Thin body acoustic

S56035 · September 2023

Thinking about treating myself to an acoustic guitar as I've not had one in a while.

Ideally I want something with a slim and small body but don't like the idea of the Fender Acoustasonic range. Any other ideas one what I can't look at? I'm not sure a Parlour is what I'm after but happy to be persuaded.

Price range about 500ish.

ICBM · September 2023

Yamaha APX.

BluesLover · September 2023

I think you are right to avoid the acoustasonic models. I was listening to a duo the other day, female singer+ guitar player. He was using an acoustasonic unplugged. It was dreadful.

Tannin · September 2023

Many (most?) major manufacturers have a slimline model alongside their normal acoustics. You do lose volume and tone with a thin body acoustic, but they can still perform reasonably. For the most part they are designed for stage use and the better ones come with high-quality 2-way and 3-way pickup systems which give you something pretty close to a real acoustic sound simply by plugging in to the PA.

However you will need to spend more like £1500 to £2000 for that sort of thing. I can't really see the point when for the same money you can have a full-depth guitar with its richer tone and still get just as good a live sound.

CavemanGrogg · September 2023

Tannin said:

Many (most?) major manufacturers have a slimline model alongside their normal acoustics. You do lose volume and tone with a thin body acoustic, but they can still perform reasonably. For the most part they are designed for stage use and the better ones come with high-quality 2-way and 3-way pickup systems which give you something pretty close to a real acoustic sound simply by plugging in to the PA.

However you will need to spend more like £1500 to £2000 for that sort of thing. I can't really see the point when for the same money you can have a full-depth guitar with its richer tone and still get just as good a live sound.

Due to feedback, full thickness acoustics are a nightmare to gig with, especially when you're switching between electric and acoustic guitars in the same set or gig - not so bad but still quite bad if you're doing nothing but acoustic guitar for an entire set or gig, the slimline acoustics are a compromise,neither a good acoustic or a good electric, but half decent at doing both.

For home use, where you don't have to worry yet alone think about feedback, I personally don't see a point in slimline acoustics, as for the same money, no matter the price bracket, you will always get a far far superior sounding full thickness acoustic.

Tannin · September 2023

^ Not ones which are designed for it, Caveman. Here in Oz, practically everyone uses Cole Clark or Maton guitars for amplified live work. Both companies make thin-line models, but most people use the full size ones. Amplified live work is what they were made for, the Cole Clarks in particular. Overseas I understand that Takamine is (or perhaps used to be) very popular for the same reasons. Doubtless there are others.

guitarjack66 · September 2023

I think thinner bodied acoustics are better for comfort and are more like a traditional Strat or Tele in terms of less bulk to them. Maybe for a sitting player too?

Jetfire · September 2023

ICBM said:

Yamaha APX.

I thought my apx500 was brilliant for what I paid for it. The okay ability was awesome. Id love to try some more of the range thou

lapua65 · September 2023

ICBM said:

Yamaha APX.

Jetfire said:

ICBM said:

Yamaha APX.

I thought my apx500 was brilliant for what I paid for it. The okay ability was awesome. Id love to try some more of the range thou

I have to agree, I bought one just for comfort and surprised how good it is. Super for the dosh and as slim as a slim thing.

HAL9000 · September 2023

Godin A6?

susbemol · September 2023

One of these Takamine Thinline models might take your fancy: https://www.takamine.com/thinline

TTony · September 2023

HAL9000 said:

Godin A6?

That's what I was going to suggest (having recently bought one), but I'm not sure it'd come in under budget.

A slim and small body for an acoustic will generally compromise the natural sound (there aren't many for a good reason!).

A small not thin body - GS mini.
A thin body - the Godin adds piezo/mag pickups giving you a bit more control to shape the sound.

Nikc · September 2023

lapua65 said:

ICBM said:

Yamaha APX.

Jetfire said:

ICBM said:

Yamaha APX.

I thought my apx500 was brilliant for what I paid for it. The okay ability was awesome. Id love to try some more of the range thou

I have to agree, I bought one just for comfort and surprised how good it is. Super for the dosh and as slim as a slim thing.

Just straight up great guitars fell nice play great sound really good amped up _ I usually use my loud box mini with mine just works without any fuss. I sold my other acoustic which cost way more and have given it a moments thought since.

ScreamingDave · September 2023

Try an Ibanez Talman, the one with the mag pickup. I’ve got two and I love them. You’ll get plenty of change from £500

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