Yes, I want A Cheap Parlor

[CarolD]

Originally Posted by Malcolm Kindnes

This is a very good suggestion.

Yes, I will keep an eye on his inventory. Nothing in my price range at the moment.

[rmoretti49]

Another vote for the Alvarez AP66. If I didn't already own 3 parlor guitars, I would have bought one after trying it for 10 minutes recently. The string spacing at the saddle is a little tight for fingerstyle for me, but for your stated purpose the guitar could be perfect.

[Ludere]

+ 1 for the AP66 ...
1-3/4” nut on a short scale, small bodied 12-fret at this price point is one of the things that sets it apart ... well, that and the fact that it’s fun to play, sounds good and has vintage vibe for days ...

~ Paul

[NotveryGood]

Originally Posted by Ludere

+ 1 for the AP66 ...
1-3/4” nut on a short scale, small bodied 12-fret at this price point is one of the things that sets it apart ... well, that and the fact that it’s fun to play, sounds good and has vintage vibe for days ...

~ Paul

Alvarez AP66 ( or the similar AP70) is my suggestion too for the reasons already stated . I sold my GS Mini and dont miss it, when compared to the Alvarez it felt like a toy.

[airpatrick]

Originally Posted by DukeX

I'd strongly consider having this gent put something together for me for $500.

http://vintageparlorguitars.com/index.html

Now I’m GASing for one of these. Inventory bookmarked! $100 shipping to my neck of the woods is tough to swallow though. 15-20% the cost of the guitar.

[roylor4]

That Alvarez is a fine pick but keep in mind that even though it's called a parlor, it really is 00 sized.

If you are willing to do a paddlehead - the Seagull Grand is an exceptional little guitar. My wife has one and it has great tone and surprising volume as well.

[ishtar]

Some suggestions aren't 12 fret, and some are without slotted headstock.

If we allow that, I'd toss in the Guild M120 current model. All solid 'African Mahogany'. Really a nice and precise little guitar I play a few times a week and it makes me happy and sounds larger and clearer than some of the past parlors I have experienced.

I have had a couple Larrivee's P models that were 12 fret, but had solid headstocks. And they were all mahogany. M05s.

Recently, there's been a couple smaller Gretsch acoustics with 12 frets... All solid headstocks.

There's an EKO guitar Guitar Center advertises, with a slotted headstock, but 14 frets.

I have played an Alvarez AP70, similar to the AP66... I believe the AP70 has 12 frets and slotted headstock. I played one AP70 in a shop and liked it a lot, then ordered one from some online vendor, and the one I got wasn't as nice sounding

Martin's 000-15SM (or maybe a custom 00-15) is a quite outstanding instrument if you are looking for 12 fret/slot head, non-spruce top... I have had an older one and a newer one, that is, a mahogany proper and maybe a sapele or sipo incarnation... both were wonderful instruments. The Larrivee M05Ps were fantastic, too.

Used, maybe you could find something in the reasonable cost ballpark... Not sure.

[C.F. Angee]

Originally Posted by CarolD

Soooo....my requirements are: 12 fret, short scale, slotted headset, not spruce top (would like to try something different), and under $400 bucks.

I think I’ve narrowed it down to an Alvarez AP66, but anyone have any other suggestions that I should be considering?

I stumbled into an Alvarez AF77E a few months ago, and couldn't be happier at the price. I've played the AP66 as well, and thought it was a solid parlor at the price.

[BoneDigger]

I kind of briefly responded before, but I'll elaborate. The model I purchased was the Alvarez 660 model which is similar to the 66 but without the slotted headstock, and it is also a 14 fret model. The 66 has a slotted headstock and 12 frets. Both are 1 3/4 at the nut and have the same materials and build quality.

I played maybe 5 or 10 parlor or OO sized guitars before deciding. Arguably, the best was the Eastman E10-OO. But it was also $1200. I also played a couple of Seagull folk instruments, a Yamaha, two Breedloves (all solid), an Ibanez, and a couple of others.

In my opinion, the Alvarez was the perfect blend of tone to cost. For a couch or travel guitar, it's just hard to beat. As would be expected, it really excels at finger picking and isn't the absolute best strummer, but it does okay in that role too.

For what you want, the Alvarez is the obvious pick here.

[CarolD]

Originally Posted by BoneDigger

I kind of briefly responded before, but I'll elaborate. The model I purchased was the Alvarez 660 model which is similar to the 66 but without the slotted headstock, and it is also a 14 fret model. The 66 has a slotted headstock and 12 frets. Both are 1 3/4 at the nut and have the same materials and build quality.

I played maybe 5 or 10 parlor or OO sized guitars before deciding. Arguably, the best was the Eastman E10-OO. But it was also $1200. I also played a couple of Seagull folk instruments, a Yamaha, two Breedloves (all solid), an Ibanez, and a couple of others.

In my opinion, the Alvarez was the perfect blend of tone to cost. For a couch or travel guitar, it's just hard to beat. As would be expected, it really excels at finger picking and isn't the absolute best strummer, but it does okay in that role too.

For what you want, the Alvarez is the obvious pick here.

Thank you so much for the reply! Oh yes, I would absolutely love an Eastman parlor, but they are both more than I paid for my Eastman OM. I wonder why parlors are so expensive? And yes, I’m fairly certain that it’s going to be the Alvarez. And I did look at the paddle head 14 fret Alvarez’s. There are a few models of them, but 12 fret and slotted has my heart right now.

[CarolD]

Originally Posted by ishtar

Some suggestions aren't 12 fret, and some are without slotted headstock.

If we allow that, I'd toss in the Guild M120 current model. All solid 'African Mahogany'. Really a nice and precise little guitar I play a few times a week and it makes me happy and sounds larger and clearer than some of the past parlors I have experienced.

I have had a couple Larrivee's P models that were 12 fret, but had solid headstocks. And they were all mahogany. M05s.

Recently, there's been a couple smaller Gretsch acoustics with 12 frets... All solid headstocks.

There's an EKO guitar Guitar Center advertises, with a slotted headstock, but 14 frets.

I have played an Alvarez AP70, similar to the AP66... I believe the AP70 has 12 frets and slotted headstock. I played one AP70 in a shop and liked it a lot, then ordered one from some online vendor, and the one I got wasn't as nice sounding

Martin's 000-15SM (or maybe a custom 00-15) is a quite outstanding instrument if you are looking for 12 fret/slot head, non-spruce top... I have had an older one and a newer one, that is, a mahogany proper and maybe a sapele or sipo incarnation... both were wonderful instruments. The Larrivee M05Ps were fantastic, too.

Used, maybe you could find something in the reasonable cost ballpark... Not sure.

Thank you for taking the time to reply with all of this good info! I do like that AP70 as well, but I think a mahogany top is the way I want to go with this one.

[CarolD]

Originally Posted by TBman

I have the AP66sb, neat little guitar.

Thanks for the reply! Do you have the older version with the Ivoroid binding around it and around the fretboard? That’s the one I really want...lol. And I love your sig lines!

[CarolD]

Originally Posted by airpatrick

Now I’m GASing for one of these. Inventory bookmarked! $100 shipping to my neck of the woods is tough to swallow though. 15-20% the cost of the guitar.

Hahaaa...got you!!! And I think my local Guitar Center has them or can get them and they do ship to store for free. Any idea if I should try to negotiate the price at a GC? Or is there someplace else I should buy one?

[davidbeinct]

Originally Posted by CarolD

Yes, I will keep an eye on his inventory. Nothing in my price range at the moment.

Email him and ask what he can do for the price you’re willing to pay. He’s a great guy and responds quickly to questions.

[davidbeinct]

Originally Posted by CarolD

Hahaaa...got you!!! And I think my local Guitar Center has them or can get them and they do ship to store for free. Any idea if I should try to negotiate the price at a GC? Or is there someplace else I should buy one?

Generally with guitar center you have to wait for sales. I got the 14 fret Alvarez parlor that’s been mentioned here several times for sixty dollars off their usual price by finding it on sale. It beat out several sub-$1000 all solid small guitars, at least in my opinion. I made sure to buy the one I demoed even though it was a floor model. I don’t think you can go wrong with an Alvarez parlor. I’d still suggest you email vintage parlor guitars though. Really nice little guitars on his site.