#1
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Downsides of cutaway guitars
Hello,
I'm new to this forum and my background is mostly in the classical guitar world. However, I'm in the process of shopping for a good acoustic guitar. One of the issues I have is whether I want to buy a cutaway guitar or a non-cutaway one. The cutaway guitar was designed to allow easier access to the upper frets, but if it is this convenient and if it does enhance playability, there must be some downsides to it, since some people (probably most) still choose to purchase non-cutaway ones? What are the downsides? Sound? Volume? Tone? Last edited by Chipmunk; 10-06-2008 at 09:11 AM. |
#2
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Welcome to the Forum.
I have both cutaway and non-cutaway. I think looks and access to the upper frets are the only differences. I don't see any noticeable difference in volume or tone that isn't explained by a difference in woods or manufacturer. Since I rarely need access to the upper frets, I prefer non-cutaway because I'm more of a traditionalist.
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Rodger |
#3
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Cutaways usually cost more. That's a big factor as to why there are fewer of them than non-cutaways. If you don't need or want the cutaway, why pay more?
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Bob DeVellis |
#4
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+1 on that. And some people (not me!) just can't stand the look of them
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Ibanez Artwood AC900 Eng/EIR Yamaha LL16 Eng/EIR Webber OM Eng/EIR ♫ Transcriptions (Yes, my PM Inbox is always full. For now, please send me an email at [my agf username]@gmail.com ) |
#5
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Quote:
Thank you for your reply. |
#6
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I own both and cannot think of any downside. I'd gladly add it to the ones I have without cutaway if it were feasible. I'm often playing above the 15th fret, so it would make life easier, and my cutaway doesn't lack in the tone or volume arenas. When I bought my non-cutaway hand built, I was not playing that high, so I say if there is a chance you will be growing and learning (and moving up the neck) cutaway is worth the extra. If you just plan to strum first position chords, don't spend the money. |
#7
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I too have a classical background, and rarely use fret positions beyond the 14th or so when playing the acoustic. It is just that I am not particularly fond of those colors for the music I play. One reason why I might consider a cutaway would be for a 12fret cutaway, where you do want that sweetness that 12fret instruments have due to bridge position, but wish to retain an easy access to the 14th or 16th frets which is typical of steel string guitars.
best regards Massimo |
#8
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Count me as another one who doesn't even like the looks of them. Also, why put a cutaway on a 12 string!!!
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Liam F. 👽🖖🏼👑 🎶 |
#9
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Cost.
That's the only downside. And aesthetics...if you don't like the look.
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"Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best." Henry Van Dyke "It is in the world of slow time that truth and art are found as one" Norman Maclean, |
#10
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And why not?
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#11
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Cuz they're cool looking!
One of the main reasons I sold my Taylor 555 was it didn't have a cutaway...
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What I Sometimes Play |
#12
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hi
i come from the classical guitar; i like both i have a duet where i play high notes, cutaway is very comfortable. |
#13
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being lefty hardly i feel gas with the forum pictures(right guitars) but with this beautiful 12 lefty!! i would love to play it congratulations Eblen |
#14
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I have 3 non-cutaways and 1 cutaway. I can't think of a downside to a cutaway. I've met people who can't stand cutaways, ports, sound holes moved around on the top, inlays, pickups, etc. If it's not traditional and all acoustic, they think it's just wrong. I'm not one of those, though.
BTW, do 12 string players never play high on the neck, or something? Why wouldn't they need a cutaway? Though Leo Kottke doesn't have one on his Taylor, I've seen him up in the 14-16 fret area. Ralph Towner knows tunes that use notes up there as well. |
#15
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I just don't know many people who need the upper frets to either play leads or chords on a 12 string. How many lead players play lead on a 12 string that would need those upper frets?
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Liam F. 👽🖖🏼👑 🎶 Last edited by Andromeda; 10-06-2008 at 10:41 AM. |