There’s probably no name across the music industry that’s more relevant than the Loog brand when it comes to kids’ guitars. They design and manufacture their products with passion and with the hope that that passion translates to the development of future musicians.
With their vibrant colors and focus on making the learning experience fun, Loog guitars strive to inspire the next generation of guitar players. But many parents considering a Loog for their child may be wondering – are Loog guitars good for kids? And are they a worthwhile investment?
Yes, Loog guitars are excellent starter instruments designed specifically for young students. Their innovative designs, durability, and emphasis on an engaging learning experience make them stand out as top choices for introducing kids to music.
In this Loog guitar review, we’ll take a close look at whether their approach truly hits the mark.
Loog Guitar Overview
Loog guitar was started way back in 2010 as an academic project by Rafael Atijas and this was his Master’s Thesis project at New York University. Ever since the brand’s goal has been to put out the best possible product and not for the most profit and its beginnings reinforce this idea.
It was a hit and was able to raise funds even tripled their initial ask on Kickstarter and then it became so popular with the idea of making guitars for kids.
Loog guitars are designed specifically for children and beginners. They come in both acoustic and electric models, with 3-string and 6-string varieties. The 3-string design uses the same tuning as the first 3 strings on a standard guitar, making it easy to transition to a full size 6-string later on.
They are quite playable and kids can play comfortably a few tunes out of the guitars much like that of a ukulele. Loog guitars are made from real wood, not cheap plastic, so they produce good sound quality and stand up well to wear and tear.
Review of Different Loog Guitars
Here I’ve checked out a few of their products and reviewed them to help you decide which one to buy for your little ones.
1. Fender x Loog Stratocaster Electric Guitar
- Small, 3-string electric guitar
- Perfect for young beginners
- Specially designed body and neck perfect for small hands
- Easy access to great tones
As a guitar enthusiast and an uncle to a budding musician, I recently had the opportunity to try the Fender x Loog Stratocaster Electric Guitar. This collaboration between two renowned brands brings a unique twist to the iconic Stratocaster design, catering specifically to young learners.
The Fender x Loog Strat is a compact, three-string electric guitar that feels like a real instrument, not just a toy. Its small size and lightweight paulownia body make it comfortable for little hands to navigate the maple fingerboard.
The single pickup and volume knob keep things simple, allowing kids to focus on the fundamentals of playing.
What sets this guitar apart is the included learning resources. It comes with chord flashcards, stickers, a booklet about Leo Fender, and access to the Loog Guitar app, which offers video lessons and engaging exercises.
This comprehensive package makes the learning experience enjoyable and interactive.
Pros:
- Authentic Fender design tailored for beginners
- Compact size and lightweight construction
- Supplementary learning materials and app access
- Strings tuned like a standard guitar for easy transition
Cons:
- Limited to three strings (though appropriate for beginners)
- Relatively pricey compared to some alternatives
Overall, the Fender x Loog Stratocaster Electric Guitar provides an excellent introduction to the world of guitar playing for children. Its user-friendly design, coupled with the educational resources, creates an engaging and rewarding learning experience.
2. Loog Pro VI Acoustic Guitar
- The ultimate guitar-and-lesson experience for beginners
- Real wood, real guitar
- Compact size, slim, short-scale neck, and low string action
- Packed with educational content
The Loog Pro VI Acoustic is the brand’s first-ever six-string guitar and I’m loving it. I’m sure that your future rockstar will appreciate it too.
Made with real wood for maximum satisfaction in terms of durability and performance. It’s got a basswood guitar body and a maple neck that’s designed for perfect intonation so your child’s ear will be trained properly.
The low string action should also be child-friendly so they will have more time for practicing and less strain or pain for their hands and fingers.
Think your child is ready for a six-string? Then get them this Loog Pro VI Acoustic. Specially designed for kids 12 years and older it comes with flashcards and a free Loog guitar app armed with features for better and faster learning. It’s the full package!
Comes in all sorts of colors to add a little bit of aesthetics to make the guitar more attractive to your kid should they be hesitant to learn one at first. Easy to play, easy to handle, and fun to learn that’s what the Loog Pro VI Acoustic brings to the table.
This should act as a good set of training wheels to learn how to play songs and form chords. Eventually, it will lower the learning curve and prepare them for full-size guitars soon. Go grab yours now!
Pros
- Great ergonomic design
- Pleasing to the eye colors and shape
- Durable construction
- Comes with the full package for learning guitar the right way
Cons
- Can be a bit top-heavy
3. Loog 3 String Pro Acoustic
Back to the 3-string variety, I present the Loog 3 String Pro Acoustic. This guitar has an award-winning design among educators and musicians alike. As with all of Loog’s guitars for kids, this one is also made out of real wood so your kids get the real guitar experience.
It’s got a basswood body and maple neck for a perfect intonation you wouldn’t have expected a little guitar would have. Also, it’s got a low-string action made with your kid’s welfare in mind plus it’s quite playable even for those with really small hands and short fingers.
This was a 2020 model that comes with steel strings and a new guitar body shape which your young rockstar would definitely love.
Pros
- Light and easy to carry around
- Playable and nice feel around the fretboard
- Pretty durable little guitar
Cons
- The neck is admittedly though a bit flimsy
4. Loog Pro Electric Guitar
If you think that your kids will benefit more from a mini electric guitar, then get them the Loog Pro Electric. This is also a 3 string guitar that will teach your kids what it’s like to play guitar, especially an electric one.
This model actually has a vastly improved tone and also has low action for its strings so it will have a much better feel and be more playable. It’s got a solid wood body and a maple neck with a kid-friendly design. Let your kids shred early on this mini electric guitar!
However, I consider that though these are labeled as ‘Pro’, kids above 12 should learn on a real six-string electric guitar instead of a three-string.
Pros
- Cool looking design
- Pretty easy to play
- Punchy and bright tone
Cons
- The electronics are a bit doubtful in terms of quality
- A little bit pricey in terms of overall quality
5. Loog Mini 3-String Guitar
If you think the aforementioned instruments are still a bit too much for your kids, get them this Loog Mini 3-string acoustic guitar for children and beginners. Meant for complete beginners and smaller kids so they do not get intimidated.
This instrument has a basswood body, sides, and back. Pretty good tone and is easy to handle.
Pros
- Perfect for smaller kids
- Easy to play
- Good tone
- Nice shape
Cons
- Cheap but not very durable
- Relatively high action, needs adjustment
A Deeper Dive into Loog Guitar
Learning a new instrument is always fun. Along with the understanding of music, it also helps to develop fine motor skills among children. I have mentioned that these guitars are available in several different designs and sizes catered toward children of different age limits.
Loog has an award-winning design that’s thoroughly approved by music educators. Well, you’re probably skeptical about buying a children’s guitar as most of them are made with subpar quality wood. Well, this is where Loog stands out in the crowd.
Construction
The construction of the guitar is nothing over the top. However, considering a beginner guitar for kids, it does a spectacular job. It has a robust build quality that can take some heavy beatings from the little musicians.
The guitars are available in a wide range of colors such as red, black, pink, green, and yellow. Overall, the construction is satisfactory and makes the Loog guitar quite a reliable instrument.
Body and Neck
The body of the Loog guitar is made with basswood that generates a strong and powerful sound. Both the neck and body are made of wood and there is no sign of the flimsy plastic that we generally see on many children’s guitars out there.
The fretboard is designed in a way so that the tiny fingers don’t need to stretch too much to play the chords.
Playability
These guitars are specifically designed for children of different ages so that they don’t have to struggle with finger placement due to the abnormal neck width of a wrongly sized instrument.
The 3-string concept is quite similar to the first 3-strings of a regular 6-string guitar. The idea is that once the child understands the grammar, he/she will quickly be able to adhere to a full-sized guitar.
Hardware
The hardware on the guitar is quite basic yet sufficient enough for the children to give a jump start to their musical journey. It features three open-gear tuners at the top of the instrument. There are chrome buttons on the Pro version and white buttons on the Loog Mini.
The Mini version features classical nylon strings so that it doesn’t hurt those tiny soft hands while preparing them for the steel strings. On the other hand, the Pro version is equipped with steel strings that deliver fuller and louder sound.
Sound Quality
Loog guitars are made with high-quality material that delivers exceptional tonal quality. Despite its budget-friendly price, the sound is crisp and detailed enough so that the little ears can understand the concept of tones clearly.
It delivers a rich and mellow tone with decent volume and clarity. Keep in mind it’s targeted at children, so, you’ll not find the complex overtones of the full-sized guitars.
Loog Guitar Lessons
Loog Guitar has provided some basic guitar lessons for your future rockstar through the Loog Academy. These fundamental video lessons include an introduction to chords, chord progression, stringing, and Loog guitar tuning.
Grammy Award winner Tim Kubart has hosted these video lessons and is similarly available on Loog Guitar’s YouTube Channel and Loog app.
If your kids need more assistance, there is a paid option for live one-on-one online music lessons from a Loog-certified guitar teacher. Also, kids under 8 years can enroll in 30-minute FREE video group lessons to learn some guitar basics.
Guitar Accessories and Extra Features
Loog guitars aside from their unique and kid-friendly designs have some pretty cool accessories and educational add-ons to their products too.
- Gig bags – Carrying cases with shoulder straps to transport your guitar
- Guitar stands – Show off your axe and store it safely when not playing
- Guitar wall hanger – Free up floor space by mounting the guitar on the wall
- Guitar straps – Choose from different colors and designs
- Loog Mini Amp – Portable mini amplifier fits Loog’s electric guitars
- Replacement strings – Extra strings for when yours get old and worn out
- Songbooks – Collection of popular tunes tailored for Loog guitars
- Flash cards – Help memorize chords and music fundamentals
Loog User Reviews
As mentioned earlier, Loog guitars are Kickstarter’s number one best-selling guitars. But that’s not all.
The company continues to receive amazing reviews online, as parents commend various Loog guitars and accessories. Loog Guitars currently prides itself on a 4.8/5 star rating with over 1,300 5-star reviews.
Best Alternatives to Loog Guitars
If the Loog guitars don’t quite fit your needs, some excellent alternatives are there to consider.
The Yamaha JR1 is a high-quality 3/4 size steel-string acoustic, well-built with great tone and playability for kids aged 8-12 at an affordable price point.
The iconic Fender Squier 3/4 Size Mini Strat is a premium mini electric guitar boasting superb playability, tone, and that classic Fender look – perfect for budding rockers over 10 years old.
For nylon-string fans, the Cordoba C1M is a stellar 1/4 size classical with a shorter 20″ scale length and slim neck tailored for small hands aged 6-10. Its quality construction can serve as a child’s main guitar for years.
While Loog excels with its simple 3-string concept, these 6-string alternatives offer a more gradual transition to full-size guitars. With their reputable brands, build quality, and age-appropriate sizes, any of these choices can kickstart a lifelong passion for guitar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to tune your Loog guitar?
You can tune the Loog guitar the same way you tune the first three strings of a regular guitar. It goes G, B, E from low to high. You can play any song you want on these guitars.
The best part is that your children can use their understanding of music gained from the Loog guitar and tune to a standard 6-string guitar later.
Is a 3-string guitar easier to play?
Yes, a 3-string guitar is comparatively easier to play than the standard guitar. Playing real songs on a 3-stringed Loog guitar is not completely different than a traditional guitar. Rather it’s much simpler.
If a child learns to play a 3-string guitar, can he/she apply those learnings to play a standard six-string guitar?
This is a question that I come around very frequently. As I said, playing the 3-strings on the Loog guitar is the same as the first three strings on a regular full-sized guitar.
Therefore, it develops the basic skills necessary for the child to learn guitar and it’ll only enhance their expertise in the future rather than acting as a barrier.
What strings are on a Loog guitar?
The Loog mini features nylon strings and the Pro version features steel strings.
Where to buy a Loog Guitar?
Loog guitars and accessories can be purchased directly from Loog’s website. Many models are also available on Amazon.
Final Thoughts
Loog guitars have long done their part in creating quality beginner’s instruments that are suitable for the young ones to play. The Standard of these cheap guitars is better than a toy but inferior to an actual guitar.
These instruments are good as a starter or first guitar to build your aspiring guitarist’s basics so that they can be ready for six strings later on or a bass guitar.
No doubt, there’s no better brand to do it. So start your kid’s musical journey today and grab a Loog guitar.
Featured Image: hellofromdelilah
About the Author
Gustavo is a music teacher and classical guitar player from Brazil, currently residing in Dublin, Ireland. He holds a graduate degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the Federal University of Pelotas. In 2020, Gustavo successfully completed a Master's degree in Sound Engineering from the Academy of Sound in Ireland.