Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
What do I need to know about parlor guitars? I've always preferred the sound of smaller acoustics, but parlors seem to be their own world.
Parlor Guitars?
- Thread starter Chistopher
- Start date
idsnowdog
Imperator of Indignation
Shorter scale, lighter, smaller diameter body, with a shallow body depth, and light string tension. It's built to be played fingerstyle while seated. The notes are darker/rounder with less volume and sustain, but they pop nicely. They are closer to a nylon string in tone than a steel string dreadnought.
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beaubrummels
Well-known member
Get a spruce top. Washburn made the best I've ever played. Punchy and loud, in a good way, but still having that focused midrange of a smaller guitar.
Ashurbanipal
New member
As mentioned above, midrange focus to the tone, and sweeter treble, not massive bass. Since most tend to come in a 12 fret format, the bridge is set in the middle of the lower bout, so string energy transfer is more efficient, and they can be quite punchy. The fingerboard is often wider, and traditionally the headstock a slotted type.
Then there's some makers who just do insane things (playing starts around 3:07).
Then there's some makers who just do insane things (playing starts around 3:07).
solspirit
Ultimate Post Liker
I've got an early 70's Harmony in excellent condition, with the original case. I don't play it that often because of its subdued voicing.
If I ever get around to it, I'll put a brass or hardwood bridge on it, and a brass nut. Just to make it a little louder and punchier
If I ever get around to it, I'll put a brass or hardwood bridge on it, and a brass nut. Just to make it a little louder and punchier
Oh boy, I really dug it into this one a couple years ago!
As mentioned above they can be far more intimate they are more balanced across bass treble and mid-range and they are so easy to play because they are much smaller than any other guitar.
But it took a lot of demoing on my part as I'll describe below.
On the intimate side, when I found the right guitar, I find that the notes pop through so clearly in chords or individually, it's just a completely different experience from your regular jumbo or dreadnought.
For me the most important differentiation turned out to be a slotted peghead. I had no idea in the past why people use them and what their purpose is.
What they do is greatly increase the string angle which makes the strings more flexible and adds to the sound considerably.
In comparing tons of parlors, I found the slotted tone much more desirable and especially prefer the feel.. it's very low tension across all the strings.. much more like the bass strings of a classical guitar if you know what I mean..
As a result, I feel like I have far far more control over each note. The touch and subtle effects are just magnified.
On the other end of the spectrum, I played tons of just boring plinky parlor guitars. Bright, soulless, like that $75 beginning guitar that somebody gave you from Walmart.. except they were $400 plus name brands.
..
I finally found my absolute favorite parlor guitar..
Guild P-240 Memoir Acoustic Guitar - Natural | Sweetwater https://share.google/Y1mramma15DsNHlQ1
Unless I need to prepare for electric or acoustic performances, this is it.. it sits next to my couch that I play it all the time..
I also love to record it. Incredible finger style, think James Taylor but more intimate and controlled, and wonderful rhythm that does not overpower.. think the opposite of Tom Petty's wall of acoustics.. which I love but this is the other thing
As mentioned above they can be far more intimate they are more balanced across bass treble and mid-range and they are so easy to play because they are much smaller than any other guitar.
But it took a lot of demoing on my part as I'll describe below.
On the intimate side, when I found the right guitar, I find that the notes pop through so clearly in chords or individually, it's just a completely different experience from your regular jumbo or dreadnought.
For me the most important differentiation turned out to be a slotted peghead. I had no idea in the past why people use them and what their purpose is.
What they do is greatly increase the string angle which makes the strings more flexible and adds to the sound considerably.
In comparing tons of parlors, I found the slotted tone much more desirable and especially prefer the feel.. it's very low tension across all the strings.. much more like the bass strings of a classical guitar if you know what I mean..
As a result, I feel like I have far far more control over each note. The touch and subtle effects are just magnified.
On the other end of the spectrum, I played tons of just boring plinky parlor guitars. Bright, soulless, like that $75 beginning guitar that somebody gave you from Walmart.. except they were $400 plus name brands.
..
I finally found my absolute favorite parlor guitar..
Guild P-240 Memoir Acoustic Guitar - Natural | Sweetwater https://share.google/Y1mramma15DsNHlQ1
Unless I need to prepare for electric or acoustic performances, this is it.. it sits next to my couch that I play it all the time..
I also love to record it. Incredible finger style, think James Taylor but more intimate and controlled, and wonderful rhythm that does not overpower.. think the opposite of Tom Petty's wall of acoustics.. which I love but this is the other thing
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Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
The fact that this looks almost indistinguishable from my classical guitar gives it extra points
Bingo... The nuts not quite as wide and the bracing is entirely different but it's the closest thing to a steel string classical you could get.
In fact my classical never comes out anymore because the guild is already sitting there
