newbie: weird to play a 3/4 at age 17?

[mekala]

(probably just worrying too much but bear with me lmao)
okay so a few days ago i decided to pick up my old 3/4 sized guitar from when i had "lessons" (just a school thing) as a child. i’ve been teaching myself the ukulele for about a year and i thought now i could give the guitar a try after years of not touching it. since i’m only used to a tiny ukulele the guitar was quite overwhelming, especially at first. i’m slowly getting used to it, but somehow it feels weird to me not playing a full sized guitar at my age, almost embarrassing. they’re usually recommended for like 10y/o kids, but is it really so bad that i use one? i mean what are the downsides? i currently can’t afford a new guitar and i’m mostly just doing it for fun, but should i start saving money to get one appropriate for my age and size?

[TokyoNeko]

Hi there,

For what it's worth, Ed Sheeran seems to be doing just fine making a living while playing 3/4 sized guitars.

If it really bothers you, though, you can trek out to the nearest guitar shop and try playing as many different sizes as possible. That's the only way you'll know for sure.

[Silurian]

If it's all you've got at the moment and it feels comfortable don't worry about it.
It might take a bit of adjustment to get used to a longer scale length if you decide to get a "full size" guitar.

Small guitars are very popular for all types of people. There are numerous "travel" guitars on the market that are often used for noodling on the sofa.

Taylor's GS Mini is the company's best seller.

[J Patrick]

...fwiw...i’m 65 and I play my 3/4 size guitars as much or more than my larger guitars....it’s a personal choice that should extend to anyone regardless of age....when you feel like you want a larger guitar you should get one....work on playing what you have until then....at the end of the day it’s your playing that matters....

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Relax. The important word is 'play'.

[jnidoh]

mekala,

Relax, if the guitar fits and you can play it (more importantly, want to play it)
then just start learning. You're 17 and I'm 67 and just started learning 3 yrs ago. You've got me by 50 and in half a century, you won't care what you started with and no one else will either........

john

[vintage40s]

Originally Posted by mekala

... i decided to pick up my old 3/4 sized guitar from when i had "lessons" (just a school thing) as a child... it feels weird to me not playing a full sized guitar at my age... is it really so bad that i use one? i mean what are the downsides? i currently can’t afford a new guitar... should i start saving money to get one appropriate for my age and size?

There is no "appropriate". I just discovered the joys of a little parlor guitar, which is not inappropriate for either my size (6'-1") or my age (77). Save your money for a guitar of high quality sound that plays easily. That could well be a small guitar.

[TBman]

Plenty of people play on 00 and parlor size guitars so don't worry about it.

[JonWint]

You might ask Sting if it's weird. He likes his Martin Size 5 "Terz" guitar, as does Marty Stuart.

[IMG][/IMG]

[frankmcr]

Originally Posted by JonWint

You might ask Sting if it's weird. He likes his Martin Size 5 "Terz" guitar, as does Marty Stuart.

[IMG][/IMG]

Marty Robbins too.

[ruby50]

I am 70 and built myself a 3/4 a couple of years ago. It has a 12-3/4" lower bout and a 23-9/16 scale. Love this little guy.

Ed

[printer2]

I went to the store and only found full sized guitars and said the heck with it, I'll make my own then. Made a number of them from 22" to 24" scale and 0 sized on down.

[joeld]

I played my Little Martin for 1/2 hour today, in public even, and it was fun. I'm about 40 years older than you, sigh...

[thechariot1x]

Originally Posted by mekala

they’re usually recommended for like 10y/o kids, but is it really so bad that i use one? i mean what are the downsides? i currently can’t afford a new guitar and i’m mostly just doing it for fun, but should i start saving money to get one appropriate for my age and size?

No if it is what you have and you enjoy it then keep at it, down the line though I would start looking at the tonal differences, for me a 3/4 sized guitar sounds a little thin even when people who are much better players than me play them, but maybe it's just the placebo affect. Down the line you may decide to look at a full size, but you can definitely roll with the 3/4 until and if you decide to upgrade.

[Paddy1951]

This is simple. If a 3/4 size guitars works for you, then so be it. It only has to work for you.

Sometimes, there is too much goobly-gook over thinking and discussion about things. That's when one can be confused.

It matters not what others would or would not do. Don't be embarassed by the physical details of your guitar.

Play!