3/4 size acoustic guitar wanted

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Permalink Reply by Mark Michaels 11 hours ago

I had the right one for you but sold it after it was clear my child wouldn't be taking up the instrument. You want to be looking for something with a scale length of around 22.75 - 24.5 inches.  Ideally something made of solid wood not laminate. 

There are a zillion junk ones out there and the issue is that the action is so high that the child is disincentivised to keep with the instrument.  So ask for pictures from the side showing the height of strings off of the fretboard if you buy online from a private seller. 

I am not in the nylon 3/4 market, so here is a generic AI response from Google AI re the best priced solid wood models:

Best Priced Solid Wood 3/4 Classical Guitars

Several manufacturers offer "solid top" (solid wood top with laminated back/sides) models in the 3/4 size range that provide a significant step up in sound quality over all-laminate instruments, often around the $200–$400 range: 

• Cordoba Cadete 3/4 (Best Overall Value): Features a 615mm scale length, solid Canadian cedar top, and mahogany back/sides. It is regarded as one of the best 3/4 size classicals, offering a very rich sound.
• Kremona S58C 3/4 (Best European Craftsmanship): Features a 580mm scale length with a solid American red cedar top and sapele back/sides. It is handmade in Europe.
• Admira Malaga 3/4 (Best Student/Solid Top): A Spanish-made guitar with a solid cedar top and sapele back/sides, considered a great upgrade for learners.
• Rodrigo 3/4 (Best Budget Solid Top): Known for being a high-value option with a solid cedar top and laminated sapele back/sides. 

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Permalink Reply by Dan77 3 hours ago

Mark, thanks very much for this. Yes, her current half size is, er (just remembering I got it on HoL!) not ideal, but she is soldiering on and would love to get her something better next time. I'll keep looking, thanks again

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Permalink Reply by Mark Michaels 2 hours ago

Good luck. Hopefully she sticks with it. My favorite full scale classicals for the money are the vintage Guild Mark I, Mark II, Mark III, Mark IV, Mark V, Mark VII (and there are 10 Mark VII from circa 1968/9). They were made in the 1960s and 1970s, probably some into the 1980s. 

Everyone thinks a good classical has to be Spanish but the master luthier at Guild was Carlo Greco, an Italian who studied in Madrid and learned the skills.  For the Mark series the higher the number the "better" the guitar. Only Mark V and above (I think, maybe Mark IV was the starting point) had true Spanish construction like Ramirez, etc. with the Spanish heel, fan bracing, etc. 

Mark series are a great deal if you can find one in good condition without cracks. I see the lower number ones especially on Shopgoodwill and then go for the $300-400 at most.  The sold prices on Reverb finally show upward price movement on the Mark series.  

I'm not sure you'll see a lot over here though. I brought mine with me from back home. Hence my recommendations above--look for those sorts used on ebay, etc.

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