Description
Review of the Master Play 38 Inch Classical Guitar Package for Kids and Beginners
The Master Play 38 inch guitar is a reduced size six string instrument sold in black with a case and a set of starter accessories. It is built from linden wood throughout and strung with a mixed set that the listing describes as half steel and half nylon. The manufacturer positions it for children roughly between six and fifteen years old, which places it in the gap between a small child sized guitar and a full size adult instrument.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 38 inch size, a sensible middle ground that suits a growing child without being so small it is quickly outgrown.
- Light at 4.34 pounds, which matters a great deal for a young player holding an instrument for half an hour at a time.
- Well stocked package: case, strap, spare strings, picks, tuner and a capo are all listed as included.
- A capo is included, which is unusual in a starter bundle and genuinely useful once a child starts playing along with songs.
Cons
- Linden, also sold as basswood or lime, is a soft and inexpensive timber. It is easy to work and light, but it is not chosen for tone and it dents more readily than harder woods.
- The listing does not say whether the top is solid or laminated, which is the single biggest factor in how an acoustic guitar sounds.
- No scale length is published. The 38 inch figure is the overall length of the instrument, not the vibrating string length.
- The nut width is not stated, and on a guitar marketed as classical that is an important omission, since classical necks are much wider than steel string necks.
Detailed Product Description
The top, back and neck are all linden wood. Linden is a light, soft hardwood widely used in budget instrument production because it is cheap, stable and easy to machine. The practical consequences are a light instrument that a child can hold comfortably, a body that dents if it is knocked, and a tone that is generally described as even but not especially rich or loud.
The string set is the most interesting detail. The listing describes it as half steel and half nylon and says the arrangement is designed so that small fingers can play without being hurt. That description is consistent with how a standard nylon string set is actually built: the three treble strings are plain nylon while the three bass strings have a fine metal wire wound around a nylon or multifilament core. The result feels much softer under the fingertips than a steel string set, which is the point for a beginner. It also means the guitar should be treated as a nylon string instrument and should never be fitted with a full steel string set, because the higher tension can damage a body and neck built for nylon.
The stated dimensions are 38 by 11 by 3 inches. A body depth of around 3 inches is shallower than a full size dreadnought, which reduces the bass response but also makes the guitar much easier for a child to wrap an arm around. The 11 inch width is similarly modest. Together those figures describe a compact instrument rather than a scaled down full size design.
What Comes with the Product
- The 38 inch guitar in black
- A carry case with straps for wearing it on the back
- A shoulder strap for the guitar
- An extra set of strings
- Picks
- A tuner
- A capo
Who It Suits
This suits a child roughly between six and fifteen who is starting out, and a parent who wants the accessories handled in one purchase rather than assembled piece by piece. The softer string set and the light body make the first few weeks less painful, which is when most young beginners give up. Choosing the right size for a particular child is covered in the guide to what size guitar to buy for a child.
It suits less well an adult beginner, who will find a 38 inch instrument cramped and would be better served by a full size guitar. It also suits less well a student taking formal classical lessons, since the nut width is not published and classical study assumes a specifically wide neck. Anyone who wants the brighter, louder sound of a steel string acoustic for strumming pop songs should look elsewhere, because this instrument is not built for a steel set. Comparable options at the same size include the Smartxchoices 38 inch acoustic bundle, the JOYMUSIC 38 inch acoustic kit and the Moukey 38 inch nylon string guitar. The full range sits in the kids and junior guitars section and the wider full guitar review index.
How to Maintain
Wipe the strings down after each session. Nylon strings do not rust but they absorb skin oils and go dull, and the wound bass strings will show wear grooves before the trebles do.
Keep the guitar in its case when it is not being played. Linden is soft and marks easily, and a case also protects the finish from the everyday knocks a child’s instrument collects.
Do not fit steel strings. This is the most damaging mistake made with nylon strung guitars and it can pull the bridge or bow the neck.
Tips and Recommendations
Use the included tuner every time before playing. Nylon and nylon cored strings stretch considerably when new and will need retuning several times per session for the first week or two, which is normal rather than a fault.
If the strings feel high and hard to press at the fifth fret and beyond, a basic setup at a local shop will make a large difference to how playable the instrument is, and it costs far less than replacing the guitar.
Product FAQ
What age is this guitar suitable for?
The manufacturer suggests children from around six to fifteen years old.
What strings does it use?
The listing describes them as half steel and half nylon, which is consistent with a standard nylon set where the bass strings are metal wound over a nylon core.
Is a case included?
Yes. A case with straps for carrying it on the back is listed as part of the package, along with a strap, picks, a tuner, a capo and a spare set of strings.
