Leisurely quest for a deep OM/000/00

Amigo · September 2023

So was thinking that I would want—not need—a new acoustic, which would need to have the following features at the same time:
- OM/000—maybe 00—size, less than GA anyway
- 1"11/16—<1"73 (43-<44cm) nut width
- Short scale
- Thick neck, but not V-shaped
- Satin neck, maybe body too
- Deep lower bout

Any ideas in what direction I should be looking?

bermudianbrit · September 2023

My Martin grand performance currently for sale?

Amigo · September 2023

Not a match, I am afraid.

DavidR · September 2023

Yamaha FS5? - 44mm nut width a tad bigger

Amigo · September 2023

DavidR said:

Yamaha FS5? - 44mm nut width a tad bigger

Good shout. Coincidentally I entered a music shop today and the FS3/5 was what I was most drawn to. Not entirely convinced by the neck, for some reason, though.

Tannin · September 2023

^ Interesting to learn that about Yamahas. Not many OO/OOO/OM guitars have deep bodies.

Shallow bodies are the convention in most parts of the world. The exception is Australia, where dreadnought depth in OO and OOO sized bodies is the norm. Maton's see-them-everywhere 808 size is the same as a Martin OO except for its dreadnought-equivalent depth; their "Traditional" or Trad size is the same as an OM or 000 but again as deep as a dreadnought; and Cole Clark's small body, the Angel, once again is that same depth. (CC call it a "grand auditorium" but it isn't - it's actually no bigger than an 808.)

All have a 44mm nut and a medium C neck. A satin nitro finish is standard for almost all models. They are pretty reasonably priced considering the quality - less so in the UK, but everything is expensive in the UK.

.

DavidR · September 2023

?? Worth working through Yamaha entire current FS 800 series to see if any of them tickle your fancy. 820 Spruce/Mahogany, 830 Spruce/Rosewood, 840 Spruce/Maple, 850 all-Mahogany, Don't dismiss them on the grounds of low cost. Yes, they're essentially student level guitars but they are well made, very pretty and have excellent tone. Here's the 830

Yamaha FS830 Acoustic Guitar, Natural at Gear4music

Soupman · September 2023

You seem to have a good idea of the spec you want, you could go down the luthier build route if funds permit.

Winny_Pooh · September 2023

I have a deep body 00 FS. But it's collect only in London. It does sound great. Slight V neck though.
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/3682702

Amigo · September 2023

Tannin said:

^ Interesting to learn that about Yamahas. Not many OO/OOO/OM guitars have deep bodies.

Shallow bodies are the convention in most parts of the world. The exception is Australia, where dreadnought depth in OO and OOO sized bodies is the norm. Maton's see-them-everywhere 808 size is the same as a Martin OO except for its dreadnought-equivalent depth; their "Traditional" or Trad size is the same as an OM or 000 but again as deep as a dreadnought; and Cole Clark's small body, the Angel, once again is that same depth. (CC call it a "grand auditorium" but it isn't - it's actually no bigger than an 808.)

All have a 44mm nut and a medium C neck. A satin nitro finish is standard for almost all models. They are pretty reasonably priced considering the quality - less so in the UK, but everything is expensive in the UK.

I did see them in the shop, and they did seem deeper than the rest, but the price point was not attractive...

DavidR said:

?? Worth working through Yamaha entire current FS 800 series to see if any of them tickle your fancy. 820 Spruce/Mahogany, 830 Spruce/Rosewood, 840 Spruce/Maple, 850 all-Mahogany, Don't dismiss them on the grounds of low cost. Yes, they're essentially student level guitars but they are well made, very pretty and have excellent tone. Here's the 830

Yamaha FS830 Acoustic Guitar, Natural at Gear4music

I did have an FS830 a few years back, but I got rid of it, there was something about the neck, something I felt with the FS3/5 too, maybe the V-shape? I couldn't tell. Which is a pity, as it seems that my head likes the specs, but my hands don't like the feel of the guitar.

Soupman said:

You seem to have a good idea of the spec you want, you could go down the luthier build route if funds permit.

Wouldn't that be just lovely?

I still prefer being married.

Winny_Pooh said:

I have a deep body 00 FS. But it's collect only in London. It does sound great. Slight V neck though.
https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/3682702

Ain't she a beauty? Not the guitar for me, I am afraid, but GLWTS

ICBM · September 2023

Gibson CJ-165? Gloss finish, although not overly so, but otherwise might be a good fit.

Amigo · September 2023

ICBM said:

Gibson CJ-165? Gloss finish, although not overly so, but otherwise might be a good fit.

Never came across it, that's a peculiar, yet interesting guitar! Rarer than hen's teeth though

Amigo · September 2023

Updated requirements to add short scale.

Tannin · September 2023

I think you've pretty much painted yourself into a corner now by adding short scale to an already unusual mix. That's going to be very, very tough to find. A custom build is looking more and more on the cards. (And I don't see why it shouldn't be a beauty!)

ICBM · September 2023

Tannin said:

I think you've pretty much painted yourself into a corner now by adding short scale to an already unusual mix. That's going to be very, very tough to find.

The Gibson CJ still fits, other than the gloss finish. I often wish I hadn't sold mine...

Amigo · September 2023

Some people online say that the CJ-165 did not sound good (the customary pinch of salt), and it wasn't clear if they were referring to the rosewood or maple version. How did you find yours?

ICBM · September 2023

Amigo said:

Some people online say that the CJ-165 did not sound good (the customary pinch of salt), and it wasn't clear if they were referring to the rosewood or maple version. How did you find yours?

Mine was the maple version with the long pickguard - they don’t all have it - it sounded great, and totally different from my Dove, which is the same combination of woods (proof that it isn’t the most important factor). It was very punchy in the low mids and with less sustain than the Dove, not a ‘modern’ sounding guitar - great for fast country/blues-style picking.

I only sold it because I felt I had too many guitars and the friend I bought it from wanted it back... annoyingly, he then sold it again without giving me a second chance! I would have taken it.

DavidR · September 2023

Short scale thing. The Martin X series worth an explore at OO or OOO size? 24.9 still too long for you? Discontinued new I think but still a lot floating about.

Martin 000-X2E Auditorium Electro Acoustic | 000X1AE | GAK
Martin 000 X1AE Left handed (used) (rguitars.co.uk)
Pre-Owned Martin 00X1 Acoustic Guitar, Natural | PMT Online

X series at lower end of Martin price points. Most distinctive feature is the stratabond necks which are unusual but rock solid.

Rex and the Bass Little Martin LX1E Acoustic Electric Parlour Guitar Review

Rex and the Bass Little Martin LX1E Acoustic Electric Parlour Guitar Review

Or the 'Little Martin'

Martin LX1 Little Martin Guitar inc. Gig Bag at Gear4music

MikeP · September 2023

What's your budget? Might find something gibson nick Lucas flavored.

Amigo · September 2023

@Tannin I suppose you're right, but then again I am not in a hurry, so I can take my time.

@DavidR I saw and tried a couple of 00/000 Martins last week, but they were all standard depth for a 000, they sounded quite thin, for lack of a better word.

@MikeP Not heard of them before, but after checking online they are clearly out of my league.

Amigo · September 2023

Updated the nut ,width, but preferably to about 1.73" (44mm), but less than 1"3/4 (44.5).

ICBM · September 2023

Amigo said:

Updated the nut ,width, but preferably to about 1.73" (44mm), but less than 1"3/4 (44.5).

Still a Gibson...

Amigo · September 2023

ICBM said:

Amigo said:

Updated the nut ,width, but preferably to about 1.73" (44mm), but less than 1"3/4 (44.5).

Still a Gibson...

Yeap, I added that when I realised that Gibsons can have 1.72-1.72" on some, including the CJ-165 you suggested. Don't know about the thickness of the neck on it, though, what do you remember?

ICBM · September 2023

Amigo said:

Don't know about the thickness of the neck on it, though, what do you remember?

A typical medium-C - not unusually deep or shallow, and smoothly rounded. A lot of people seem to want overly fat or v-shaped necks and would probably say it was 'bland', but I generally prefer a neck you don't notice the size or shape of.

I'm kicking myself even more for selling it back to him now

. Although that said, I later bought an all-mahogany Patrick Eggle parlour from him which is none of those things - it has a wider slightly v-shaped neck - and which he's not getting back

.

Amigo · September 2023

V-shaped necks is something that may be bothering me with the Yamaha acoustics, there's something just not right about those necks for me, I can't describe it.

DavidR · September 2023

Amigo said:

V-shaped necks is something that may be bothering me with the Yamaha acoustics, there's something just not right about those necks for me, I can't describe it.

Everybody's hands are different! No need to defend that. Comfort is important in the assessment of playability. Hope you're making progress in your search. Sounds like fun!

guitarjack66 · September 2023

Amigo said:

V-shaped necks is something that may be bothering me with the Yamaha acoustics, there's something just not right about those necks for me, I can't describe it.

I've never picked up a full sized Yamaha acoustic. I had an APX 200,which was a travel sized instrument but it felt too small all around for me. I'd like to try their FS or FG styles just as a comparison given their excellent value for money reputation.

Amigo · September 2023

@DavidR thanks, still looking but life gets in the way...

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Leisurely quest for a deep OM/000/00

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