High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

[Diminished Triad]

Does anyone have a good lead/recommendation for a guitar/bass that is not for children but still smaller than normal, something that would go well with 9-12 year olds who are outgrowing their first guitars/bass, etc? Looking for something past the intro level, although most that I have found are either children's equipment or beginner/intro guitars/bass and looking for the next step up in quality but without having to use full size guitars/bass.

Thanks for any leads/tips/recommendations!

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

I can't really say. I went straight into fulls sized guitars when I was 10. I'd say check out Ibanez's stuff. I know there's a 22" scale length Ibanez. They're skinny necks could be pretty useful for a child's hands, and it comes in a couple of bright colors which kids love.

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

I saw this yesterday while perusing craigslist.

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/msg/4169228724.html

Also I'm pretty sure the Epi eb basses are only a 30" scale.

As far as electrics ever solidbody small scale I've seen has been pretty much a made for kids junker.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

Also if you're looking for a good short scale bass, I would definitely try the Squire Bronco. $150 has never gotten more tone before. Plus the 50's style single coil P-bass (not the split coils that are on modern P's) is one of my favorite designs for a bass pickup. A tie between that and a Music Man humbucker.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

The Epi EB0 is a 30", the EB3 is full sized. They're also pretty heavy. I'd opt for one of the new Toby4 basses. I played on one of those before I got my EB3 and it was so small and light feeling to me. It was like a Miata of basses.

Ibanez G10s are little. Bronco basses are little.

If you don't want to throw good money after bad on a guitar for a kid who doesn't want to play it, go straight to Rondomusic and pick up an ugly SX 3/4 or 1/2 Strat for like $100 or less.

I swear there's a huge market for this, and the prices are way messed up. I should not be playing the same for a mini guitar as I am for a full sized. Period.

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

I should not be playing the same for a mini guitar as I am for a full sized. Period.

It would seem to me that the same amount of time and money would have to go into producing a small scale, besides saving a couple bucks on wood stock perhaps. Why should they be substantially cheaper if the components are comparable?

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

if it's made with similar quality and care, maybe. If it's made like most of them on the market are...that's some price gouging.

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

Thanks everyone. Looking for a step up from intro or from a kid's guitar and this info helps.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

It would seem to me that the same amount of time and money would have to go into producing a small scale, besides saving a couple bucks on wood stock perhaps. Why should they be substantially cheaper if the components are comparable?

This. If the kid is serious about playing, then the smaller guitar should be just as quality as the full sized version. Maybe trim a few on the supplies because you're not using so much, but electronics should be of the same quality. If you give a kid a ****ty instrument, they won't be as willing to play.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

This. If the kid is serious about playing, then the smaller guitar should be just as quality as the full sized version. Maybe trim a few on the supplies because you're not using so much, but electronics should be of the same quality. If you give a kid a ****ty instrument, they won't be as willing to play.

Yea, but that's the problem. The manufacturers of 1/2 and 3/4 guitars are doing a lousy job of for the most part, but still asking big prices for them. You also can't find the guitars or parts used because they get destroyed by the kids. It's a lousy market. The easiest guitar to buy that's this size is a First Act, and those are really stunningly bad. I've seen peeled up fretboards in the box as well as frets popped loose.

I know Ibanez, Dean, Epiphone and Squier make 3/4s, but when I'm unsure of the intent of my high-destructive songs I'm not willing to put down the funds for one.

I have a 5yo and a 2yo and would love to get a 1/2 size electric, but a this point I haven't seen a good one in the $50-$75 range, which is about as much as I'd like to pay for a guitar they'll be outgrowing...quickly, with my kids.

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

Yea, but that's the problem. The manufacturers of 1/2 and 3/4 guitars are doing a lousy job of for the most part, but still asking big prices for them. You also can't find the guitars or parts used because they get destroyed by the kids. It's a lousy market. The easiest guitar to buy that's this size is a First Act, and those are really stunningly bad. I've seen peeled up fretboards in the box as well as frets popped loose.

I know Ibanez, Dean, Epiphone and Squier make 3/4s, but when I'm unsure of the intent of my high-destructive songs I'm not willing to put down the funds for one.

I have a 5yo and a 2yo and would love to get a 1/2 size electric, but a this point I haven't seen a good one in the $50-$75 range, which is about as much as I'd like to pay for a guitar they'll be outgrowing...quickly, with my kids.

Do you realize how many corners you have to cut to make a guitar for 50-70 bucks?

Trust me you're not going to get anything better then a first act's quality for that. I'm actually surprised they can even sell those for that price.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

Do you realize how many corners you have to cut to make a guitar for 50-70 bucks?

Trust me you're not going to get anything better then a first act's quality for that. I'm actually surprised they can even sell those for that price.

They do cut those corners anyway. That's my problem. The small electrics out there are either as expensive as a full sized, or markedly more expensive than one of those children's acoustic guitars, only of the same build quality as those.
There either isn't enough of a market, or there isn't enough product to encourage competitive pricing.

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

They do cut those corners anyway. That's my problem. The small electrics out there are either as expensive as a full sized, or markedly more expensive than one of those children's acoustic guitars, only of the same build quality as those.
There either isn't enough of a market, or there isn't enough product to encourage competitive pricing.

Most of the small ones run from 80-$125 ish from what I've seen.

That's about the same price as a squire or really crappy epi. They're not really built much if any worse and are sold at a much lower volume.

I don't really see what else you would/could expect...

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

I'm surprised there are not higher end models (even just "good") because there are lots of young players out there. Maye they are not in bands or gigging and so sound is not as important? I know when it comes to horns and violins and pianos they sure as heck have above entry models for the young ones! Hoping the same happens for guitars soon because helps to get the kids when they are still small and for those that have a thing for the guitar and play for a year or two they are ready for more! I haven't seen a 3/4 guitar available even on Warmoth but maybe will keep looking. Thanks again for some of the leads here.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

It's a foregone conclusion, unfortunately. 6 year olds don't buy guitars, parents do. If the kid is good enough, they'll just graduate to a full sized that the parent has hanging around.
Rondomusic has some, First Act makes em, as well as a bunch of companies that will brand low-quality ones. Travel Guitars may be something to look into, as they have full sized fretboards but everything else is drastically scaled down. I think they have added costs for being unusual as well though.

My best suggestion is to look around for second hand necks. :shrug:

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: High Quality 3/4 Scale Guitars/Bass?

I used to have a Squier Mini, and it was a pretty solid little guitar. I put different pickups in it (which required a new pickguard, but I made it from an inexpensive blank), and I found that I had to put pretty heavy strings on it to get it to intonate and hold tune well. After that, it sounded really good and was fun to play. I ended up giving it to a friend whose kids were starting to take an interest in his high-end guitars. It's a hardtail, bolt-on guitar with a short scale. The body was plywood, but the neck was a pretty decent piece of maple, and the rosewood fretboard had a nice tight, dark, even grain. The fretwork was equal to full-size Squiers I've seen. I'd have no concerns about it holding up.