Short Neck Big Body Guitar?

[microscope]

Hi there,

Is there an acoustic guitar with a shorter neck - let's say only the first
8 frets - and a big ol' body for nice resonance?
With standard dims other than the neck length?
And if yes, what would the pros and cons be?
I really only play the first 7-8 frets so I thought it could be
fun.

Thanks

[Steve DeRosa]

The closest you'll get in a production instrument is a 12-fret dreadnought, and most of those tend to be expensive; here's a few more-affordable examples:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...coustic-guitar
http://www.samash.com/ard70e-artist-...ar-aard70exx-p
http://www.interstatemusic.com/92020...-RAJ122SN.aspx

[microscope]

So a 12-fret is the closest to what I'm talking about I guess.
Why not have an 8-fret for example?
What are the pros and cons?

[Steve DeRosa]

Highly subjective observations on my part, but here goes:

Pros: shorter neck = more rigidity; the neck can be either carved to slimmer dimensions or, depending on the strings used, built without a metal truss rod to save weight (most concert-quality classical instruments - with their characteristic large 12-fret necks - are built this way); shorter reaches for first-position fingerings
Cons: different relationship of the bridge/bracing placement to the soundboard, which affects the harmonics (those overtones you don't actually "hear" but which give any instrument its characteristic tone) as well as the volume potential; there's an ideal range of bridge placement, established over decades (even centuries) of experimentation on the part of luthiers, and the very few successful instruments that exceed those parameters (overwhelmingly in favor of a longer neck, BTW) required some major departures from customary construction patterns/methods - which necessarily translates into significantly increased cost

My thoughts: if you're intrigued by the idea of a shorter neck buy a moderately-priced 12-fret dread like the ones above, have it set up with heavy-gauge strings (14-60 - D'Addario EJ18 or the like), tune it down 1- to 1-1/2 steps and capo at the second or third fret; if you like what you hear/feel you're a few thousand dollars ahead of the game - if not, restring it with mediums, tune to standard pitch, and enjoy your new guitar...

[microscope]

Interesting points.
Well I guess if we're talking 12 fret, I will just stick to my 14-fret and
put this thread to rest : )

[DenverSteve]

Originally Posted by microscope

Why not have an 8-fret for example?

My guess is that 1) It's not how Dreads/Jumbos (or anything else) was designed or built. 2) That short of a neck would change everything about the playing experience on a guitar... change in feel, change in tone, very restrictive length.....

You can always try to have a custom made but even that would likely be difficult to find a builder willing to change his/her "normal" for a one-off.

[Rudy4]

Looks like you're really looking for a Guitarron:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitarr%C3%B3n_mexicano

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

Looks like you're really looking for a Guitarron:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitarr%C3%B3n_mexicano

Yeah, that was my thought, as well:

¡Vamos, Andale!

¡If you buy one they'll even let you wear that cool hat!


Wade Hampton Miller

[Silly Moustache]

A fretboard meeting at less than the 12th fret would be impractical - -you wouldn't even be able to fret a standard B chord or an E7 on the 7th fret.

Over many hundreds of years in many countries the 12 fret join has been found to be deal for most purposes, and was regarded as the most stable.

The advantages of the 12 fret configuration is that the Martin design standards - 2,1,0,00,000 models and the original dreadnought are :

1. Wider neck dimensions - making intricate fretting easier.
2. Less left arm extension.
3. Playing hand falls over the "sweet-spot"
4. Better tonal balance.


Advantages of the 14 fret design -

1. thinner neck for strumming/rhythm playing
2. Ability to chord higher up the neck as with a tenor banjo (which it replaced).