Small body Gibson style guitar ???

Silly Moustache · #1 01-15-2018, 01:02 PM

Hi, just over a year ago, I bought myself a new Waterloo WL-12 because it sounded better than any of the Gibson L-00 style guitars I saw (and was better finished and set up)

I've been struggling with the guitar for some time and have decided to move it on
I'm really sad about this but the 1 & 3/4" nut width is still too small for me and I keep on fluffing notes.

So, my GAS was about a funky sounding (?) shorts scale small bodied 12 fret Gibson style instrument with at least a 1 & 13/16" nut width rather than a Martin style.

However, frankly, I have no idea what to look for.

Does anyone have any ideas?

1Charlie · #2 01-15-2018, 01:24 PM

I'm not sure Gibson ever made a nut that wide.

I have a 1931 L-0 12-fretter (all mahogany), which was the predecessor of the L-00. It has a 1 3/4 nut, in combination with the fattest neck I have every played. Light as a feather, and very lively.

Wade Hampton · #3 01-15-2018, 02:06 PM

It depends on whether you want it to be a precise Gibson replica or something vaguely in that ballpark (irrelevant aside: do British people even HAVE ballparks?) Okay, let's rephrase that: something within that same cricket green, perhaps?

Ah, two nations, divided by the same language.

Anyway, if you're not insistent on exactly replicating a small-bodied Gibson, you should take a look at the Seagull "Folk" model guitars:

Seagull Folk model

These are worth picking up and trying out, if you can find any in music stores in your part of the Mother Country. They sound surprisingly good, and they have wider fingerboards than you might expect.

Hope this helps.

Wade Hampton Miller

mercy · #4 01-15-2018, 03:50 PM

Yes, they ahave a 1.8 nut which is almost 1 13.16" so close enough but I think Gibson had a 2" nut called Folk guitar. Anyway it had pickguards on each side of the soundhole. That may jog your memory or someones.
I was playinga1 3/4 nut and had to go to a 1 13/16 for the same reason. Im a better player for it.

PiousDevil · #5 01-15-2018, 04:28 PM

Might I suggest a Yairi PYM70

http://alvarezguitars.com/guitar/pym70/

Overall Length (mm)
967
Body Width (mm)
361
Body Depth at Heel (mm)
84
Body Depth at Base (mm)
105
Scale (mm)
610
Scale (inches)
24"
Number of frets
20
Nut Width (mm)
45.5
Nut Width (inches)
1 13/16"

PiousDevil · #6 01-15-2018, 04:30 PM

While you're at it, I've been dying to hear a Yairi DYMR70SB in your hands. 12 fret dreadnought, 1 13/16 nut, and an absolutely stunning guitar.

http://alvarezguitars.com/guitar/dymr70sb/

Overall Length (mm)
1025
Body Width (mm)
400
Body Depth at Heel (mm)
100
Body Depth at Base (mm)
125
Scale (mm)
648
Scale (inches)
25 1/2"
Number of frets
20
Nut Width (mm)
45.5
Nut Width (inches)
1 13/16"

johnnydobbers · #7 01-15-2018, 04:33 PM

Try looking for a Fraulini. They are ladder braced, sound great, and I'm sure some of them have wider nuts.

Mine is perfect for country blues.

jpd · #8 01-15-2018, 04:42 PM

Silly, take a look...http://acousticguitarforum.com/forum...d.php?t=212438

rmoretti49 · #9 01-15-2018, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Hi, just over a year ago, I bought myself a new Waterloo WL-12 because it sounded better than any of the Gibson L-00 style guitars I saw (and was better finished and set up)

I've been struggling with the guitar for some time and have decided to move it on
I'm really sad about this but the 1 & 3/4" nut width is still too small for me and I keep on fluffing notes.

So, my GAS was about a funky sounding (?) shorts scale small bodied 12 fret Gibson style instrument with at least a 1 & 13/16" nut width rather than a Martin style.

However, frankly, I have no idea what to look for.

Does anyone have any ideas?

If you can, try to determine if the problem is with the nut width or with the string spacing at the nut. My Pono and my Farida both have 1/34 inch nuts (I've measured). The Pono feels cramped, and the Farida doesn't. String spacing is the reason. By the way, the Farida is said by others to be a clone of the Gibson LG2. Very comfortable to play, and very affordable. But it isn't a 12 fretter, even though it feels like it.

AndrewG · #10 01-15-2018, 05:20 PM

Most small Gibsons seem to be 14-fretters, so you might have a long search. I recommend you try one of these:
https://www.projectmusic.net/alvarez...sh-18825-p.asp
Neither Gibson nor Martin style. 12-fret, slot head, 1 3/4" nut, all solid.

captwingflap · #11 01-15-2018, 05:34 PM

I would like to second the recommendation of Pious Devil. My Alvarez Yairi PYM70 is a beautiful instrument in every way. Pricey, but worth it. I have a house full of guitars and this one is easily the most comfortable one I own. It falls into your hands, is extremely responsive and has a beautiful sound to my ears. My musical best friend.

Mr. Jelly · #12 01-15-2018, 09:46 PM

Doesn't the Martin 00-28vs have a wide neck? It's not very funky though.

Blueser100 · #13 01-15-2018, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

It depends on whether you want it to be a precise Gibson replica or something vaguely in that ballpark (irrelevant aside: do British people even HAVE ballparks?) Okay, let's rephrase that: something within that same cricket green, perhaps?

Ah, two nations, divided by the same language.

Anyway, if you're not insistent on exactly replicating a small-bodied Gibson, you should take a look at the Seagull "Folk" model guitars:

Seagull Folk model

These are worth picking up and trying out, if you can find any in music stores in your part of the Mother Country. They sound surprisingly good, and they have wider fingerboards than you might expect.

Hope this helps.

Wade Hampton Miller

I have a pristine Seagull folk with hard Gator case that I am willing to let go if you are interested. Send me a PM.

fatt-dad · #14 01-15-2018, 09:53 PM

the Gibson Keb Mo is a 12-fret guitar with 1.8-something" nut width.

Never played one.

f-d

Wade Hampton · #15 01-15-2018, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueser100

I have a pristine Seagull folk with hard Gator case that I am willing to let go if you are interested. Send me a PM.

When I was in Vancouver, British Columbia last year I bought a used and not even remotely pristine Seagull Folk model just so I'd have a guitar to play while I was making the long Alaska Marine Highway ferry trip from Bellingham, Washington to Whittier, Alaska. It's a great-sounding guitar. I'd go so far as to say that it's my all-time favorite beater guitar: it's amazingly full- and balanced-sounding.

whm