Small-bodied acoustics? Tell me about 'em!

[rog951]

After seeing Steve Howe play his 00-18 for so long, I'm starting to consider picking up a smaller acoustic. My budget is going to be between $1K-$1.5K and I almost always buy used. Probably looking at a semi-recent 00 or 000 series Martin, or maybe some kind of Gibson L/LG-x? Anyway, just wondering what anyone's opinions of these might be, or if I'm missing an obvious choice in my price range. Tell me all about it! Thanks.

[mc5nrg]

I sent you a pm regarding a leading candidate.

Pesonally I prefer smaller body acoustics.

[Kelsey]

I really like the Martin 00 deep body models -- small size with near-Dreadnought depth seems to yield a very balanced and useful tone. Gibson L-00 models are cool, too. I'm sure that many boutique builders offer similar models.

[Jon C]

a good Taylor 812C and a Lowden S12 are both small bodied cannons of different flavors...

[GuitarsFromMars]

check around for an all mahoghany Martin 0-15,price is where you're talking...

[guitarfish]

I've had a few Martin dreadnoughts, and they are just too big if you're used to a comparatively tiny Strat or something like that. I ended up getting a Martin 000C-16RGTE, which is a smaller body, very similar in size to the OM's. Tonewise, obviously it's not as powerful as a big dread, but it's very close, because of the solid woods all around.

The mahogany 15 series are nice too, but they are no frills - no binding, very plain.

Oh, the 000-28's are very nice and boomy.

[rog951]

Thanks everyone! I guess I should say that I am hoping for "spruce top/rosewood back & sides" construction if I do decide to go Martin. And I have no issues with a less ornate model. I already own a D42-K2 that my wife got me as a wedding present (I love you honey!!!) but it's SO ornate and beautiful, and was such a special gift, that I find I'm a little tentative with it and don't play it as often as I probably would like to. I definitely don't need another situation like that! I also kinda feel like the D42 is missing a little "Martin-ness" since it's all Koa. This is really just me over-thinking as the guitar sounds unbelieveable. Still, my next Martin will likely be the more traditional construction.

That Taylor 812C looks compelling and I could probably find one in my $$$ range. Also want to play a few Gibsons to see how they feel/sound. Somehow I've managed to avoid playing a single small-body Gibson acoustic my whole life!

[mdog114]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/mdog114/Larrivee00-60floor1.jpg

I'm a fan!

I got this last years and I haven't put it down since.

[Sniper-V]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/mdog114/Larrivee00-60floor1.jpg

I'm a fan!

I got this last years and I haven't put it down since.

Sweet!!!

[Sniper-V]

Bad pics of my OM-28V...

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/Sniper-V/DSC05050.jpg


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/Sniper-V/DSC05051.jpg

[84superchamp]

the Martin DR & DM models are small bodies and not nearly as expensive as the OO or OOO models. the only problem i have with my DR is the setup really changes with the seasons, inspite of a climate-controlled studio. beautiful full-bodied sound though. and i think they're still under a grand.

[esoteric pete]

i have a taylor GC3, which is a pretty great little guitar in the 1k range.

sapele and spruce, and quuite a large voice for such a small guitar. projects really well. perfect for what i need, and suprised me quite a bit with its volume and low end.

[stephenT]

love small guitars, the Merrill OM-18k is the largest in the picture, behind it a Washburn Parlor (12 fret), to the right of the OM, a 12 fret John How Ladder Braced Concert "0" sized and a Go Parlor Type II.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f335/talkovich/acoustics.jpg

[gkoelling]

I haven't owned an acoustic in quite a while but have always preferred the smaller bodies.

A friend is a Larrivee (sp?) dealer and I've played a couple of those that sounded very nice.


Good luck in your search.

[guitarfish]

the Martin DR & DM models are small bodies and not nearly as expensive as the OO or OOO models. the only problem i have with my DR is the setup really changes with the seasons, inspite of a climate-controlled studio. beautiful full-bodied sound though. and i think they're still under a grand.
The Martin DM & DR's are dreadnoughts. "Dreadnought Mahogany" and "Dreadnought Rosewood".

[go7]

Save up and look for a used Martin OM-28V.Love the smaller body and this model will do finger style to bluegrass. It is affectionately called the "swiss army knife of acoustics" and "the lap piano" at the UMGF. Had a 000-28 for years recently got an OM-28V. For a little more coin you get a much better guitar IMO. Also the OM-28V is bling free.Good Luck.

[sumlin]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/60/216037609_6ef85062bb.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/80/216035352_1f79ee0b1b.jpg

This is my Martin 00015A (Auditorium). It's from the cheaper mahogany series and it cost me about $550 in 2001 or so back when that equated to around £350. Got it online from Louisville Guitar Emporium.
Had the bridge set-up slightly to lower the action a little but it's still best described as 'medium' and it sounds amazing.
My acoustic playing friends all really love this guitar and it's been loaned out for recording countless times.
There's something about the shorter neck and the fatter, smaller body that really makes these things project well and they give a really good balanced spread of sound across the 6 strings, even through the onboard basic Fishman Rare Earth I put in it.
I can honestly say I have never even considered another acoustic guitar since buying this.

Shitty video of me playing in a kitchen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYvtsOlDTJc&feature=related

Ignore the ham-fisted playing and listen to how even and balanced the sound is, even through someone's digital camera in a stairwell.

And here it is through the pickup and a Twin Reverb:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo8ym99WwzU&feature=related

In short: buy one.

[jackaroo]

My favorite is a L-00, but I have a few different ones...one is for sale actually.
'35 Gibson L-00
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/jack_devine/35%20L-00/IMG_1682.jpg

'65 Gibson LG-1
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/jack_devine/65%20Gibson%20LG-1/IMG_1889.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/jack_devine/65%20Gibson%20LG-1/IMG_1899.jpg

'86 Yari
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/jack_devine/Stompboxes%20and%20misc/84/IMG_2074.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v234/jack_devine/Stompboxes%20and%20misc/84/IMG_2089.jpg

[daddyo]

I love my Larrivee L03R. It's got a body roughly the same size as an OM but the waist is slightly wider. Very comfortable to play seated and well balanced standing up.

[geddins81]

I have a Larrivee om-03r and it's a great guitar....

[mad dog]

You never know 'til you try all these different things which will work for you. I owned several dreadnought Martins years ago. Actually sold a very nice D-18 to get a D-28, assuming Rosewood was superior. In fact, the big box guitars never sounded right for what I was playing. Years later ended up with other body type Martins, liked the sound much better. My favorite is a '43 0-18. So much volume and tone from this light, small instrument. It has this sweet, clear thing I rarely hear in larger guitars. YMMV.

[Peppy]

Try the acoustic forum...should get some insightful replies there too.

[rog951]

Try the acoustic forum...should get some insightful replies there too.

Holy crap! I don't think I ever realized there was an acoustic forum here! :jo

Mods, please feel free to move this if you deem it necessary.

[Jon C]

That Taylor 812C looks compelling and I could probably find one in my $$$ range.


yeah, a used one (I think only new 812Cs are custom orders) should be in your range ... play a few if you can, if you find a lucky one like this one (rosewood w/ nice bearclaw Adirondack Spruce top) which doesn't compress no matter how hard you play it, it's a world beater, not just a finger picking guitar --- stunningly good playing and sounding (with Fishman matrix natural I on this one)

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c388/fendertweed/Taylor/tay812cf.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c388/fendertweed/Taylor/tay812cb.jpg

cheers,
Jon

[TDJMB]

Thompson T2. Superior on all fronts. Don't know about the price range, though.

[Blue4Now]

You owe it to yourself to check out the Larrivee parlor guitars. Amazing instumetns and reasonbly priced. I have an older Larrivee mahagony parlor which I cherish and play almost every day.

[84superchamp]

The Martin DM & DR's are dreadnoughts. "Dreadnought Mahogany" and "Dreadnought Rosewood".

yep, smallest dreadnaughts i've ever seen. and the DR is super lightweight, easily held by the neck with thumb & forefinger.

[Cowboy]

I have a pair of Taylors - a 912c and a 612c. They are both terrific guitars; the 912 is the best sounding acoustic guitar I have ever heard. I have a couple of friends who have spent upwards of $20,000 on other brands, trying to match the sound - without success. :bow

No brag, just fact. :cool:

Cheers,
Cowboy

[KennyM]

Here's my 58' Martin 00-18. This is the best recording acoustic I've ever had my hands on. The 00's get overlooked I think because they aren't big cannons like a D-28 or the like. When recording with bigger dreadnoughts you end up eq'ing out all those boomy muddy frequencies and adding top. What you end up is pretty much what a 00' sounds like with no processing and it sits perfect in the track. A friend of mine has a 36' Gibson 00' and that guitar sounds amazing for recording too.

I swear by old wood for acoustics. I've played new Taylors and the like and they sound really great, but when you pick up an old acoustic that's in great playing condition and compare to a newer one it's very seldom that I think the newer one even comes close.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q224/kennym101/P1010019.jpg