Music

Fender aims for beginners and travelers with cheap Mini series guitars

Fender aims for beginners and travelers with cheap Mini series guitars
Fender has launched reduced-size versions of its iconic instruments under its Squier brand
Fender has launched reduced-size versions of its iconic instruments under its Squier brand
View 6 Images
In case you couldn't tell that this is a Mini guitar, it's written on the headstock
1/6
In case you couldn't tell that this is a Mini guitar, it's written on the headstock
The Squier Mini Stratocaster is available in left-handed (shown) and right-handed configurations
2/6
The Squier Mini Stratocaster is available in left-handed (shown) and right-handed configurations
The Mini Jazzmaster HH features humbucking pickups, a hardtail bridge and a maple C-shaped neck
3/6
The Mini Jazzmaster HH features humbucking pickups, a hardtail bridge and a maple C-shaped neck
The Mini Jazzmaster HH is available in blue, white or green
4/6
The Mini Jazzmaster HH is available in blue, white or green
A reduced-size version of the mighty Precision Bass
5/6
A reduced-size version of the mighty Precision Bass
Fender has launched reduced-size versions of its iconic instruments under its Squier brand
6/6
Fender has launched reduced-size versions of its iconic instruments under its Squier brand
View gallery - 6 images

When people start learning to play guitar, a full-size electric can seem pretty daunting. For those looking for something just a little bit smaller, Fender has responded with a couple of electrics and a bass that can also serve as travel companions.

All of the instruments in the range are based on Fender classics, and come with the promise of full-size tone. The Squier Mini Stratocaster can be had in left-hand or right-hand configuration, and black, red and pink are your color options. It rocks a thin body, a C-shaped neck profile, three single-coil pickups selected by a 5-way blade switch, and a hardtail bridge.

The 22.75-inch scale, bolt-on maple neck is topped by an Indian laurel fingerboard with 20 frets (instead of 22 on the full-size Strats), a synthetic bone nut, and perloid dots. Elsewhere are volume and tone knobs (just the one tone control instead of two), and chrome hardware.

The Mini Jazzmaster HH features humbucking pickups, a hardtail bridge and a maple C-shaped neck
The Mini Jazzmaster HH features humbucking pickups, a hardtail bridge and a maple C-shaped neck

The second model in the range is the Squier Mini Jazzmaster HH, the latter part of the moniker giving away that this guitar features humbucking pickups, selected using a 3-way toggle. If you're just starting out and worry about using a tremolo found on many full-size variants of this model, then worry no more – like the Strat, Fender has opted to keep things simple, solid and stable with a hardtail bridge.

This one also gets an easy-to-play C-shaped maple neck, but is paired with a maple fingerboard. The scale length is the same as the Mini Strat, the nut is fashioned from synthetic bone and the hardware is also chrome. Color options here are blue, white and green.

A reduced-size version of the mighty Precision Bass
A reduced-size version of the mighty Precision Bass

Representing the low end is the Squier Mini Precision Bass, with a maple C-shaped neck and Indian laurel combination, 20 frets just like its bigger siblings but on a shorter 28.6-inch scale neck, and a vintage style bridge. This thunder thumper features a split single-coil pickup, knurled flat-top volume and tone controls, and comes in black or red.

As well as serving beginners,or anyone seeking reduced-size instruments, the Mini series could also be good for players taking a guitar or bass on the road. But the best news here is the price of US$179.99 each.

Product pages: Mini Stratocaster, Mini Jazzmaster HH, Mini Precision Bass

View gallery - 6 images
1 comment
1 comment
windykites
Normal guitars are tuned to E. Is this the case with the mini-guitars? A side by side photo of the small and standard guitars would be good.