MJ, Thats what I hope to get someday soon, a 000 OM size Martin or Taylor or Larrivee or Cole Clark. I don't know if they all make the 000 OM size.
A little off the point. How bout a forum "excuses why a guitar player needs at least 3 or 4 guitars, maybe more). My luthier told me he used "need different guitars for different tunings and it worked him? Seems to be a real common issue. Gary
Guitar Body Styles
wrench wrote:
My next 6 string (after I get an electric and a 12 string) will be a small body, hopefully Martin, the all mahogany body. I think it is the OM size.
I usually shy away from dreadnoughts because I like a thinner waist as I find them easier to play.
Ric
Yes the Seagulls have a wider neck (mine is the Maritime series)and that did concern me when I was looking at the one I purchased as I have small hands. What I found though is that if you use proper hand position the neck width is not an issue. In fact, since the neck is wider the strings are spaced apart a little more which can facilitate easier fretting of chords. If you don't use the "baseball bat" grip on the neck the neck width doesn't matter as much. Thanks Neil.If I had a choice, I'm with you on the mini jumbo.
For reasons I'll explain in a moment, I have been looking at this in depth over the last few weeks, and I can summarize my observations like this:
* Big body, big sound
* Little body, little sound
* Dreadnaught body, bass dominant
* Jumbo, Folk, Orchestra, etc., flatter response across the frequency spectrum
* Electric can compensate some for mediocre acoustic performance
* Better sounding / higher quality guitars have longer scale lengths
The last point is why I mentioned choice earlier. I have difficulty spanning the four lowest frets, and I wanted to try some guitars with shorter scales. Yamaha makes a few, but not on their better guitars. Seagulls have short scales, but the necks are also wider, negating the ability to span further. Seagull has a narrower neck on their entry level Entourage series, but they are, well, entry level. The necks played OK, but the guitars were otherwise unimpressive compared to their other models. While looking at these guitars though, I was able to compare the dreadnaught and the mini jumbo of the same series side by side, and Ric, I commend your choice of mini jumbo.
wrench
My next 6 string (after I get an electric and a 12 string) will be a small body, hopefully Martin, the all mahogany body. I think it is the OM size.
I usually shy away from dreadnoughts because I like a thinner waist as I find them easier to play.
Ric
I'm really partial to the Grand Auditorium shape (dreadnaught sized lower bout, smaller upper bout with a Venetian cutaway). It hsa great balance and still projects well.
And I still love jumbo 12-strings! It's just hard to get that great jangle with a smaller box!
I'm not sure the old stereotypes about size and shape apply as much anymore. With modern construction, better bracing and strings the differences are more aesthetic than practical. But us old fart guitarists have been brainwashed into believing that a certain shape must have a certain tone.
Also, it used to be that acoustic electrics had pretty bad pickups in them, basically cheap, under-bridge piezos. It was almost always better to get a pickup, or two, installed after the fact. Now, the better makers, Taylor, Larrivee, Martin, Breedlove, Santa Cruz, etc. have really stepped up their games and install pickup systems that are much better matched to the guitar. Plus pre-amps are better than ever. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a newer guitar with factory electronics! :cheer:
And I still love jumbo 12-strings! It's just hard to get that great jangle with a smaller box!
I'm not sure the old stereotypes about size and shape apply as much anymore. With modern construction, better bracing and strings the differences are more aesthetic than practical. But us old fart guitarists have been brainwashed into believing that a certain shape must have a certain tone.
Also, it used to be that acoustic electrics had pretty bad pickups in them, basically cheap, under-bridge piezos. It was almost always better to get a pickup, or two, installed after the fact. Now, the better makers, Taylor, Larrivee, Martin, Breedlove, Santa Cruz, etc. have really stepped up their games and install pickup systems that are much better matched to the guitar. Plus pre-amps are better than ever. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a newer guitar with factory electronics! :cheer:
My Takamine is a dread no cut-away, no electronics. I love it and the sound, but I have been considering having electronics installed. I'm scared its going to destroy the sound and that is the only real reason I have not had it done yet.
Instead of what I prefer, here is my dream axe;
Grand Concert sized Double cut-away with triple pickup, (single coil neck pickup, piezo under saddle and, mic inside.) with the ability to mix any of the sources in and out), Mahogany neck, Rosewood fingerboard, solid sitka spruce top, mahogany back with Koa sides, headstock and trim. Full length scale. It should have the Babicz adjustable neck and also the Babicz lateral compression soundboard. Grover sealed tuners (black). Computer cut tungsten frets. I want it setup for size 10 DR Extra Life strings. Nu-bone nut and saddle.
To top it off, I have some very specific inlay work I want done on it. I want some scriptures worked into it as inlay and a potrait of Jesus on the headstock. Scripture references on the fingerboard instead of the standard 'dots'. Around the edge of the top is where I want the scriptures.
I would expect that this guitar would cost me around 7 or 8k to get built the way I want it. Anyone want to donate?
Instead of what I prefer, here is my dream axe;
Grand Concert sized Double cut-away with triple pickup, (single coil neck pickup, piezo under saddle and, mic inside.) with the ability to mix any of the sources in and out), Mahogany neck, Rosewood fingerboard, solid sitka spruce top, mahogany back with Koa sides, headstock and trim. Full length scale. It should have the Babicz adjustable neck and also the Babicz lateral compression soundboard. Grover sealed tuners (black). Computer cut tungsten frets. I want it setup for size 10 DR Extra Life strings. Nu-bone nut and saddle.
To top it off, I have some very specific inlay work I want done on it. I want some scriptures worked into it as inlay and a potrait of Jesus on the headstock. Scripture references on the fingerboard instead of the standard 'dots'. Around the edge of the top is where I want the scriptures.
I would expect that this guitar would cost me around 7 or 8k to get built the way I want it. Anyone want to donate?
Like Bear, I prefer the Grand Auditorium shape. I mostly play unplugged, so I prefer the larger body, but I don't like the jumbo shape. My dislike of the Jumbo shape is more aesthetic than anything else.
That being said, my current guitar is a smaller bodied round-back acoustic/electric Applause (by Ovation) with a cutaway. I like the cutaway, and use it all the time. However, it lacks volume and projection and has a narrow neck to boot. My next guitar will be a GA with acoustic/electric with a cutaway. I'm looking closely at Taylor, but also at Martin, Breedlove, and some others. I have managerial approval!
I'll be at the largest music store in the country in a couple of weeks, and I intend to drive the salespeople crazy fetching me guitars down from the upper racks where they keep the expensive ones.
David
That being said, my current guitar is a smaller bodied round-back acoustic/electric Applause (by Ovation) with a cutaway. I like the cutaway, and use it all the time. However, it lacks volume and projection and has a narrow neck to boot. My next guitar will be a GA with acoustic/electric with a cutaway. I'm looking closely at Taylor, but also at Martin, Breedlove, and some others. I have managerial approval!

I'll be at the largest music store in the country in a couple of weeks, and I intend to drive the salespeople crazy fetching me guitars down from the upper racks where they keep the expensive ones.
David
AndyT wrote:
Andy, I think you need to pass the collection plate round atleast twice once for the church and then one for the dream! (Over several weeks!!)
I would expect that this guitar would cost me around 5 or 6k to get built the way I want it. Anyone want to donate?
AndyT wrote:
lol
Mark
[edited for inflation]
I'll send you a buck if you can get 7999 of the 20000+ members to commit to the same.My Takamine is a dread no cut-away, no electronics. I love it and the sound, but I have been considering having them installed. I'm scared its going to destroy the sound and that is the only real reason I have not had it done yet.
Instead of what I prefer, here is my dream axe;
[...]
I would expect that this guitar would cost me around 5 or 6k to get built the way I want it. Anyone want to donate?
lol
Mark
[edited for inflation]
Catman wrote:
David, Like you I will be in a 'Candy store' the largest Acoustic Guitar store in NZ in a couple of weeks, unfortunately no managerial approval, but I can certainly enjoy the time and dream. I'd be looking at a higher end Cole Clark than the one I have drool if finances radically change between now and then..I'll be at the largest music store in the country in a couple of weeks, and I intend to drive the salespeople crazy fetching me guitars down from the upper racks where they keep the expensive ones.
David
AndyT wrote:
It sounds a lot like what I would like.
The choice of materials is good. I really like the pickup/mic/mix feature.
I'm not a minister so my choice of custom inlays would be different, but a fantastic idea for your use.
Mark
I'd actually be willing to go higher than a dollar to see that guitar (i.e. pictures), but nowhere near what you need.Chas, If only!
Mark, Great idea! I'll put you in charge of it. LOL
Aside from the cost and your obvious desire to donate (LMBO), what do you think of the guitar itself configured like that?
It sounds a lot like what I would like.
The choice of materials is good. I really like the pickup/mic/mix feature.
I'm not a minister so my choice of custom inlays would be different, but a fantastic idea for your use.
Mark