Guitar Sizes

Acoustic guitars come in all shapes and sizes. Different players have different preferences, and different personal preferences include different guitar sizes. This page's aim is to give you a general understanding of guitar sizes.

Now, different companies use different guitar size terminology. You could go to four websites and find four different ways to describe a single guitar size. 

Just because someone is a "bigger" person, physically speaking, does not mean that they have to play a "bigger" guitar! The same thing goes for a small person! A guitar isn't like a pair of jeans, where the size has to fit the person. Different size acoustic guitars have different sounds. Whatever type of sound the musician prefers is the sound they shall desire; size does not matter. Generally speaking, smaller guitars have a better treble response while bigger guitars have a better bass response. 

So let's get to the basics first.

**Before I begin my explanation, I must cite a fantastic source I used for some of this basic information. I found it on Strumviews.com. Go check it out!

*Basic diagram. Does not include every single size. There are more diagrams further down the page.

Traveler: A traveler guitar is a wonderful, inexpensive little instrument. They come in many shapes and models, but they stay around the same size: travel size (hence the name). If you want to practice guitar while you are on vacation, this is the type of guitar for you. Throw it in a gig bag, then in with the rest of your stuff, and you are good to go (on an airline, you may want to protect it more). A traveler guitar has less volume than a regular guitar. If you have a new baby in the house or live in an apartment with very sensitive neighbors, this is the right type of guitar to have. This is not the best beginner guitar, nor is it a quality recording guitar. If you want to bring it to a gig, go ahead. BUT if you can bring a bigger acoustic guitar, you probably should bring a bigger acoustic guitar. It has a very weak bass response.

Mini: These inexpensive miniature guitars resemble the shape of a generic acoustic guitar much more than the traveler guitar. Basically, a mini has almost identical attributes as a travel guitar. A mini guitar has less volume than a regular guitar. If you have a new baby in the house or live in an apartment with very sensitive neighbors, this is the right type of guitar to have. This is a guitar to purchase for a child and/or a beginner. This is not, however, a quality recording guitar. If you want to bring it to a gig, go ahead. BUT if you can bring a bigger acoustic guitar, you probably should bring a bigger acoustic guitar. It has a very weak bass response.

Parlor: This is actually the first version of the modern acoustic guitar, popular in the 1800s to 1950s. It is bigger than the miniature guitar, but still on the small side compared to typical acoustic guitars. It comes in all kinds of models and brands, but a parlor's shape and size is pretty consistent (the price range is huge). If you want to try to throw it into your suitcase for vacation, there might be some problems. You must really pack it in well. It is not very travel friendly. They also do not have the volume of a generic acoustic guitar. It has a strong treble response, not much bass though. It is a quality recording instrument. This could be a guitar for beginners, children, and experienced players.

Tenor: This is not a regular, six string acoustic guitar. It has four strings (tuned to CGDA, rather than the traditional six strings tuned to EADGBE). There are many makes and models for tenor guitars; as well as having the generic acoustic guitar body type, there are banjo and resonator styles as well. This is not a guitar for beginners. It is a variation of a six string guitar. It has alternate chord shapes and a different sound than a six string guitar. However, if you find yourself being the fourth acoustic guitarist in a gig, bringing a different type of acoustic guitar adds a new, interesting component to the total sound.

Concert: Also expressed as "C"**, "0", or a single digit in a guitar's name. A concert acoustic guitar is a compact and comfortable instrument. Depending on what kind you get, they are usually provide a better midrange and treble response. Quality concert acoustic guitars have a quiet but present bass response, making them very balanced. This is a definitely a guitar to purchase for a child and/or a beginner. The small neck and body size are excellent for first time guitarists. It is a quality recording guitar. This guitar is excellent for fingerstylists, or if the person is singing and playing at the same time. Even at full strum, the musician's voice won't be drowned out (unless he or she is very quiet).

**Sometimes the "C" in a guitar's name stands for "Cutaway" (a section of the guitar that has been literally "cut away" so players can reach the later frets).

Grand Concert: Also expressed as "GC", "00", or two digits in a guitar's name.There is only one small difference between concert and grand concert. Grand concert acoustics have SLIGHTLY wider bodies than concert acoustics. The difference is mere inches in the lower bout (the section of the guitar below the waist).

Some companies do not even make a distinction between concert and grand concert.

Auditorium: Also expressed as "A", "000", or three digits in a guitar's name. The auditorium style is a standard mid-sized acoustic guitar. It has a more balanced tone than a concert guitar. It has more volume and better midrange than a concert style acoustic. This is a guitar to purchase for a child and/or a beginner. It is a quality recording guitar. It's excellent for strumming while singing and it is a decent fingerstyling guitar.  

Orchestra: Also expressed as "OM". Some companies do not even make a distinction between auditorium and orchestra, since they are so close in size. They have a more balanced tone than a concert guitar. It has more volume and better midrange than a concert style acoustic. This is a guitar to purchase for a child and/or a beginner. It is a quality recording guitar.

Grand Auditorium: Also expressed as "GA" or "M" in a guitar's name.There is only one small difference between auditorium and grand auditorium. Grand auditorium acoustics have SLIGHTLY wider bodies than auditorium acoustics. The difference is mere inches in the lower bout (the section of the guitar below the waist).

Some companies do not even make a distinction between auditorium and grand auditorium.

Dreadnought: Named after a colossal battleship in the early 20th century, the Dreadnought was the largest acoustic guitar of its time period. Nowadays, this is arguably the most common acoustic guitar body shape. It is a larger/wider than an auditorium acoustic guitar, with a balanced tone. Quality dreadnoughts have excellent balance. This guitar has more projection (its sound carries much more) than a concert, orchestra or auditorium guitar. It is not really a beginner guitar, unless it is a mini dreadnought (a mini guitar with a dreadnought body). A dreadnought could be a beginner guitar; but with its wider neck and a longer fretboard, it might be a little tough on new guitarists. But if that's how one wants to learn, that's fine. It is a quality recording guitar. Excellent for strumming and hard picking. 

One of the most beneficial aspects of the dreadnought's median size is that the musician gets used to a very standard size. So if he or she wanted to transition to a different sized acoustic guitar, the different size wouldn't be so much of a leap (as far as playability).

Jumbo: This size's name is self explanatory. Jumbo is the biggest acoustic guitar size out there that is regularly sold. If you want to go bigger, you might need to call in a few favors. The jumbo is large and wide, with a booming bass response. A quality jumbo has the strong bass response that jumbos are known for, plus a decent midrange and treble response. Basically, quality jumbos are bassy and balanced at the same time. Lesser jumbo acoustic guitars have a weak midrange response. A jumbo acoustic guitar has excellent projection. If you are strumming with two other guitarists and you are the only one with a jumbo, you will be heard. The jumbo is not for beginners. However, a "mini jumbo" is an acoustic guitar in the shape of a jumbo. It could be mini or concert sized. A jumbo could be a beginner guitar; but with its wide neck and a long fretboard, it might be tough on new guitarists (unless they have bigger hands). But if that's how one wants to learn, that's fine.

Grand Jumbo: There is only one small difference between jumbo and grand jumob. Grand jumbo acoustics have SLIGHTLY wider bodies than jumbo acoustics. The difference is mere inches in the lower bout (the section of the guitar below the waist).

Most companies do not even make a distinction between jumbo and grand jumbo.