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  #1  
Old 12-08-2016, 02:29 PM
asbjoern asbjoern is offline
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Default Guitar size

Hi,

I have built a mold for my new guitar-project. I want to build an average-sized acoustic guitar. I have made the mold from a model-000-plan, but i found out that this model-000 is a pretty small guitar compared to my others. The widest point is 36 cm. Isn't that a small guitar? What size do you normally use, and what are the models called?
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  #2  
Old 12-08-2016, 02:53 PM
dekutree64 dekutree64 is offline
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That's 00. Should be a couple cm wider for 000. So yes, fairly small for a steel string, but about the size of a typical classical. And parlors are down in the 32-33cm range, so it's certainly not the smallest that will work.
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  #3  
Old 12-08-2016, 03:12 PM
asbjoern asbjoern is offline
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Hmmm im 100% sure its a 000, cause it says on the plan that its a 000. Really strange.
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  #4  
Old 12-08-2016, 03:34 PM
Trevor Gore Trevor Gore is offline
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Strange indeed. 000's are ~39cm across the lower bout, 00's are about 36cm.

Don't panic though. Most guitars are too big for their own good. A well designed and built 00 is a wonderful guitar.
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  #5  
Old 12-08-2016, 04:20 PM
Earl49 Earl49 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by asbjoern View Post
Hmmm im 100% sure its a 000, cause it says on the plan that its a 000. Really strange.
Could be a tpyo on the plans.
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  #6  
Old 12-08-2016, 06:56 PM
Truckjohn Truckjohn is offline
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Most of the guitars I build are smaller than a 00.... So for me - that's a "Larger" size . Since you already have the mold and plans - I say build it! One advantage is cheaper tonewood because of the smaller size. You can get some really nice wood at good prices because there isn't as much demand.

My recommendation for getting small guitars to sound good is to build so that your top and bracing are on the thin end of the plan - not middle and especially not thick side UNLESS you are aiming for a very trebley guitar... Which may be what you want if you are after a guitar that really cuts through.. But may sound pretty boxy and lack bass.

I would probably stop sanding when the top is around 2.5-2.6mm rather than the usual 2.8 or 2.9mm thickness. Bracing would start no taller than 12mm except for the UTB - which I might go up to 19mm. I also give these less top radius - say flat or 50' radius instead of 25 or 28' radius for bigger guitars.

Thick sides can benefit these guitars. And you probably want to build for a live back.

Thanks.
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  #7  
Old 12-08-2016, 07:03 PM
redir redir is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Earl49 View Post
Could be a tpyo on the plans.
Which means there could be worse typo's, not unusual.

But interesting point... I wonder what the average guitar size actually is?
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  #8  
Old 12-08-2016, 07:10 PM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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000 guitars are 15" lower bout which equates to 38.1 cm
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Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer.
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  #9  
Old 12-08-2016, 08:21 PM
KingCavalier KingCavalier is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by asbjoern View Post
Hi,

I have built a mold for my new guitar-project. I want to build an average-sized acoustic guitar. I have made the mold from a model-000-plan, but i found out that this model-000 is a pretty small guitar compared to my others. The widest point is 36 cm. Isn't that a small guitar? What size do you normally use, and what are the models called?
Does the plan say 36 cm or does the mold you made measure 36 cm.
The plan may not be printed exactly to scale
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  #10  
Old 12-13-2016, 04:03 PM
Earl49 Earl49 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redir View Post
... I wonder what the average guitar size actually is?
In terms of pure body count, the dreadnought is by far the most common guitar size. Everybody and his dog makes them by the millions....

There was a time a century ago when a 00 was considered a BIG guitar. Parlor guitars started out for, umm, playing at home in parlors and living rooms. Then came the concert (00) size, then the auditorium (000) size, and finally the Dreadnought size, named after the largest British battleship of the day - the HMS Dreadnought. Smaller guitars are making a comeback lately though.

Another way to take your question is, "what are the average dimensions of each common body size?" There is variation, as each manufacturer makes their own molds. For example, a Taylor GA is nominally 000 size and shape, but not exactly the same as a Martin OM or 000. Ditto for the Taylor GC and the Martin 00 size, etc.
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  #11  
Old 12-17-2016, 07:20 AM
Parlorman Parlorman is offline
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In my world a 000 is a big guitar and a dreadnaught is the size of a, what's the right word? Oh yeah, battleship.
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Guitars:

1910's Larson/Stetson 1 size guitar
1920 Martin 1-28
1987 Martin Schoenberg Soloist
2006 Froggy Bottom H-12 Deluxe
2016 Froggy Bottom L Deluxe
2021 Blazer and Henkes 000-18 H
2015 Rainsong P12
2017 Probett Rocket III
2006 Sadowsky Semi Hollow
1993 Fender Stratocaster

Bass: 1993 Sadowsky NYC 5 String
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  #12  
Old 12-17-2016, 08:18 AM
Southern Cross Southern Cross is offline
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I would double check the plan as has been mentioned. I am currently rebuilding a top on a Taylor GS Mini, and there have been numerous discrepancies from measurements of the old top, and what it says on the plan. Also, some of the photos of a generic Taylor GS Mini being built are different than what the plan shows. Luckily, I am working with a guy who has already built 6 guitars. Good luck.
Clifford
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