Best Parlor guitar for Robert Johnson style blues?

joebonamassa15 · June 2019

Hi guys, as the title says I’m after a parlor guitar to get me close to the early delta blues sound, Robert Johnson being the greatest example. I’m not looking to spend a fortune as it won’t be used too heavily. Thanks in advance

brucegill · June 2019

Not sure of your budget, but this would do it http://www.glennsguitars.com/guitars/others/photos-173/page206.html

joebonamassa15 · June 2019

brucegill said:

Not sure of your budget, but this would do it http://www.glennsguitars.com/guitars/others/photos-173/page206.html

Cheers for the reply. I’m actually after the more smaller body style parlor

brucegill · June 2019

The eastmans seem to get good reviews (not tried one personally)....

zepp76 · June 2019

This'll do it in spades: https://www.guitar.co.uk/art-lutherie-roadhouse-bourbon-burst-parlour-guitar

joebonamassa15 · June 2019

zepp76 said:

This'll do it in spades: https://www.guitar.co.uk/art-lutherie-roadhouse-bourbon-burst-parlour-guitar

That’s really nice

joebonamassa15 · June 2019

Not looking to spend much more than £350 though

billzabozo · June 2019

https://guitar-auctions.co.uk/portfolio-post/lot-42-1997-epiphone-blues-master-acoustic-guitar/

These are surprisingly good if you can get one for the right money.

thermionic · June 2019

The Loar LH-200, or LH-250 (solid back and sides version) is worth investigating. They're not widely available in Europe though (I got mine from Thomann). Superb build quality and finishing, and made of really nicely-grained woods. Stunning for £200.

bbill335 · June 2019

I waited for ages for the smaller body recording kings to show up over here. I wanted a black one and there seemed to be mainly bursts around. Anyway i never did try one before i bought something better and more expensive!

JDE · June 2019

Recording King RPA9M - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F172808104914

I would either save up a bit mo’ or look for a used one of these, though: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F192373800611

Andy79 · June 2019

Interesting you think the one at Glenn’s is too big. It’s a L1 copy, Johnson probably played one. It’s only 13 1/2 inches across so not large by any stretch. Not cheap but it’s got a red spruce top and who knows, could be killer
Take it from a stranger who spends a lot of time in and around these very guitars, unless you shell out 1500 for a Kalamazoo or a Stella there’s only a few modern shop guitars that will get close. The Loar, as mentioned. one of my favourites is the Gretsch G9521 000 it’s got some great tone and the binding is gorgeous. The thing looks right out of the ‘30s
Recording King Nick Lucas copies are also great if you can find one. The amount of guitar you get for less than 400 is incredible
More importantly remember if you wanna get close to the sound heed the words of Stefan Grossman. Play the guitar, don’t let it play you

Kilgore · June 2019

Alvarez:

Delta 00 (14 fret)
Blues 51 (12 fret)

Worth a look.

thermionic · June 2019

I understand that Recording King and The Loar are brands owned by the same company. Recording King go for the pre-war Martin aesthetic, whereas The Loar are clearly inspired by the Gibsons of the same era.

stimpsonslostson · June 2019

Gretsch Jim Dandy. Seriously.
For under £200 new they're BRILLIANT fun & nail that kind of boxy tone.

paulnb57 · June 2019

+1 for the Grestch Jim Dandy

Funkfingers · June 2019

stimpsonslostson said:

nail that kind of boxy tone.

Some of that tone is down to the the portable recording equipment and the room in which it was used.

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Best Parlor guitar for Robert Johnson style blues?

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