Ibanez GIO GRGM21M miKro Electric Guitar - Jewel Blue

The Jewel Blue miKro takes the GRGM21M platform and wraps it in a rich metallic blue that appeals to younger players without looking cartoonish. Inside, it is the same quality short-scale electric with Infinity R pickups that deliver real crunch and clarity, a smooth maple neck, and a basswood body that keeps the weight manageable for smaller frames.

At 22.2 inches, the scale length is roughly three-quarters of a standard guitar, which translates to lower string tension and easier fretting. That is a big deal for a beginner whose fingers are still building calluses and strength. The miKro is the kind of starter instrument that does not hold a player back as they develop -- and when they eventually move to a full-size guitar, the transition feels natural because they have been playing a real instrument all along.