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Need help finding 3/4 size electric

mistersnappy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,321
Hi all,
My good friend and musical soul mate has neuropathy from Type 1 Diabetes and its affecting his hand strength, especially with barre chords. I thought maybe a 3/4 size guitar might help. I know nothing about those guitars and was wondering what I/he should look for. Any particular models/brands that aren't too expensive? I know there are vintage ones but we can't go that route.

Thanks for any help.
 

jhmp

New member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
717
Let him try some before you buy as the closer fret spacing may not work for him.
- those beginner mini strats are pretty cool
or a 3/4" classical could be the ticket.
 

Ed Driscoll

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
4,691
Hi all,
My good friend and musical soul mate has neuropathy from Type 1 Diabetes and its affecting his hand strength, especially with barre chords. I thought maybe a 3/4 size guitar might help. I know nothing about those guitars and was wondering what I/he should look for. Any particular models/brands that aren't too expensive? I know there are vintage ones but we can't go that route.

Thanks for any help.

These might be too small, but there are those ESP Grass Roots mini Les Pauls, and I think Strats, built for the Japanese market, that you can find on eBay.
 

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,854
Well, "Strength" isn't really all that important as many think. As long as one approaches guitar as a pursuit, learning can keep it interesting. With physical constraints, learning new techniques may be needed anyway.

I know some styles "need" barre chords, but most don't. I've been playing over 40 years and hardly use them at all. I hope it all works out.

Back on topic, Those mini Squires are cool!
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
I have severe neuropathy from my chemo treatments as well as the trama to my fretting arm and nerves when the cancer decided to eat my humerus which was removed and replaced entirely, elbow up, including the shoulder.

It is very hard to play. Low, light action on a straight neck helps. I find larger profiles most comfortable and my vintage radius, jumbo 6100 fretted, Fenders easiest to play.

Straight relief, full profile and jumbo frets requires the least effort and maximum comfort, NOT short scale, which I have on hand.
 

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
My experience with a variety of Gibson and Fender short scale necks is this. At first they are fun but they soon cause my hand to cramp.
I have a similar [but not as drastic] problem with the skinny Gibson necks common to the late 1960s.
 
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