saddle, strap lock set, yes it will fall off on stage as most do, and this one doesn't have the nut for a strap, you tie it around the neck area and in my opinion that's unnecessary strain on the neck. I use D'Addario custom light phosphorus bronze strings; I love the warm sound they add and I can get a month out of them, two if I'm not playing out. I even use a glass slide and tune to open D, hence the locking tuners. It comes stock with "pro-Line" tuners and sorry but those are cheaply made. My beloved Ramona stayed in tune with the pro-lines 18 months then they started breaking. I bought a set of hand-made lifetime guaranteed 5 wood picks because wood sounds better, to me. I bought a wood pin set too. I have a brass pin set on my more twangy sounding guitar. I wasn't able to get that perfect pitch out of every fret down the neck but you're not going to unless you spend some $! I hope to consider a Taylor. I finger-pick and I know the specs say thin neck but I disagree. I bought a Dean and a Yamaha; strings too close.I learned that fancy inlay along the neck screws up my dots. This will be my first time switching the rosewood nut and saddle but I'm confident it will sound even better. A little sanding and your $100 axe is $400 with not much time; just about $100 in parts.I did have to drill my tuner holes bigger last time but it went smooth.Amanita Bella Dreams

I love this little guitar. I bought mine from the GC store. I have Taylor GS mini for my RV, but it's still too big and too loud in a small rv with others. I saw the Traveller guitars and thought I'd go to a GC and try it out. I'm too new at this so got the GC sales person to play so I could hear the difference using a big amp. The ones with the pickups were hot and a little bitey for me as I only really play acoustic. The Piezo pickup acoustic sounded mellow and it was on the guitarathon sale for 100 dollars off. That tipped it for me. It's small, extremely light and when unplugged, extremely quite quiet. It's so small, I'm finding that I pick up this one more than the regular guitars. Bear in mind, it's not acoustic or electric, so it's not going to sound like anything else. I bought a headphone amp and also use a regular amp when I can be loud. When practicing unplugged at night, it's loud enough for me, but nobody else can hear it. Also, I've found that if I press it tightly to my side, the lower notes reverberate in my chest. With the acoustic pickup there is no tone or volume controls, so everything has to be done through the amp. I'm getting used to that. With no body and only the wire bottom, it takes a little time before it begins to feel normal. The only negative is if I don't hit the notes perfect, I can get some fret buzz. All in all, it's so different from any other guitar, I would suggest trying it in person first. You will either love it or hate it. And remember it's a small travel guitar you can also use regularly. Play it both amplified and unplugged and see if you think it will work for you.Mike

You get a 3/4 size acoustic guitar, of course, for the size. I already had the Yamaha APX500III which is a truly magnificent price-point instrument. The thinlne body moves you away from the bloat of a regular size dreadnought. All of the features of the larger brother are implemented in the APX Thinline 3/4: built-in tuner, volume and tone controls. The reason I wanted a comparable guitar in 3/4 size was to have it in my office nearby, ready to pick up at a moment's notice and for that it serves me perfectly. You can sit in an executive swivel chair and play this guitar comfortably. Do not delude yourself into thinking the big sound of the bigger thinline will transfer to the smaller guitar when play unamplified. When amplified the difference is slight. So now I have what I wanted – a quality price point smaller guitar that sits on a stand in easy reach for those moments when you need to reach out and find a way to explore a musical idea, run some scales, etc. Perfect solution!Jerry

Although I bought this guitar online from PMT (excellent service) I also posted a detailed review on Amazon UK where I also counselled against paying the stupid prices being charged by some of their affiliates. The PMT price was excellent. There were a few negatives with my guitar, all of which I was able to cure or tweak: the action was ridiculously high and until I altered the battery holder, the pickup and tuner wouldn't work. However, they were hopefully one-off problems. The guitar has far better tone that you might expect from an all-laminate guitar, especially if you play above the soundhole or at the end of the fretboard at around the 17th fret. Played with a hard pick it can sound a bit 'thin' but played with fingers or with a less aggressive 'attack' it has a really sweet sound. I am 75 with normally sized adult hands and do not find any problems with the fretting or scale length. Having made the adjustments, it's become my go-to acoustic guitar . . . and as I also have a GS Mini, that it is praise indeed. If you buy this guitar, I'd suggest changing the strings although the generic type which are fitted are OK. I changed them whilst shaving the saddle and fitted D'Addario 10's. This guitar is ideal for adult 'noodling' + a beginner of any age + a travel guitar. It has proved to be an excellent buy . . . for more detail, check out my review on Amazon UK but I doubt you'll find a better price or service than PMT.Alan S.

Funny thing about this world is that, a perfectly shaped, and sized acoustic guitar with modern electric pick-up and built-in tuner. The maker gives you a gigs bag, which is not much thicker than double bags from your local grocery store. And you must become religiously pious and pray that every time you go out of the door, that free gigs bag is gonna protect your $200 investment. I ended up purchased in extra, a Gator Hardshell case, GWE-acou 3/4. The case is still big, so I use some swimming noodles to pad up and cradle the guitar in full protection. The plush liner inside the hardshell case can be peeled up, so I can tuck in the noodles to form a snug fit. I also purchased an Amplifier, for practices and maybe buskering later. My setup of the case is not flight luggage safe, so if you are a frequent flyer, better ask nicely if you can give it to the cabin member to stow in the closet for you. I am personally happy with the sound range and volume, very little difference when compared with a full-sized guitar. The human comfort is better under your right elbow. The deal I got comes with a tuner, but the guitar already has a built-in unit running on 2 AA batteries. The free stand is ok.djadtoys

Great guitar! The price was perfect! Very comfortable to play. Very well made. Great sound! I really dig the matte finish. Overall, a great deal for this incredible guitar!John

I purchased this guitar for my son who starts to learn how to play. It is a very cheap entry guitar but has a wonderful sound. As it has open pore finish, it has a little bit dry sound and may be weak in its durability. But Cordoba has found a good balance between sound and price. I strongly recommend Cordoba C1M to beginners.Andy

I purchased this instrument on a whim. I figured it would spend it's time in the back seat of my truck. I had the itch to buy something new and this guitar was a cheap way to scratch it. I've been impressed with it. It is small and lightweight. It stays in tune well(for a nylon acoustic)and sounds pretty good. I've found myself in bed falling asleep with it on my chest. I've enjoyed it that much. Does it compare to an upper end instrument? No,of course not. Then again I wouldn't dare fall asleep playing one of those either. If you are looking for someting smaller for yourself or a student that you are not afraid to abuse this is by far worth the money.Sean488

You might need to shave some off the bottom of the nut, but otherwise this is a great guitar for a small beginner; well made and sounds good for its price and size.soulmath

Used to mess around with my brother's acoustic guitar many, many years ago. Decided to renew my interest but wanted a smaller (3/4) size acoustic with nylon strings, as I have small hands. After much research, chose the Fender MC-1. Was pleasantly surprised at the lovely, mellow sound which is what I wanted. Would highly recommend.Eli's Mom

This has been a great entry level (or more?) guitar. Been using it with youtube videos and Rocksmith and everything works as advertised!ROBERT

I have a number of acoustic type guitars – both steel and nylon strung. When playing these I rarely strum – it's a finger style combination of rock, flamenco, folk, blues and jazz ( a real mixture). The first thing I did was to change the strings (D'Addario Silk & Steel). As a result this little Fender beauty has turned into an excellent parlour guitar: it's responsive, lovely to play and remarkably loud for its size. Build quality is good and the sound projects well. If you're a chord strummer, I wouldn't suggest that the Sonoran is for you – but it responds superbly to finger style playing. It's subtle and responsive. For the money, it's very, very good. And of course, it's very, very easy to lug around. Love it!Gillian B.

A great little guitar. I love the sound and feel of acoustic guitars but was looking for something a little more portable and easy on my very small hands. This guitar gives a lovely sound plus all the qualities and convenience I was looking for. It’s really nice-looking too.Rosalind

A lovely guitar, perfect finish and expertly delivered. Only gripes were that I wished the machine heads were metal instead of plastic, and that the gig bag was of higher quality (upgraded to a Fender FAC-610 Classical Guitar Gig Bag, for safer transport to lessons). Otherwise highly recommended!Ann

This acoustic is really not a bad guitar, but also not a great guitar either. That said, it works well for the price I paid. Overall… Good Buy — Thank Jesus Christ! Farewell.straitgatedeals

This is a great value. I am very impressed with Ibanez acoustics. Other guitars that I've played that are this inexpensive haven't compared. Sound is nice and bright. Highly recommend.Jason F.

I was looking for a decent-sounding parlor or travel sized guitar for playing around the house just to save wear & tear on my 24 year old Taylor dreadnought. The Taylor GS Mini is in a class by itself, but I decided that even used it's too pricey for what I really wanted. There are lots of other guitars at a slightly lower price point than the Fender, but they sounded cheap and boxy to me. Fender's CT-60S fills a wonderful niche: a very good-sounding, durable, and affordable travel acoustic that's fun and satisfying to play. I wouldn't rank it as being on par with a Little Martin or a Taylor GS Mini, but then again that's not the point. It's a great little guitar for a great little price. Note: The Gator 3/4 acoustic bag fits it like a glove.Willie D

I already have a small Cordoba guitar that is fantastic. Unfortunately, It doesn't have any electronics. Bought this particular model because it was small, fit in my car easily, and had from what I could tell, a decent pickup (was only intended for co-writes) Played one at the store first, and liked the size of the neck. Tone is what you would expect for a tiny guitar, but passable for my purposes. I really like Cordoba as a brand, but I spent far more time tuning this guitar than I did playing it, and ultimately wound up returning it. It seems that they could have better tuners? It didn't seem like it was a craftsmanship issue? I liked the cut away, it was for great, but the bad Intonation was not anything that could be remedied by a Luthier. Very nice looking guitar. I would pay $100 more for the same guitar, if they could trade up the tuners and remedy the intonation. Almost there, Cordoba!Magic Maria

This is a great little guitar! I have had several travel guitars including the Martin and Taylor versions and I think this beats them hands down. You can’t find a better travel guitar especially for the price. This is the third one I’ve purchased as I’ve given them away and moved them on— people appreciate them very fast. I do recommend using a little pillow wrote a tale so you’re are mangoes are the same as for a regular size guitar Makes it much easier to play any small guitar.I do recommend using a little pillow or rolled up small towel so your arm angles are the same as for any regular size guitar. This makes it much easier to play any small guitar. Very lightweight. One came with perfect action, but the other two I had to do a truss rod adjustment to get the optimal action which can be very good. The adjustment was simple. Orangewood customer service is excellent .Thomas B.

Not just for the money, its just a nice guitar! So my packaging had a few issues, it looked like it had gotten hung up on a fork lift tyne and dragged across the floor, I was nervous about opening it. But it was very well packed, not even a blemish. Everything I ordered was there, the guitar itself coming from California to South Alabama, undoubtedly passed through abrupt temperature and humidity changes, yet it was almost in tune out of the box. So much so, that I could tell that it had been tuned properly, and the QC person rolled the heads back about a half, or maybe 3 quarters of a turn just to relieve stress from the rod and neck. The E. Ball strings are pretty nice, feels like standard Bronze Phosphorus strings. I wiped them down with a clean cloth, and no dust or anything whatsoever came from them. I had no loose bindings, no sharp fret wires hanging over, and the ride height is perfect. Its almost unbelievable to get such a nice guitar for what I paid. The gig bag is certainly not the worst one I've ever seen, its padded nicely and has the backpack straps which I like. I hope that you guys never change your core business model, of offering the add-on accessory pack separately, which in my open leaves more room for nicer details like good strings, and real bone. And also allows you to offer slightly higher quality accessories. Very nicely done. I understand that now that you're up and running good, I hope that you still offer a guitar like the Rey at that low price point, for those who may be like I was growing up, and just couldn't afford a decent guitar. They always sounded like crap, couldn't tune them…and for a couple decades I just gave up. I'm back into it again, thanks to this guitar, I'm going to be upgrading soon, but I will probably always hang on to this one…I like it that much. Thanks guys, no complaints from me…God Bless you all, – Jeff Andrews, Mobile AL.Jeffery A.

I really like guitars from Orangewood’s “Playa” collection including my mahogany Dana mini guitar. (I also own a mahogany Rey guitar and have examined a friend’s Victoria guitar.) I will outline my recommendation reasons below, but also will attempt to temper any unrealistic expectations. Size: The diminutive Dana guitar is IMHO a great instrument for hauling around outside the home or playing where space is tight such as on the couch, or at a desk or table, where larger instruments might more readily bump into things or make playing cramped. The shorter scale length might be helpful for those with small hands, but isn’t *that* much different from longer-scale instruments to make going back and forth a big problem. Sound: A small guitar won’t have the deep, resonant tone of a larger instrument no matter how much you pay. That said, after being used for a while, the Dana “plays in” nicely — the tone getting better than out of the box. It’s voice is completely loud enough and resonant enough to satisfy reasonable expectations. Materials & construction: The bracing and general construction seem to be good. Mine is a very handsome, rich honey-chocolate brown with contrasting off-white binding. The laminated materials are a good economical choice but also don’t sacrifice much sound quality. I think this is due to the clever design of these “Playa” instruments, which seem to have thin top, back and sides as well as light bracing and a thin finish; these things together, I think, make for louder, more resonant tone. A key benefit to the laminated wood of the guitar body is that it’s less sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature. I play my laminated guitars much more frequently because they are not so “fussy” — though I do nonetheless humidify them in the winter months. The light construction may benefit from lighter strings. I prefer electric-like playability, so I restring my guitars with 10-46 strings. This makes the instrument more player friendly and may also help the guitar to last by reducing string tension. The tuners are adequate, but have turning ratios that just require slow sneaking up on perfect pitches. Set up: Of the three “Playa”-collection guitars that I’ve examined in detail, NONE arrived set up to the standards of professional guitar technicians. I believe that Orangewood way oversells the “professional” set up on their “Playa”-collection guitars. However, my Dana arrived about a year later than the others, and was the best set up of the three. This guitar arrived at my doorstep with the neck having extreme forward bow. This was not just due to string tension. The double-action truss rod was actually adjusted to increase the neck relief, which was excessive to say the least. I had to tighten the truss-rod adjustment just to get to neutral tension engagement, then continue tightening to get the neck relief to an appropriate setting of about .006”. The set up required no additional adjustment. This was a big improvement over the other “Playa” guitars I’ve examined, which required both nut and saddle tweaking. I am a guitar-tech hobbyist, so I have the tools and knowledge to check out and set up acoustic guitars. My Dana had a fingerboard that was not straight from the factory. I know this because despite the slight waviness of the fingerboard when straightened as much as possible by truss-rod adjustment, the frets are surprisingly level — though they obviously vary considerably in height to compensate for the wavy fingerboard. But let me be realistic. To be able to sell a guitar at these prices, some corners will be cut when compared to the manufacture of guitars that cost five or ten or more times the price. This also applies to guitar set up, which may be the most time-consuming, and therefore expensive, single aspect of guitar creation. So, of course, the set ups on these economy guitars will be less than perfect. (Okay, that said, Orangewood might please stop way overselling their “professional” set ups done in the USA.) So my general recommendation regarding set up on these “Playa”-collection instruments is, upon delivery, to pay a good luthier/technician to check them over to assess keeping or returning, and, if a keeper, have him or her set them up for your level of play or personal preferences (that is, if you aren’t qualified to do it yourself). And that brings up my final, important set-up point, which is that the truss rod's purpose is to compensate against string tension. Action is properly adjusted at the nut and saddle. Bottom line: I have the Orangewood guitars because they are a good value, they sound good, they don’t require obsessive attention to humidity or temperature, and can be fun to play both for a beginner and a more experienced guitar player. The Dana fulfilled my final requirements, which were a guitar that travels more easily and doesn’t require quite so much space to play.Doug H.