For Fingerstylists: Is a cutaway necessary or not?

[tsaidog]

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?

[Larry Pattis]

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.

[Bob Womack]

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

[fitness1]

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.

[Nelson]

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.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by tsaidog

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?

Hi TD...
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.

[min7b5]

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.

[cotten]

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

[mckejoel]

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.

[acousticjazz]

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.

[JedimasterPaul]

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.

[stuartb]

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

[nikpearson]

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.

[mcphersonnut]

Depends how high up the neck you play..

[RRuskin]

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.