Cutaways--fading away?

[hamburg325]

Originally Posted by tadol

My main gigging guitars - rosewood from ‘85, koa from ‘89, and maple from ‘91. I also have F bodied 12 strings, and FTCs -

To me, those are the most gorgeous cutaways ever.

[LifesShort]

I prefer the look of a non-cutaway, but that wouldn't (and hasn't) prevent me from buying a cutaway. I don't play past the 12th fret, so I don't need one. All I care about is whether or not I like the sound coming out of the guitar.

[Twitch]

To each his own
1) I dislike the disruption to the symmetry, it adds to the beauty of the instrument
2) my luthier argues that they affect the sound... why lose part of the sound chamber... regardless that it is a small amount
3) I am a 3 chord bedroom balladeer, so I don’t need the extra fretboard...I am thinking about going 12 fret
4) in a store I do not even pick one up...I concentrate in full guitars
I hold no malice toward the cut away crowd....just not for me

To each his own
1) I like the disruption to the symmetry, adding to the beauty of an instrument
2) my luthier argues that they do not affect the sound... why stress over losing part of the sound chamber... regardless that it is a small amount
3) I am a veteran performer, I need and use the extra fretboard
4) in a store I do not even pick one up without the cutaway...I concentrate only in cutaway guitars
I hold no malice toward the non cut-away crowd....just not for me



No disrespect intended, only illustrating here that we are all different and will all have differing opinions. In the end I'm thankful that there are a huge number of instruments with options available that can satisfy all.

[Edgar Poe]

Originally Posted by 619TF

Lots of people do. It makes harmonizing with another player easier, adds some more notes to the repertoire and allows for easy duplication of some electric solos on your acoustic.

I know people who feel that a guitar should only have 5 frets as they never venture up more than that. Same perspective as you've suggested here.

Where can I buy one of those 5 frets guitars.....You proved my point.

Ed

[Guitarplayer_PR]

Originally Posted by hamburg325

Looking around our acoustic guitar universe, it's hard to avoid noticing that various body styles (dreads, OMs, slopes, parlors, jumbos) are now far more common in their traditional states than with cutaways. Even Taylor--who rose to dominance partly as a result of their mainstreaming of cutaways--has gone traditional with their Grand Pacific.

I myself have always loved the curvaceous beauty of a great cutaway like the Santa Cruz F/FS (the Marilyn Monroe of guitars). But, like so many things, guitar building goes through styles and trends, and cutaways are now looking so last century.

Of course, the extreme cutaway in Martin's new SC-13E is an exception, but this model seems more geared to electric players than to acoustic purists.

Thoughts?

I have two cutaways and two non-cutaways. And the same reason I love the cutaways in the two guitars which have it is the same reason I love the whole body in the ones which aren't cut. They bring different things to the table.

Probably since many people aren't shredding in the upper register these days, cutaways aren't necessary for them.

[fongie]

Yeah I have two cutaways. A Custom built and a Martin OMC-28 with the Elipse Aura p/u. I play a lot past 12 fret so it is a delight to have them both. I also have non-cutaway Martins.

[hamburg325]

Speaking of trends, 1 3/4" nut width seems like it's become the new norm, no matter what the body size or style.

[RP]

Originally Posted by hamburg325

Speaking of trends, 1 3/4" nut width seems like it's become the new norm, no matter what the body size or style.

I'd tend to agree.....

[sford52]

My next guitar will be a cutaway. I dont shred, but I've seen some youtube jazz instructional videos that seem to use chording at the 10th fret and beyond and I hope to at least putz around with that style. Since I only play for my own enjoyment, any loss in cubic inches and forward output due to the cutaway doesn't matter at all. Actually, in addition to a cutaway, I'd also like a sound hole. Weird guy, eh?

[stephenT]

As long as folks feel the need to noodle above the 14th fret, there'll be cutaways.

[PHJim]

Originally Posted by stephenT

As long as folks feel the need to noodle above the 14th fret, there'll be cutaways.

Except for playing slide, I rarely go beyond the 14th fret, but for a lot of players, this isn't their reason for having a cutaway.
I often see performers who play a whole show without going near the body of the guitar, but they play a guitar with a cutaway. This seems odd to me, but I like non-cutaway guitars, even electrics (I'll admit to owning a Tele with a cutaway and have owned an ES-175 and an Epi Emperor)

I do like Selmer Maccafferis (sp?) with cutaways.


To me this is a beautiful guitar.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by hamburg325

...cutaway ..... styles and trends, and cutaways are now looking so last century.

Thoughts?

Uh, cutawys are about function, not a fashion statement.

[PHJim]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

Uh, cutawys are about function, not a fashion statement.

For many, they are certainly a fashion statement.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by PHJim

For many, they are certainly a fashion statement.

Sadly.

I have mine because they allow me to do things that would be, otherwise, difficult, to, not possible.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by hamburg325

Looking around our acoustic guitar universe, it's hard to avoid noticing that various body styles (dreads, OMs, slopes, parlors, jumbos) are now far more common in their traditional states than with cutaways. Even Taylor--who rose to dominance partly as a result of their mainstreaming of cutaways--has gone traditional with their Grand Pacific.

I don't think it's a matter of cutaways going out of style so much as it's an effort to keep production costs down in order to be competitive in the marketplace. For the person who wants a cutaway, there are still plenty of choices out there.