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Old 10-06-2008, 09:06 AM
Chipmunk Chipmunk is offline
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Default 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.
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Old 10-06-2008, 09:11 AM
Rodger Rodger is offline
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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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Old 10-06-2008, 09:16 AM
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devellis devellis is offline
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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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Old 10-06-2008, 09:25 AM
mmmaak mmmaak is offline
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Originally Posted by devellis View Post
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?
+1 on that. And some people (not me!) just can't stand the look of them
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Old 10-06-2008, 09:26 AM
Chipmunk Chipmunk is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by devellis View Post
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?
Which comes to way that for the same price, I could get a better quality non-cutaway!

Thank you for your reply.
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Old 10-06-2008, 09:26 AM
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ljguitar ljguitar is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chipmunk View Post
...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?
Hi Chip...
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.
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Old 10-06-2008, 09:27 AM
massimo massimo is offline
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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
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Old 10-06-2008, 09:29 AM
Andromeda Andromeda is offline
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Originally Posted by mmmaak View Post
+1 on that. And some people (not me!) just can't stand the look of them
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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Old 10-06-2008, 09:31 AM
Jeff M Jeff M is offline
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Cost.
That's the only downside.

And aesthetics...if you don't like the look.
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Old 10-06-2008, 09:33 AM
Chipmunk Chipmunk is offline
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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!!!
And why not?
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Old 10-06-2008, 09:52 AM
Kevin A Kevin A is offline
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Originally Posted by Andromeda View Post
...why put a cutaway on a 12 string!!!
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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Old 10-06-2008, 10:03 AM
Kabalan Kabalan is offline
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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.
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Old 10-06-2008, 10:08 AM
Kabalan Kabalan is offline
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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...
hi kevin
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
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Old 10-06-2008, 10:08 AM
David Hilyard David Hilyard is offline
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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.
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Old 10-06-2008, 10:15 AM
Andromeda Andromeda is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chipmunk View Post
And why not?
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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Last edited by Andromeda; 10-06-2008 at 10:41 AM.
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