Why are there not more 12-fret cutaway dreads?

[Steve DeRosa]

They ugly, man...

[ewalling]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

They ugly, man...

Ugly vs. drop-dead boring - tough call!

[AfterViewer]

Originally Posted by Coler

A mini dread is a dread but a 12 fret dread is not...well I'm just confused as all get out now.

From what I'm told. A mini dread still looks like a real dread only much smaller. (leg pulling aside). More of a tug-boat than battleship, though.

[FingahPickah]

Originally Posted by AfterViewer

A 12 fret dread is not a real dread. Even my mini-dreads have 14 fret necks, cut-aways would be unfathomable. I guess you could say it would be a crossover of sorts for people who avoid dreads but still want the sound.

Martin calls their 12 fret dreadnoughts... dreadnoughts.

"D" size guitars.

https://www.creamcitymusic.com/marti...oustic-guitar/

[Misifus]

Originally Posted by AfterViewer

A 12 fret dread is not a real dread.

Just a word: Ditson.

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by Doubleneck

That’s not a dred? More like a 0000

Doubleneck, it is almost a Super Jumbo. 16.75” lower bout.

Feels like a triple O due to all the comfy stuff.

Two of My three remaining JKs are this shape. Similar to a recent Taylor Grand Orchestra, but with a flatter butt.

The other is a 16.25” LB in flame maple and Master Cedar. Kind of like a Gibby shape…

The point I am trying to make is that BIG can be very comfortable, too.

As someone said, just open your wallet. Hahaha

My car is a 12 year old Hyundai Elantra and I have never had a Starbucks anything. My clothes mostly from thrift stores…. One must have the proper values if one wants the Killer gits. Especially if a working muso.

Cheers

Paul

[MCDEMO1]

The Bourgeois Martin Simpson model 12-fret cutaway dread is a great sounding guitar. I have one from 2003.

John Slobod of Circa guitars makes a similar model for Steve Baughman as played here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp5666QQqDA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFWCx3BCdCo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IvSjye-d_A

I have two 12-fret non-cutaways - a Martin D-1 Authentic '31 and a '98 Collings DS1AV. All of my 12-fret Ds are mahogany/red spruce builds.

The Bourgeois does not suffer by comparison to either guitar in the sound department. Play what you like.

[ewalling]

Originally Posted by MCDEMO1

The Bourgeois Martin Simpson model 12-fret cutaway dread is a great sounding guitar. I have one from 2003.

John Slobod of Circa guitars makes a similar model for Steve Baughman as played here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp5666QQqDA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFWCx3BCdCo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IvSjye-d_A

I have two 12-fret non-cutaways - a Martin D-1 Authentic '31 and a '98 Collings DS1AV. All of my 12-fret Ds are mahogany/red spruce builds.

The Bourgeois does not suffer by comparison to either guitar in the sound department. Play what you like.

The idea that a cutaway 'chops away' sound seems to be little more than mythology. My old tech and guitar guru, the late Steve Wildey, played cutaway Blanchard guitars, and I remember him commenting that the area missing with the cutaway made almost no discernible difference to sound. I would count his opinion more highly than those of self-styled experts on the Internet.

[s2y]

Originally Posted by ewalling

In the face of intransigent traditionalism beating out plain common sense, I fear you are right!

There's some value in traditionalist designs, but my needs are often suited by breaking the mold. Besides, I find it rewarding for a guitar built exactly for me. I want certain sounds, certain options, and dimensions that fit me. Still, tell me something shouldn't be done and you're only provoking me.

Electric guitar topic, but I'm in the process of getting a Les Paul meets PRS meets Super Strat build. Some people might think it's neat, but it'll make traditionalists' blood boil.

You might want to consult builders who have done this before. I get that cutaways might not be the most visually popular with traditionalists. I find that a logistical issue is that some traditional x braces will kill the upper register, regardless of brand. My Bob Thompson acoustics all sound great, but the tone starts to fall apart once you get above the 12th fret. Different bracing can allow this to be less of an issue. Obviously, changing the bracing can also change the tone. Ben Wilborn has an interesting design to make the upper register sing like no other.

[sevenpalms]

I agree with the OP. My Bourgeois Martin Simpson is a 12 fret cutaway dread….plays great and very ergonomic!