Thin body guitars

[Geof S.]

Just curious about how many people here own and like thin-body acoustic guitars.

Is this a fringe market or are there a lot of people who gig with these guitars?

[noledog]

Hey Geof,

My Lowden LSEII depth is just under 4in. and it has been my main workhorse, gig, outdoor/beach guitar since the late nineties. Plugged or unplugged it sounds great, excellent projection and very comfy to hold due in part to the thinner body. I also think it contributes to some of the clarity and balance. It has made me a fan of lesser depth bodies at least in larger lower bout bodies.

http://youtu.be/0PmT729448k ...this is an original quiet, slow, waltz-like, instrumental; "Dancing with Simone" played unplugged, f/s flesh and nail simply recorded on my laptop...

http://youtu.be/xhEhiDn0kCE ...then this is my cover rendition of "Turn The Page", again unplugged but with a pick and vocals that shows the versatility, projection and balance of this thin bodied Lowden. I never use effects or eq and I think the webcam mic, tho not completely doing the guitar justice, does give a decent recording in my livingroom.

Hope this helps bring a little point of veiw to your question if indeed this shallow depth Lowden qualifies in the catagory of thin-line acoustics.

noledog

[scienceisgolden]

I like thin body acoustic electrics. Ovation, Ibanez and expecially the Fender acoustics with a Stat-like neck. Certainly not my first choice in a acoustic but I like having the Fender in my stable.

[AZLiberty]

Don't like. My preference is for deep bodied medium size guitars. Right now my favorite is my Breedlove C20, which is a deep bodied concert.

[Wade Hampton]

To me it depends upon the definition of what's considered a thin body. To my mind, the phrase "thin body acoustic guitar" means the style of acoustic-electric cutaway guitar that was especially popular during the 1980's, like this Washburn:



I have no idea if that particular Washburn model was in production during the 1980's, but that style of instrument certainly was popular back then, particularly in the intermediate price ranges.

You can see Nuno Bettencourt using one in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrIiLvg58SY

Whether that's the guitar the song was actually recorded with is an interesting question...

Anyway, for my own playing I've never much cared for this style of guitar, mainly because they don't (and can't) produce the sort of rich, full acoustic sound I like. I can see where they can be a practical choice for someone who's playing in a loud amplified band, but for what I need a guitar for, they're not my choice. I've never owned one - my preference is for good-sounding acoustic guitars that I then fit with aftermarket pickups.

Just a matter of personal taste and needs, I guess.


Wade Hampton Miller

[latigo]

I have a Yamaha APX500FM. I like it very much. True, not a hugh bass like bigger ones, but easy to play and it does sound nice. It sounds good plugged in too. For me, it's easy to handle. I don't have much of a lap and I have pain in my right shoulder, so the Yamaha is good for me.

[MarkF786]

I wish there were more thin body guitars to choose from. I like them for ergonomic reasons. Admittedly, they don't sound as good when used purely acoustic, but when plugged in, they can sound almost as good as a full-sized acoustic.

[saxonblue]

Not sure whether mine qualifies as a thinline, probably not quite but at 94mm (3 & 11/16") wide it's considerably narrower than the standard 808s at 125mm (5"). With the body size (I think it roughly equates to an OM or 00-14, not sure) & light weight (1.8 kg / 3.75 lb) it has the feel of a small guitar, despite the full length scale, that tucks in very comfortably as a couch player & still sound big enough (though not huge by any means) publicly.


I ticked the first box (someone had to ) though favourite only means for now. That may change one day when I get my D-18 or J-45, someday, dream on.

[Thrillhouse]

I prefer thin for feel, not for sound. My current acoustic is approx. 3.75" at its widest and that is a good balance for me. I've played very thin guitars and while they are quite comfortable they sound like thin guitars (TO ME). I can tolerate up to 4" but that's it so where I'm at now is perfect for me.

[Geof S.]

Well, of the people who responded it looks like about three-fifths of those who have tried thin-bodied acoustics like them for at least some purposes. That's interesting; I expected a lower percentage, although I'm not sure why.

Noledog, your Lowden sounds great to me in both those songs. By the way, I am a big Bob Seger fan and that is a great cover of "Turn the Page." (I have been trying to learn to play "Mainstreet" for some time now, but it is a little beyond me at this point.)

I would be interested to know if Nuno Bettencourt was actually using that thin body acoustic when they recorded that song; the guitar part sounds awfully good to me.

I was planning on buying an electric guitar and was having trouble deciding on which one. I ended up buying a thinline acoustic electric on Ebay instead, an Alvarez Yairi WY1tts. I got a nice deal on a used one in good condition (a little over half of the street price), and I like my Yairi DY-39 so much that I have been gassing for another Yairi.

I was somewhat influenced by this Youtube review found here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_GZWn3VCkk
(The playing starts at about 3:25.) There is not a lot of playing going on, but waht there is actually sounds pretty good to me.

Anyway, I am glad to see that there are some thinline lovers here. I really don't know what to expect, but it will give me a chance to start messing around with an acoustic amp and learning about pickups, so I am lookng forward to it.

[Wade Hampton]

Geof, what I think you'll find is that thinline acoustic-electric guitars will record better than they actually sound in person. But by all means track some down and play them for yourself. They might be exactly what you need.


whm

[akirabbq]

I had a yamaha APX7A for years before I replaced it with A3R recently. If you stand and play on the stage using the onboard pickup, the thin body wins big time in comfort terms, and the look as well.

Acoustically I don't like them much, even in a small room or just for practicing, the sound is just too brittle IMHO and not matching my voice.

[Blah-Blah]

I love my NRS thin body guitar by New Sound Acoustics. They sound like a big acoustic yet they are thin and don't feed back on stage. They only weigh 3lbs so it doesn't fatigue my shoulder. Mine was handcrafted in the USA. They come with a 3 band EQ, phase switch, on board tuner and have a cool 1/8 jack and auxiliary jack that you can plug your headphones in and MP3 player to practice right on the guitar! I love mine I take it everywhere it's so light.

[DesertTwang]

Once I come across a thin-body "guitar" that sounds like an actual guitar, I might like them. So far, that hasn't happened (granted, I haven't sought them out). At least as long as we're talking the really thin ones that are like a 2-3 inches across or something like that. Unamplified, I actually prefer the sound of my Backpacker.

[Brucebubs]

My 1996 Taylor 422 Grand Concert body is only 3 1/4" thick at the neck end up to 4" thick at the end pin.
Anyone want to buy it?


Actually, since I threw on the octave strings from a 12-string set - Nashville tuning - it's kinda fun.