Manuel Rodriguez Estudio Épicéa 1/4 Gloss

A Small-Format Estudio for Early Learning

This Manuel Rodriguez Estudio 1/4-size guitar incorporates the essential features of a classical guitar in a reduced-size body. Within the Estudio range, it meets the needs of students who are not yet comfortable with the dimensions of a larger instrument. Its design combines a spruce top with glossy finishing, while the neck retains a matte appearance. This is an acoustic study instrument, intended to establish the first fundamentals without imposing an overly cumbersome format.

A Classical Guitar for Learning at Your Own Pace

This guitar is primarily intended for smaller beginners, particularly children starting lessons. Its 17.72-inch / 450 mm scale length reduces the spacing between the frets compared with a larger guitar, which can make the first fingerings easier. However, the 43 mm / 1.69-inch nut width should also be taken into account: the right size should be chosen according to the student's build, posture and actual comfort, rather than age alone.

Classical repertoire, note-by-note melodies, arpeggios and early accompaniment patterns are its natural territory. It allows students to work on finger independence, rhythmic consistency and clean chord changes. Its format is suited to close-range playing, at home or during lessons. For a growing student, it represents a learning stage before moving up to a larger size, once that becomes more comfortable.

Spruce and Okoumé: An Acoustic Voice to Discover by Touch

The spruce soundboard generally contributes to a clear attack and good note definition, two qualities that are useful for hearing the nuances of one's playing. The okoumé back and sides complete this construction. The sound also depends on the thickness of the components, their assembly and the bracing: as these elements are not detailed here, it would be reductive to infer the instrument's entire character from the tonewoods alone.

The small 1/4-size format prioritizes close-range response rather than the low-end fullness of a full-size classical guitar. Above all, it allows the student to hear the balance between the strings and the clarity of each attack. Projection and sustain also vary with the setup, strings and playing style. The key and bridge in Blackwood Tek complete the construction, while the ABS nuts provide the strings with their contact points.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

A chromatic tuner with a built-in microphone allows this acoustic guitar to be tuned without any cable or installation on the instrument. It is a useful addition for getting into the habit of checking the tuning before each session. A soft, dry cloth is also suitable for routine maintenance: gently wipe the instrument after playing to remove marks from the body and neck, without applying any product unsuitable for the finishing.

Technical specifications

Format	Baby Guitar	Back&Sides	Okoumé
Left handed	No	Fingerboard	Blackwood
Cutaway	No	Neck Type	Glued
Special feature	Kid	Electroacoustic	No
Strings	nylon	Color	Natural
Nbr of strings	6	Finishing	Glossy
Top	Spruce	Hardware	Chromed

Type	acoustic classical guitar.	Fret material	nickel silver.
Range	Estudio.	Scale length	17.72 inches / 450 mm, equivalent to 45 cm.
Back	okoumé.	Nut width	43 mm / 1.69 inches.
Side	okoumé.	Dual-action truss rod	a feature reserved for 7/8 and 4/4 sizes in the range specifications, not specified for this 1/4 version.
Binding	ABS.	Bridge	Blackwood Tek.
Body finishing	environmentally friendly water-based gloss varnish.	Nut	ABS.
Neck wood	okoumé.	Saddle	ABS.
Neck finishing	matte.	Tuning machines	chrome.
Key	Blackwood Tek.	Brand	Manuel Rodriguez.
Number of frets	19.	Model	Estudio Épicéa taille 1/4.