Daisy Rock Guitars - Guitars for Girls and Women

Daisy Rock was created in 2000 by Tish Ciravolo, an experienced guitarist and mother of two daughters. When learning guitar herself, she found that the large instruments were difficult to handle, and it was difficult to break into the male-dominated music scene as a female guitarist. Although she persisted and has had a successful career in music, she knew that many girls and women are put off even trying guitar due to the lack of suitable instruments.

Ciravolo wanted it to be different for her daughters. Her goal is that 'every girl who wants to play guitar is welcomed and inspired to do so'. When her older daughter drew a picture of a daisy, Ciravolo added a leaf 'neck' and Daisy Rock was born. Ciravolo's husband was the president of Schecter Guitars, and Daisy Rock was launched as a subsidiary.

Daisy Rock's female-friendly guitars make learning the guitar a much easier process for girls, who are much more encouraged to persist when they have a guitar designed and intended especially for them. Playing guitar is a great form of self-expression, and teaches coordination and self-discipline while building self-confidence and self-esteem in an enjoyable, fun way.

Today, Daisy Rock is a global company, with a 2005 revenue of $2.4 million.

Daisy Rock guitars are designed specifically for girls and women. These features make them easier for girls' and womens' smaller hands and slighter frames than 'normal' guitars:

- Slimmer neck
- Lighter weight
- Body contours designed for women's bodies
- Smaller, short scale models

And of course, colors and designs attractive to girls!

Although Daisy Rock guitars are designed for girls, and some are decorated with hearts and butterflies, they are not a gimmick. Children's guitars are often poor quality, and more toys than serious instruments, but Daisy Rock guitars are real instruments.

As well as the girls' guitars, Daisy Rock makes serious women's guitars. Reviews in leading guitar magazines have been very favorable. For example, Guitar Player magazine called their workmanship 'flawless' and the Stardust Retro-H Deluxe a 'versatile and professional tool'.

Many high-profile female rock musicians have used and endorsed Daisy Rock guitars, including artists such as Joan Jett (The Runaways), the Wilson sisters of Heart and Dolly Parton. Leading male guitarists who have played Daisy Rock guitars include Robert Smith (The Cure), Chris Stein (Blondie) and Sylvain Sylvain (The New York Dolls). Celebrities who endorse Daisy Rock include Miley Cyrus of Hannah Montana and news anchor Katie Couric.

Check out these sites for more Daisy Rock guitar reviews:

Harmony Central - Reviews and ratings for many different Daisy Rock Guitars

I-Muso - Rock Candy review

Ultimate Guitar Review - Rock Candy Custom review

Modern Guitars Magazine - Rock Candy Debutante review

Daisy Rock produces both girls' electric guitars and serious women's (adults') guitars.

Girls' Guitars

The girls' guitars, recommended for 6-10 year olds, are smaller models. They are short scale (22.5 inch), meaning that there is less space between the frets, so the neck is shorter and its easier for small hands to reach. They weigh approximately 5 pounds. The new 'Debutante by Daisy Rock' is a line especially for girls who are just beginning to learn guitar. Girls' guitars include:

- Daisy - a flower-shape body and leaf headstock, available in a variety of colors

- Butterfly - a multi-colored, butterfly-shape body

- Heartbreaker - a heart-shaped body and a leaf-shaped headstock (this is also available as a woman's guitar and a bass)

- Star - a star-shaped body and leaf-shaped headstock

Women's (Adults') Guitars

Daisy Rock women's electric guitars have a 24.75 inch scale and weigh approximately 7-9 pounds (for reference, a Fender Stratocaster has a 25.5 inch scale). Daisy Rock womens' guitars include:

- Rock Candy - the signature guitar, available in several different models. The 'Pink Label' is Daisy Rock's top of the line guitar, and is US made. The body is a 'single-cutaway' design, similar to a Les Paul.

- Tom Boy - the single Tom Boy model is the Tom Boy Deuce, similar in design to guitars used for surf rock.

- Stardust - similar in design to electric guitars for jazz and blues

- Stardust Elite - this has a 'dual cutaway' body, so is quite different from the Stardust model. Also available as a bass.

- Rebel Rockit - the body is the classic 'dual cutaway' design, like a Fender Stratocaster.

Daisy Rock produces a variety of bass guitars, in both short scale, girls' models (32 inch scale) and adult women's models (34 inch scale). Basses are available in the same model 'families' as the electric guitars - Butterfly, Daisy, Heartbreaker and Star for the girls, and Rock Candy, Stardust and for women/adults.

If you'd rather play an acoustic guitar, Daisy Rock has a range designed specifically for girls and women. Although they may look like toys with their bright colors, just like the electric guitars, they are real instruments.

Daisy Rock produces a range of accessories, from picks, straps and guitar cases to apparel. These make great gifts for a guitar girl! So far, they do not produce amps.

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