Thinking about buying a 3/4 guitar

As I am getting older,73. I am considering buying a smaller guitar so that it is easier for me to play barre chords etc. I would like an acoustic-electric. I've checked out the Martin LXME Little Martin, but would like your thoughts about others.

Hi Rawnie. I don't know if buying a smaller guitar will make any difference to your playing ability, I've a 3/4 Fender accoustic which is no easier to play than my other full-size guitars. I used to spend money on various styles, thinking I'd find something to make me a better player, but eventually found I could play them all equally, once I'd put in the practice! I'm not far behind you in years and find benefit in my fingers and hands from the exercise of playing, and my brain benefits from the exercise it gets from learning ever-more complicated tabs and lyrics. :cool:

Originally Posted by: Rawnie... I've checked out the Martin LXME Little Martin, but would like your thoughts about others.

I've been impressed with the Taylor GS Mini's that I've sampled.

I recently bought a GS Mini and the sound is unbelievable from a smaller body guitar.. Although it is not electric just acoustic.

Originally Posted by: rumbledHi Rawnie. I don't know if buying a smaller guitar will make any difference to your playing ability, I've a 3/4 Fender accoustic which is no easier to play than my other full-size guitars. I used to spend money on various styles, thinking I'd find something to make me a better player, but eventually found I could play them all equally, once I'd put in the practice! I'm not far behind you in years and find benefit in my fingers and hands from the exercise of playing, and my brain benefits from the exercise it gets from learning ever-more complicated tabs and lyrics. :cool:

I think rumbled has it right. There might be guitars that are easier to play but relying on the easy way could mean the hard way will forever remain difficult. I purposely choose the hard way much of the time when practicing, e.g., the acoustic vs. the electric. It might slow me down a little on new lessons but it makes for a quicker transition to the second guitar than the other way around. Besides, the 'harder' guitar requires more fret hand stretch, more strength, and tougher callouses among other things. In my way of thinking, I benefit more from these tougher demands for the same amount of practice time. YMMV.

rumbled -- is that a Link Wray reference?

You might also consider getting a setup done on your full size acoustic to make it more playable. I just went through this with my Seagull S6 (see the guitar tech forum for all of the details if you are interested) and am amazed at how more playable my acoustic guitar is. I can play barre chords on it now with ease. An acoustic guitar (full size or otherwise) doesn't have to be hard to play!

It seems that acoustic guitars have a natural tendency to bend slightly at the neck joint over time. Very slight shift at this point translates to significant changes in string height. Some manufactures just set their guitars up with a higher action than necessary. The bridge saddle can be adjusted to compensate for this. At very little cost ($54, including regluing the nut and new Martin strings), I had this taken care of by a local shop. It's some of the best money I've spent!

Thanks for this thread and for the responses on it. I have a hard time barring chords because of the way my finger healed when I broke it. I've been thinking about getting a smaller guitar for that reason, but I think I'll take my current one in and see if they can make it easier for me to play so at least I feel successes with it.

Barre chords can be avoided, most of the time, thankfully!

No, john of MT, I know the Link Wray track, but didn't know it's title. That's been added to my arsenal now, so thanks for that. The username is a reference to my Moto Guzzi motorcycles' engine characteristics, with a nod to Mickey Rourke in "Rumble Fish", (Motorcycle Boy).

Brill! ;)