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I made my grandson a OO Grand Concert size guitar that he loves.  It's too valuable though to take camping or put into the belly of a plane, so I want to get him a cheap guitar for those occasions.  Amazon.com has a lot of 3/4 size guitars that look right for this, but none give specific dimensions.  What are the dimensions of a 3/4 size guitar, or is it not that well standardized?

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It sounds like if it didn't have Bob Taylor's name on it you guys would be saying it's poorly made and overpriced.
It wasn't my intention to knock Bob Taylor, I think his neck/body design is a stroke of genius, I wish all guitars were built like his, it'd make my job as a repairman much easier.
But when you examine a BabyTaylor closely, it's clear that a lot of thought went into keeping the price point down, evidenced by the four-piece top and no binding. I was also a bit surprised by how weak the glue joints are: the top was separated from the side on the one last week, and it was quite easy to extend the crack, without using any heat at all, just gentle pressure with a seam knife. I'm sure I could've removed the whole top without much effort if I'd wanted to.
That's the reason I said that it's maybe not the ideal guitar for kids, they're easily damaged and don't withstand the odd knock or two very well.
On the other hand, maybe that's the price you have to pay for such a big sound from such a small guitar. If you play it with eyes closed, it sounds like a much bigger guitar, and very well balanced. I'm actually thinking about buying one to use as a parlor guitar at home, after playing the one in for repair last week.

Grahame
For my 2 cents, I've always found the build quality to be acceptable but I don't particularly like playing them. I played one that was loaned to me for an extended trip a few years ago ( about 8 weeks long ). I was surprised to find that it was unsatisfying to play. I play because I "need" to play. It's therapy to me but I never played it for more than 10 minutes before putting it away. It played well and sounded OK but it was just uninspiring to me. Every one of them I've played left me feeling this way. I'm sure it's a personal thing but I recommend that you try one and see how you like it before buying one for your Grandson. Better yet, let him try it.

Ned
Ned
Just goes to show how tastes vary: I found it to be a really nice, sweet little guitar. On the other hand, I'm 56, and have over 40 years of gigging, standing much too close to much too loud speakers behind me, so I probable can't hear worth a damn anyway, at least as far as hearing the fine differences go. I can't tune quickly by ear any more either, thank goodness they invented clip-on tuners :-)

Grahame
I'm sure it's just a matter of taste, Grahame. It wasn't even that it sounded bad. I can't really tell you what it is, and I really tried to figure it out but they just aren't my cup of tea.

You know how it is. I used to know a little old lady that played an old harmony archtop with such poor action that I could insert my pinky under the strings at the 14th fret. I couldn't even hold a cord in the first position but she hated my guitars and continued to play that old Harmony. ( To be factual, she only played a few cords... Her son was often heard to shout " Play that other tune you know, Ma!". )

I also met a man that changes his (high end) guitar every few months because he can't find one he likes.

To each his own.

Ned
I don't know if you have thought about the Gretsch Americana series, but it is my opinion that they sound great and you can get one for around $75.00 on eBay. They have cool graphics on them. I got my son a 'Way Out West' version that we both love to play.
Try a Samick D1 St6 or D1 ST9 (1/2 and 3/4 respectively)

Laminate top, but play great. They sound good and are easily setup.

I too have fixed quite a few baby taylors. It seems like they always split up the middle. The samick runs around $130, but the build quality is easily better than the taylor. Much nicer than anything else in that price range.

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