TAC Family Forums

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  • My first real guitar choices

    Posted by Bryon R on July 8, 2023 at 3:15 pm

    Hello community, I’m super excited about my new found hobby that I say every day, “Why didn’t I do this sooner”. I started the path with a classic guitar and my brother has given me his 3/4 scale travel guitar. I have found that the classic size hurts my shoulder after playing for 30 min or more. The travel one does not hurt since it is much smaller. Since I have passed a “That sounds good” from my friends and family. I’m in the market to get a higher-end ($500 to $1000 range) guitar. I have my eye on a Taylor GS mini and fits nicely for me. But, I’ve been playing with the travel size more than my classic size due to the shoulder issue I mention above. I have heard that learning on a 3/4 scale can create some issues as you learn more and transfer into a more full size. I’m also looking at the Taylor Big Baby as is a little bit smaller and thinner than the classic size.

    I would like to hear the community’s thoughts on this topic, so I can choose the right (or close to the right) guitar for my steady everyday guitar squeeze.

    C3Guitar replied 2 years, 5 months ago 6 Members · 5 Replies
  • 5 Replies
  • Loraine

    Member
    July 8, 2023 at 5:50 pm

    @tobrootgmail-com Welcome to the TAC community! I have travel sizes all the way to the dreadnought and I don’t think I have any problems transitioning and playing between sizes. It is, as you mention, what is most comfortable. I’m currently playing on my 3/4 1973 Guild F30, which I find very comfortable. I have a Gs Mini Koa in my office, which I play during work when I need a break. It’s a very comfortable and easy to play guitar and sounds great. While I prefer the 3/4 size, I often pick up my full size dreadnought 12 string and other full size Yamaha, Takamine ones I have placed around the house. I have way too many guitars, so I place them all over to make sure I play them. I’m actually thinking of selling several that I don’t use often. Point is, whatever you like is what you should play. Go to stores and try out several and choose which one actually speaks to you and which chooses you. You don’t need an expensive guitar to play on. Two that I go to often were bought at auction for $60 & $80. Good luck and have fun in the process.

  • James

    Member
    July 8, 2023 at 11:30 pm

    I would say check out the Breedlove Companion Series.Kind of a Hybrid between O and OO sizes,but are really nice guitars in that price range.

    Very comfortable couch guitar,that has a ton of Tone for its smaller size.

  • john-coonanyahoo-com-au

    Member
    August 6, 2023 at 8:04 pm

    Very interesting to hear you get a sore shoulder from playing a full size guitar. I play for about 1 1/2 hours every day and have had a sore shoulder for quite a while now. I had a thought that it may be from playing, but I swim Three days a week and put it down to that. I might try a 3/4 and see if it makes a difference . Interested to hear if anybody else has this problem and is there anything one can do to fix this issue?

  • Fletch

    Member
    August 7, 2023 at 12:50 am

    I’d hit reverb for a concert sized Seagull… $400-$600 should get you a peach of a ‘Pre-Loved’ Guitar 🙂

    Shoulder issues… You playing in a classical position or western…?

  • C3Guitar

    Member
    October 1, 2023 at 7:02 pm

    I have a Taylor GS-mini and love playing on it. I’m a beginner and this was my first guitar to buy. It comes with medium strings, but I recently changed to light strings thinking they’d be easier to play. They hurt worse than the mediums, lol. If you get one, stick with medium strings 🙂

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