#1
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For Fingerstylists: Is a cutaway necessary or not?
This is a question for all of you who enjoy playing fingerstyle: Is a cutaway necessary for you? Do you prefer it or do you like it without the cutaway?
I originally wanted to do a poll, but I would like to hear individual opinions and "discussions" about it. I'll start off with myself... I am good with either or. I am not a great fingerstyle player, and I never play up that high. I don't forsee myself ever playing up that high if I got better, and there's not a lot of music out there where the notes go past the 12th fret. Classical guitarists have gotten away with playing without a cutaway for the last few centuries, and they are doing just fine with making beautiful and complicated music. Aesthetically, I like cutaway's better, gives the guitar a sharper look. But I don't mind a guitar without a cutaway either, because I find those classy. So I'm very indifferent as you can see. Now let the fun begin, who likes what? |
#2
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I play high up the neck on a number of pieces, and also do scale and exercise work that requires a cutaway. Partial barre chords up high are especially difficult to navigate without the cutaway, even if one is adept at classical techniques.
All my guitars have cutaways.
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Larry Pattis on Spotify and Pandora LarryPattis.com American Guitar Masters 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists Steel-string guitars by Rebecca Urlacher and Simon Fay Classical guitars by Anders Sterner |
#3
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I find the cutaway very useful for a number of songs I do because I work up the neck. I've got one original composition where I alternate measures at first position and twelfth that really needs it, for example.
Bob
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"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' " Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website) |
#4
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yep.....I play way up the neck and used to be able to get away with MOST of it on a non cut, but reaching above the 14th in akward positions can really put a strain on the tendons in your elbow after a while.....I will always have at least one cutaway.
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"One small heart, and a great big soul that's driving" |
#5
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Tommy Emmanuel would probably say that a cutaway is not necessary for fingerstyle. Though, both of my guitars have a cutaway I rarely get that far up the fretboard. Didn't say never, but just rrely.
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I have a photographic memory...but I'm out of film. Nelson 2002 514ce 2003 414ce Ltd 2014 150e 2010 Fender Strat 2017 Les Paul Custom |
#6
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Quote:
There are a lot of times I'm well beyond the 12th fret, so a cutaway is nice. I can reach the first two strings up to the 17th fret on a 14 fret neck without a cutaway, but can reach all the strings that far on a cutaway. I like them aesthetically and functionally. |
#7
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I don't care for cutaways. Part of is just aesthetic
I used to use them though. I did a lot work to figure out how to play the lines and chord clusters I used to with a cutaway without one. I actually do play on the highest frets quite a bit. It took a while to feel confident enough at gigs to do it, and still miss a few notes sometimes, but I feel like I’m getting pretty good at it. |
#8
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I don't play that high all the time, but when I do, it's nice to be able to reach those notes comfortably. I don't drive very fast, either...
cotten |
#9
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I am pretty much in agreement with the other entries. I do like the aesthetic appearance that is offerd by the "Venetian Cutaway" but it is also very helpful when reaching up into the twelfth fret range for certain pieces.
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#10
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Cutaway
I have one guitar with a cutaway, and one without, aesthetically either way I find a guitar beautiful. For finger style I do go above the 12th fret, I like to have the option available, different timbres... It is also great for finger style jazz pieces, just give you more tonal colors to play with.
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#11
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I like cutaways, but I can live without them.
That said, were I to order a more 'contemporary' style guitar, it would have a cutaway (i.e., Taylor, Goodall, Lowden, etc) For whatever reason, I just do not care for cutaways on OM, and especially dreads.
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Paul 2020 ?? 2016 Gibson 1958 Reissue True Historic |
#12
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I think that most experienced fingerstyle players would suggest that a cutaway is a worthy option. I have a cd with some very experienced fingerstyle players, about 10 of them, and I think without exception they each have a cutaway on their guitars.
Some builders do not offer them, even some of the very best builders. T.J. Thompson doesn't offer his guitars with a cutaway. Kim Walker only makes them on his SJ. NOt on his OM or on any of his other guitars, including his L-00 14 fret or his 12 frets. My Collings is a 12 fret guitar. Love the sound. I only have 3 years experience. I would die without the cutaway and find myself regularly working up to fret 16. But I'm drawn up there. No question about it. Additionally, there are a few songs I'm working on that suggest a cappo on the 4th fret, and force me up to about fret 14. With a 12 fret, even though the original pre-war 12 frets did not have a cutaway, I would prefer one. It has no impact on tone or projection on my Collings. I played it off against many other guitars. But that is not always the case for all builders. I have ordered two guitars from two different buiders and neither is coming with a cutaway because the option is not there. But they are 14 fretters. I'll make the sacrfice because of the builder in these cases. But with a choice, under the assumption of no impact on projection, I would definitely go for one. They are more expensive, and if you don't play up there, I would not worry about it. If you ever change your mind, buy a new guitar. best, Stuart |
#13
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Technique and aesthetics
Playing high up the fingerboard without a cutaway requires a different technique. Most classical players have to employ this on a regular basis.
Cutaways definitely make life easier but I don't like the way they look and despite most people claiming otherwise I'm not convinced cutaways have no effect on an instrument's sound. |
#14
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Depends how high up the neck you play..
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Thank you for your grace |
#15
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A different strokes/different folks issue. I am not a fan of cutaways on acoustic guitars. My 3 main reasons:
1. I don't like the way they look. 2. I don't particularly need one. 3. I'm afraid of heights.
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Rick Ruskin Lion Dog Music - Seattle WA |