3/4 size guitars are for young students between the ages of 8 and 11. They are also known as 36 inch guitars. This guitar size and 1/2 size guitars are the most sold student guitars for kids and teens. Most children and teenagers start learning to play the guitar between the ages of 6 and 10, either at school or with a private guitar teacher. That’s why there’s a big choice of 1/2 and 3/4 guitars on the market.
And it’s important to know that guitar size doesn’t refer to the overall length of the guitar, but to the scale. The scale is the distance from the bridge to the headstock, which is about 3/4 of a full size guitar.
3/4 classical nylon, acoustic steel string or electric guitar?
As 3/4 size guitars are one of the most sold guitars on the market, there are many different models available from different manufacturers. The first thing you need to know is whether you want a classical guitar with nylon strings, an acoustic guitar with steel strings or an electric guitar.
A classical guitar with nylon strings is always preferable for children and young beginners who are just starting to play the guitar. Nylon strings are more comfortable on the fingers and easier to press down. This is a great help when playing the guitar for the first time.
However, things are different for older children and teenagers who already know how to play the guitar. They have already developed some hand and finger strength and may be ready to move up to a steel string guitar. In this case, an acoustic steel string guitar or an electric guitar might be a reasonable choice. An acoustic steel string guitar sounds louder and much fuller. It’s the typical guitar sound we know from pop and rock music.
Best 3/4 classical guitars
Many young students and beginners start with a Yamaha guitar. Guitar teachers often recommend these guitars because they are good value for money. I also love Yamaha guitars because all the models I have played have been so comfortable to play and have a really good sound. I started playing guitar with a Yamaha and I still like to play on this beginner guitar. That’s why I highly recommend Yamaha guitars for kids and beginners.
– great quality and sound
– bestseller for beginners
– good quality and sound
– some accessories already incl.
– available in many different colors
The Yamaha CGS103A* is a 3/4 size youth guitar and it’s really good value for money. It’s a nylon string guitar with a spruce top, which gives a good sound quality. Yamaha has chosen Nato for the neck, which I find quite comfortable to play. All in all it has a very good finish and a nice sound for a reasonable price. It’s a strong recommendation for parents looking for an affordable guitar under $200.
Another great guitar brand is Fender. Experienced and advanced guitarists know this brand for sure! Even the big rock stars play Fender guitars. They also offer beginner models and their 3/4 classical guitar is a great choice for ambitious beginners.
Pyle, for example, is a brand that offers affordable beginner guitars in different sizes. Their guitars are quite affordable and still have a solid quality if you are just starting to play the guitar. They also have some packages that include some accessories (like a strap, tuner, extra strings) that are pretty essential when you buy your first guitar. The guitar is available in many different colors and even as left-handed version.
Best 3/4 acoustic guitars
There are some really nice acoustic steel string guitars in 3/4 size. Some popular guitar brands have at least one 3/4 size model with steel strings and most of them are also pretty affordable. However, a steel string guitar for beginners costs normally more than a classical nylon string guitar.
– good quality and sound
– ideal beginner acoustic guitar
– nice quality and sound
– some accessories already incl.
– available in many different colors
Yamaha also has a great 3/4 size steel string guitar for kids and teens: the Yamaha JR1*, which is a really great guitar. I had the chance to play it and it was a lot of fun, even if you are not a kid. It just sits very comfortably in your hands and the sound has its own little magic. In my opinion this is one of the best 3/4 acoustic guitar for children. The value for money is incredible and your child will definitely use it as a travel guitar later on.
A very famous brand of guitar is Fender. They are mainly known for their electric guitars and many rock stars play Fender electric guitars. They also offer entry level guitars and the FA-15 is their 3/4 size acoustic guitar. This guitar looks quite nice with its finish and is a good quality beginner guitar. Thanks to the steel strings, the guitar sounds much louder and brighter than a classical guitar of the same size. It just sounds more like a guitar we are used to from rock and pop songs.
If you are looking for an acoustic guitar for children that is pretty affordable, then you should check out the acoustic guitar from Pyle. It comes in a package with some necessary accessories (tuner, extra strings, strap, etc.). t’s actually an electric-acoustic guitar because it’s equipped with a 4-band equalizer which features a tuner, a volume bass middle treble and presence control as well as a low-battery display. Regarding the price this is a very good deal for young beginners!
Best 3/4 electric guitars
There aren’t many 3/4 size electric guitars on the market, but there are some nice models you can find. Unlike acoustic steel string guitars, a young beginner can start with an electric guitar. Electric guitars also have steel strings, but they are thinner and the tension of the strings is much lower. So it’s easier to press them down, which hurts your fingertips less in the beginning. However, I would still go for a nylon string guitar for a beginner, unless the student is really motivated to play an electric guitar. For example, if the student’s favorite music is rock, and most of the songs they like use electric guitars, then an electric guitar is the way to go.
– available in many different colors
– amplifier and accessories incl.
– great quality and finish
– amplifier and accessories incl.
– good quality and workmanship
The Squier Mini Strat* is one of the best electric guitars for kids I know. The instrument is available in many different colors, such as black*, red*, pink* and others. There even offer a left-handed version* of this guitar. Squier is a brand that belongs to the famous electric guitar manufacturer Fender. So you can take it for granted that a company like Fender knows how to make good guitars. I really like playing the Mini Strat. It’s got a nice finish, it’s well made and it looks really good – just like any rock star’s electric guitar. The guitar is also available as a complete bundle, which means that all the extra accessories you need to get started are already included. These are mainly the cables and an amplifier to get a sound out of an electric guitar.
If you are looking for any more affordable options, you should consider the guitars from LyxPro and SX. Both are not very well known brands for guitars but they have some solid models for beginners and they also come in a package where most of the necessary accessories is already included. LyxPro also offers their model in many different colors and there is a also a left-handed version.
Next smaller guitar: 1/2 Guitar
Next bigger guitar: 7/8 Guitar
