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06 May 01 - 11:52 PM (#456732) Subject: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Justa Picker Just curious as to what other pickers here gravitate to as far as guitar body sizes. Even if you own more than one, there always seems to be 1 or 2 that you always come back to, that just feel like a warm cozy hug. So do you like: O? OO? OOO? OOOO or M? OM? D? J? ...and why? ...and if you need a refresher on the different body size characteristics, you can go here. |
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06 May 01 - 11:57 PM (#456735) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Bert Kinda reminds me of that Dora Bryan song Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Seven! |
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07 May 01 - 12:25 AM (#456742) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Charcloth I am not a definitive source, but I prefer A large Jumbo because they tend to have a more balanced tone. I also prefer a maple body, back & sides with a spruce top for the same reason, I really like a full balanced tone. |
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07 May 01 - 12:53 AM (#456755) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Bluebelle While I love the full-bodied, boomy sounds from Martin Pre-war 18's and 28's dreads, my current choice would be the Martin OM-28V of Indian Rosewood and Sitka Spruce. |
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07 May 01 - 12:55 AM (#456758) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Mark Clark It depends on the musical task to which the instrument must be applied. Instruments are merely tools and one tool won't be ideal for every task. I prefer a Martin Dreadnought for bluegrass and sting band work because it can hold it's own with the other instruments and really cut through on the punch lines. Since I have a Dreadnought, I use it for folk music as well. For jazz I'd probably Leon Redbone, in live performances, used to play a Harmony Soverign ($75 USD at the time). In his hands for the music he played, it was exactly the right tool. My second guitar is a hand built copy of a Fender Telecaster. It has a humbucker at the neck position and I keep it strung with heavy flat-wound strings. Good for Travis style, slide and screwing around wishing I could really play jazz. The way I see it, we each ought to have a special room just to store all the guitars we need so every tune can be played with exactly the right "tool." - Mark |
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07 May 01 - 01:13 AM (#456763) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Philibuster Squier DG-6, just cause. :-) |
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07 May 01 - 01:16 AM (#456765) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: GUEST My favorite size is the OOO. What you said about the warm cozy hug is what I feel about these guitars.As mentioned in other threads I had a Gibson LG-3 for 16 years that was a trusted friend. It was a great fingerpicking guitar and could hold its own in volume with the dreadnoughts when punched. After I killed it in a Jeep accident, I replaced it with a custom built OOO that I've now had for 18 years.This guitar is incredible.Playing in my church band, I could play it unamplified, and still be heard over the other musicians,all of whom were amplified,including the drums.Just had to punch it a little harder. Played quietly while fingerpicking it will talk to you.In open tunings it absolutely sings. rr |
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07 May 01 - 01:30 AM (#456768) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: rangeroger That was me above.Cookie now reset. rr |
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07 May 01 - 02:08 AM (#456779) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: GUEST,murray@mpce.mq.edu.au I have always tended towards guitars the size of a classical one (00 in Martin parlance). I just bought a 000-15S and I am very pleased with that. I tend to use the same guitar for everything and I think the 000 gives just that little extra bass that makes it a good guitar for accompanyment as well as finger picking. My previous guitar was a Maton small bodied. It was the size of a classical, but had a deeper body. It is my theory that steel strings have more overtones than do nylon ones and so they will sound more tinny for a given body size. That is why a deeper body or a slightly larger body than a classical gives good balance for finger picking. Murray |
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07 May 01 - 04:35 AM (#456813) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Lady McMoo Oh dear... I play and love my Lakewood M-series. Now what the heck is that in "real" language? Perhaps it equates to 000 more or less. mcmoo |
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07 May 01 - 07:29 AM (#456836) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: bigchuck Ah, Murray, I too just bought a 000-15S and am very pleased with it. Very comfortable and more "intimate" feeling than with my various dreadnaughts. I bought it after a winter of recurring shoulder pain, which has vanished after a couple of weeks with the guitar. Sandy |
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07 May 01 - 07:43 AM (#456838) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Liam's Brother This makes me think of the late Carol Barney, who recorded a very nice Folk-legacy album of Irish tunes for fingerstyle guitar with John Sherman in 1999. Carol played a Taylor dreadnought and complained to me that the guitar was too large and was starting to hurt her in the armpit. That, I suppose, was the first sign of her cancer. I prefer the size of 000 (or OM) and the sound of 0000 (or M).
All the best, |
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07 May 01 - 08:12 AM (#456845) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: kendall After 50 years of experimenting, I have settled on a Taylor 810 dreadnaught, and, a custom built Apollonio 12 string jumbo. They just work, thats all. |
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07 May 01 - 08:24 AM (#456847) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: GUEST,Midchuck upstairs My take on this: 1) If you're going to play backup for multiple singers, or for fiddles, mandos, or Gawd forbid, b*nj*s, and you do not have some kind of amplification, either mic or pickup, on your instrument, with the ability to adjust the mix, you're probably stuck with a dreadnought, large jumbo, or small jumbo/grand auditorium/0000/x14/whatever, as a minimum. Although I'd like the chance to try a Collings 12-fret slothead 000 in that situation. It might just be able to manage. 2) The 000 or OM is much more comfortable to play, especially if you're short, if you are...well, not skinny, and if you play standing. I am told that this is even more the case if you are a woman of the opposite sex, who has been generously blessed in the area of secondary sexual characteristics, since a dreadnought lacks the narrow waist where the left one can...well, you get the idea. Also, that size probably has the best balance for solo playing or accompanying solo singing - especially the 12-fret slothead models. If I had to get by strictly on only one guitar, but I could have it built from scratch, I think a 12-fret, wide-neck, slothead version of a grand auditorium size and shape (Taylor x14 or Martin 0000 or J) might be the way to go. But it's more fun to have a few to chose among. Peter. |
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07 May 01 - 10:35 AM (#456921) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Whistle Stop I agree with Mark -- what tool you use depends on what job you want to do. If you do more than one job, you may need more than one tool, although there are some very versatile guitarists out there who seem to get along just fine with one instrument. I have three steel-string acoustic guitars: a Lowden O-style (a jumbo, more or less), a 000, and a dreadnought. I play the Lowden the most, the 000 second. But I like them all. |
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07 May 01 - 10:39 AM (#456923) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Matt_R Yamaha EF-10 Dreadnaught. Fat AND loud. |
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07 May 01 - 11:24 AM (#456949) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Justa Picker McMoo, The "M" size is the same as Martin's current designation of OOOO. Loosely translated, the M size is a Jumbo sized body shape BUT with the body thickness of an OM....sort of like an OM on "steroids". My thanks to those that participated in this thread. For me, it would ultimately be the OOO body size and the shorter scale length. (I'm with Norman Blake on this, as the shorter scale length makes it a little easier getting up and down the neck) and it's an extremely comfortable instrument to hold and, to play. (But I love the M's too.) |
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07 May 01 - 11:40 AM (#456965) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Kim C Mister has a Washburn dreadnought that has a beeeeyooootiful sound. But when I was just learning to play, this guitar was Way Too Big for me. I'm little and I had a hard time getting my arms around it, plus the neck is thick, and it was just hard for me. So I got a classical-size Alvarez that fits me much better. It doesn't have as big a sound to it as the Washburn, but it does sound good, and it fits me much better. I have now made peace with the Washburn and will play it once in awhile just for the heck of it. But I agree, there's different guitars for different applications, and it's just one of those things you have to try out. Cheers--- Kim |
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07 May 01 - 03:09 PM (#457192) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: GUEST,Garydon I like my Guild Jumbo as an all around. Feel Conmfortable Flatpicking or strumming. Picking with the heal of my hand I can feel the pins to help keep my position and the arched back adds to the volume and real nice tone on the "B & E" strings. For finger picking I prefer a dreadnought though. Gary |
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07 May 01 - 03:22 PM (#457220) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Clinton Hammond I donno... my guitar of choice is kinda small, but has a great big sound! the A series Seagull Mahogany Folk.... it's specs are at the urls below... maybe someone more knowledgeable can do the conversions or whatever... http://www.seagullguitars.com/productmahoganyfolk.htm http://www.seagullguitars.com/specs.htm ;-) |
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07 May 01 - 11:55 PM (#457577) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: GUEST,Fred Mine is an OM copy built by Franklin. I can cuddle it and it is great for fingerpicking. The volume doesn't really compete with some of the bigger ones. It does have the Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce. Beautiful instrument (much better than its player!) |
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08 May 01 - 08:10 AM (#457729) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Whistle Stop Fred, I've never played a Franklin OM, but I've heard great things about them. John Renbourne used to play one (and maybe still does?). |
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08 May 01 - 10:09 AM (#457823) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: John Hardly I'm pretty much like the rest. What I find comfortable/useful may not be what I want to hear. Right now I've got it bad for a Slope-D, Mahogany/Spruce, Ebony fretboard/bridge, 12 fretter. (like the SG Norman Blake w/o the $3200 price tag. |
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08 May 01 - 11:09 AM (#457873) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Little Hawk I generally like dreadnoughts and large body guitars...for the sound. Smaller ones are more comfortable, but they don't have as much depth of tone. Jumbos I find just a tad too big. - LH |
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08 May 01 - 11:40 AM (#457892) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: MAG (inactive) I pretty much only play my Webber OO. The elixer light strings give it a very bright sound. I play backup guitar in a contra dance band, and it seems to blend well. The cedar top does scratch easily; I thought the pick guard would prevent scratches but I seem to go at it more than I had realized. I had a bad shoulder injury about 11 years ago and it comes back to haunt me. this small guitar enabled me to get back to playing. And, yes, this size is better for us chubby ladies.
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08 May 01 - 12:29 PM (#457939) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: JedMarum I hafta say I've always been enamored of the J sound, and in fact my main guitar is a Larrivee J10. I love it's deep, rich bottom and overall balance. Some Jumbo are boomy but this model has damn near perfect balance. It sounded so good when I first got it, I hated to put a capo on it! But I must say for sitting in a quiet room, finger picking up and down the neck - my 000 (Sana Cruz) has just about as pretty a sound as I have ever heard. |
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09 May 01 - 01:29 AM (#458485) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Mudlark I love my Martin double ought sixteen little parlor guitar...it has a great sound, soft and romantic for ballads, spunky enough for Fats Waller tunes, gutty enough for blues. I had to sell a lot of cherished stuff to buy this guitar and I've never been sorry....just wish i could play it better....
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09 May 01 - 12:16 PM (#458739) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Songster Bob I have played regularly on an 0-18, a 000-18, and a D-28, and found each size to have certain advantages. My main playing guitar now is a Running Dog Concert Jumbo model (see http://vtguitars.com for a photo of my guitar), which has the rounded bouts and narrow waist of the Gibson J-185 combined with the depth of the Gibson Nick Lucas. I think at times I'd like it better if it were the mini-jumbo, as far as comfort and balance with my voice*, but the mini didn't excite me like the concert jumbo did. I still have a nice 0-18, and mean one of these days to have its neck reset so I can start playing it again. It's a really sweet guitar and has enough volume and tone that it's not a problem in most ensembles. Bob C. * The "balance with voice" thing is that I have trouble projecting my voice when I hunch over the guitar, so I have to remember to sit up straight (or stand), and the guitar position is slightly "off" when I do that. I've been told to play banjo more often, since the posture is better for singing. It's just a case of practicing with it in the right position, of course, but it's what I've grown used to, so it bothers me.
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09 May 01 - 11:34 PM (#459247) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Mudlark I can't bellieve Leon redbone played a Harmony....that was my first guitar and it sounded like a stump....god, surely it couldn't have been ME???? |
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09 May 01 - 11:37 PM (#459250) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Clinton Hammond No one cares to help put me in context? ;-) |
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10 May 01 - 01:35 AM (#459312) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Barbara Well, I have both a Seagull Dreadnaught and a 000 Martin that I use on different occasions, depending on what other instruments and voices I am joining, and I love 'em both, but what I really want is a reverse Epiphone, you know, with a concave back to fit around me... Blessings, Barbara |
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10 May 01 - 02:09 AM (#459319) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: catspaw49 You mean Ovation or Epiphone Barb? Anyway, I've enjoyed the responses here. As everyone noted, application make a big difference, but to answer JP without getting into that, I think the best balance is probably the 0000 (formerly M, and before that 0000). Additionally, I think it can still hold it's own against the D's in group stuff. Personal pick though for great balance and overall sweetness,was the LS (Larrivee Small) series, a kind of slope shouldered OM/000 that an awful lot of people believed was the best balanced guitar around and now available only through their Custom Shop. Spaw |
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10 May 01 - 10:51 AM (#459538) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: John Hardly Well catspaw49, My guitar Larrivee CS-09M, is flattered at your mention. In fact, you can hear mine, keeping up quite nicely in a bluegrass song circle (doing "Red-Haired Boy") right . Just click on "file sharing" and then download "red-haired boy". It is Maple though and isn't as warm as I might like sometimes. It is a classical guitar body, steel-string neck (Jean Larrivee was a classical guitar builder) |
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10 May 01 - 10:55 AM (#459542) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: John Hardly my last link got eaten, try here Larrivee S in action |
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10 May 01 - 11:10 AM (#459550) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Rick Fielding While lying flat out on the couch, contemplating life, or watching Martha Stewart, I prefer my Aria Pro II tiny (1/2 size) classical. Mostly because it hangs on the wall above my head so I don't have to move to get it. It's tuned to open D in honour of Peter T. In a semi-upright position (say, on the potty) my Martin 0-18 works fine. It's a small bathroom and a bigger body (both mine or the guitar's) would knock out a wall. In performance ready mode (ie: dressed) my Rosewood Dreadnought with the tree of life inlay is just the ticket. A strap keeps it in proper playing position and prevents those unfortunate "contact with the floor" incidents. When I stand in front of my full length mirror and fantasize myself as a chain gang-hardened black man with cotton picking abilities and mystical powers, my giant Ibanez 12 string completes the picture. Putting on pants helps as well. When I'm feeling like a vulnerable wimpy bleeding heart liberal, my little 4 string antique Washburn "courting guitar" (their name, not mine) is great. Non-threatening, definitely not loud, and sensitive to a fault. When I'm trying to avoid housework...any of them will do. Rick |
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10 May 01 - 10:18 PM (#460115) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: RocketMan My preference is the big D, preferably a 35 for those great BG bass runs. RMan |
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10 May 01 - 10:30 PM (#460119) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: toadfrog I don't much play guitar any more, but for fingerpicking (as opposed to playing with brass bands) a size O parlour guitar from ca. 1880 is my favorite. |
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11 May 01 - 02:48 PM (#460592) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Barbara Ovation! Thazit! those ones with the rounded fiberglass backs. I look reeeeeely silly trying to play one because even with a strap, it slips all over. I suppose, tho, with enough duct tape I could solve the problem. Blessings, Barbara |
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12 May 01 - 07:32 AM (#460938) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: DonMeixner The neck and finger board is more an issue with me. I have a great 0-16 NY that I can't play and a Guild F-30 that I can. Personally I like the boomy fat sound of the Guild F 47 and F 50. If I had the finger board and neck that I need there I'd play one of them. I really liked playing Kendall's Taylor at Old Songs The narrowness of the finger action on my Guild makes it good for me. I'd play a "D" size or Jumbo box if it had the Guilds neck and action. I have an Ovation that i can play and I use it in a band but thats all I have to say there. Don |
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12 May 01 - 12:26 PM (#461021) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Rick Fielding Hey Don, I know it's sacrelege but I had the neck of my 0-18 shaved down and it's a dream to play now. Rick |
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03 Aug 01 - 10:10 AM (#520378) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: GUEST,4xk2-3del@xemaps.com I had an Ovation in the 70s. "Six-string bathtub" is one appellation, as well as "The Ovulation Guitar." I suppose it was an okay beginner's guitar. I have a custom Hoffman that sounds terrific but its dreadnought depth means it's harder to play than my (new) Big Baby Taylor, which is 15/16 dreadnought size. That little 16th makes a big difference. J |
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03 Aug 01 - 10:16 AM (#520384) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: IanC O dear, it's a serious thread. I thought it was another pornographic one. I'm out! Can't have the mudcat taken over by these music freaks! |
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03 Aug 01 - 10:31 AM (#520392) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: LoopySanchez The size that suits me best is the Grand Auditorium size on Taylor's _14 series guitars. The body width is the same as a dreadnought, but the waist is more narrow, and the body feels like it may a little thinner. My 614CE has a maple back & sides with a spruce top, and has a full sound without being too "booming". Perfect for plugged in performances, and cuts through the sound in unamplified picking circles, too. (That being said, if I can find a 615 Jumbo cutaway, I might consider the step up in size.) |
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03 Aug 01 - 11:36 AM (#520437) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Jande Well, we have an Ovation here that has a lovely sound (I belongs to James, but I dubbed her "Pretty Baby") but that rounded back is more slippery than a greased ferret! :`) I semi-solved the problem by using a 12'x12' sheet of that spongy stuff that has square holes in it, used to keep rugs, etc., from slipping. (I also cut a small piece of it to aid in the opening of things like stuck jar lids) My favourite guitar is a medium -sized classical (nylon string) with a thin neck and a very mellow sound. I have little experience playing acoustic guitar with a group, so I don't know how she would fare that way... Sometimes I wish her body was a wee bit smaller, but she suits me fine. ~ Jande |
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03 Aug 01 - 11:36 AM (#520438) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Jande Well, we have an Ovation here that has a lovely sound (I belongs to James, but I dubbed her "Pretty Baby") but that rounded back is more slippery than a greased ferret! :`) I semi-solved the problem by using a 12'x12' sheet of that spongy stuff that has square holes in it, used to keep rugs, etc., from slipping. (I also cut a small piece of it to aid in the opening of things like stuck jar lids) My favourite guitar is a medium -sized classical (nylon string) with a thin neck and a very mellow sound. I have little experience playing acoustic guitar with a group, so I don't know how she would fare that way... Sometimes I wish her body was a wee bit smaller, but she suits me fine. ~ Jande |
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03 Aug 01 - 11:39 AM (#520441) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Jande Oops... Is there a Joe-clone in the house? Sorry for the double post! ~ Jande |
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03 Aug 01 - 01:17 PM (#520498) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: GUEST,frankie OOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM.... |
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03 Aug 01 - 03:02 PM (#520592) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: GUEST,Mike Strobel Well , I suppose to answer The Question , a "D" is appropriate. The Taylor 410 is a touch slimmer in thickness that my Taylor 810 ( or at least it seems) and much more comfortable to play. |
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03 Aug 01 - 07:21 PM (#520748) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Bluegrass Girl The post that refers to "the task at hand" also suits me. Sitting (practicing, learning new songs, etc.), I use my Martin SP-00016TR. Nice small balanced guitar and easy for a woman to handle. Performing (and outdoor jamming with way too many instruments, etc.) I use either Martin D-42 or Martin HD28-LSV with custom Adirondack spruce top. (A really tough choice between these two dreads. Interesting thread! I enjoyed your differing choices and opinions. |
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04 Aug 01 - 09:46 AM (#520937) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Willie-O I want one of each. Right now I'm mostly using the wee O-18, (the Lowden/Flambeau one has crummy strings on it and is headed for the shop soon so will not get Elixirs put on until its renovated) a swell comfy little box as many have noted, particularly the erudite Mr Rick. (Rick, if you played this guitar on the potty when you owned it, I don't want to hear about it...one of those mental images, y'know.) So I have a big dreadnaught and a little single-O...guess what, I want a triple- OOO. And a cutaway, and and and... |
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04 Aug 01 - 10:23 AM (#520947) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: Finny I'm not sure what size my guitar's body is, but I really like how my breast rests in the curvy bit...need sleep, need sleep bad... Finny |
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05 Aug 01 - 04:35 AM (#521270) Subject: RE: Guitar Body Sizes - Your Preference? From: murray@mpce.mq.edu.au Congratulations Sandy. I am sure you will like the 15-S. It has become my main steel-string guitar and I can't remember when I have played any other recently. I also found that I was having right-arm trouble with necks that join at the 14th fret which goes away with 12 fret ones. I was in Phila in Feb and had three weeks to find my Martin. I rang all over and one day "Acoustic Roots" in Jenkintown responded that they just got three. I ran over with a friend who can play and tried it out for some time, listening to my friend playing as I walked around the room, etc. "To hell with un-cooperative airline personnel and the like! I want it!" So I bought it and took it all the way to Sydney with absolutely no hassle about bringing it in the cabin. (Kudos to Japan Air Lines all the way.) It must have just come out of the Martin factory. I can still smell the mahagony (and glue, etc.) Mudlark: Mance Lipscomb played a Harmony. I have always wondered how you put the strings on them. They seem to have no bridge-pin arrangement. Murray |