Inexpensive Parlor Guitar

[TonyVT]

I'm in the market for a low cost (-$200) parlor sized guitar for couch playing. I've checked out the Gretch Jim Dandy and am looking for other options. Thanks in advance!

[Tony Done]

This might give you some ideas:

https://reverb.com/au/marketplace/ac...guitars/parlor

I have a parlor reso, a Republic Miniolian, good if you want loud.

[cmd612]

Alvarez Artist Series (solid top, laminate b/s) parlors are pretty nice, and used ones sometimes go for around $200.

[TBman]

I think the Jim Dandy is your best bet. I've played that a few times and the Recording King's Dirty 30 parlor. I thought the Jim Dandy was much better.

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by cmd612

Alvarez Artist Series (solid top, laminate b/s) parlors are pretty nice, and used ones sometimes go for around $200.

CM beat me to it. These are pretty hard to beat for the price.

[madhat]

Art & Luterie Canadian guitars by Godin.
http://www.artandlutherieguitars.com/roadhouse

madhat.

[H165]

Get a Harmony H165 and get it set up right.

vintage
000 size
solid woods
1 3/4 nut

[zztush]

I have a Ibanez EWP15LTD. It's scale is only 432mm, tenor ukulele size. The nut width is 42mm. It may be too small for some people, but I am very happy to play it for couch playing.

[roylor4]

I have one of these: Savannah 0 size

Long scale gives it a lot of snap and good volume for a cheap, small box. Tuners aren't great, but work well enough. These can sometimes be had as a "blem" on E-bay for $59.

[Bax Burgess]

The Yamaha JR1 is parlor sized, dread shaped, and smoothly resonant for an all laminate.

[Bax Burgess]

Originally Posted by roylor4

I have one of these: Savannah 0 size

Long scale gives it a lot of snap and good volume for a cheap, small box. Tuners aren't great, but work well enough. These can sometimes be had as a "blem" on E-bay for $59.

A 'crazy-good' sound from an all-laminate.

[marty bradbury]

Originally Posted by madhat

Art & Luterie Canadian guitars by Godin.
http://www.artandlutherieguitars.com/roadhouse

madhat.

Very cool looking guitar! You ever try one?

[Truckjohn]

Have you checked out the stock at forum sponsor Vintage Parlor Guitars in Vermont? Perhaps a bit above your budget but he has some fantastic stuff.

I usually am very positive about new production guitars. They have come leaps and bounds in the last 20 years...

Except for parlor guitars. Yes - the fit, finish, fretwork, and factory setup are way WAY better out of the box than in the days of yore... But yikes - the tone sounds like a shoebox with strings on it. And that shoebox still has the wrapping paper and a shoe in it... Seriously.

For the time being... Till the factories get their little guitars sorted back out - My opinion is that you are better off buying an old one (pre-WWII) and fixing it up. Prices are still very reasonable. Last year - I picked up an early 1930's Lyon and Healy Lakeside parlor for $200.. Sweet little guitar.

Bespoken luthier built parlor guitars are a thing of magic and joy that sing with the voices of angels - but they are a bit outside your price range....

[TKT]

The Yamaha JR 1 & 2 have a pretty tight string spacing at the nut, I had a JR2. Also it's a pretty short scale, and mine was a little muddy, but they are good for a cheap guitar. The Minolian is gorgeous and a blast to play! You could get one used for maybe $300-350. Very responsive. You can also find the metal body parlors used if you look around.

My best degree of satisfaction in a keep forever parlor would be an older circa 2000-02 Larrivee O-01. Best sounding small body I've played. I sold my spruce over mahogany, what a jewel, only because I'm downsizing, and I kept the spruce over flamed maple for the extra crispness for my older ears. You can find them used for around $450-$600, all solid woods.

I also have an all solid mahogany Alvarez, I think it's a MPA66SHB, the masterclass with shadow burst.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...coustic-guitar

I'd reach a little more and get something comparable on something like one of those used, and have a real keeper. You can sometimes find an old Larri on Craigslist, maybe a little beat but it doesn't hurt the sound any. If you can get past the look of the bridge, that Alvarez is a honey. Both are short scales at 24" or 24.25, and a 1.75 nut.

None of my parlors sound anything like a shoe box. I have five circa 1920s, plus four modern ones, those sound better since the old guys all need nylon strings or the necks start to bow. My oldest is circa 1910, an oak body L&H.

Parlors are the bomb!

[hockeyboy09]

An art and lutherie used ami would fit the bill. I started with a jim dandy for a travel guitar. Sold that and got the Ami. To my fingers and ears the ami is a better guitar for not that much more money.

Amis are no longer produced.