Common guitar size. Classical Guitar Sizes Choosing a Guitar Size

Observing customers in our stores, we noticed that most of those who are just about to start learning to play the guitar, when choosing an instrument, often overlook such an important factor as its size. The choice is based on appearance, texture, manufacturer, price and many other indicators. However, the buyer forgets to pay attention to the fact that the guitar may not fit him in size, which means he immediately deprives himself of the opportunity to use the instrument with comfort and maximum efficiency. Many parents who prepare their child for guitar lessons are also guilty of this - it simply does not occur to them that an 8-year-old child and a 15-year-old child are, whatever one may say, a huge difference. And what is convenient for a big person is completely inconvenient for a small one. At the same time, international size standards have long been developed for classical guitars, created specifically so that any musician, of any height and configuration, can choose an instrument that is suitable in size.


These are the generally accepted and most common sizes of classical guitars.
4/4, respectively, is a full guitar; all other modifications are its smaller versions and are measured in fractions of the full size. It should also be noted that recently manufacturers have also begun to use the 1/4 format - it is an intermediate option between 1/2 and 1/8. At the same time, the difference in the sizes of classical guitars lies not only in the length of the neck and body, but also in all other indicators - the thickness of the neck and body, width, distance between the top and back... For clarity, we provide a comparative table of sizes (all sizes are indicated in millimeters):

Traditionally, recommendations for choosing a guitar by size are as follows:
Guitar 1/8 (and 1/4) – for children aged 3-6 years.
Guitar 1/2 - for children 6-9 years old.
Guitar 3/4 - for children 8-11 years old.
7/8 guitar – for teenagers and short people with small hands.
The 4/4 guitar is a full-size guitar for larger teens and older.

In addition, all partial-size guitars are great as a “travel” option - they are lighter and much more convenient in size for transportation.

We continue to study the structure of the guitar and in today's article we will look at the main types of acoustic guitar bodies, as well as the influence of their shape on the sound of the instrument. We recommend that all beginning guitarists read it to the end, because... here you will learn a lot of new and interesting things.

Many of you probably already know that quite a lot of different factors can influence the sound of a guitar, so it’s quite difficult to describe them all in one article, but parameters such as the shape and size of the body significantly affect the sound of an acoustic guitar. We will now look at them in more detail.

The general picture is that if we first know the configuration and size of the body, as well as the type of wood from which it is made, then it is quite possible to predict its sound with relative ease. We already had a very detailed article about wood types, you can read it.

There are about as many sizes and shapes of acoustic guitars as there are craftsmen who make these instruments. Today, almost every luthier easily copies any traditional tool in all details and, on top of everything, always brings something of his own to the final product. But despite this fact, there are generally accepted standards, sizes and shapes from which most guitar makers start. Today there are three main sizes:

1. Dreadnaught - standard western
2. Orchestra Model - orchestral model
3. Jumbo - “jumbo” (enlarged body)

The first two types of hull construction, which are still the most famous and common today, were developed by Martin. The Western and Orchestral models are the Martin D-28 and Martin OM-28 respectively. The design of the third type, or rather its development, belongs to the Gibson company, whose Gibson J-200 model is still a traditional American “jumbo” guitar.

Below is a table that displays the main dimensions of the three designs described above. It is also worth noting that in practice, usually each individual guitar will differ slightly in size from the values ​​​​in the table. But despite this, more than 90% of the tools are guaranteed to approximately correspond to these dimensions and parameters.

Well, now let’s look at each individual design in particular and find out what sound characteristics are inherent in them, and also try to understand in what ways we can “adjust” the sound to the result we need.

Dreadnaught

Guitars with a standard western body (dreadnaught) are characterized by more pronounced bass with a peculiar “rumbling” sound. Low frequencies predominate in rhythm parts and with hard accompaniment. Such a guitar is ideal for playing in an ensemble and playing chords, but for solo parts it will not always be a good option. As an example, the Fender CD-60 acoustic guitar is a very high-quality instrument.

Orchestra Model

The “orchestra model” body type usually has a smooth and “soft” sound - an ideal balance between the lower and upper strings. Guitars in this design are perfect for fingerpicking, and they are also valued by sound engineers because they are easy to amplify with a regular microphone. The main disadvantage is only the weak volume of the instrument, if, for example, you play such a guitar in an acoustic ensemble. Quite often there is not enough bass, especially with a harsh accompaniment style.

Jumbo

Well, the last type of case is “jumbo”, which is a kind of compromise between the two previous ones. Its main advantage is its large body, which amplifies the sound to the level of a standard western (sometimes even more), and its symmetrical configuration makes it balanced and close to an orchestral model with a characteristic “luscious” tone. Jumbo guitars are well suited for mixed styles of music, especially when played on stage. 12-string jumbos are also very popular.

Now that we understand in general terms the influence of the guitar body design on the sound, we will try to look at all the details in more detail.

The effect of the enclosure on the sound

We already know that the larger the body of a guitar, the louder it sounds. But as for the balance of frequency characteristics, in almost any design a good master can easily correct them and make the lows, mids or highs more pronounced. All this is achieved through proper turning of the springs and the correct selection of materials. As a rule, the sonority of a guitar increases due to the smaller thickness of the springs, and therefore, usually craftsmen first glue the body together, and then precisely “adjust” the pre-glued springs through the resonator hole.

The diameter of the resonator hole itself is also equally important. If it is too large, it will affect the lack of bass. But fortunately, most manufacturers make its diameter standard at 4 inches (for folk guitars) and this is mainly due to the fact that many companies producing for acoustic guitars take this size into account (the pickup must be clearly inserted into this hole and hold well on its edges ).

Another important point is the width of the body’s waist; the narrower it is, the more mid- and high-frequencies will dominate the instrument, and the more symmetrical the lower and upper parts of the guitar’s body are, the more balanced its sound will be. And the deeper the body, the correspondingly deeper the sound of the instrument will be.

Of course, there are many other factors that can affect the sound of an instrument to varying degrees. For example, this could be the fastening of the neck, its weight, or the design of the tailpiece. Although, all these factors do not significantly affect the sound and they are scrupulously taken into account by only a few masters who are trying to invent something unusual and unique. On an industrial scale, of course, such little things are not taken into account, but generally generally accepted standards are applied.

Few aspiring musicians study with a teacher or attend a music school. Most domestic guitar lovers are self-taught, who got the instrument from relatives or friends. They, as a rule, show the first chords. Choosing a guitar that suits a particular performer is not an easy task. You need to know the size of the guitar, ideal for the chosen purposes, its type, and understand what sound it should produce. Let's try to understand the generally accepted sizes of this musical instrument.

Guitar type

First of all, before buying an instrument, you need to decide what type of guitar you need:

• Classical - six-string instrument with softer
• Acoustic is a type of classical guitar, but the number of which may vary.
• An electric guitar is a guitar with an electromagnetic pickup.
• The bass guitar is usually a four-string instrument designed to produce low-pitched sounds.

The types listed are the most popular and versatile, available in most music stores. There are rarer varieties, such as those with multiple necks, but they are more needed by professionals.

Beginning guitarists will be helped to choose an instrument by understanding what kind of music will be played. So, for romances, classical works, flamenco or bard songs, a classical guitar is ideal. It is the easiest, an instrument of this type is taught to play in music schools, selecting the size of the guitar depending on the age of the student. For rock music, blues, jazz, country and other rhythmic melodies, it is better to choose an acoustic, electric or bass guitar. The latter is the most difficult for beginners to master, as it has a longer neck and tighter strings.

Classical Guitar Dimensions

You need to understand that a ten-year-old child and an adult guy are a big difference. What is convenient for a small person is not at all suitable for an adult, which is why the international size grid has long been used in classic instrument models. A person of any age and build will be able to choose a suitable instrument.

The size of the guitar is 4/4 (four quarters) suitable for an adult - it is a full standard 7/8 smaller than standard, ideal for teenagers or short adult players. This size of guitar is ideal for bards and travelers; it is lighter and more convenient to transport. A 3/4 guitar, the size of which is intended for children aged 8-11 years, is a popular option, because most often at this age parents take their children to learn how to play a string instrument. If a child is 5-9 years old, then he needs a 1/2 guitar, up to 6 years old - 1/8.

Acoustic guitar sizes

The parameters of acoustic guitars duplicate the classical classification, but differ in the design of the body and its size. Unlike a classical guitar, an acoustic guitar has stiffer steel strings and a thin neck. The body of this guitar is larger than that of the classic model. Acoustic instruments are differentiated by the number of strings (6, 7 or 12), the size of the guitar and the shape of the body. Depending on the size (from smallest to largest), the instrument is distinguished:

• Grand Concert is a compact descendant of the classical acoustic guitar, which does not have the loudest sound due to the small volume of air in the body. A good option for teenagers and children.
• Grand Auditorium - Guitars that are slightly larger in size and often feature a convex back. The sound of the instrument is deeper and richer.
• Dreadnought is one of the most popular designs today. A characteristic feature of the dreadnought is that the near part of the body is much closer to the neck, and the far part is enlarged. Such models have a deeper body, which gives a special sound.
• The Jumbo is a larger version of the Grand Auditorium guitar with volume approaching that of a dreadnought. They were created as competitors to dreadnoughts; they have a richer sound. They are not convenient for everyone, so they also produce mini versions of the Jumbo guitar.
• have 6 pairs of strings that can be tuned in different ways (usually the interval is one octave), which makes it possible to create a choir effect.

Bass Guitar Features

The dimensions of the bass guitar are significantly larger compared to classical or acoustic guitars (about 1.1 meters in length). But this guitar is one of the “youngest” ones - it appeared in the 50s of the last century thanks to the American master Leo Fender.

Bass guitars are the same electric instruments, but produce lower sounds. They have a one-piece body, special sensors and control knobs. These guitars are popular among heavy rock and country music performers. In order to hear the bass sound, it must be connected using a cable with a plug to the amplifier and speaker. The plug or “jack” is inserted into the socket intended for it on the body of the instrument, the sensor signals are sent to the amplifier, which, in turn, converts the signal and transmits it to the speaker.

Which material should you prefer?

Most instruments are made by combining different types of wood. Plastic or metal is used less often. Experts say that there is no “best” or “worse” type of wood - the instrument must be chosen based on sound and comfort.

Brand and country of origin

Choosing a brand is especially important when purchasing electric and bass guitars, since their manufacturing standards are not clearly defined. Different manufacturers vary the number of strings, change the shape of the body and the electronic components of the guitar. Nowadays, every brand caters to a specific niche. So, Jackson is for metalheads, Fender is for getting a “clean” sound, Gibson produces an instrument with a “fat” sound, Yamaha is the optimal ratio of price and quality, but these are conditional signs. All of the manufacturers listed above produce fairly versatile guitars.

It is believed that everything is mass-produced in the USA and Japan. For classical guitars in the upper price segment, the leader is Spain. However, the declared country of origin does not guarantee the quality of the instrument, especially since there are often fakes on the market. When purchasing, you need to check the quality of gluing of the guitar parts, the evenness of the neck, and the absence of cracks.

Tool cost

Used instruments are definitely cheaper (2-3 times). On average, starting from 5,000 Russian rubles you can buy an instrument suitable for teaching. Professional guitars are much more expensive. In addition to the instrument itself, you need a case (preferably waterproof and frost-resistant), a tuner for tuning and other accessories - picks, capo, belt. An electric or bass guitar requires a combo amplifier.

The shelf of musical instruments at my house has arrived.
In addition to the violin, purchased a year and a half ago, also from tmart, a guitar was added to the company.
My daughter said long and persistently: “I want a guitar.”
I answered: “You don’t play the violin, and the same will happen with the guitar.”
But in the end they agreed on “at least some”.
In our city, the cheapest guitar costs about $75. Therefore, looking at the Tmart price, you can have mercy :)
Before purchasing, I consulted with a friend. He, of course, recommended guitars almost 3 times more expensive. There are also metal strings. And they look more solid.
And, of course, you need to hold the guitar in your hands...
But it was decided not to go for something very expensive.
So I chose the specified guitar.
I would like to draw your attention right away. Tmart has Hong Kong, American and British warehouses. The guitars are predominantly American. But if anyone decides to make a purchase, pay attention. Prices at the Hong Kong warehouse are usually lower.

The parcel... Yes, it was the parcel, since its weight was more than 2 kg, that came in a large box.


Unpacked. And there's another box. Exactly the same as in the store description for some guitars.


In addition to the guitar itself, a belt and a case were ordered. Tmart sells guitars separately and with accessories. I don't need some of them. Therefore, I think it makes no sense to pay almost 2 times more. Unless the “surcharge” for accessories is quite small.
I open the box. Guitar is like a guitar :)


I apologize in advance for the angles. I'll show you the parts of the guitar as best I can.
Place where strings are attached.




There are no stickers anywhere indicating the manufacturer. This can complement the low price of the guitar with relevant thoughts :)




What my friend immediately noticed is that there are no dots on the fretboard showing the frets.
The strings are located relatively far from the fingerboard.


Another disadvantage is the unfinished metal pins.
A friend advised me to remove the strings and slightly file the white plastic pieces so that the strings would be closer to the fingerboard.


Place where strings are attached.




The strap can only be attached from the bottom. It is difficult to find a suitable place from above.


Back view. The back wall at this price is naturally plywood.


Side view.

I asked a friend to tune the guitar and play a little to at least somehow show the guitar’s capabilities. Although, of course, the camera could not convey all the sound.

A friend of mine gave this guitar a very brief description - Mr.
My daughter was more satisfied with the guitar.
Although everything can change. Initially, she was not bothered by the relative distance of the strings from the fingerboard. Now she said that it would be nice to file it down.
She is not bothered by the relatively small size of the instrument. Vice versa. This size seems right for her.
She is also satisfied with the sound produced by the guitar.
And an acquaintance, when he was tuning the guitar, noted that the neck was probably weak, since when you tune one string, the tuning of the second one is lost, etc.
This is the collection of stringed musical instruments I have at home.

Summary
In general, the instrument is not suitable for those who want to play guitar professionally, but it can suit a complete beginner to just “play around” but not develop.
Although, apparently, we cannot do without doping.
In my city, the cost of guitars starts at $75, but here it’s a third cheaper and even returns 12% of the cost of the goods using the topcashback return service.
Guitar for its price. And probably no more. Unlike the violin, which cost less than $100, but sounds better than local violins that cost a little more than $100.

By the way, now for a couple of days in Tmart there will be 10% discounts on all guitars, but my review has nothing to do with it.

Have a pleasant and useful shopping experience.