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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

I have relatively small hands and, after playing for many years, have realized that there are two schools of thought on this issue. Some are convinced that small-handed players are best off buying guitars with shorter scale lengths and slimmer neck profiles. Instruments falling into this category are the Fender Jaguar and various Rickenbacker models. The standard scale length for a Strat or a Tele is 25.5"; shortening that up by an inch, or even more, makes an enormous difference in terms of playability. And Jaguars and Rickenbackers are fantastic instruments: the ease with which they can be manipulated in no way affects their wonderful sound.

On the other hand, some people feel that the size of one's hands is almost irrelevant and that you should simply buy and play the guitar you like. I tend to think this is quite reasonable. The first Fender guitar I purchased, which replaced an Epiphone Les Paul scaled at 24.75", seemed difficult at first. I got used to it though and, while my small hands limit me in some respects, I don't feel that a longer scale makes a guitar unplayable. Consequently, my advice would be to buy the instrument that appeals to you. If you try and love a Jag, great; if you fall hard for a Strat, that's awesome too.

The Mustang switches are sometimes refered to as phase switches and can really make a difference in tone and allow for more varied tones. On the Jag the upper switches allow you to have 2 different tone and volume setups so that if you are playing a song and want a lower volume and different tone for rythym and louder for lead all you do is flick 1 switch after you get your levels set and it's like switching guitars mid-song.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I have tiny hands, just measured them and they come up almost an inch shorter than yours!
Surprisingly, it hasn't had a great deal of an effect on my playing.
Also, for some reason I love really fat baseball bat meaty necks. I find them easier to play for some reason, though you would assume I'd need smaller necks.

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Turn the drums up in the umm, ear goggles

Slightly off-topic, but those with smaller hands might be interested in Power Chord Trainer - doesn't cure all known problems, but does help to get that stretch that beginners (and people with small hands!) struggle with when playing power chords. http://powerchordtrainer.com

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