What Is a 3/4 Size Bass Guitar?
Updated Nov 12, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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A 3/4 size bass guitar is a smaller bass built to 3/4 the size of a full-size 4/4 bass, with a shorter neck and a smaller body. It still has 4 strings and a 1/4-inch jack. The Ibanez Gio SR miKro is a short-scale example, with a 28.6-inch neck.
What 3/4 size means
The 3/4 mark is a size fraction, not a model name. A full-size bass is 4/4, and a 3/4 bass is built smaller than that, with a shorter neck and a smaller body. The scale, the reach to the frets and the weight all shrink with the size, while the bass still has 4 strings.
How to spot a smaller bass
Look for the words short scale in the name. The Ibanez Gio SR miKro is a short-scale bass with a 28.6-inch neck. Check the body size and the weight too: the miKro weighs 6.8 lb, while the Ibanez Gio GSR200PW weighs 9 lb, the Fender Squier Debut Precision Bass weighs 9.9 lb and the Yamaha TRBX174 weighs 11.3 lb.
What to check on the bass
All 4 picks have 4 strings, so compare the pickups, the neck and the warranty. The Ibanez Gio GSR200PW has a split-coil and single-coil pickup combination with a rosewood fretboard. The Fender Squier Debut Precision Bass has a split-coil pickup with volume and tone controls, a laurel fingerboard and a 2-year warranty. The Yamaha TRBX174 has a mahogany body and a vintage style bridge, and the Ibanez Gio SR miKro has a maple neck and a fixed bridge.
How to check the fit
Hold the bass in playing position and check that your fretting hand reaches the frets without stretching. Check that the body rests against you and the neck sits where your arm reaches it. If the bass feels heavy on the shoulder, try a lighter one: the Ibanez Gio SR miKro weighs 6.8 lb, the lowest weight of the 4 picks.
What you need
Ibanez Gio GSR200PW Bass Guitar
A 4-string bass with a split-coil and single-coil pickup combination, a rosewood fretboard and a 9 lb body.
- Strings: 4
- Pickup layout: Split Coil
- 1-year warranty stated
Ibanez Gio SR miKro Short Scale
A short-scale 4-string bass with a 28.6-inch maple neck, a mahogany body and a fixed bridge at 6.8 lb.
- Strings: 4
- Pickup layout: combination
- 1 year warranty stated
- 6.8 lb, the lightest here
Fender Squier Debut Series Beginner Precision Bass
A 4-string beginner bass with a split-coil pickup, volume and tone controls, a laurel fingerboard and a 2-year warranty.
- Strings: 4
- Pickup layout: Split-Coil
- 2-year warranty stated
Yamaha TRBX174 Old Violin Sunburst Agathis Body
A 4-string bass with a mahogany body, a vintage style bridge and a 6.35mm jack at 11.3 lb.
- Strings: 4
- 1 year warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best Bass Guitar, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 3/4 bass tuned the same as a full-size bass?
Yes. A 3/4 bass is tuned the same as a full-size bass, with 4 strings. The shorter neck changes the reach, not the tuning.
What is the difference between a 3/4 bass and a short-scale bass?
A 3/4 bass is a size, and short scale is a neck length. The Ibanez Gio SR miKro is called a short-scale bass with a 28.6-inch neck, which is how a smaller bass gets its shorter reach. A bass can be short scale without being sold as 3/4 size.
Do I need a special amp for a 3/4 bass?
No. A 3/4 bass has a 1/4-inch jack, so it plugs into the same gear as a full-size bass. The Ibanez Gio GSR200PW, the Ibanez Gio SR miKro and the Fender Squier Debut Precision Bass all have a 1/4-inch jack, and the Yamaha TRBX174 has a 6.35mm jack.
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