For my twins’ fourth birthday in July, I decided to get them started on music early and purchased Guitar Works Guitars for each of them. Specifically, I opted for the 1/4 size nylon string models that Guitar Works offers, thinking they would be perfect for small children just beginning to explore music.
Initially, my experience with Guitar Works was quite positive. Their customer service was responsive, answering my questions quickly, and shipping was remarkably fast. Upon receiving the guitars, I noticed they had indeed equipped them with decent strings. It was also apparent that some level of fretwork had been performed, which is a good sign for playability. The included gig bags were surprisingly nice for guitars at this price point, and the straps and strap buttons also seemed to be of good quality. Most importantly, my kids enjoy playing around with them, which is the ultimate goal. I was even able to tune the 1/4 size guitars to concert pitch, which is impressive for such small instruments. The tuners themselves are functional and hold tuning reasonably well – a welcome surprise compared to other small guitars I’ve encountered where the tuners are practically useless.
However, when it comes to the guitars themselves, there are some significant drawbacks. It’s clear that these are very budget-oriented instruments. I would guess the cost to manufacture these guitars in China is somewhere in the $8-$15 range. Guitar Works likely adds value by improving the setup and components slightly before selling them as superior to other low-cost options. And while the functional tuners and minor setup adjustments do make them marginally better, these guitars are fundamentally made from plywood and painted to resemble wood. The same applies to the fretboard and bridge, which are simply painted black. To be clear, they do produce notes, and I can tune them accurately using a tuner across the fretboard. They are functional instruments, but their quality doesn’t quite live up to the implied hype.
Despite these shortcomings, my children are delighted with their Guitar Works guitars. The low price point means I don’t have to worry too much about them being handled roughly, and they have proven to be reasonably durable, surviving several months in the hands of two energetic four-year-olds. If you approach these guitars with realistic expectations, understanding that you’re getting an entry-level instrument for young children, you’ll likely be satisfied. However, if you’re expecting a guitar that rivals higher-end brands like Taylor or Guild, you will undoubtedly be disappointed.
It’s important to note that my review is based solely on my experience with Guitar Works’ 1/4 size nylon string guitars. I have no experience with their other guitar models, whether steel-string or of different sizes.
