3/4 size guitars are for young students between 8 and 11 years. They are also called 36 inch guitars. This guitar size and 1/2 size guitars are the most sold student guitars for kids and youth. Most kids and youth start learning guitar between 6 and 10 years at school or with a private guitar teacher. That’s exactly why there is a huge choice for this guitar size on the market. Besides, the guitar size doesn’t refer to the total guitar length but to the scale. The scale is the distance between the bridge and the guitar head that measures about 3/4 of a full size guitar.
3/4 classical nylon, acoustic steel string or electric guitar?
Since 3/4 size guitars are one of the most sold guitars on the market there are many different models from various manufacturers available. First of all, you need to know if you want to get a classical guitar with nylon strings, an acoustic guitar with steel strings or an electric guitar.
A classical nylon string guitar is always preferable for kids and young beginners that just start playing guitar. Nylon strings are more comfortable on the fingers and easier to press down. This helps a lot when playing the first times on the guitar.
However, for older kids and youth who already know playing the guitar, the circumstances are quite different. They have already developed some hand and finger strength and may be ready for the switch to a steel string guitar. A steel string acoustic guitar or an electric guitar might be a reasonable choice in this case. An acoustic steel string guitar sound louder and much fuller. It’s the typical guitar sound we know from pop and rock music.
Best 3/4 classical guitars
A lot of young students and beginners start with a Yamaha guitar. Guitar teachers often recommend this guitar brand for the good price quality ratio. I also love Yamaha guitars because all of models I have played from this brand were just so comfortable to play and had a really good sound. I started playing the guitar on Yamaha and I still like to play on this beginner guitar. That’s why, I highly recommend also Yamaha guitars for kids and beginners.
The Yamaha CGS103A is a 3/4 size youth guitar and it’s really worth the money. It’s a nylon string guitar with a spruce top, which ensures a good sound quality. For the neck Yamaha has chosen Nato which I find quite comfortable to play. All in all, it has got a very good finish and a nice sound for a reasonable price. It’s a high recommendation for all parents looking for an affordable guitar under $200.
Recommondation!
Yamaha
The Yamaha CGS103A is a 3/4 size youth guitar and it’s really worth the money. It’s a nylon string guitar with a spruce top, which ensures a good sound quality. For the neck Yamaha has chosen Nato which I find quite comfortable to play. All in all, it has got a very good finish and a nice sound for a reasonable price. It’s a high recommendation for all parents looking for an affordable guitar under $200.
Pyle
Pyle is for example one brand that offers affordable beginner guitars in different sizes. Their guitars are pretty cheap and still have a good quality when you just start playing the guitar. In addition to that, they have some packages available where they include some accessories (like a strap, a tuner, additional strings), which are pretty essential when you buy your first guitar.
J&Z
Another brand that has 36 inch beginner guitars is J&Z. The guitar is pretty similar to the one from Pyle and both are actually made in China. Unfortunately, nowadays most of the guitars are produced in China and only very expensive instruments are still made locally. Nevertheless, the guitar from J&Z is also a good guitar to get started and they also offer packages with some essential accessories.
Pyle is for example one brand that offers affordable beginner guitars in different sizes. Their guitars are pretty cheap and still have a good quality when you just start playing the guitar. In addition to that, they have some packages available where they include some accessories (like a strap, a tuner, additional strings), which are pretty essential when you buy your first guitar.
Another brand that has 36 inch beginner guitars is J&Z. The guitar is pretty similar to the one from Pyle and both are actually made in China. Unfortunately, nowadays most of the guitars are produced in China and only very expensive instruments are still made locally. Nevertheless, the guitar from J&Z is also a good guitar to get started and they also offer packages with some essential accessories.
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.
Yamaha also got a great 3/4 size steel string guitar for kids and youth: the Yamaha FG JR 1 which is a really great guitar. I already had the opportunity to play on it and it was a lot of fun even if your are not a child. It lays just very comfortable in your hands and the sound has got his own little magic. In my opinion this is the best 3/4 acoustic guitar for kids. The value for money is incredible good and your child will definitely use it later on as a travel guitar. It comes in a package with a gigbag and a tuner, which are really important when starting playing the guitar.
Recommondation!
Yamaha JR1
Yamaha has got also a great 3/4 size steel string guitar for kids and youth: the Yamaha FG JR 1 which is a really great guitar. I already had the opportunity to play on it and it was a lot of fun even if your are not a child. It lays just very comfortable in your hands and the sound has got his own little magic. In my opinion this is the best 3/4 acoustic guitar for kids. The value for money is incredible good and your child will definitely use it later on as a travel guitar. It comes in a package with a gigbag and a tuner, which are really important when starting playing the guitar.
Fender FA-15
A very famous guitar brand is Fender. They are especially known for their electric guitars and many rock stars play on electric guitars from Fender. They also offer entry-level guitars and the FA-15 is their 3/4 sized acoustic guitar. This guitar looks pretty 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 in the same size. It just sounds more like a guitar that we are used to from rock and pop songs.
Oscar Schmidt OG-5
When looking for an acoustic guitar for kids you should also take a look at the guitars from Oscar Schmidt. Oscar Schmidt is manufacturer that has a guitar building history of more than 100 year. They are well-known for their good beginner acoustic guitars. The Oscar Schmidt OG-5 is a nice starter guitar with a solid sound and a good finish. The guitar is available in different colors and I am sure one of the models will attract your child as well.
A very famous guitar brand is Fender. They are especially known for their electric guitars and many rock stars play on electric guitars from Fender. They also offer entry-level guitars and the FA-15 is their 3/4 sized acoustic guitar. This guitar looks pretty 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 in the same size. It just sounds more like a guitar that we are used to from rock and pop songs.
When looking for an acoustic guitar for kids you should also take a look at the guitars from Oscar Schmidt. Oscar Schmidt is manufacturer that has a guitar building history of more than 100 year. They are well-known for their good beginner acoustic guitars. The Oscar Schmidt OG-5 is a nice starter guitar with a solid sound and a good finish. The guitar is available in different colors and I am sure one of the models will attract your child as well.
Best 3/4 electric guitars
There aren’t many 3/4 electric guitars on the market but there a few nice electric ones in this size. In contrast to acoustic steel string guitars, a young beginner can start with a electric guitar. Electric guitars have also steel strings but they are thinner and the tension of the strings is much less. So, it’s easier to press them down, which hurts less the finger tips in the beginning. However, I would still go with a nylon string guitar for a beginner, unless the student is really motivated to play a electric guitar. For example, if the favorite music is rock music and most of the songs he loves include electric guitars, then you should go for an electric guitar.
Recommondation!
Squier Mini Strat Bundle
SX RST 3/4 Bundle
If you are looking for a more low-budget electric guitar, then there are some options for you. There are some less-known brands that also offer some pretty good electric guitar. The 3/4 guitar from SX is quite similar to the Squier Mini Strat regarding design.
LyxPro 36 Bundle
The LyxPro36 looks a bit different and is something for you if you don’t want the typical standard electric guitar design.As the electric guitar from SX, LyxPro it’s not a well-known guitar brand but beginner like these affordable guitars .
The Squier Mini Strat is one of the best electric guitar for kids I know. The instrument is available in many different colors, like sunburst, black, red and pink for girls. Squier is a brand that belongs to the famous electric guitar manufacturer Fender. So, you can take it for granted that a manufacturer like Fender knows how to build great guitars. I really like playing on the Mini Strat. It has a beautiful finish, it’s well made and looks really good – just like the electric guitar from any rockstar. The guitar is also available in a complete bundle, which means that all additional accessoire you need to get started is already included. These are mainly the cable and an amplifier to get a sound out of an electric guitar.
If you are looking for a more low-budget electric guitar, then there are some options for you. There are some less-known brands that also offer some pretty good electric guitar. The 3/4 guitar from SX is quite similar to the Squier Mini Strat regarding design.
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