Another Small Body Acoustic Discussion....

dindude · September 2013

Starting a new job in a couple of months that will see me spend a few more nights away from home in a hotel.

I've pursuaded Wifey that if she doesn't buy me a travel acoustic for my imminent birthday then I will either become a barfly and develop an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, or I will occupy my time with high class prostitutes which, aside from the obvious moral implications, will mean that I will no longer be able to afford the mortgage.

She's agreed.

So which way to go, small parlour type (there are loads out there in the £200 - £300 range), or go 3/4 like a Baby Taylor or Sigma TM15 (think I preferred the Sigma to the Baby when I tried it).

I know the 3/4's will be more of a compromise but they usually come with bags and are quite a bit more compact, and it's only for a quick noodle here and there.

Around the £200 - £250 mark is what I can get away with hopefully.

Particularly interested in those that use a smaller acoustic for actual travel, rather than home use only.

Cheers

bertie · September 2013

quite a small neck, but these really chime

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mariner-Cutter-Parlour-Guitar-Natural/dp/B007UZJSJW

dindude · September 2013

^^ oooh, I say, haven't come across these before, looks good.

bertie · September 2013

played one up at Intersound about this time last year.........was very impressed - it was a nadger over £300 back then. It is, as I say quite a narrow neck.........but sounds great

dindude · September 2013

I take it by narrow neck you mean the profile rather than the nut width, the spec says the nut is 46mm, which is pretty big is it not?

crunchman · September 2013

The small Breedlove Passport may be at the top end of you budget but they are very good. Short scale, they come tuned to A, although I've tuned mine to Ab.

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/acoustic_guitars_detail.asp?stock=13070111064158&gclid=CJGX36rA57kCFZQZtAodPS8Axw

bertie · September 2013

dindude said:

I take it by narrow neck you mean the profile rather than the nut width, the spec says the nut is 46mm, which is pretty big is it not?

does it ? crikey didnt feel like a 46 ...........worth trying one out tho

streethawk · September 2013

I'd probably go the used baby route with gig bag, something that can sell on for similar money if circumstances change or you realise you want to go a different route.

Jalapeno · September 2013

A +1 for the Breedlove - I got an OM/MME off ebay last year - it's great !

bertie · September 2013

TBH - the taylor big baby I tried was a fun guitar to play, and I do believe a certain Mr Buckingham's 'grab guitar' of choice - still one of their best IMHO (if you can avoid the bad side of the hit & miss QC of the early models)

dindude · September 2013

Cheers fellas, some good suggestions here.

Rich · September 2013

New Paul Brett Vintage Viator: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yUI6-aFoBs

I played the prototype. Has a v-shaped neck which may not be for everyone but is lovely, and loud!

Edit: darn, don't know how to paste that video into the post.

IanSavage · September 2013

My Vintage V880's been chucked in and out of vans more times than I care to count (used it to warm up vocals pre-show with my last band) and I love the thing, great bit of kit.

dindude · September 2013

That Viator looks fab, again didn't know of its existance, top stuff.

Rich · September 2013

Yeah. it's awesome, and was really fun to mess around on. Think Paul said it's not actually in shops until November, but definitely worth a look when it's out. Apparently it's going to cost about £230, which is pretty damn good.

wrinkleygit · October 2013

Hello, I have a Taylor gs mini maple ltd edition, that is not being used, I went thro a similar process just over a year ago & the taylor stood out head & shoulders above the competition, not the smallest of the bunch but the tone & volume was stunning, sadly a change of plans has seen it virtually unused, so if your near the west country (I'm close to m5 junc 28) you are welcome to try it out, it's in as new cond could be yours complete with all tags & gig bag for £325, mike b.

dindude · October 2013

^thanks, love GS Mini's but too big for travel, plus I'm sorted for now, cheers.

bertie · October 2013

wrinkleygit said:

(I'm close to m5 junc 28)

cullomptonian eh ?

Kebabkid · October 2013

Hi D

GS Minis are good-sounding and good players and the pickup sound is really good and it's so much more than just a travel guitar, but they are more expensive.

The Big Baby Taylors are also good (it's what I own and it's good enough to gig with - I have a Rare Earth pickup in it for live use) It also comes with a good quality padded bag. Although I haven't tried this, some people have mentioned removing it's bolt on neck if flying/going abroad, but not sure if you'll get any issues if you keep doing that. The body is thin so you do need to be careful with it but the sound is big and typically Taylor-ish.

I believe you have an iPad and guitar apps. How about an electric like the Brian May minis?

Edit: sorry D, didn't read all the thread and now see you're sorted. On a different note/post, don't sell the LSunshine!

toescantalk · December 2014

Just to add some some feedback from playing a load of three-quarter sized guitars (as read this old thread before going to the guitar shop).

Yamahas felt like toy guitars in comparision to others (good price though!).

Sigmas were nice (the spruce top and mahagony tops) but didn't quite have the tone or feel of the Taylor / Martins to me. Action not as nice either but would have been very happy with the mahogany one if I hadn't played the others.

Taylor Baby Mahogany had a lovely neck, more like an electric than acoustic neck, and sounded really good. I really liked this and the Sigma Mahogany sounds - nice and mellow which seems to suit a little guitar for mucking around with.

The Martin LX1 shouted tone and had a really good feel from playing it. Really surprising for the size. But for me the neck wasn't as playable as the Taylor Baby (I like thin necks) and it was a lot more cash due to the Taylor Baby being second-hand. I was very close to stretching to it though.

The Martin LXKM was really nice but I preferred the sounds of the Taylor Baby and LX1.

So I ended up with the second hand Taylor Baby which I'm chuffed with. Merry Christmas to me!! As being easy and fun to play is probably more important than that little tone edge the Martin may of had (which could have been due to the Taylor needing a change of strings anyway).

I was really surprised there was such a range in the shop. There was even one other brand I can't even remember which was about par with the Sigmas.

Hope this helps someone doing a similar forum and guitar search in the future!

Phil_aka_Pip · December 2014

Gretsch Jim Dandy? Good VFM

SRich · December 2014

dindude said:

...and it's only for a quick noodle here and there....

There must be a Chibson with your name on it if that's all you need.

) My name's Steve and I'm here all week.....

ToneControl · December 2014

Just as an alternative, given that people in the next room may moan about acoustics, what about getting a Steinberger, or a cheap lap steel, and some amp sim -hardware or on laptop, iphone, ipad, etc?

Gru · December 2014

Cort have an earth mini, one on ebay for £140 i think at the moment.

There is a review on YouTube by guitar spa and it really sings.

I have a Martin LXM and it is very good and pretty bullet proof/child proof, sturdy body, stratobond neck with richlite fretboard. No issues with drying rosewood or worrying about it being in a cold car or warm room, the neck doesn't seem to move.

Mine travels to my in laws and has been to wales and back. Easy to fit in the car and you could probably play it from the front seat of the car. I wouldn't advise trying this why driving though.

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