Best Shortscale Guitars Under $300 2025

Affordable shortscale guitars under $300 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $800

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Small Hands For Young Players For Comfortable Playing For Vintage Tones For Easy Bending For Unique Feel

BRANDS: Squier Harley Benton Fender Jackson Ibanez

Höfner Shorty Violin Guitar - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Höfner Shorty Violin Guitar

by Höfner

Comfortable Playing Small Hands Young Players

Key Feature:

• Great for string bending

✓ PROS

• Great for string bending
• Unique tonal character

✗ CONS

• Limited string gauge options
• May affect resale value

Höfner Shorty Violin GuitarElectric GuitarStyle: Violin BassBody: MahoganyOne-piece neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 560335

$263

Buy at Thomann View Details

Jackson JS1X DK Minion AH FB SFTY OR - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Jackson JS1X DK Minion AH FB SFTY OR

by Jackson

Comfortable Playing Easy Bending Unique Feel

Key Feature:

• Unique tonal character

✓ PROS

• Great for string bending
• Easier playing for smaller hands

✗ CONS

• Different feel from standard guitars
• Limited string gauge options

Jackson JS1X DK Minion AH FB SFTY ORElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: AmaranthPearloid...

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 620063

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

Squier Affinity Jaguar MMB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Squier Affinity Jaguar MMB

by Squier

Vintage Tones Small Hands Easy Bending

Key Feature:

• Lower string tension

✓ PROS

• Easier playing for smaller hands
• Great for string bending

✗ CONS

• May lack some low-end punch
• May affect resale value

Squier Affinity Jaguar MMBElectric GuitarBody: PoplarTop: Flamed mapleBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Indian...

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 594246

$270

Buy at Thomann View Details

Höfner Shorty Deluxe Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Höfner Shorty Deluxe Blue

by Höfner

Vintage Tones Small Hands Easy Bending

Key Feature:

• Comfortable fret spacing

✓ PROS

• Unique tonal character
• Comfortable fret spacing

✗ CONS

• Limited string gauge options
• May affect resale value

Höfner Shorty Deluxe BlueElectric GuitarLimited editionClassic from the '80sBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 486831

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

Jackson JS1X RR Minion AH FB VIN WHT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Jackson JS1X RR Minion AH FB VIN WHT

by Jackson

Small Hands Comfortable Playing Young Players

Key Feature:

• Unique tonal character

✓ PROS

• Great for string bending
• Lower string tension

✗ CONS

• Different feel from standard guitars
• Not traditional guitar scale

Jackson JS1X RR Minion AH FB VIN WHTElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: AmaranthPearloid...

⭐ 4.7/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 620077

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez GRGM21M-MPL - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Ibanez GRGM21M-MPL

by Ibanez

Vintage Tones Easy Bending Small Hands

Key Feature:

• Comfortable fret spacing

✓ PROS

• Easier playing for smaller hands
• Great for string bending

✗ CONS

• Not traditional guitar scale
• May lack some low-end punch

Ibanez GRGM21M-MPLElectric guitarWith short scaleBody: PoplarNeck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard radius: 400...

⭐ 4.5/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 569419

$263

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton SC-200BK Mini Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton SC-200BK Mini Bundle

by Harley Benton

Vintage Tones Small Hands Comfortable Playing

Key Feature:

• Unique tonal character

✓ PROS

• Unique tonal character
• Comfortable fret spacing

✗ CONS

• May lack some low-end punch
• May affect resale value

Harley Benton SC-200BK Mini Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton SC-200BK Mini*Mini Electric Guitar*Body:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 427981

$237

Buy at Thomann View Details

Squier Affinity Jaguar 3TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Squier Affinity Jaguar 3TS

by Squier

Young Players Small Hands Vintage Tones

Key Feature:

• Comfortable fret spacing

✓ PROS

• Great for string bending
• Comfortable fret spacing

✗ CONS

• May lack some low-end punch
• May affect resale value

Squier Affinity Jaguar 3TSElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Indian laurelPearloid Dot...

⭐ 4.5/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 594244

$274

Buy at Thomann View Details

Höfner Shorty Violin Guitar Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Höfner Shorty Violin Guitar Black

by Höfner

Unique Feel Young Players Vintage Tones

Key Feature:

• Comfortable fret spacing

✓ PROS

• Comfortable fret spacing
• Unique tonal character

✗ CONS

• May lack some low-end punch
• Limited string gauge options

Höfner Shorty Violin Guitar BlackElectric GuitarStyle: Violin bassBody: MahoganyOne-piece neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 585150

$263

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez GRGM21-WH E-Guitar Micro - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.9/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Ibanez GRGM21-WH E-Guitar Micro

by Ibanez

Small Hands Easy Bending Vintage Tones

Key Feature:

• Comfortable fret spacing

✓ PROS

• Unique tonal character
• Comfortable fret spacing

✗ CONS

• May affect resale value
• May lack some low-end punch

Ibanez GRGM21-WH E-Guitar MicroElectric GuitarSize: 3/4Poplar bodyMaple neckPine fretboardShark tooth fretboard...

⭐ 4.9/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 381078

$229

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez GRGM21M-BLT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.7/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Ibanez GRGM21M-BLT

by Ibanez

Vintage Tones Young Players Small Hands

Key Feature:

• Lower string tension

✓ PROS

• Comfortable fret spacing
• Lower string tension

✗ CONS

• Not traditional guitar scale
• May lack some low-end punch

Ibanez GRGM21M-BLTElectric GuitarMicro SeriesSize: 3/4Body: BasswoodBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: mapleBlack dot...

⭐ 4.7/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 511417

$243

Buy at Thomann View Details

Jackson JS1X DK Minion AH FB PAVO PPL - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.7/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Jackson JS1X DK Minion AH FB PAVO PPL

by Jackson

Young Players Easy Bending Small Hands

Key Feature:

• Great for string bending

✓ PROS

• Easier playing for smaller hands
• Lower string tension

✗ CONS

• Not traditional guitar scale
• May affect resale value

Jackson JS1X DK Minion AH FB PAVO PPLElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: AmaranthPearloid...

⭐ 4.7/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 620068

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez GRGM21L-BKN - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.6/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Ibanez GRGM21L-BKN

by Ibanez

Small Hands Young Players Vintage Tones

Key Feature:

• Great for string bending

✓ PROS

• Unique tonal character
• Great for string bending

✗ CONS

• May affect resale value
• Not traditional guitar scale

Ibanez GRGM21L-BKNElectric GuitarLefthand / left-handed modelMicro seriesBody: poplarBolt-on neck: mapleFretboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 524539

$263

Buy at Thomann View Details

Jackson JS1X DK Minion AH FB BBG PINK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.8/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Jackson JS1X DK Minion AH FB BBG PINK

by Jackson

Small Hands Easy Bending Young Players

Key Feature:

• Comfortable fret spacing

✓ PROS

• Unique tonal character
• Great for string bending

✗ CONS

• Not traditional guitar scale
• May lack some low-end punch

Jackson JS1X DK Minion AH FB BBG PINKElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: AmaranthFingerboard...

⭐ 4.8/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 620066

$219

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Shortscale Guitars

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced shortscale guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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TOP

Best Shortscale Guitars Under $300 2025

Höfner Shorty Violin Guitar

Jackson JS1X DK Minion AH FB SFTY OR

Squier Affinity Jaguar MMB

Höfner Shorty Deluxe Blue

Jackson JS1X RR Minion AH FB VIN WHT

Ibanez GRGM21M-MPL

Harley Benton SC-200BK Mini Bundle

Squier Affinity Jaguar 3TS

Höfner Shorty Violin Guitar Black

Ibanez GRGM21-WH E-Guitar Micro

Ibanez GRGM21M-BLT

Jackson JS1X DK Minion AH FB PAVO PPL

Ibanez GRGM21L-BKN

Jackson JS1X DK Minion AH FB BBG PINK

How to Choose the Best Shortscale Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying shortscale guitars?

How much should I spend on shortscale guitars?

Are expensive shortscale guitars worth the investment?

What are the best brands for shortscale guitars?

Should I buy shortscale guitars online or in-store?

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