When it comes to choosing a guitar, beginner guitarists often find themselves faced with a common dilemma: should they opt for a 3/4 size guitar or go for a full-size one?
This decision is crucial as it can greatly impact your comfort and enjoyment while learning the guitar. In this article, we’ll help settle the 3/4 vs. full-size guitar debate for you, and we’ll provide some specific recommendations for each.
In a hurry?
Here are the main features of the two guitar types:
| 3/4-Size Guitar | Full-Size Guitar | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Smaller size, typically 36-38 inches long | Larger size typically 40-42 inches long |
| Weight | Lighter and easier to handle, especially for kids and people with smaller frames | Heavier, could be challenging for younger players or those with smaller frames |
| Sound | Slightly quieter with a thinner tone | More resonant and full-bodied sound due to larger sound box |
| Fretboard | Shorter scale length and close frets can be easier for beginners | Longer scale and wide frets require more hand stretch |
| Price | Generally less expensive | More expensive due to higher material and manufacturing costs |
| Suitability | Ideal for beginners, young players, or as travel guitars | Ideal for adults and those who want a guitar that they won't grow out of |
3/4 vs. full-size guitars
3/4-size guitars
Main features:
- Compact and lightweight: The smaller body and shorter neck of the 3/4 size guitar make it a lightweight and portable option, ideal for travel or smaller individuals
- Easy playability: The shorter scale length and closer frets are beneficial for beginners or those with smaller hands, making it easier to grasp chords and play notes
- Budget-friendly: 3/4 size guitars are typically less expensive than their full-size counterparts, making them an affordable option for beginners or those on a budget
- Various styles available: Despite their smaller size, 3/4 size guitars come in a wide range of styles and finishes, meeting the aesthetic preferences of different players
- Sufficient volume for practice: While 3/4 guitars have a quieter sound, they still provide a sufficient volume for practice and small performances
Size
A 3/4-size guitar is typically 36 x 13 inches and has a scale length ranging between 20 and 24 inches. This reduced scale length is paired with a narrower nut width and smaller frets, making the instrument physically less demanding to handle.
The compact design helps to reduce physical strain on the fingers, especially when forming complex chords, offering an easier introduction to the instrument for beginners or players with smaller hands.
Sound
Though not matching the depth and fullness of a full-size guitar’s sound, a 3/4 guitar offers a unique tone with a punchy midrange and clear high-end. However, its sound is mainly influenced by its tonewoods – so take note of what it’s made of!
One trade-off that you have to make with a 3/4 size guitar is that its ability to hold its tune is not as stable as that of a full-size guitar.
Feel
On a 3/4 size guitar, the lower string tension makes it less strenuous to press down on the strings than a full-size instrument, making it a comfortable choice for new players. Along with the lightweight design and smaller frets, a 3/4 guitar is ideal for those with smaller hands or who need a portable, convenient instrument. However, if you have larger hands, you may find it too cramped.
Who they’re suited to
3/4 size guitars are an excellent choice for children and complete beginners owing to their manageable size and less physically demanding playability.
Additionally, 3/4 bass guitars serve as a fantastic transition instrument for those moving from a standard guitar to a bass. This is due to their scale length, which is around 30 inches, similar to a standard guitar.
Some suggestions…
Taylor BT1 Baby Taylor Acoustic Guitar: Despite its compact size, this guitar, made by the experts in acoustic guitar craftsmanship, delivers a rich and vibrant tone. It boasts a solid Sitka spruce top, which contributes to its sparkling yet balanced sound, and thanks to its comfortable playability and excellent construction, the BT1 is a favourite among musicians seeking a high-quality 3/4 acoustic guitar.
Martin LX1E Little Martin Acoustic Guitar: The Martin LX1E is a popular choice for a compact yet powerful instrument. This guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany high-pressure laminate back and sides, ensuring durability without compromising on tone, which is well-balanced, with articulation and impressive projection. Plus, it’s made even more comfortable to play courtesy of its low oval neck profile.
Full-size guitars
Main features:
- Rich and resonant sound: Full-size guitars produce a more robust sound. The booming bass and rich mid-tones make the instrument perfect for performing in larger venues or recording
- Wide range of styles: They come in various styles, finishes, and designs, catering to a wide range of aesthetic preferences and playing styles. These guitars are commonly used in numerous music genres, from rock and blues to jazz and classical
- Excellent build quality: These guitars are built to last and are not just “learning”-instruments. Therefore, they often boast superior build quality, though the level can vary from brand to brand
- Require you to stretch further: The longer scale length and wider frets of full-size guitars demand more hand stretch and finger strength. This can be advantageous for building technique and skill over time, particularly for players planning to pursue advanced guitar playing
- Suitable for adult guitarists: Due to their larger size and weight, full-size guitars are typically more suited to adult players or those with larger frames
Size
Full-size guitars usually measure around 40 x 15 inches and allow for powerful, heavy strumming as you have more space than a 3/4 guitar. The scale length generally exceeds 24 inches and there are larger frets and a wider nut, providing more room for fingers to roam.
Having a bigger guitar might be challenging for beginners, but because it requires you to stretch your fingers further, it encourages musical exploration and technique development.
Sound
The sound produced by a full-size guitar is notably richer than that of a 3/4 version, with a pronounced low range. Its larger size increases resonance and enables a fuller, more robust sound. But like its 3/4-size counterparts, a full-size guitar’s sound depends heavily on its materials. One significant advantage of a full-size guitar over a 3/4 is its ability to maintain its tune, owing to a higher string tension.
Feel
The feel of a full-size guitar is distinctly different from its smaller counterpart. Given its larger dimensions and higher string tension, pressing down on the strings is more difficult, however, the more you practise, the more comfortable it will feel, particularly for adults with larger hands.
Who they’re suited to
A full-size guitar is ideally suited to adult players or those with larger hands. And this isn’t just because of its size, but also its weight – which some may find more balanced and comfortable than a 3/4 guitar. The sound quality and resonant depth also offered by these guitars make them great for serious guitarists and music enthusiasts.
Some suggestions…
Fender American Professional II Stratocaster: If you’re after an electric that has the perfect mix of traditional and modern manufacturing, the Fender American Professional II is ideal. It retains the classic Stratocaster styling while incorporating contemporary upgrades, boasting V-Mod II Stratocaster single-coil pickups and a comfortable “Deep C” neck profile with a rolled fingerboard edge.
Martin D-28: The Martin D-28 delivers a rich and full-bodied tone, a trademark of Martin guitars, stemming from its solid Sitka spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides. It also offers excellent playability with its low-profile neck and high-performance taper. And because it’s Martin, the build quality is unparalleled, boasting hand-fitted dovetail neck joints and scalloped X-bracing.
Pros and cons
So, now you know how they look, feel, and sound, what are the benefits and downfalls of 3/4 and full-size guitars?
3/4-size guitar
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Compact and lightweight, making it portable and easy to handle | Might feel too cramped for people with larger hands and arms |
| Lower string tension, reducing physical strain on fingers | Doesn't hold its tune as well as full-size guitars |
| Ideal for children, beginners, or players with smaller hands | Limited in sound projection, making it less suitable for large venues or professional recording |
| Serves as a good transitional instrument before progressing onto a standard guitar | You may outgrow the instrument as your skills progress |
Full-size guitar
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Produces a rich and resonant sound, ideal for professional performances and recordings | Can be physically challenging to handle for beginners or players with smaller hands |
| Has a wide variety of styles, finishes, and designs | Heavier and less portable than a 3/4 guitar |
| Maintains tune well due to higher string tension | |
| Suitable for adult players or those with larger frames |
Other guitar sizes
In instances where neither a 3/4-size nor a full-size guitar is appealing, there are other alternatives available, catering to different playing needs, styles, and preferences.
Quarter-size guitars, as their name suggests, are smaller than 3/4 size guitars and are perfect for very young beginners, typically those aged between 4 and 6 years old. They’re incredibly lightweight and manageable for small hands, providing a comfortable introduction to the instrument.
Half-size guitars are a step up from quarter-size guitars and are suitable for children aged between 6 and 9. They offer a balance of playability and sound, making them a nice transition instrument for young learners before moving to a larger guitar.
Parlour guitars are smaller than full-size guitars but larger than 3/4-size guitars, making them a fine option for players of all ages who desire a more compact instrument without compromising too much on sound quality. They evoke a vintage vibe, both in terms of looks and sound, and are favoured by fingerstyle players for their distinctive mid-range focus and articulate tone.
FAQs
Is a 3/4 guitar too small for adults?
A 3/4 size guitar is not necessarily too small for adults; it depends on personal comfort and playing style. Despite its smaller size, many adult players find it comfortable and easy to play, especially for travel or casual jam sessions. However, it might not offer the full, resonant sound and larger fret space of a full-size guitar, which some adults may prefer.
What are the disadvantages of a 3/4 guitar?
3/4-size guitars don’t produce as rich or resonant a sound as full-size guitars. Additionally, they might not hold their tune as well over extended periods, and their sound projection is limited, making them less suitable for large venues or professional recording.
Does Ed Sheeran use a 3/4 size guitar?
Ed Sheeran frequently uses a 3/4 size guitar and his signature model is the Martin LX1E. Its compact size and quality construction meet his needs for portability without compromising on sound quality, proving that 3/4 size guitars can cater to professional requirements, too.
Which is best?
Choosing the right guitar size depends heavily on your personal comfort, the type of music you want to play, and your skill level. I recommend you actually play a few models before making a decision, as this gives you a first-hand experience of what feels and sounds best to you. In the meantime, I hope this 3/4 vs. full-size guitar guide has helped you decide which one might be suited to you!
0 Comments