Body Size:
Smaller body guitars, like 3/4-size or parlor-size, are often a good fit for younger players with smaller hands and shorter arms. They're more comfortable to hold and play, making it easier for beginners to learn.
Scale Length:
Scale length refers to the distance between the nut and the bridge. A shorter scale length (around 24.9 inches) is generally more comfortable for smaller hands, allowing easier fretting and chord changes.
Playability:
Look for a guitar with a smooth, comfortable neck profile that's easy to grip. The action (string height) should be low enough to make it easy to press down on the strings without buzzing or fretting out.
Here are a few acoustic-electric guitar models that might be suitable for an 11-year-old girl:
1. Yamaha JR1 Acoustic-Electric Guitar:
- Compact and lightweight with a 3/4-size body
- 23-inch scale length
- Built-in tuner and preamp for easy amplification
2. Fender FA-125CE Concert Acoustic-Electric Guitar:
- Slightly larger concert-size body
- 25.3-inch scale length
- Fishman preamp system with onboard tuner
3. Epiphone DR-100CE Acoustic-Electric Guitar:
- Dreadnought body style
- Slightly longer 25.5-inch scale length
- Shadow preamp system with built-in tuner
4. Ibanez AW5412ECE Acoustic-Electric Guitar:
- Compact "Mini Jumbo" body
- 24.9-inch scale length
- Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp system with tuner
5. Washburn D10SCE Acoustic-Electric Guitar:
- Dreadnought body style
- 25.5-inch scale length
- Fishman preamp system with onboard tuner
These are just a few examples, and there are many other great options available. It's best to take your daughter to a music store to try out different guitars to find the one that fits her best and feels most comfortable to play.