What is the difference between a 36inch and 39inch acoustic guitar, apart from the length?

Question

I'm planning on learning to play. Apart from the 3 inches, what would make them different? Which would be the netter one to get?

Answer 1

Assuming you are talking about overall length (ie from the tip of the headstock to the bottom of the body) and not scale length (from the nut to the bridge), then there is not a lot of difference between these two guitars.

Of course, it matters where the three inches are coming from. If one body is slightly smaller, then that guitar will have a somewhat lighter sound than the one with a longer body.

If, however, the bodies are the same dimensions, then the fretboard must be more deeply set on one than the other. This might create problems with access to high frets, if that is your playing style.

All other things being equal, I would go with the larger one.

If you are talking about scale length (nut to bridge), then that is much more serious. A shorter-scale guitar will have frets that are closer together. This makes a significant difference in playability depending on your skill and the size of your hands. If you are just starting guitar, the shorter-scale guitar might be a better choice, because it will make fretting chords MUCH easier. But if you have hands like a grizzly bear, then the larger will be more comfortable for you.

It's best to try them both. Never buy a guitar sight unseen.