What is a 3/4 scale guitar?

A 3/4 scale guitar features a shorter neck and a smaller body than a standard full-sized instrument. This reduces the string tension and the distance between frets, making it easier for children or those with smaller hands to play.

Is this guitar suitable for right-handed players?

No, this specific model is built for left-handed players. The body shape, control layout, and string nut are all configured for a player who frets with their right hand and picks with their left.

What woods are used in the construction of the New Jersey 3/4?

The guitar features a lightweight poplar body, a maple neck, and a laurel fretboard. These materials are chosen for their durability and balanced tonal properties in entry-level instruments.

What kind of pickups does this guitar have?

The 3/4 New Jersey is equipped with two humbucking pickups. These pickups provide a fuller, warmer sound and are better at cancelling background noise and hum compared to single-coil pickups.

Can I use a standard guitar strap with this model?

Yes, despite its smaller size, the 3/4 New Jersey uses standard strap buttons. You can attach any universal guitar strap to play while standing.

Does the guitar come with an amplifier?

While the guitar can be purchased individually for around £100, it is frequently available in 'Mini Guitar Amp Packs' or larger accessory bundles that include a 10W or 15W amplifier.

How many frets does the 3/4 New Jersey have?

The guitar typically features a standard fret count suitable for learning, though the exact number can vary by production run. It follows the traditional single-cutaway layout found on full-sized New Jersey models.

How does the sound compare to the Gear4Music 3/4 LA model?

The New Jersey model uses humbuckers, which sound thicker and darker, making them great for rock and metal. The 3/4 LA model usually features single-coil pickups, which have a thinner, brighter, and 'twangier' sound.

Is the poplar body heavy?

Poplar is known for being a lightweight wood. This makes the 3/4 New Jersey much easier for younger players to hold and carry compared to instruments made from heavier woods like mahogany.

What controls are available on the guitar?

The guitar includes a three-way pickup selector switch. This allows the player to toggle between the neck pickup for warm tones, the bridge pickup for brighter tones, or both together.

What age group is this guitar intended for?

It is generally recommended for children aged 8 to 12. However, it can also be used by adults who prefer a travel-sized instrument or have smaller physical frames.

What finish does this guitar come in?

This specific model described is finished in a classic gloss black, providing a sleek and traditional look for the New Jersey body style.

Gear article

Gear4Music 3/4 New Jersey Left Handed Electric Guitar

The Gear4Music 3/4 New Jersey Left Handed Electric Guitar is a short-scale instrument designed specifically for younger students and players with smaller hands. Featuring a classic single-cutaway aesthetic and dual humbucking pickups, it provides a compact yet functional entry point into electric guitar performance for left-handed musicians.

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Overview

The Gear4Music 3/4 New Jersey Left Handed Electric Guitar is a compact version of the traditional single-cutaway electric guitar, specifically engineered for left-handed players. It occupies a niche in the entry-level market, typically retailing around £100. By reducing the scale length and body dimensions, Gear4Music aims to provide a more accessible physical platform for children or adults who find full-sized instruments cumbersome. The instrument is constructed with a lightweight poplar body, a maple neck, and a laurel fretboard, finished in a standard gloss black.

Design and Key Features

The instrument incorporates several features intended to bridge the gap between a student model and a full-sized professional guitar:

Ergonomics: The 3/4 scale length reduces the distance between frets, making it easier for smaller hands to form chords and reach across the fretboard.
Construction: The use of lightweight poplar for the body helps prevent fatigue during standing practice, while the maple neck provides a smooth surface for hand movement.
Electronics: It is equipped with two humbucking pickups. These are controlled by a three-way selector switch, allowing the player to choose between the bridge pickup, the neck pickup, or a combination of both.
Hardware: The guitar follows a standard layout that prepares the student for larger 'New Jersey' style instruments or other single-cutaway electrics.

Gear4Music LA Select Left Handed Electric Guitar Blue Metallic 15W Guitar Amp & Accessory Pack

Sound Character

Due to the dual humbucker configuration, the 3/4 New Jersey offers a thicker, warmer sound compared to the single-coil pickups often found on other student guitars like the LA series. Humbuckers are inherently designed to reduce electronic hum and interference, providing a cleaner signal for high-gain or distorted tones. The combination of the poplar body and maple neck produces a balanced tone that is versatile enough for genres ranging from jazz and blues to rock and pop.

Target Audience

This guitar is primarily tailored towards beginner guitarists. Its size makes it a preferred choice for younger players (typically aged 8 to 12) or anyone looking for a portable, smaller-bodied instrument. Being a left-handed specific model, it serves a historically underserved demographic in the budget guitar market, ensuring that left-handed students do not have to learn on a right-handed instrument or a flipped alternative.

Market Context and Alternatives

Within the Gear4Music ecosystem, the 3/4 New Jersey sits alongside other specialized left-handed models. For those seeking a different body style, the 3/4 LA Left Handed provides a double-cutaway alternative. For advanced beginners or adults, the New Jersey Select or Brooklyn series offer full-scale versions with more complex hardware. It is often sold as part of a 'Mini Guitar Amp Pack', which includes a portable amplifier to provide a complete starting solution for new musicians.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a 3/4 scale guitar?: A 3/4 scale guitar features a shorter neck and a smaller body than a standard full-sized instrument. This reduces the string tension and the distance between frets, making it easier for children or those with smaller hands to play.
Is this guitar suitable for right-handed players?: No, this specific model is built for left-handed players. The body shape, control layout, and string nut are all configured for a player who frets with their right hand and picks with their left.
What woods are used in the construction of the New Jersey 3/4?: The guitar features a lightweight poplar body, a maple neck, and a laurel fretboard. These materials are chosen for their durability and balanced tonal properties in entry-level instruments.
What kind of pickups does this guitar have?: The 3/4 New Jersey is equipped with two humbucking pickups. These pickups provide a fuller, warmer sound and are better at cancelling background noise and hum compared to single-coil pickups.
Can I use a standard guitar strap with this model?: Yes, despite its smaller size, the 3/4 New Jersey uses standard strap buttons. You can attach any universal guitar strap to play while standing.
Does the guitar come with an amplifier?: While the guitar can be purchased individually for around £100, it is frequently available in 'Mini Guitar Amp Packs' or larger accessory bundles that include a 10W or 15W amplifier.
How many frets does the 3/4 New Jersey have?: The guitar typically features a standard fret count suitable for learning, though the exact number can vary by production run. It follows the traditional single-cutaway layout found on full-sized New Jersey models.
How does the sound compare to the Gear4Music 3/4 LA model?: The New Jersey model uses humbuckers, which sound thicker and darker, making them great for rock and metal. The 3/4 LA model usually features single-coil pickups, which have a thinner, brighter, and 'twangier' sound.
Is the poplar body heavy?: Poplar is known for being a lightweight wood. This makes the 3/4 New Jersey much easier for younger players to hold and carry compared to instruments made from heavier woods like mahogany.
What controls are available on the guitar?: The guitar includes a three-way pickup selector switch. This allows the player to toggle between the neck pickup for warm tones, the bridge pickup for brighter tones, or both together.
What age group is this guitar intended for?: It is generally recommended for children aged 8 to 12. However, it can also be used by adults who prefer a travel-sized instrument or have smaller physical frames.
What finish does this guitar come in?: This specific model described is finished in a classic gloss black, providing a sleek and traditional look for the New Jersey body style.