'Modified' guitars

[UKPhil]

Hi

Could someone clarify what a 'modified' model of guitar means please? The term seems in fashion at the moment and I would like to understand the implications.

Thanks

[Michael Watts]

You've doubtless heard it in the context of the Modified Dreadnought which is a design by Ervin Somogyi which took the Martin D as a start point and modified it as the name suggests into an instrument more suitable for the seated solo fingerstyle player. The main changes are:

Tone
Response
Ergonomics

not necessarily in that order. Until recently I hadn't seen it in any other context. Now it looks like it might be creeping into use for other guitars...

But yeah, that's how it started.

The first Mod-D (built for Daniel Hecht) at the launch of Somogyi's books in Montreal





The Andamento II a non-cutaway Mod-D in Maple



A Mod-D by Jason Kostal



Hope that helps

[ericcsong]

michael beat me to it!

[UKPhil]

Thanks Michael and Eric for clarifying that - I had an idea of where it originated with the Somogyi Dreadnought size guitar. I saw a modified SJ thread on this forum (a beautiful guitar as well) and it would appear the term is spreading.

So, if it runs it's course, any guitar based on a Martin model but modified somehow could be named a 'modified OM' or a 'modified 000' etc.

[Michael Watts]

I suppose so... The term Modified Dreadnought was coined by Ervin in the late 70's. As with a lot of the terminology he uses (think responsive) it has become something of a buzz-word in the lutherie scene. Essentially the Mod-D was a new design (albeit based on an older one) to serve a new purpose. What a "modified"SJ, OM or anything else brings to the table that the original design couldn't do is anybody's guess... I suspect use of the term outside of this very niche context to be little more than marketing...

[usb_chord]

Originally Posted by Michael Watts

What a "modified"SJ, OM or anything else brings to the table that the original design couldn't do is anybody's guess... I suspect use of the term outside of this very niche context to be little more than marketing...

It's a sexy word, I suppose.

[Michael Watts]

Mmmmmm modified....

[El Conquistador]

Originally Posted by UKPhil

I saw a modified SJ thread So, if it runs it's course, any guitar based on a Martin model but modified somehow could be named a 'modified OM'

Actually, I believe the term "SJ", or small jumbo, was coined by Jim Olsen, not Martin.

Steve

[mikealpine]

I just think of it as "custom". Taylor will let you "modify a model" in which case they will make some changes to an existing model, and there is some line that keeps it from being a BTO (build to order). Apparently it is when it is close to an existing model, maybe with a borrowed subset of specs, hence "modified" dread.

[JoeCharter]

It's just branding/marketing -- and apparently good branding since it has become a household name.

Just about every guitar on the market nowadays could be considered "modified" from last century's designs.

[harvl]

Originally Posted by JoeCharter

It's just branding/marketing -- and apparently good branding since it has become a household name.

Just about every guitar on the market nowadays could be considered "modified" from last century's designs.

I would tend to agree... Ervin used it as a simple way to let people know it wasn't a typical Martin copy and because of his success and many of his students using it it has become a buzz word. My very first guitar back in 1980 was a modified dread... I never called it that until recently because it seems that like Jim's popularization of the term "SJ" (originally a Gibson designation I believe) it adds value in many customers minds. If you say dreadnought it's a working man's tool if you say Modified D it's a high quality fingerstyle guitar. You can buy what the market considers the best dreadnought for under $2000.00 (Martin) but the best Modified D will cost you $30K. Selling guitars often comes down to using the right words

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by harvl

Selling guitars often comes down to using the right words

And some really, really, really nice inlays!!

[LouieAtienza]

My understanding is that other than the sonic differences, Somogyi wanted to create a dreadnaught with a slightly more defined waist, while retaining the same interior volume, so that it would more comfortable to play in the seated position. He also wanted a larger nut spacing than the typical dreadnaught to accomodate fingerstyle playing...

[Michael Watts]

Originally Posted by LouieAtienza

My understanding is that other than the sonic differences, Somogyi wanted to create a dreadnaught with a slightly more defined waist, while retaining the same interior volume, so that it would more comfortable to play in the seated position. He also wanted a larger nut spacing than the typical dreadnaught to accomodate fingerstyle playing...

The Mod-D was designed to give the players of the Windham Hill label the power of a dreadnought with the playability, tone and ergonomics of a new guitar. This was the first time that solo acoustic guitar had been recorded to such exacting standards and the weaknesses of the traditional designs were revealed.

The Modified dreadnought design changed my life as a player and I am confident in saying that I doubt I'll ever have another style of guitar as my main concert instrument.

[Michael Watts]

BTW Phil, if you'd like to try a Kostal Mod-D at any point I'd be delighted to make that happen.