Comfort of Taylor dread vs Gibson slope shoulder

ii Cybershot ii · #1 03-18-2019, 10:43 AM

I find that I rarely reach for my dreadnought Taylor guitars anymore because it's just easier to play my smaller bodied guitars.

However the allure of a Gibson J45 is strong...!

If I find Taylor dreadnoughts slightly uncomfortable, will I find the Gibson J45 uncomfortable as well?

P.S. I have played lots of J45 guitars on plenty of occasions, but you never really know until you own a guitar if it's right for you, so I am curious what the forum thinks?

C_Becker · #2 03-18-2019, 10:57 AM

No experience with the Taylor, but a slope-shoulder feels slightly more comfortable to me compared to a "standard" square-shoulder dreadnought.
Dunno why.

Paddy1951 · #3 03-18-2019, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C_Becker

No experience with the Taylor, but a slope-shoulder feels slightly more comfortable to me compared to a "standard" square-shoulder dreadnought.

Dunno why.

I agree with this. The slope-shoulder shape coupled with a short scale, makes for an easier playing, more comfortable guitar than a square shouldered long scale guitar.

Compared to a smaller body... Probably not as comfortable for most people.

rokdog49 · #4 03-18-2019, 01:18 PM

I don't know about other comparisons but...
I find my J45 more comfortable to play than my D18.

maxtheaxe · #5 03-18-2019, 01:19 PM

The combination of a slope-shoulder design and Gibson's typically shorter scale make for a very comfy guitar to play...far more so IMHO than a traditional type dread, usually with a 25.5" scale, from any builder including Taylor.

drplayer · #6 03-18-2019, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C_Becker

No experience with the Taylor, but a slope-shoulder feels slightly more comfortable to me compared to a "standard" square-shoulder dreadnought.

This is the same for me, and it's likely because of the body depth. A D-18 for example is 4-7/8" deep at the lower bout, while a J-45 is 4-1/2" deep. The J-45 is also short scale, which may contribute to a sense of greater comfort as well.

ii Cybershot ii · #7 03-18-2019, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drplayer

This is the same for me, and it's likely because of the body depth. A D-18 for example is 4-7/8" deep at the lower bout, while a J-45 is 4-1/2" deep. The J-45 is also short scale, which may contribute to a sense of greater comfort as well.

Are you sure about this depth? I tried researching this and found a higher number.

Either way the responses in this thread aren't going to do my bank account any favors!

Gomers · #8 03-18-2019, 02:41 PM

In my experience, the J45 has a very slightly more pinched waist than a typical dread making it sit lower on the lap. Not sure how that would translate with a Taylor whose overall shape is slightly different to the traditional Martin dread shape, to my eyes, Taylor's seem a touch more rectangular, don't think they're quite as deep though.

EverettWilliams · #9 03-18-2019, 03:01 PM

I think the difference is really modest. Go play one, but when I pick up a slope D after playing a square shouldered D, I never think “man, this guitar is more comfortable.” (Not that I find either uncomfortable.)

Where I notice a difference is a small jumbo (pinched waist) or OM (and then on from there).

I highly recommend trying it out in person, but the difference strikes me as more of a rounding error than a material difference.

zmf · #10 03-18-2019, 03:14 PM

I can't promise you my Santa Cruz VS has the same dimensions as the J-45 because I can't find them, but the VS feels more comfortable and "smaller" than a typical dreadnaught.

kcnbys · #11 03-18-2019, 09:35 PM

If you want an even more comfortable J45, try out the J45 Studio. It has a slightly thinner body, and is super comfortable to play for a dread.

ii Cybershot ii · #12 03-18-2019, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcnbys

If you want an even more comfortable J45, try out the J45 Studio. It has a slightly thinner body, and is super comfortable to play for a dread.

Yea those look cool.

Since you have both a DN3 and a J45, how do they compare comfort-wise for you?

kcnbys · #13 03-19-2019, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ii Cybershot ii

Yea those look cool.

Since you have both a DN3 and a J45, how do they compare comfort-wise for you?

The J45 is more comfortable. I don't have any problem with the comfort of the DN3, but the J45 with the thinner body and short scale is definitely a bit more comfortable.

#14 03-19-2019, 08:50 AM

My LG2 American Eagle gives me that great Gibson tone without the shoulder discomfort of a full-size body. I traded my J-35 for it and never looked back.