What separates a Junior sized acoustic guitar from an average sized acoustic guitar?

vsoccer225: What separates a Junior sized acoustic guitar from an average sized acoustic guitar?
I have a classical guitar right now and I’m looking into getting an acoustic with the steel strings and all that stuff. My classical guitar has 18 frets and 12 are open, so I feel as if it is too small. Am I right or is this guitar fine?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Phil
That generally depends on how big you are. Classical guitars do tend to run smaller. Steel strings larger. Though you can get a parlor guitar, which are smaller.

The ideal thing you need to do is go find a guitar shop and sit down and play as many different types of guitars as you can stand. Not only are you dealing with body sizes, but different shaped necks, frets, etc. If your classical feels too small, then you should be fine getting something larger.

Find something that’s comfortable to hold and play and you’ll be on your way to a new favorite guitar.

Answer by Julie
On a classical guitar, the neck usually joins the body at the 12th fret. That doesn’t mean the guitar is less than full size, but if you find you’re often reaching for those higher notes, you’ll probably want better access. Most steel stringed guitars join at the 14th fret, so you’ll gain a few there. You can also get either a classical or steel-string guitar with a cut-away, which lets you get all the way up the neck. (picture of a dreadnought steel-string with a cut-away: )

Classical guitars do tend to have a smaller body than your average dreadnought acoustic guitar, although steel-string guitars also come in a variety of smaller shapes (e.g. the Martin OOO shown here: ) The body shape mainly effects the sound, rather than the player, although the dreadnought shape may make you stretch a little if you have short arms.

The only thing you’d probably want to avoid is a 3/4 or 1/2 sized guitar, whose frets and strings are typically closer together than a full sized instruments. They’re good for kids, or if you want a more portable instrument. If you have average adult sized hands they may cramp your style. They typically don’t sound too great either.

Hope that helps.