Photo by Misael MorenoIf you’re thinking about having your kids learn how to play a guitar, it makes a lot of sense to look among the best lightweight electric guitars for them to learn with. After all, an electric guitar brings a “cool” factor that kids may not feel with a regular acoustic guitar.
It doesn’t have to be expensive either. Many of the cheap electric guitars for kids are perfectly serviceable, and once your kids learn then they may graduate to a regular model.
A lightweight guitar makes sense for their smaller hands, and it’s also easier for the kids to handle and carry around. Kids ought to learn how to play a guitar as it’s good for them.
Many of the beginners who want to learn to play guitar are also women, and a lightweight guitar also makes sense for them. Women on average have smaller hands, and lightweight guitars are generally easier to handle.
Besides, lots of beefy guys can appreciate a lightweight guitar too. After a 3-hour gig, a regular electric guitar strapped on your shoulders can feel like a ton!
Contents
Top 6 Lightweight Electric Guitars: Comparison Chart
| Image | Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Axe Heaven FS-001 Fender Stratocaster Classic Sunburst Finish Miniature Guitar |
| Check Price |
 | Ibanez 6 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar, Right, Transparent Green Burst (GRX70QATEB) |
| Check Price |
 | Squier by Fender Affinity Series Stratocaster Electric Guitar – Laurel Fingerboard |
| Check Price |
 | Ibanez JEMJRWH Steve Vai Signature 6-String Electric Guitar |
| Check Price |
 | Fender Squier ¾ Size Kids Mini Strat Electric Guitar |
| Check Price |
 | Squier by Fender Mini Stratocaster Beginner Electric Guitar – Indian Laurel Fingerboard |
| Check Price |
Best Picks of Lightweight Electric Guitars
Let’s check out of the more popular and highly regarded lightest electric guitar models you can try out.
#1. Fender Stratocaster Classic Sunburst Finish Miniature Guitar
- FAN MERCH mini guitars are the very best quality
- Handcrafted from solid wood, polished & airbrushed with great detail
- Includes a high quality adjustable mini guitar stand
- AXE HEAVEN Mini guitar gift box is included
Last update on 2023-10-01 / Affiliate links (#ad) / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
First of all, this is a playable guitar. It’s a very realistic replica, but just like replica cars it doesn’t do what its bigger counterpart does.
What it is, however, is a fun decorative item for anu music lover. Put it in your bedroom or your music room to make it a more fun place.
Or you can have it in your kid’s room. Some parents even get this with their babies, and take fun pictures.
This replica is actually made of the lightest guitar wood, and with metal tuning keys. It’s not a plastic toy at all.
If you’re a music lover, you’ll probably admire how it looks like the real thing.
- ¼ scale
- 5 inches long
- Handcrafted with solid wood, along with metal tuning keys
- Realistic looks
- Comes with adjustable A-frame
- Not too bulky
- Looks like the real thing
- Great as music room décor
- Fun pictures with baby and kids
- High quality materials
- Not playable
- Not big enough for pictures with adults
#2. Ibanez 6 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar
- Fast, slim Maple neck
- Beautiful quilted Maple art grain top
- High output Infinity R pickups
Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links (#ad) / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Let’s get to the guitars that actually play.
This one is the start-up guitar from the famous Ibanez brand that many serious newbies go for. It looks great with 4 color schemes available, but more importantly it sounds great too.
It helps that there’s a switch here that lets you pick from 5 tonal palettes. The fretboard is great for newbies, with a comfy sating finish to hold with no sharp angles.
You’ll also like how you won’t have to keep tuning it, as the tuning stability is terrific. The tuners themselves are high quality.
With its clean sound, it’s not really a strictly beginner’s guitar at all. Plenty of experienced guitar players won’t mind having this around.
- Great sunburst color schemes
- Slim maple neck
- Great tone from Infinity R humbucker pickups
- 5-way switch for multiple tonal options
- Looks terrific
- Comfy to hold and play
- Plenty of tonal options
- Great tuning stability
- The body is a bit lighter than the fretboard
- You may want to replace the stock strings
#3. Fender Affinity Series Stratocaster Electric Guitar
- Hand orientation: Right
Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links (#ad) / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This comes in several basic colors, and it can be argued that at this price range it’s a basic guitar. But then again, it’s a Fender—and it sure feels a lot more expensive than what it costs.
Of course, you’re going to need to tune it properly, plus a good amp, compressor, and overdrive pedals will help. But if you’re a newbie to electric guitars and you show this to even guitar teachers, you’ll get their stamp of approval.
It just looks nice and it sounds really good. It also has that 5-way switch for tonal variety.
It also feels very comfy to play. Aside from the low weight, the slim neck is easy to hold.
Tuning isn’t a problem either. Tuning is very smooth, and it comes out accurate.
All in all, it’s great for those with small hands. It’s a Fender that gives you a lot of value for your money.
- Satin neck finish
- Slim neck profile
- 3 single-coil Strat pickups
- 5 tonal options
- Vintage-design tremolo bridge
- Looks simply marvelous
- Very easy to hold and play
- Sounds fantastic with great sound control
- Fender high quality
- Terrific for beginners
- Still an “entry-level” guitar
- You may want to replace the strings
- No freebies (not even a strap)
#4. Ibanez JEMJRWH Steve Vai Signature 6-String Electric Guitar
- Mahogany Body
- Wizard III Maple Neck
- Rosewood Fretboard
- Tree of Life Fretboard Inlay
- Jumbo Frets
Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links (#ad) / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Just in case you don’t know who Steve Vai is, he’s one of the most famous guitarists of all time. He’s worked with Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, and Whitesnake.
This solid-body guitar is one of his signature instruments, which have become almost as famous as the guitarist himself. Among the famous visual features here include the “monkey grip” handle, plus the acrylic vine inlay.
If you’re worried about the weight, don’t—it’s really light. In fact, it’s so lightweight that you may even worry about its quality, though further examination will assuage your worries.
The sound is terrific, and at this price range it’s immediately clear that it’s a candidate for the best lightweight guitar for rock. It sounds very bright, with clean tones.
This offers 2 Quantum humbuckers and 1 Quantum single-coil pickup. It also has that switch that lets you pick from 5 tonal options.
The neck is really slim, so you can practice playing fast. It’s also terrific for smaller hands.
This also features the brand’s standard double-locking bridge. What this does is ensure the stability of the tuning, even if you indulge in some heavy pitch bends.
Basically, it’s a guitar that really encourages a newbie to want to learn. It’s a fun (and great-looking) guitar, and once you’re done playing it doesn’t take a long while to want to play again.
- Extremely lightweight
- 5-2ay switch for tonal varieties
- “Tree of Life” fretboard inlay
- Slim neck
- Jumbo frets
- Allows for fast playing
- Extremely comfortable to carry and hold
- Stable tuning
- Clean tones and bright sounds
- 5 tonal options
- Looks terrific
- Comes with freebies, but no strap
- Tremolo needs adjustment
- You really need to read the manual first
#5. Mini Strat Electric Guitar
- 3/4-size body; 22.75" scale length
- Ideal size for children ages 6 to 12 years
- "C"-shaped maple neck and 20-fret fingerboard
- Three single-coil Stratocaster pickups with five-way switching, and vintage-style hardtail Stratocaster bridge
- Bundle includes Guitar, Amplifier, Instrument Cable, Tuner, Strap, Picks, Fender Play Online Lessons, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD
Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links (#ad) / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Full-sized Strats can be rather too big for smaller kids, but your young wanna-be guitarists don’t have to make do without the famous Fender Stratocaster. With this lightweight electric guitar for beginners, you get a mini version that’s exactly ¾ the size of the original.
That’s not all you get, because you’re getting a bundle packed with lots of freebies that newbies will need. These freebies include a strap, an instructional DVD, a polishing cloth, 3 Fender picks, and a Fender clip-on tuner.
There’s even a free trial subscription to the Fender Play online lessons, with its excellent instructional videos and customized learning paths.
Because it’s smaller, it’s well-suited for the smaller hands of kids. Of course, you may want to try this yourself, as adults can also enjoy a more comfortable fretboard with easier chording.
The hardtail bridge here is terrific, as it offers great tuning stability. The intonation is very precise, and you get increased sustain.
All in all, this is a mini that kids will most likely love, and many adults have confessed to liking it a lot as well. It’s a lightweight brand guitar that lets newbies want to learn.
- ¾-sized body with 22.75-inch length
- 20-fret fingerboard (instead of regulation 24)
- 5 tonal options
- Complete beginner’s package (including a strap and instructional DVD)
- Good sound quality for kids
- Easy to carry and maneuver
- Fit for smaller hands
- Offers lots of instructional materials
- Comes with a strap
- May be too small for large hands
#6. Fender Mini Stratocaster Beginner Electric Guitar
- 100% designed by Fender
- Thin and lightweight body
- 22.75" scale length
- Three single-coil pickups
- Sealed die-cast tuning machines
- Also available in left-handed
Last update on 2023-10-02 / Affiliate links (#ad) / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It’s true that this kids’ beginner electric guitar doesn’t come with a lot of freebies. You even have to do quite a bit if adjustments out of the box first before you can play it.
It really does look great, and it can be disappointing to strum this and find out that the sound quality doesn’t match the fantastic aesthetics. But that’s because you haven’t done the adjustments yet.
But once you’re done with these adjustments on this mini Stratocaster, it’s fantastic. You might even argue that the adjustments are necessary for newbies to learn, so they can appreciate the end results of their efforts.
Of course, you can go to a local guitar pro and have it adjusted for you. Just watch how they do this, so you’ll learn what to do.
Aside from the terrific sound, the size of this mini electric guitar is also apt for smaller guitarists. It’s small body and thin neck is perfect for the smaller hands and builds of younger kids.
- Clear sounds
- Smaller size for kids
- Comfortable neck
- 1970s design
- 5-way tonal switch
- Great size for smaller players
- Crisp sound
- Tonal variety
- Vintage looks
- Easy to play
- Sharp fret ends need filing
- String height has to be adjusted
- Needs intonation dialing
What Makes the Best Lightweight Electric Guitars for the Money?
- Good looks. Just like for cars (and for people, for that matter), the look of the guitar is important. It should look cool, so you’re encouraged to play it. Some guitars actually spend more time hanging on the wall as a decoration, so it has to look great.
- How well can you play the particular guitar? It’s not just about how heavy it is. You should be able to hold it comfortably in your hand, and the neck shouldn’t be too thick so you can do chords.
- It ought to sound good, though this is of course highly subjective.
- You’re just wasting your money if the guitar breaks down or gets damaged too quickly. It ought to last a long time (preferably for years).
- You get a lot of value for your money if your purchase comes with lots of freebies. These can include the strap, the stand, a guitar case, picks, or even learning materials.
Different Types of Lightweight Electric Guitars
Not all lightweight electric guitars are the same. Here are some of the basic types you may encounter when you’re looking for the top lightweight electric guitars:
- These are generally non-playable, and are used mostly for decoration.
- Hollow body. The hollow body is much like their acoustic counterparts, and this design cuts out a lot of weight. They offer a deep tone, so they’re great for jazz.
- Solid body. The body of the guitar is made from a single slab of wood. The tonewood does affect the guitar sound, but there’s no resonance. This type is great for the blues, rock, and jazz too.
- Semi hollow body. This is the median between the other 2 types. The body is partially hollow, but there’s solid wood in the center of the body. This solid wood helps in sustaining the sound while it prevents the feedback sound you might get from a hollow body.
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Lightweight Electric Guitars
It’s often hard to determine whether a guitar is right for you without first trying it out for a few days. Sometimes it can take weeks.
So, it can be quite difficult to determine if a guitar will suit you simply by reading lightweight electric guitar reviews and the spec sheet. What you can do, though, is to focus on certain relevant factors.
- Find out exactly how heavy the guitar really is. What’s lightweight for some folks may be too heavy for you (or for your kid).
- Some guitar brands are famous, and for good reasons. A name brand often offers higher quality guitars than some unknown brand.
- The materials for the body and neck, along with the other parts, can help you determine the sound and quality of the guitar.
- This is crucial especially for kids. You want a guitar that’s just right for them in terms of size.
Tips for Using and Maintaining Lightweight Electric Guitars
- Clean your guitar strings after each time you use them, so they will last longer.
- Loosen the strings if you’re storing the guitar away for a long while.
- Don’t leave your guitar in a very cold place or inside a hot car for hours.
- After you use the guitar, use lint-free cloth to clean it and then place it on its case.
- Clean the guitar using guitar polish (and not furniture polish).
- Put in a dab of lemon oil on the neck at least once a year, to prevent the wood from cracking.
- Every now and then, have your guitar checked out by your local professional guitar technician.
FAQs
What’s a capo?
This is a small bar that you can move and place across the fingerboard. When you put it on, it raises the pitch.
When do you need new strings on your guitar?
It’s time to replace the strings when they become hard to tune, when they sound dead or muted, or when they have a dull color. You’ll know you were right to replace the strings when your guitar suddenly sounds much better with the new strings.
What string size should you use?
Opinions differ, but in general you’re better off with the heaviest-gauge strings that you’re still able to play comfortably. Bigger strings are easier to keep in tune, plus they last longer and sound better.
How often should you practice if you’re a newbie?
For kids, practice should be at least 30 minutes a day. Adults should extend that to at least an hour each day.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for electric guitars for kids, then you might want to go with the miniature Strats. But for most people, the Ibanez JEMJRWH Steve Vai Signature 6-String Electric Guitar is probably the best choice.
This is because it is lightweight and designed for newbies, but it’s a full-sized model. Newbies need to get accustomed to this size eventually, and this model offers fantastic sound and easy play.
Of course, choosing among the best lightweight electric guitars is still your prerogative. Try them all out, and pick the one that looks, feels, and sounds best—at least for you!