Guitar shapes - "traditional" or modern??

[Silly Moustache]

Looking at another thread this aspect occurred to me as a new one.

For me, guitars (only talking acoustic) rarely look attractive to me unless they look or take major influences from specific designs by Martin, Gibson, or maybe other pre 1934 makers.

Frinstance, Martin, Gibson and National 12/13 fretters, Gibson mandolins (esp the F-5), and the Gibson 16" archtops. In fact I harbour a belief that all the best designs were made prior to 1934.

Many makers have emulated these and some, Taylor and Yamaha, and many British small makers have gone their own way. Whilst I applaud them, they don't appeal to my narrow minded views.

I don't know why this is, but suspect it is something about the instruments I saw on LP covers when much younger.

What are your preferences?

[Goat Mick]

Yeah I'm very traditional in my tastes too. I just can't warm up to a guitar with a cutaway or with a non-traditional body shape. And I really prefer a vintage sunburst over any other finish. In mandolins I like a F style and just can't make myself like an A. I do think archtop guitars are cool, but I haven't had much luck adapting my playing style to that design. With electric guitars, I'm a telecaster guy with my second love being the big Gretsch hollowbodies. I can appreciate why someone finds beauty in a modern designed instrument but they just don't look right on me.

[RP]

Full body (no cutaway), no electronics, and wood binding/burst top preferred....

[fazool]

Traditional 14-fret dreads were the first guitars I was exposed to, so those formed my basis. I don't like playing them, from a comfort standpoint but that's my mental vision of a "guitar".

So I like the look of Dreads, I love my OM's and I absolutely love the look of a J200 type jumbo.

For some reason, I think slope-shoulders look "weird" to me.

[mkitman]

Funny, but the first time that I saw a cutaway acoustic I thought that it was the dumbest design that I had ever seen. That was many years ago.

Now days, if you look at my stable, you'll find nothing but cutaways. I actually like the look more than the traditional.

We all evolve...

[zhunter]

Acoustic only I am going to be traditional. No cutaways, and no holes in unusual places. No 6 on a side or highly stylized headstock designs. Standard concert or dread shapes. If I buy an acoustic with electronics, it basically means I have an intended live use. Here, I get a little more flexible. At least in regards to cutaways. Still no holes in unusual locations please other than penetrations for electronics.

Electric? I get very flexible.

hunter

[Bob Womack]

It's a funny thing to think about: Virtually none off the popular shapes are as old as 100 years. And another funny thing: I'm far more traditional about electric shapes than acoustic shapes. But then again, only a few of my favorite electric shapes are older than ME.

As a practical thing, cutaways on acoustics make room for my wide palms when I'm playing higher parts.

Bob

[jmjohnson]

I'm good with the classics..but a nice florentine cutaway?



BEA-utiful! (I love Les Pauls too!)

[Tico]

I own guitars from Taylor, Guild and Gibson so I'm not brand bashing ... but IMO the look of Martin guitars (especially the D-28) is the best, by a loooooooong shot.
I strongly dislike the look of a cutaway on an acoustic.

YMMV, IMO, only my 2 cents, etc. etc. etc.

[sdelsolray]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

...
In fact I harbour a belief that all the best designs were made prior to 1934.
...

Certainly many of the earlier designs are still with us, and for good reason. However, some newer designs are right up there with the older ones (e.g., Larrivee L/LS, Webber Roundbody, various GA/mini-jumbos). Besides body shapes/dimensions, there have been other design developments in recent decades which equal, rival or exceed earlier design elements (e.g., bracing, fret wire, tuning keys, neck ergonomics).

[mercy]

My favorite shape is the 1928 Gibson L-1 which gibson reissued not too long ago. I dont see any guitars exactly that shape.

[redir]

I don't mind cut aways at all and in fact they really are not a modern design thing. I just never play up past the 12th fret so personally I don't need one

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by mercy

My favorite shape is the 1928 Gibson L-1 which gibson reissued not too long ago. I dont see any guitars exactly that shape.

Hi, I too love that shape - but (I think) that it is the same as the L-5 and, maybe the SJ200.

Different dimensions of course.

[s2y]

Traditional or modern...some of each!

[Nyghthawk]

I am in the traditional camp as well. Whereas my dread is a cutaway and I love its tone, the cutaway detracts from the aesthetic.

As I age, dreads are becoming more uncomfortable to play without switching to the classical position. I have discovered 000/OM's and have become enamored.

I love the look of the big Guild jumbo 12 strings but I'd have to play in standing up all the time! Ditto with the Gibson southern jumbo.