AKLOT Mini Kids Guitar Review: A Compact Project Guitar With Real Potential

Introduction

The AKLOT mini kids guitar is a compact electric guitar that stands out for one very specific reason: its 22.8-inch scale length. That is an unusual specification that you rarely see on modern instruments. It is very close to the 22.7-inch scale of the classic Fender Duo Sonic, a guitar that has a devoted following among players who love short scale instruments.

This guitar arrives as a complete beginner pack. It includes a small battery-powered amp, a cable, a tuner, a strap, a wipe-down cloth, a pack of strings, guitar picks, and even a capo. It also comes with a lightweight case. The whole package is clearly aimed at someone picking up a guitar for the first time.

The price is attractive. It sells for around $130 to $132 on Amazon with a coupon at the time of purchase. For that money, you get a lot of accessories and a guitar with a genuinely uncommon scale length. But the question is whether it is ready to play out of the box.

First Impressions

The guitar has a small offset body that is shorter than a Duo Sonic. It is not a toy-sized instrument, but it is noticeably compact. The lavender finish is a nice touch, and there are other color options available including cream, mint, light blue, tangerine, and berry pink depending on the listing.

The neck has a very thin satin finish that feels slightly rough to the touch, though not unpleasant. The fret edges are dressed fine with no sharp ends, which is a pleasant surprise at this price point. The frets themselves have a chalky feeling that should go away with playing or a quick polish.

The guitar is extremely lightweight. It weighs about 5.53 pounds, which is slightly lighter than a comparable Duo Sonic at 5.81 pounds. The difference is small, and both instruments feel very light in the hands.

The nut measures 38mm wide, which is 4mm slimmer than the Duo Sonic. The string width at the bridge is 53mm, compared to just under 55mm on the Fender. This makes the neck feel very compact at the nut, with a rounder profile that is comfortable to hold.

Playability and Setup Concerns

Right out of the box, the guitar has a significant issue that affects its playability. The nut appears to be cut a little high. When fretting notes on the first few frets, the strings pull sharp. The low E, A, D, and G strings all go noticeably out of tune in the cowboy chord area. The B string is slightly sharp but not as bad, and the high E is only a little off.

This is a common problem with budget guitars ordered online. The nut slots are not cut deep enough, so the distance between the string and the fret is enough to pull the string out of tune when fretted. The fix is straightforward: the nut slots need to be lowered to their correct position. This can be done with a simple welding tip cleaner or a proper nut file.

The action is also a little high, though the neck relief looks fine. The saddles simply need to be lowered. The guitar needs a full setup before it plays comfortably. This is not what you want to hear if you are shopping for a first guitar for a young player.

The tuning stability is another concern. Short scale guitars are notoriously difficult to keep in tune, and this one is no exception. The combination of a high nut and light strings makes the problem worse. The guitar came with what appear to be 9-gauge strings, which do not provide enough tension for stable tuning on a short scale instrument.

Pickups and Sound

The guitar has ceramic Strat-style pickups that are covered in Mustang-style housings. The pickup covers measure the same length and width as genuine Mustang pickups, so they are likely off-the-shelf OEM Mustang-adjacent pickups. They have a bright, thin, lower output sound that is characteristic of Mustang pickups.

In the middle position, the pickups sound clear with a brittle ceramic quality. The bridge position has a similar character. The neck pickup is noticeably quieter than the bridge, though raising the pickup height helps a little. Even after adjusting the heights, the pickups do not have the same output or heat as the pickups in a Fender Duo Sonic.

If you like the brighter, thinner sound of a Mustang pickup, this guitar delivers that. But if you want more warmth or output, you will likely want to swap the pickups. The good news is that the pickup cavities are standard size, so you can install any Fender Stratocaster single coil pickup with some exceptions. Mustang pickups will drop in directly, and most Strat-style pickups should fit as well.

The guitar responds well to effects. With overdrive and reverb, it finds some usable tones. It is not a high-output rock machine, but it has its own character that works for surf sounds and cleaner styles.

Inside the Guitar

Opening up the guitar reveals a large swimming pool route in the body. This means there is plenty of room for modifications. You could install a humbucker, add a middle pickup, or completely rewire the electronics. The control cavity is a blank slate.

The guitar uses tiny micro pots and a standard three-way switch. The pickups have ceramic bar magnets on the back. There are no surprises inside, but the open design makes it very easy to work on.

The neck comes with a shim installed at the factory, which suggests some level of quality control. Someone noticed that the neck needed a slight angle and addressed it. The bridge is a top-loading design with no string-through element.

Tips for Short Scale Guitars

If you are considering a guitar with a scale length under 24 inches, there are a few things that help with tuning stability. The most important tip is to use heavier strings. A set of 11s, 12s, or even 13s will provide more tension and help the guitar stay in tune. With a shorter scale, heavier strings feel closer to a regular 25.5-inch scale guitar with a standard set.

The nut also needs attention. The slots should be lowered to the correct depth and opened up so the strings can slide freely. You want the strings to move through the nut when bending, then return to their equilibrium position. Lubricating the nut slots helps with this. You can use off-the-shelf guitar nut lubricant or simply rub a number two pencil lead into the slots.

These steps are not difficult, but they are necessary for a short scale guitar to stay in tune. Without them, the instrument can be frustrating to play.

Who This Guitar Is For

This is not a guitar for a beginner. Despite being marketed as a starter pack, the setup issues make it a poor choice for someone learning to play. A new player would struggle with the tuning problems and high action.

This guitar is better suited to an experienced guitar hobbyist looking for the bones of a new project. It is an affordable starting point for a parts build where you plan to swap pickups, tuners, and hardware, and do the setup work yourself. The compact size, unusual scale length, and fun colors make it an attractive platform for customization.

If you are buying it as a decoration or wall hanger, the setup issues do not matter. But if there is any chance the person receiving it wants to play, expect to invest some time in setup work.

Buying Advice

At around $130, the AKLOT mini kids guitar offers good value as a project guitar. The included accessories add to the appeal, and the case is a nice bonus. The rare 22.8-inch scale length is the main draw for enthusiasts.

Before buying, consider whether you are comfortable doing setup work. The nut needs to be filed, the saddles need adjusting, and the strings should be replaced with a heavier set. If you are not prepared to do this work, this guitar will likely disappoint.

If you are looking for a ready-to-play instrument for a young beginner, you may want to look elsewhere or budget for a professional setup. If you enjoy tinkering and want an affordable platform for a custom build, this guitar has real potential.

Conclusion

The AKLOT mini kids guitar is an intriguing instrument with a rare scale length and a lightweight, compact design. It is not ready to play out of the box, and it is not recommended for beginners without setup work. But for experienced players who enjoy projects, it offers an affordable and fun starting point. With heavier strings, a properly cut nut, and some pickup upgrades, this little guitar could become something special.