HELP! Looking for a OO sized cutaway guitar

tomtetom · #1 10-17-2021, 11:50 AM

Hello - I'm looking for a OO size (or slightly smaller) cutaway acoustic guitar.

I've been looking but it seems very hard to identify one of these in any manufacturer's range.

Lots and lots of OOO/OM/GA size machines, but no OOs that I can see - can anyone help with a recommendation or links?

The closest I have come is the Lowden "S" body size, but they are a little expensive. Any and all recommendations gratefully received.

DaveG · #2 10-17-2021, 12:25 PM

I haven't played one, but I've been looking at the Breedlove Concertina sized guitars. They seem about the right size.

birdsong · #3 10-17-2021, 12:28 PM

Keep in mind that Alvarez "parlors" are mostly 00 sized. Some might come with a cutaway. My AP70, while listed as "parlor" is not a parlor the way I think of a parlor (smaller than a 0). It's essentially the same size as my other two 00's. So you might check out that line and related Masterworks and if you find any with a cutaway just check the lower bout size etc.

John

Deadstring · #4 10-17-2021, 12:48 PM

Maton SRS808C

tomtetom · #5 10-17-2021, 01:43 PM

These are some terrific suggestions - thanks. I'd not thought of Breedlove or Maton.

Please keep the ideas coming!

KevinH · #6 10-17-2021, 02:34 PM

The 00 is my favorite size, 12-fret in particular. Yes, definitely check out the Breedlove Concertina, all of which are 12-fret last time I checked. Also, the "Designed in Bend" models (made in China) have 1-11/16" nuts, if that matters. The "Made in Bend" models are 1-3/4".

If you're willing to go a wee bit wider than a 00, take a look at Taylors X22 guitars. For example, the 522ce has a cutaway and feels much like a 00 to me.

mcmars · #7 10-17-2021, 03:07 PM

I have 2, a custom northwood spruce walnut 00 that I happened to stumble on that guitar center was selling used and with little info or good pictures, I gambled on it and won. The other is a 2017 taylor 322 CE that is just incredible tone and sustain. I also have a national reso rocket wood that I got years ago on ebay that is very nice. If you like 12 fret 00 and play with a capo, then a cutaway is the way to go IMHO.

Seems like there would be more 12 fret small body cutaways then are easily available, not sure why manufactures have not figured this out, but I am guessing because the vast majority of folks play 14 fret guitars and cowboy chords.

other option/compromise is to find a 13 fret 00 guitar. I have 2 nice Josh House 13 fret guitars, 00 and 000, they are both awesome.

gmel555 · #8 10-17-2021, 03:30 PM

Bourgeois 00-Coupe Cutaway. Great guitars!

Aspiring · #9 10-17-2021, 03:58 PM

This is a bit steeper than I have seen these priced lately. I have the non cutaway version and it is glorious..

https://reverb.com/item/43771522-ted...tar-margate-fl

dirkronk · #10 10-17-2021, 04:47 PM

If you look around you might find some shop with an old stock Recording King Schoenberg RP2-626...Sitka (I think...possibly Engelman) over mahogany (with or without cutaway). They also made a single-0 (RP1-626). Both well under a grand. There was a 00 version with cutaway available back pre-pandemic at Guitar Tex here in San Antonio, and I lusted a bit since I was getting acclimated to above-the-12th-fret playing, but it was a bit too close tonewise to my RK Greenwich Village 13-fret. Unfortunately that 00 has since disappeared. Good hunting...and do tell us what you end up with. I'm interested in something similar myself.

Dirk

terahertz · #11 10-17-2021, 06:04 PM

There is a thread that compare 00 size guitar...

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=415823

Nctom · #12 10-19-2021, 07:15 AM

Larrivee makes 00's with cutaways in several models unless I'm badlly mistaken. I haven't played one, but have played Larrivee noncutaway 00's that were excellent.

zombywoof · #13 10-19-2021, 07:26 AM

The Gibson CF-100. Introduced in 1950 they crashed and burned commercially causing Gibson to first cut production and then pull the plug on the whole project in 1959. While originals have gotten pretty pricey Gibson did reissue the model in a short run in the 1990s and then again in 2015.

jpmist · #14 10-19-2021, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nctom

Larrivee makes 00's with cutaways in several models unless I'm badlly mistaken. I haven't played one, but have played Larrivee noncutaway 00's that were excellent.

Hi nctom, I have to pipe up here and mention that the OOV's Larrivee you might have seen have been special custom orders (I have had several). You might be thinking of the OMV or the P model which are standard factory offerings In the last 7-8 years I've been checking, a cutaway OOV has never been a factory offering.

To the OP, the Taylor 300 series are really close in size to the OO.

mawmow · #15 10-19-2021, 07:55 AM

So, OO size with a cutaway.
My problem with cutaways is that they usually come with factory installed electronics.

Seagull Performer CW QIT (honest electronics) for under 1k$ brand new.

Taylors, series 300 to 800, the number ending with 2 like in 512 and "ce".

I cannot say if Martin OO-15 (all-Mahogany) or OO-18 or CEO-7 could have a cutaway.

Or an Alvarez Parlor either AP70 or AP66ESB (all-Mahogany), also well under 1k$.