Cutaway - Pros and Cons

[wguitar]

Hi,

Other than being able to access the upper frets, what are the pros and cons of a cutaway ?

Thanks!

[llew]

I can see the need on maybe a 12 fret model to access the upper frets but aesthetically I'm not a fan. Just my 2 cents?

[Brucebubs]

I prefer the full body version.

[ataylor]

While this may be squarely in the ‘pro’ column for many players, a potential con might be that cutaway guitars often come with electronics preinstalled, typically with visible controls on the guitar.

[Wellington]

I've never owned a cutaway because I don't like the look of them, but if you need to access the highest frets it would sure be worth it.

[The Bard Rocks]

+ ....access to upper frets; great if your playing takes you there.

- .... assymetrical appearance. This bugs me to no end, but there are folks who really like it. I should also mention; there is a great chance of cracking highly figured wood when building with a cutaway.

I have always wanted to be able to state that cutaways don't sound as good or are quieter, have less sustain, etc. - only, honesty being the best policy, my ears won't let me say it.

[jaan]

I own guitars with and without cutaways. IMHO there is no downside other than aesthetics. And I happen to like how they look. But if you’re asking about tone, I see no difference really. It’s more what you like and you’re style of play.

[Methos1979]

I've owned cutaways but I really don't need them as I seldom venture beyond the fifth fret for my barre chord so seventh fret. That said there is the occasional song that has me go higher and I find certain songs tight especially on 12 fret guitars. During Christmas we play a song capo'd at (gasp) the ninth fret! That can only be done on a 14-fret guitar with a cutaway which I'm currently without so that song will either have to go on the back burner this year or perhaps it can be transposed but probably not as the high notes are key to the overall song. Oh well, it wasn't a primary Christmas fave anyway.

As for pros and cons, well, some say tone but I've never really noticed all that much a difference. So it's really just looks (you like it or you don't) and access (you need it or you don't). I will say that not all cutaways are created equal in the looks department. Some are sharp, some are rounded and the look of both, good or bad, depends entirely on the builder and the guitar. One cutaway I've seen lately here and there that I like a lot is the 'scooped' one that is not so much a full cutaway as more a half cutaway. Sort of gives you the best of both worlds from both a looks and function aspect. It's only something I've seen on a few custom builder's guitars and I'm sure it adds a fair bump in price as it's likely quite labor intensive.

[jaymarsch]

I have both a 12 fret and a 14 fret cutaway as well as a 12 fret and a 14 fret non cutaway. I like the variety and do not notice any lack of tone with any of them. I find when playing up the neck a cutaway can be helpful but not absolutely necessary.
Best,
Jayne

[whvick]

Originally Posted by Wellington

I've never owned a cutaway because I don't like the look of them, but if you need to access the highest frets it would sure be worth it.

Ditto for me

[Bob from Brooklyn]

I have both. I worry about a lot of stuff but cutaways are not one of them.

[TBman]

I have 2 cutaways and I'm glad I have them. I played capo'd up a lot and sometimes the arrangements take me up there. If I get another guitar it too will be a cutaway. I really like the look of the Florentine style of cutaway, but don't see that happening.

[stormin1155]

My preference is no cutaway. I do have one cutaway guitar... it has satin back/sides/neck, and the cutaway area is all worn shiny, so I guess I must use it without really realizing it, but I don't miss it on my non-cutaways. It's my grab and go workhorse guitar that I often use for working out riffs and leads that I might normally use an electric for, so that might explain it.

As far as pros/cons, if you need the upper fret access, that's a pro. Beyond that it's just personal preference. The effect on tone is pretty small as far as I can tell.

[guitar george]

They look good on some guitars and highlight the builder's skill and craftmanship.

CUTAWAY (1).jpg

[Rinaz]

It looks nice on some guitars. I only prefer full body dreadnought, I rarely like cutaway dreads but I like more GA or OM with a cutaway than a non cutaway one.