Guitar buying advice?

I’m learning to play on this guitar, which was recommended to me specifically as a beginner guitar by a friend who plays and teaches professionally. The thinline body makes it easier to hold and get your arm around than a dreadnought, and you still get to practice with something that is otherwise standard size. I really like it so far, but I’ve only had it for a few months.

If you have the time, reach out to a more specialized guitar shop and ask if they offer guitar services. There are shops that will tune up a guitar specifically for a beginner (replace or file-down inappropriate bridge, lower action, file down problematic frets, etc). These people can work magic on an inexpensive beginner guitar. They might also have some suggestions. There are also smaller-scale guitars that work well for beginners with smaller hands (Martin LX1E, or less-expensive ¾-scale models).

Get her a regular acoustic guitar to learn on.
My brother has been playing guitar for many years, and was in a few bands over those years. He plays bass, 6-string,12-string, mandolin. He played French horn back in his early school days. And he has a banjo.
But here’s the thing: He can’t get the hang of that 5th string on a banjo. Your wife may have trouble with it, too. So I suggest a regular guitar to learn on.
(My brother tunes the banjo like a regular guitar and no one knows the difference.)

I have an acoustic cedar top Seagull with a great, warm sound. They’re not cheap, but not crazy expensive either. In my opinion, the ¾ size might be a mistake, but a slimmer body could make sense.

@kritiper I have two regular guitars—one is a Martin dreadnought and the other is a travel guitar. Problem is they don’t fit her right. She’s not planning on playing the banjo. I’m the banjo player.

@gorillapaws Thanks. I’m not married to the ¾ size. Full size would be fine. I’m more interested in the smaller body that is easier to wrap around.

@JeSuisRickSpringfield That’s a good option, thanks

@product Thanks. I have lots of friends who are musicians, and I was planning on asking for their help as well. I also have a friend who is a luthier (he is building me a banjo). But I wanted to get some outside help from fluther as well.

@gorillapaws Can you link me to something like what you have?

Here’s a link to their S6 Original Slim. That might be a good choice. That said, I wouldn’t buy anything on the internet without her holding the thing first to make sure it works with her frame.

@gorillapaws I wouldn’t do that, thanks.

They make small guitars for kids. Or she could learn to play bass on a ukulele…

@kritiper I have two ukuleles. She’s more interested in a guitar. I spoke with the guitar teacher and he’s going to loan her a parlor guitar to try out.