Best 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitars (for Kids & Traveling Musicians). Besides the steel string guitars, we have also reviewed nylon-string classical guitars. Its great for children aged between 8 to 11; its three-fourth size makes it very comfortable for younger kids. This is great starter guitar for children, and can also be used as a travel guitar by adults.
Introduction
Three-fourth size Acoustic Guitars are great beginner guitars for the younger player (Aged 7-8 and over, around 4’2″ plus). The smaller size allows kids to comfortably hold the guitar and play something that they struggle to do on the standard size guitar.
These are also good for adults with smaller hands or someone who want a smaller size travel guitar.
The size, playability, quality and affordability make these guitar an ideal starter guitar. These are smaller but have good volume and tone, which is great considering the price point.
Kids would be more comfortable and happy to learn on these quality instruments.
Comparison Chart
Here are the top 3/4 acoustic guitars that we have reviewed here.
- [easyazon_link identifier=”B004TXS7Z4″ locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″]Yamaha FG Junior or JR1[/easyazon_link]: 3/4 size acoustic guitar
- [easyazon_link identifier=”B01M0CMVAK” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Yamaha APXT2[/easyazon_link]: Its an acoustic electric guitar
Best 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitars
Here are a few recommended three-fourth acoustic guitars:
Yamaha FG JR2 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar
The Yamaha JR2 is basically a compact dreadnought guitar based on Yamaha’s popular FG folk guitar series. Spruce top and mahogany-finish on body, produces nice acoustic sound.
Yamaha FG JR2 is a great starter guitar for children in the age group 7 to 11 years. And being a Yamaha, you can expect a quality instrument and this model is no exception. It sounds nice, warm and loud, and the 3/4 size makes it the perfect option for kids who are learning to play the guitar.
The FG JR2 is similar to the FG JR1 (that we have reviewed below); the only difference being that the JR2 has better finish, uses better wood, which makes it slightly more expensive. JR2 uses a different wood than the JR1 (Mahogany vs Meranti) and has a UTF (Ultra Thin Finish) on its body.
- Pros: Comfortable size, Excellent build quality, great for Lessons
- Cons: Slightly pricey (but worth it)
The Yamaha JR2 acoustic guitar is great for younger players, or those with smaller hands, or for someone who wants a lightweight, travel-friendly instrument.
- [easyazon_link identifier=”B00F3T2I2Q” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link] | Buy on Guitarcenter
Yamaha FG JR1 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar
Yamaha is legendary for its quality and play-ability. The wood for the body is after careful selection and for JR1 too similar consideration has been given. It is easy to carry around because of its size, especially, if you are a frequent flier, this piece easily fits in the plane’s overhead luggage area.
Steel string guitar. Features Spruce top, Indonesian Back and Sides, Nato Neck and a Javanese Rosewood fingerboard and meranti body for solid, bright tonality and great looks, and chrome hardware. Includes Gigbag.
- PROS: Quality guitar for the price, better craftsmanship, comes with gig bag
- CONS: Steel strings can be uncomfortable initially to play.
- [easyazon_link identifier=”B004TXS7Z4″ locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″]Buy Yamaha FG-JR1 guitar on Amazon[/easyazon_link].
The guitar is lightweight because of the smaller size, looks nice and has a nice finish. The guitar produces a warm rich tone that you usually find on a full sized guitar. Surprisingly, this steel-string guitar also produces a loud sound and tone. Yamaha’s top quality craftsmanship is clearly visible on this musical instrument.
The out-of-the-box string action is pretty good, and can be played as is without any setup. Its also easy to re-tune (although it stays in tune for long).
The smaller size makes it comfortable to hold and play. The neck is also slimmer which makes it easier for kids with small hands to play. This one uses steel-strings (explained further down).
Yamaha FG JR1: Features/Specs
- Bright tonality and great looks, uses chrome hardware, spruce top, Back and sides are Meranti
- Fretboard and bridge made of Rosewood, Adjustable truss rod
- Easy to tune and stay tuned for longer
- [easyazon_link identifier=”B004TXS7Z4″ locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″]Buy on Amazon[/easyazon_link] | Buy on zZounds | Buy on Musiciansfriend
Yamaha APXT2 3/4-Size Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The APXT2 is a 3/4-size acoustic-electric guitar with steel strings. It features an ART-based pickup system and Yamaha’s proprietary tuner with great sensitivity and accuracy. Plug into a Yamaha THR5A for a great amplified sound! Spruce Top, Meranti Back and Sides, System68 Electronics, Built-In Tuner, Gigbag Included.
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If you’re looking for a 3/4 acoustic guitar, here are some more options.
Checkout these top 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitars on zZounds
3/4 Size Acoustic Guitars: Guide
Three-fourth sized guitars are suited to musicians who find full sized acoustics and dreadnought guitars too large to play.
This includes growing children, teens and players with smaller friends. Guitar players looking for a compact guitar for traveling also prefer using good quality 3/4 guitar.
The good quality 3/4 acoustic guitars are just like their full-size counterparts – they have no fret buzz, or whacky fret ends present, and no divots or “holes” in the fret board, either.
Steel String Acoustics vs Nylon String Classical Guitars
Most of these guitars have steel strings, and also have a higher action (compared to nylon-string classical guitars), which makes it slightly harder to press the strings down, which can result in sore fingertips.
A classical guitar is comparatively easier on the fingers, due to the nylon strings.
However, steel-strings produce a brighter and louder sound, and most kids would want to play on steel strings. Because Steel strings can be hard on the fingers of children, its important that the child get over the physical obstacle early on (by practicing frequently but for shorter duration). Kids should ideally practice for shorter duration every day before their fingers become ready to play for extended periods.
It’s not a huge deal actually (playing the steel string), but good to be aware of. You may also consider nylon stringed (classical guitars) that are easier on the fingers.
Kids can also play steel string guitars, its just that they will need to play for a few minutes each day so they can build up calluses on their finger-tips, after when they should be fine to play guitars with steel-strings.
Adults on the other hand will love the steel strings because of the bright/loud sound it produces.
3/4 Acoustic Guitar vs Travel Guitar
While the smaller size is suited for children as well as adults who wish to use it as a travel guitar, adults are more likely to choose the more expensive models in this category. Reason being:
- They want something that sounds a lot better
- They want something that is strongly built
Children, on the other hand, should choose the budget (cheaper) options, and spend the extra money on guitar lessons, guitar books.
Final Words
Several 3/4 sized acoustics are available from different brands. These are also available either with or without electronics (acoustic or acoustic-electric). Check out the links above for a list of what is currently available.
Have any views on these kids acoustic guitars? Please feel free to share it below.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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