DOES SIZE MATTER

[MIKE 450]

Hi everyone, I was wondering which size of guitar is best. I watch so many great guitarist who without naming them all,who seem to prefer a small whole body guitar.

I play a Avalon 201 CE and a jumbo 12 string which I love and realy enjoy playing. Recently I've been thinking about buying a new acoustic, a smaller whole bodied tpye. I've played the Matton 808 unplugged and it felt very comfortable and easy to play, but the sound was a little thin on it.

I do intend to play live with this new guitar so it will be plugged in. Ive also noticed that a lot of these smaller guitars I see on youtube etc have a pickup in the sound hole. I've tried to see the names of these lovely sounding guitar's but have fail to get the name.

What realy matter's to me is, that the guitar must sound good plugged and unplugged. Writing songs is important so I need that inspiring sound while sitting at my kitchen table at midnight. But it must also be capabale of any type of tune From Pinnball Wizard to Frieght Train. I would prefer an Avalon but all idea's are welcome.

[mutley2209]

what a great title LOL

my fav at the moment are the jumbo's, as they should resenate better due to there size, but im a novice so porbably worng but i like em

[Loki]

I have a 12 fret Grand/Jumbo Parlour by Avalon.

I am outside the 'honeymoon' period with this but am finding that the other Avalons are spending longer in their cases, while I reach for the wee one.

As far as a pick up is concerned I would be intending to put a Di Marzio DP39 on as/if required. There are some fairly extensive reviews and sound clips of these on ye olde interweb

[singlereed]

As someone with a small one (a S32) In fact I would say the small S bodied guitar might have a physical size measured in 'girl inches' but the sound is measured in 'man inches'

I echo the benefits of a these instruments. It is a very comfortable instrument to play and seems to respond and speak a bit quicker than a larger instrument of similar construction, so it's great for fingerstyle. It also strums well although it wouldn't be my first choice for Pinball Wizard.

As a plugged-in instrument, small bodies seem to amplify well, being less boomy. However, a really well made guitar of a jumbo or dreadnought guitar will outplay a smaller model of lesser quality in these regards and of course has other great qualities so I don't think there is a need to change if you already have a great guitar.

Having said that, if you want an all-round instrument that also stands up to heavy strumming, a medium jumbo might be the way to go - that's the 'A' isn't it?

Regarding pickups - you have probably seen what used to be known as a Mimesis pickup, now the Fishman Rare Earth if it was a soundhole thingy. I'm not keen on having anything like that in the way, I have managed for years with undersaddle pickups from both Fishman and EMG and I use an Award Session Matchbox DI which takes away the 'quack' from the sound. I also found the 'Shape' switch on a Trace Acoustic amp does the same and I dare say there are other good solutions out there including mixing systems that also use an internal microphone.

[MIKE 450]

Grand advice gents,I like the sound of the Grand/jumbo parlour--would love to see a picture of one of those. I can see myself sitting comfortably on my settee playing into the wee hours with that one.

And the S32 again I'd love to see a pic--was wondering are there any pic's on this site of these guitar's must have a look!

[singlereed]

There are plenty of pics on the Avalonguitars website - follow the link from 'guitars' and have a look in the Legacy Series.

[Walesy]

My Fylde Alexander is a fairly small bodied guitar, I suppose its sorta OM size, and it packs a hell of a punch! an amazing sound considering its size. I like the idea of a 'jumbo parlor' size, I used to have a flamed maple Larrivee Parlor guitar that just didn't have a full enough sound for me, so it'd be interesting to hear a 'jumbo parlor'

Here's a pic of my Fylde and my L32, you might be able to see the difference in size, the L32 is a fair bit bigger but that doesn't mean it sounds better! There's also the added benefit that they're comfy to play around the house if they're a bit smaller. Ultimately, it's nice to have a bit of variation if you're going to have more than one guitar, I think my next one might have to be a 12 string!

[singlereed]

And I see your cat has green LEDs for eyes

[Walesy]

either she has LED eyes and uses a wheelchair or her owner is crap at taking photos!

[Loki]

I'll try and get pics of my jumbo parlour in the incoming week - Not 'at meself' at the mo. or would be quicker.

This really is the 'Little Train That Could' - nothing has fazed it so far. Have a friend with recording (and guitar) skills coming in the next few weeks, so will aspire to sound clips if wished.

It ain't even a wee bit scared of the Rio

[MIKE 450]

Thanks guys, this is the feedback I wanted--pics and sounds tell the truth,this is what this forum should be all about. The bottom line is every acoustic guitarist wants a quality sound. I'm tired telling my sons if you walk into a music shop they'll tell you anything to make a sale.

The beauty of a good forum like this is,we all learn from each other. Thats why Avalon run this forum to hear what we want/like etc.

Does Size Matter is a very important question. How many people are sick of stupid driver's in BIG four by fours driving towards us in a get out off my way fashion. These 4x4 fours seem to sell like hotcakes "to hell with green" look at me I'm cool.

My question was about --great guitarist who seem to prefer smaller parlour type acoustic's Why!----- By the way those idiots in the 4x4s can't drive---so it's a question of jumbo or parlour.

[Loki]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAh, well now, you see the divil of it is that there is one of dem Avalon jumbo tings in de house also, and sure and isn't it gorgeous too?