Note: Here I have compiled 7 of the best 3/4 guitar that I’ve tested out personally. This review contains detailed information along with relevant pros & cons that will help you conveniently compare and select the most suitable model based on your needs.
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Hey guitarists! Be it a fun holiday plan with friends and family or a boring business trip for a few days, if you are a real guitar head, bet you can’t stay without playing the guitar for more than a couple of days. A ¾ travel guitar could be your go-to in such a situation. When you think about travel guitars, what often comes to mind is a low quality, crappy sounding guitar. It is often assumed that you need to compromise on the sound for portability, however is just a myth. I have come up with a list of the 7 best 3/4 guitars for you. Most of these can closely match the sound of their full-sized counterparts.
Things to know
How to use this guide
In this guide, I’ve put down my top picks for a 3/4 size guitar that can be played by both adults and children. Along with that, I’ve also added some tips to help you decide whether 3/4 size guitar is right for you.
Tips for buying
3/4 size guitar is right for you if you feel like 1/2 is too small and full-size is too big for you. If you’re buying one for your child you can look for a budget option cause they might outgrow the size soon and want to switch to a full-size guitar.
Many people hesitate to invest thousands of dollars into guitars as it just does not fit in the budget. Mini guitars are comparatively cheaper alternatives to full-size guitars. These could prove to be the best 3/4 guitar for beginners as well. Comfort and playability are huge factors when you are beginning to start learning an instrument.
Here’s a quick size comparison chart that I’ve created to show you the guitar size options you get.
When you start learning with a smaller guitar, you can play and practice for longer sessions and possibly learn faster. Smaller guitars give you flexibility and allow you to be you while playing it. On top of that, they are on the cuter side compared to bulky ones. This list features both; the best ¾ size acoustic guitars and mini electric guitars.
Related blog: How To Choose Guitar Size For Kids (with Size Chart)
Source: Picture of Taylor BT2 – Baby Taylor taken while testing the guitar
I tested 7 guitars and decided that this Taylor BT2 – Baby Taylor is the best 3/4 size guitar for most uses.
I have dug deep to find the best ones in the respective price points among the available models in the market. Every guitar has its pros and cons. I have listed them down to make it easier for you to compare and choose the one that fits your needs the best.
Here is a list of the seven best 3/4 guitars that will offer you comfort and give you the best sound you could expect from a mini guitar. These are extremely lightweight guitars thus they won’t take a toll on your shoulders while carrying them. I have listed down the ¾ guitar reviews with the pros and cons of each one to make it convenient for you to choose among the available alternatives.
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Top 7 Best 3/4 Guitar of all time
Best Acoustic Guitar
Any musician whether a beginner or a professional wish to own a Taylor guitar. The BT2 Baby has an authentic tropical American mahogany top, with laminated sides and back made out of Sapele wood. It is 22 ¾ inches in length with a dreadnought body. It has 19 frets on the board with a varnish finish. It is the best 3/4 acoustic guitar that has a great design and a decent sound.
Characteristics:
- 6-string Acoustic Guitar with Mahogany Top
- Layered Sapele Back
- Neck Width 1-11/16 inch
How does it sound?
The Taylor BT2 Baby Taylor has a smooth and mellow tone and has a construction similar to the LXK2. It sounds “darker” than its Martin counterparts. It produces a sound with an extremely soft tone and doesn’t sound as aggressive and full as the LXK2. The guitar sounds bright and has a boosted treble when you use your fingernails to play. It sometimes sounds like you are playing nylon strings even though it has elixir strings fitted as a standard.
How does it feel?
It is a comfortable guitar that fits well on your lap. It has a refined shape as the curves in the top and bottom of the guitar have been softened a bit to make it more comfortable to play. The head of the guitar feels to be a bit heavy so it tends to tilt towards the head sometimes. However, it is not that annoying.
Pros
- Smooth and soft sound.
- Portable and easy to carry
- Comfortable to play
- Suited for both beginners and professionals
Cons
- Not the best quality
Best Acoustic-Electric Guitar
This guitar has a slender design inspired by the Yamaha APX5II. It is compact and easy to carry. The guitar has a laminated spruce top and meranti back and sides. The neck of the guitar meets the body at the 14th fret. It has a fully functional 21 frets with dot inlays and a classic-style covered tuner on the headstock. It is the best mini acoustic-electric guitar in terms of both sound and built.
Characteristics:
- Rosewood Fingerboard & Bridge
- Spruce Top
- System 68 Pick-Up
- Gig bag Included
How does it sound?
Even though you cannot expect the sound of this guitar to be at par with a full-size dreadnought, it gives a decent quality overall. It delivers more than enough volume and a bright tone which still sounds natural when amplified.
How does it feel?
As the guitar is quite compact, it fits well even if you have smaller hands. It feels pretty comfortable when you slide up and down through the fretboard. Small dot inlays make it easier to navigate while playing.
Pros
- The meranti used to make the guitar is usually seen in expensive guitars
- Best for players with smaller hands
- The natural bright tone in sound
- Vintage-style covered tuners
Cons
- Can produce “boxy sound” sometimes
Best Electric Guitar
The Squier Mini Strat has a small body made out of basswood; it has a C-shaped maple neck. The fretboard is made out of rosewood with a 9.5-inch radius that’s easy and comfortable to use even with normal-size hands. It is the best mini electric guitar available at this price point. You won’t disappoint this pic if you are looking for a good quality portable electric guitar.
Characteristics:
- 22.75″ scale length
- Ideal for kids from ages 6 to 12 years
- “C”-shaped maple neck and 20-fret fingerboard
- Three single-coil Stratocaster pickups with five-way switching
- Comes with an accessory bundle
How does it sound?
The Fender Squier Mini Strat, once plugged into the amplifier produces the tone of a regular Strat. The sound is quite thick and hum-free. It suits best for genres like hard-rock and metal. It has a punch to its sound. The tone is bright and very clear.
How does it feel?
The satin finish of the body feels smooth. The C-shaped neck makes it quite comfortable to hold and play. The guitar is playable with a pretty low action as well which comes in handy for kids as they don’t need to press the strings too hard to play it.
Pros
- Produces high-quality clear sound
- Bright and punchy tone
- Easy to hold and play for kids
- Multiple colour options
Cons
- Not the best finish and materials used
The LyxPro 30 comes with the whole kit that includes a 20w amplifier, digital clip-on tuner, guitar cable, shoulder strap and carrying bag. It is a great pick for your kid. It is made of premium rosewood and a Canadian maple neck. It has 2 volume and tone knobs on the body. It is one of the best 3/4 guitar for beginners. Kids can handle it easily. It has a sturdy built which makes it resistant to minor bumps which could happen when kids use it.
Characteristics:
- Premium Rosewood Fingerboard
- Canadian Maple Neck, Volume/Tone Knobs
- Pack Includes 20W Amp
- Comes with Mini Clip-On Tuner & Instruction Book
How does it sound?
The guitar produces a premium sound. The tones hit just right which has a gritty and thick texture to it. The sound can be controlled using the knobs to make it sound how you like it.
How does it feel?
It is compact and easy to handle. The body feels balanced on your lap. The fretboards are also smooth and do not require you to press them hard to play the notes.
Pros
- Decent sound quality
- Pocket friendly
- Multiple colour options
Cons
- No notable cons
The JR2 3/4 is made for anyone who prefers smaller guitars over full-size or jumbo guitars. It is quite comfortable to hold and play. The top is made out of spruce, which is ideal for acoustic guitars. The back and sides of this guitar is mahogany wood. The neck is nato. Nato is considered to be a cheaper alternative to other woods however, as it is used on the neck, it won’t make much of a difference in the tone considering it is for a beginner or a kid to play.
Characteristics:
- Spruce Top
- Rosewood Fingerboard and Bridge
- Mahogany Back and Sides
- Deluxe padded bag included
How does it sound?
The guitar produces a sound you won’t normally expect out of a three-quarter size acoustic guitar. It gives a fuller sound. The sound produces is quite rich and clear. It is one of the best 3/4 guitars in terms of sound. The overall sound of this guitar is soft and subtle. It doesn’t have much of a punch.
How does it feel?
The guitar is quite lightweight and comfortable to play. It sits perfectly on your lap for kids. The fretboards are easily useable if you have smaller hands as well.
Pros
- Suited for kids
- Produces decent quality sound
- Worth the price
- Compact
Cons
- Neck material not at par
Fender FA-15 guitar is a fantastic option if you are looking for a reliable travel guitar or a guitar for beginners and kids. The 3-a-side tuner design paired with a classic neck-end design gives it a traditional acoustic look. It has an Agathis top. The backs are laminated Sapele same as the sides. It has a solid nato neck. It is a great budget-friendly option for you.
Characteristics:
- Modern Fender 3+3 headstock and walnut bridge
- Nato wood used for neck
- Ideal size for kids from ages 6 to 12 years
- Bundle includes Gig Bag, Tuner, Strap, Picks, Fender Play Online Lessons
How does it sound?
It produces decent quality sound according to the price point it is available at. The tonal features include a warm, resonant sound which gives it a soft touch. You can expect a decent loud output from this guitar.
How does it feel?
The guitar is quite handy and easy to play. It is suitable for kids and beginners, as the name suggests. The fretboard edges are smooth which prevents kids from injuries when they play it.
Pros
- Pocket friendly
- Warm sound
- Compact
- Easily Portable
Cons
- Low quality neck material
The Ibanez “Mikro” GRGM21BKN is a great option if you are looking for a small travel guitar. It has a 22-inch body with a streamlined shape. The aesthetics of the guitar are on point as it looks quite fancy and has a good design. It is among the best ¾ guitars when you consider mini electric guitars at this price range. The body is wrapped with solid one-piece mahogany.
Characteristics:
- Proper compact guitar
- 22″ scale Maple neck offers low tension
- Set-up like a full-size GRG model
- Made for beginners
- Comes in a Left-handed model as well
It produces a quite rick sound with a balanced sound throughout the frequency spectrum. The lows are strong, mids punchy and treble bright. The sound produces is thick and has a rough character to it. The overall sound is better than average guitars at this price point.
How does it feel?
The small size makes it easy for kids to play. The fretboard is comparatively flatter. The neck is slim and flawless. It is quite durable and can withstand harsh treatment usually by kids. The string tension is lower and is easier for kids to press the notes on the fretboard.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Balanced rick sound
- Smooth fret edges
- Great design and finish
Cons
- No notable cons
How we Pick & Test our Guitars
I’m a female guitarist so I’ve faced size issues since the time I picked up a guitar. A regular guitar to me is a jumbo-sized guitar. I even own a Baby Taylor myself – my point being, I know a thing or two about smaller-sized guitars. So, in this article, I’ve put down the guitars that I thought ticked most boxes in my checklist while I tested them. Here’s what the checklist consisted of:
- 3/4 size guitars that almost sound as good as full-sized ones
- The fretting is not compromised around the 10th & 12th frets
- The volume of the acoustic guitars is not compromised
- Affordable guitars by known brands
- Available on renowned marketplaces with the good return policy
I played things a beginner would want to learn on their first guitar - chords, finger exercises, and basic scales to test the guitars’ output & playability
I promise that these guitars are some of the best 3/4 size guitars you can find in the market but I do recommend going down to a local music store and getting your hands on different sizes of guitars. No one can be a better judge for your comfort other than you.
What are the dimensions of 3/4 guitars?
Generally, a three-quarter size guitar has an overall size of 36 x 13 inches. The scale length is 24 inches or less with 18 frets. Some mini guitars even have 21 frets with dot inlays, like a full-sized guitar. As the name suggests, a three-quarter size guitar is about 3/4th the size of a regular guitar.
The above mentioned are the average dimensions of a standard ¾ guitar. They may slightly vary in size based on the model and design of that particular model.
3/4 Guitar vs Full Size: Which one should you buy?
Choosing between a ¾ guitar and a full-size guitar depends on your needs and preferences. Comfort is essential when you play any instrument. The reasons you would consider buying a ¾ guitar could be portability, convenience or price. Due to the size, three-quarter guitars tend to be more comfortable for people with shorter hands and kids. Moreover, they are easy to carry as they weigh lighter than a full-size guitar. While travelling, ¾ guitars could prove to be the best option.
Here’s a table of guitar sizes we’ve prepared for your reference:
Additionally, full-size guitars cost thousands of dollars depending on the model you choose. On the other hand, a ¾ guitar could cost as low as a hundred dollars. No doubt, a full-size guitar gives a better sound output than a mini guitar. Even so, if you are beginning to learn the instrument, it would be best suited for you to go for a smaller guitar as decent sound output is enough when you are learning the instrument. The tonality and character of sound matters only when you want to take things to the next level or when you want to perform in front of an audience. Better sounding guitars are preferred for studio recordings as well.
You can always upgrade to a full-size guitar when you find the need to do so. One would go for a more prominent guitar only if they wish to have better and fuller sound along with the handheld feel of a full-size guitar.
Choose the one that best suits your requirements.
Can adults play 3/4 guitars?
Many people wonder if ¾ guitars are only for kids. This is a myth as adults can easily play a 3/4th guitar. It depends on your preference and what you need at the moment. Many people purchase a mini guitar with the sole purpose of portability. They keep a small spare guitar to carry whenever they travel.
A ¾ guitar fits well in the lap of an average adult. The frets and the soundhole are comparatively closer, which makes it easier to handle. It allows you to play the instrument for longer hours. People with shorter hands would also prefer a small guitar, and it doesn’t matter if you are a kid or an adult, choose the instrument you are most comfortable with because you want to be you while playing the guitar.
In conclusion
Small guitars can provide a decent quality sound with the benefits of easy portability and comfortable sessions. This was my honest review on the best available 3/4 guitar for adults and kids. You can go for the guitar of your choice based on their features and what kind of a guitar you would prefer. I have tried my best to include the best 7 mini guitars in this list. Happy jamming!
Tania B.
Ola! I am Tania and I have studied music at Trinity College, London. My love for music started early when I was about 12 years old and I've been around the block when it comes to problems while buying a guitar that suits all your needs. I hope you find my tips useful!
