Parlor guitar for finger style and some strumming: Guild M40 or Gibson L-00 Studio?

[JimandJoni]

I can't stop asking you guys questions apparently...

I am still looking for the "Perfect" small (isn) body acoustic guitar -

my favourite is Martin (all of them) but sadly I have to exclude them because of some very weird allergic reactions.

Taylor is excluded too, for completely different reasons.

I raised my budget to around $2k and I found the Gibson L OO studio and the Guild M40

I need something to record and to perform singer songwriter stuff - styles: folk blues, bluegrass, some strumming nu folk / pop, some country, a bit of classical.

I could try in the shop only a L OO standard and the neck felt huge - in the shop there is a Gibson G 00 that apparently has the same neck as L 00 studio, so I can try that tomorrow.
I am dubious about Gibson because a) I read they have poor quality control and b) all youtube videos say that model is not for strumming, in person it wasn't completely bad but not great either.

Guild M40 - I am considering mostly because it's one of the brands that I can get from the shop - I thought it sounded great, and I am beginning to like the Guild "twang", but maybe there are better models? To be honest, the sound in my view did not equate the price. Or maybe the D40? the cheaper models didn't sound so great to my ears.

What are your views on these two brands?
I need small necks (or maybe just flat? the GS mini had a small neck but it felt awful because it was so thick, Martin Jr and performing Artist neck were perfect).

About other options: I don't like Seagulls (sorry), and Eastman the nicer models sadly are really hard to get here. Same for Larrivee and a couple other great brands.

The Martins were just perfect (12 to 16 series, and the D jr), but sadly it s not possible.

[TBman]

Add Furch to your shopping list and don't go too small. I wouldn't go smaller than an OM for finger style.

[Shortfinger]

I recommend one like mine, the Alvarez Yairi PYM70 parlor 12-fret slothead with a soft vee neck. 24 inch scale, 1.75" nut.

There are no YouTube vids showing this one exactly, but here are two videos showing an instructor playing a deluxe custom version with lotsa MOP at the bindings and rosette. Same guitar as mine, just more bling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcFq7chgSFs&t=6s&loop=0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbfZ...&t=316s&loop=0

Trouble is, they are scarce, and a big price increase happened late last year that drove it up to about $2,800.

[K20C]

Larrivee and Alvarez Yairi.

[cliff_the_stiff]

I’ve been disappointed with the Gibson Studio guitars.
Mostly just cosmetic stuff and feel, but it’s held me from buying them and motivated me to sell the one or two I’ve tried.

[airborne1]

I bought a new L-00 Standard in 2021, and am very happy with the tone and feel of the guitar.

I feel its great for fingerstyle and takes strumming well also.

Good luck in hour search!

[Shortfinger]

Here is one I went and played this morning. Larrivee.

12-fret parlor, not a slothead, 24" scale, nice parlor shape, pretty much a match, size by size, to my Alvarez Yairi PYM70.

There is a terrific Alvarez Yairi there but it's almost $3K.

Links here for both, and I played both, the Yairi a month ago. Super guitars.

https://reverb.com/item/67077784-lar...s-p-03-natural

https://reverb.com/item/54692856-alv...-free-shipping

The mahogany on the Yairi is as fine a selection of flitches as I have seen.

[Jamolay]

Someone just posted a Pono 00 on this site, about half an hour ago. Great deal for a really nice guitar that would fit your criteria. Consider it. It is at a “you can’t go wrong” price.

[eyesore]

I just bought the Gibson L-OO. I like it a lot because I really like the old bluesy sound ,and it is easy to play.

[louisjames]

Another happy L-00 Original (nee Standard) owner. The L-00 Studio my friend got (walnut b/s like the J-15) is pretty sweet too. Would have been pleased to have that one instead if this didn't pop up. Another option might be an Eastman E20P if you like rosewood b/s. I have one on hold but not sure I'll get it as the L-00 is doing pretty much all I need it to. Just my 2c's. Good luck with the hunt.

[Dothraki]

Originally Posted by JimandJoni

I can't stop asking you guys questions apparently...

I am still looking for the "Perfect" small (isn) body acoustic guitar -

my favourite is Martin (all of them) but sadly I have to exclude them because of some very weird allergic reactions.

The Martins were just perfect (12 to 16 series, and the D jr), but sadly it s not possible.

Can you elaborate on this? Are you allergic to the finish or something? Does it mess your hands up? Very curious.

Originally Posted by JimandJoni

Taylor is excluded too, for completely different reasons.

Hahahahaha!!!

[Jmac603]

Larrivee deserves a look as well. I love my 00-40R.

[NickTuneUp]

Have you tried a Larrivee Parlor? The scale length is 24" but it's loud for it's size.

[abn556]

I bought my wife a L-00 Studio to transition her away from her Padawan learner Yamaha beginner guitar. I think the L-00 plays great. If you’re really interested in the Guild M-40 type sound, you might look at some old Gibson LG-0 guitars. All mahogany like the M-40. Get one that already has the plastic bridge replaced. My 1963 LG-0 is going into the shop tomorrow to get the bridge replaced, board leveled, new frets, new nut and saddle. I got it free in a trade deal so spending a little money on it to get it in great shape for the next 60 years is no big deal.

I have been looking at the M-40s pretty hard. I really like that guitar a lot.

+

[Nick84]

I’d consider an LG-2 - great small body guitars. Mine is a 2021 50’s original and it handles pretty much anything thrown at it.