Looking for a parlor'ish size guitar

[czgunner]

I want something smaller and lighter than what I'm playing now: Larrivee D-40.
I would love a Larrivee parlor, but need to stay under $600.
I was looking at the PRS SE Parlor, the Taylor GS Mini, and the Yamaha CSF.
I like the mahogany top of the PRS and Taylor. The PRS comes with a bone nut and saddle. I can't tell for sure, but it seems the PRS is solid back and sides. The Yamaha has a cool vintage look and is a bit cheaper.
No guitar shops within hours, so I cannot play any of these first.
I'm expecting a lot of positive input for the Taylor, but what are your thoughts on the other 2?
Thank you.

[_zedagive]

Try to find a used one of these. I paid $600 for one and it's truly amazing. Solid top/back and sides. Play it more than my $5,000 Breedlove that I also really love too. Played a Taylor mini that just does not compare.

http://legacy.bedellguitars.com/inst...ries1/oh-18-gs

[Rudy4]

I owned a Larrivee L-05 for several years, but did not like any of their parlors I played.

The Taylor 322 that I own is a nice mahogany topped guitar. I previously had a Taylor GS Mini mahogany that was very nice, but the short scale puts it in more of a specialty category rather than a everyday player.

You might think about a Orangewood Oliver (Grand Concert solid mahogany top / layered sides and back) as as a smaller mahogany guitar until you get a chance to play some others. Inexpensive and gets pretty good reviews here by owners.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Supposedly the Recording King Justin Townes Earle guitars are in stock at GC these days..

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Recordi...00000349158.gc

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by czgunner

I want something smaller and lighter than what I'm playing now: Larrivee D-40.
I would love a Larrivee parlor, but need to stay under $600.
I was looking at the PRS SE Parlor, the Taylor GS Mini, and the Yamaha CSF.
I like the mahogany top of the PRS and Taylor. The PRS comes with a bone nut and saddle. I can't tell for sure, but it seems the PRS is solid back and sides. The Yamaha has a cool vintage look and is a bit cheaper.
No guitar shops within hours, so I cannot play any of these first.
I'm expecting a lot of positive input for the Taylor, but what are your thoughts on the other 2?
Thank you.

I've liked the Art Lutherie parlors that I've played. The scale is very close to a Gibson, which works a whole lot better for me than the shorter Taylor-mini scale. They would fit your price range nicely.

[Shaneh]

you should seriously consider this

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guit...parlor&index=4

[AndrewG]

Faith 'Naked' Mercury. Englemann over mahogany, all solid woods, ebony fretboard, bridge, bridge pins, headstock overlay, 24" scale, 12 frets to the body and well within your budget...and it isn't a clone of anything else. Sounds a lot 'bigger' than its dimensions might suggest, and with none of the 'boxy' tone many parlour-style guitars possess.
Demo:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE6jcIKNtGM
Spec:https://www.faithguitars.com/guitars...-naked-mercury
I really like these guitars; they have picked up all kinds of awards and well-deserved. I have no affiliation with Faith.

[skouri1]

Maybe you can find a used blueridge 341 however they don't come up too often. In meantime i purchased an Alvarez ap70 on the cheap and its dang impressive value. Apparently ap66 is great as well. More of a 00 tho.

[Naboz]

Agreed, Shaneh!
I continue to be impressed with, and wonder; how does Alvarez do it?!
I just picked up this same Alvarez Elite Parlor (more of a 00 size--which for me I really like) on this sale.
It came ready to play right out of the box, sounds as deep as any OM I've played, and the cedar top with light burst is very nice, the Macassar Ebony is beautiful--it is layered with ebony both on the outside and inside--and throw in an arm bevel; what's not to like?!
With a 45 day return option, you might as well give it a whirl.
(Mine's staying!)

[GoPappy]

I played a PRS SE parlor recently and that particular one was just meh. Probably not indicative of the entire line, but that one was easy to put back on the wall.

The Taylor GS Mini gets a lot of love here, and I own and love two Taylor GC guitars, but I've played a couple of GS Minis and I don't share the love. The narrow neck just doesn't work for me, the scale feels too short and the sound just didn't excite me.

I haven't played the Yamaha you mentioned.

Do check out the Alvarez. I owned an AP66SHB and really liked it. Playability is great and the sound is much better than I expected from a guitar that size. I gave mine to my son, who always admired it when I had it, and he needed it more than me.

[mrjop1975]

Could your budget stretch a bit up? I have on order this https://www.macmarr.com/store/opeongo which, while a little north of your budget, could fit the bill.

[mawmow]

Alvarez AP, either AP70 or all-Mahogany AP66 I do own.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by Naboz

Agreed, Shaneh!
I continue to be impressed with, and wonder; how does Alvarez do it?!
I just picked up this same Alvarez Elite Parlor (more of a 00 size--which for me I really like) on this sale.
It came ready to play right out of the box, sounds as deep as any OM I've played, and the cedar top with light burst is very nice, the Macassar Ebony is beautiful--it is layered with ebony both on the outside and inside--and throw in an arm bevel; what's not to like?!
With a 45 day return option, you might as well give it a whirl.
(Mine's staying!)

All in all, a good choice, but I really dislike the Alverez bridge design. It would kill any desire for me to have one.

[czgunner]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

All in all, a good choice, but I really dislike the Alverez bridge design. It would kill any desire for me to have one.

Functionally or aesthetically?

[Naboz]

Wow, Rudy,
I really appreciate the design AND function of the Alvarez bi-level bridge.
You'll never have any break-angle issues, but I also like the sculptural aesthetic it has.