Single VS Doublecut Guitars

[MetalFinatic14]

I'm used to playing doublecuts, but I do have a few days worth of practice on a singlecut. What are the major differences between the two? I'm looking to buy this singlecut but I do like being able to play with ease on the higher frets. Do the pros outway the cons? What's your take?

 

[baritone]

Re: Single VS Doublecut Guitars

I started on a Strat, and then I got a Les Paul. I switch back & forth very easily.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Single VS Doublecut Guitars

I think singlecuts tend to sound a little beefier. More lows and lower midrange.

Single cutaway PRS vs. double cutaway PRS for example.

 

[MetalFinatic14]

Re: Single VS Doublecut Guitars

Well I tend to anchor my thumb over the top of the neck when I play on the higher frets. So I have to change my playstyle on a single cut in order to compensate. They have a double cut version, but I feel like it wont have as good a tone and it doesn't look nearly as nice.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Single VS Doublecut Guitars

I don't find much of a difference unless there are scale length/body construction differences. Playing up higher is easier on a well-constructed double cut, but all other things being equal, I don't notice that much of a difference.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Single VS Doublecut Guitars

Single vs Double Cut is not the difference I look for–wood used, scale length, bridge type, etc. are the major factors I look for.

 

[MetalFinatic14]

Re: Single VS Doublecut Guitars

Single vs Double Cut is not the difference I look for–wood used, scale length, bridge type, etc. are the major factors I look for.

These are the specs of the guitar I just bought. Really excited

 

[stratguy23]

Re: Single VS Doublecut Guitars

To me, the main difference between singlecut and doublecut is aesthetic. The roughly 4 dominant electric guitar body shapes are Fender and Gibson, each with a singlecut and doublecut shape: Tele, Strat, Les Paul, SG.

You can mix-and-match characteristics amongst those shapes: bolt-on/set-neck, vibrato bridge/hardtail, no neck angle/some neck angle, single coil/humbucker, etc. So, as far as I'm concerned, there's no "singlecut sound" or "doublecut sound". What's more important than "is there a top horn" is the kind of woods, their quality, how much wood there is, how well it's put together, what hardware and electronics are used.

If you're talking about high fret access, doublecut doesn't necessarily mean better high fret access. Some doublecuts actually impede high fret access on the lower strings if the horn is too close to the neck. The Les Paul and Telecaster have their top strap button around the 15th fret, so on both sides of the neck you get good access up to there. Neck heel shape and bottom horn/cutaway construction is more important in determining access to the frets beyond that.

I will allow that singlecuts generally have a different "vibe" than doublecuts. Singlecuts feel more solid and blunt to me.