Dreadnoughts - big aren't they?

Fuengi · January 2017

I've recently acquired my first dreadnought acoustic, a Sigma DR28 which I picked up 2nd handfor a very reasonable price.

It's really nicely made, and sounds great but having got used to playing an Ovation shallow bowl and a couple of electrics it's like playing a piece of furniture!

I'm over 6ft so it's not like I'm too small for it. Do you get used to the size or do certain guitars just 'fit' you better?

Lewy · January 2017

My experience is that I got used to it - to the point where now playing a smaller guitar like an OM feels weird and needs some adjustment.

BigLicks67 · January 2017

I think it depends on the chair you are sitting on, for example if the chair is low to the floor then a dread can feel quite cramped but on a more upright and higher chair I find a dread to be super comfy.

RandallFlagg · January 2017

Clues in the name. The Dreadnought was the largest battleship at the time, but you're right, they are no Strat

Lewy · January 2017

Have posted this elsewhere but feel it's relevant here too

CHRISB50 · January 2017

When I first sat with an O size Lowden, I thought, fucking hell! I can't play this. But you get used to the size pretty quick.

Like Lewy says, once you do get used to it. Anything smaller feels strange.

ICBM · January 2017

You get used to it. I'm only 5'6" and I don't find them a problem. A J-200 is even bigger and I can still play those too...

Lebarque · January 2017

Similar to different neck profiles, scale lengths, body shapes etc., just keep playing it and you'll get used to it and not notice it anymore.

guitarfishbay · January 2017

You get used to it but being taller with longer arms does help. I play a jumbo

stimpsonslostson · January 2017

Yup. I totally agree.
If you need the sound a good dread produces, there's nothing like em- but they're never my first choice as a guitar to have handy for playing on the sofa etc.
For that I have a parlour sized acoustic- it's SO comfortable.

Moe_Zambeek · January 2017

I have a Lowden O - bigger than most Dreads across the lower bout. Needs to be played on a hard seat, definitely not sofa-compatible!

guitarfishbay · January 2017

My acoustic, despite being a jumbo, is a featherweight, I often practice stood up with it on a strap. The strap really needs a suede underside to help hold it in place as it is so light. This stops me hunching so much

AliGorie · January 2017

Fuengi, how u holding it ?.

I was 6ft till gravity got the better of me, I notice the lad in the vid above is playing with his right thigh raised (foot stool ?).
I do this by crossing my right leg over left and the waist of the guitar sits on that. I also lean into the guitar and rest my right upper arm on the lower bout so my picking hand 'ark' falls across the soundhole - I can, from this position move my r/h back 'n forward for tonal and picking variation / stroke execution.
like this on a JOM (a slightly larger and 'Dread' depth OM)
I've developed this (bad posture) over the years and find the opposite to you, in that smaller guitars - even a standard OM throws out my r/h picking position cause my upper right arm has nothing to rest on. My r / arm gets fatigued within minuets trying to hold it up to maintain my r/h picking where I'm used to it being - I NEED big guitars.

thomasross20 · January 2017

Too big for me - I'd never buy one.

earwighoney · January 2017

FWIW, I believe lower bout width is one of the most important aspects when it comes to picking an acoustic guitar. Sound is secondary, but comfort is first. Different requirements for different people, it's about finding what suits your needs the most.

I'm of the mindset when it comes to different body shapes for acoustics (and electrics as well) it can take time to grow accustomed the specific ergonomics of the instrument.

AliGorie · January 2017

earwighoney said:

Different requirements for different people, it's about finding what suits your needs the most.

yeah, what I was trying to say - in a roundabout way.
As you say, finding the right shape / size si equally as important as the right 'feel' / playability - in your hands and sound pallet / response.
All these aspects go into finding the right instrument - as I say - that disappears in your hands - it doesn't 'impede' you - and your left concentrating on playing the music.
The Lowden 'O' model is the other one that 'fits' me well.

thomasross20 · January 2017

Today I tried a whole bunch of mini and 3/4 size acoustics thinking I missed my little Martin but my fingers get squashed trying to play them. Reminisce over!

bluechargeboy · January 2017

I own two dreadnoughts and my posture when playing them (standing up) is terrible! I can't get around to play the strings properly so I end up hinging forward to release my right arm. BUT dreadnoughts make the sound I want, so that's that!

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Dreadnoughts - big aren't they?

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Fuengi, how u holding it ?.