ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
It's a sacrifice of functionality. I don't get it.
Why do people like single cutaways?
- Thread starter ImmortalSix
- Start date
T
theodie
Guest
Re: Why do people like single cutaways?
You are like a neutered dog then it seems.
You are like a neutered dog then it seems.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Why do people like single cutaways?
Many people believe the sound improves.
The issue is a little fuzzy since there are very few guitars that are only different in single or double cut. Gibson for example, both with the LP standard and the LP Special, gave the double-cut model an entirely different neck joint, further up the neck, and in the case of the DC standard it also got 24 frets which changes everything.
Many double cuts are also thinner, the SG versus the LP is the classic example. The double cut is the least of the differences here.
Myself, I believe in a "wood sound railroad lines" . I think that acoustically great sounding guitars are lucky that the grains are cut in a way that they transport sound end to end and have no dead ends just killing parts of the sound. Then, the thinner your body, your neck or your neck point, the bigger the chance that you killed it. For example, a thin neck LP can come out amoung the best sounding LPs. But statistically it seems that thicker neck LPs come out great more often.
Similar, thick body Les Pauls seem to have a higher chance to sound good than thinner bodied guitars of otherwise similar construction. A thin neck joint might be OK but raises your chance of "cutting the rails".
Just my two cents.
Many people believe the sound improves.
The issue is a little fuzzy since there are very few guitars that are only different in single or double cut. Gibson for example, both with the LP standard and the LP Special, gave the double-cut model an entirely different neck joint, further up the neck, and in the case of the DC standard it also got 24 frets which changes everything.
Many double cuts are also thinner, the SG versus the LP is the classic example. The double cut is the least of the differences here.
Myself, I believe in a "wood sound railroad lines" . I think that acoustically great sounding guitars are lucky that the grains are cut in a way that they transport sound end to end and have no dead ends just killing parts of the sound. Then, the thinner your body, your neck or your neck point, the bigger the chance that you killed it. For example, a thin neck LP can come out amoung the best sounding LPs. But statistically it seems that thicker neck LPs come out great more often.
Similar, thick body Les Pauls seem to have a higher chance to sound good than thinner bodied guitars of otherwise similar construction. A thin neck joint might be OK but raises your chance of "cutting the rails".
Just my two cents.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: Why do people like single cutaways?
I don't think that a single cutaway hurts playability of a guitar whatsoever . . . my Godin Exit 22 is a single cutaway, and it's easier to reach the higher frets on it than on my ES-335 (double cutaway). I think that the actual design of the guitar body and neck joint have more to do with any difficulties that people have reaching the upper frets.
I don't think that a single cutaway hurts playability of a guitar whatsoever . . . my Godin Exit 22 is a single cutaway, and it's easier to reach the higher frets on it than on my ES-335 (double cutaway). I think that the actual design of the guitar body and neck joint have more to do with any difficulties that people have reaching the upper frets.
guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: Why do people like single cutaways?
While the wood of the bout itself doesn't affect playability, the double cutaways like the DC Pro and IBZ Artist usually have a bit more neck before the heel, and that extra neck lets my hand go up a bit farther.
It is a trade for tone, tho.
While the wood of the bout itself doesn't affect playability, the double cutaways like the DC Pro and IBZ Artist usually have a bit more neck before the heel, and that extra neck lets my hand go up a bit farther.
It is a trade for tone, tho.
guitarded
New member
Re: Why do people like single cutaways?
Huh.....? I like Tele's because it is the only guitar design that has nothing that gets in the way of my playing. I could tap, there is room to pick. Going back to the subject...how is a top cutaway a feature? Maybe you would lose functionality if you were playing it upside down or something, but I don't seem to see where you are coming from.... Maybe I am missing something?
Huh.....? I like Tele's because it is the only guitar design that has nothing that gets in the way of my playing. I could tap, there is room to pick. Going back to the subject...how is a top cutaway a feature? Maybe you would lose functionality if you were playing it upside down or something, but I don't seem to see where you are coming from.... Maybe I am missing something?
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Why do people like single cutaways?
The single cutaway hurts some playing, namely bending on the high frets - because you cannot brace the thumb on top of the neck and your bending force has to come out of nothing, so to speak.
As mentioned above, almost always the double cuts have other neck joint details further freeing up space for hands or thumb.
The single cutaway hurts some playing, namely bending on the high frets - because you cannot brace the thumb on top of the neck and your bending force has to come out of nothing, so to speak.
As mentioned above, almost always the double cuts have other neck joint details further freeing up space for hands or thumb.
The Golden Boy
Fleecy Sweaterologist
Re: Why do people like single cutaways?
"Ain't no money past the 7th fret."
That being said, I do recall a LP Jr shootout that Vintage Guitar did a few years back. IIRC the "winner" was a 59 DC- to everyone's surprise.
"Ain't no money past the 7th fret."
That being said, I do recall a LP Jr shootout that Vintage Guitar did a few years back. IIRC the "winner" was a 59 DC- to everyone's surprise.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Pete Galati
New member
Re: Why do people like single cutaways?
Worrying about cutaways is like worrying about not having 24 frets.
All the best tones are in the middle of the neck anyhow.
Once in a while, I love playing an SG though, but I'd still rather be holding a Les Paul.
Worrying about cutaways is like worrying about not having 24 frets.
All the best tones are in the middle of the neck anyhow.
Once in a while, I love playing an SG though, but I'd still rather be holding a Les Paul.
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: Why do people like single cutaways?
Thanks for some explanations from both sides of the fence, fellas.
Personally, I never play much past the 15th fret, so I don't care, I was just curious what others who play up there thought, which I got.
It seems like PRS fans think the new PRS singlecuts are really sexy, but they just look like Les Paul knockoffs to me - I was hoping there would be a reason they are better or something.
Seems like it's a matter of taste...
I have all Double-cutaway guitars, except for my no-cutaway acoustic
Thanks for some explanations from both sides of the fence, fellas.
Personally, I never play much past the 15th fret, so I don't care, I was just curious what others who play up there thought, which I got.
It seems like PRS fans think the new PRS singlecuts are really sexy, but they just look like Les Paul knockoffs to me - I was hoping there would be a reason they are better or something.
Seems like it's a matter of taste...
I have all Double-cutaway guitars, except for my no-cutaway acoustic
G
Guest
Guest
Re: Why do people like single cutaways?
Lets face it... they look darn sexy.
Lets face it... they look darn sexy.
Rowan
New member
Re: Why do people like single cutaways?
Actually I don't like how singlecuts look. For me they are function over form. They tend to sound fuller than doublecuts.
Actually I don't like how singlecuts look. For me they are function over form. They tend to sound fuller than doublecuts.
Fender_Punk
BerriesAndCreamologist
Re: Why do people like single cutaways?
I don't typically play past the 15th fret, with a few exceptions. So to me, there's no loss of functionality, just pure Tele goodness. I also have a Strat, and though it is easier to reach upper notes on it (especially on lower strings), I don't think the extra cutaway on top is a must, and I plan to acquire more Teles, Strats and other single AND double cutaway guitars. Why stick to one when you can have both and reap the best of both.
I don't typically play past the 15th fret, with a few exceptions. So to me, there's no loss of functionality, just pure Tele goodness. I also have a Strat, and though it is easier to reach upper notes on it (especially on lower strings), I don't think the extra cutaway on top is a must, and I plan to acquire more Teles, Strats and other single AND double cutaway guitars. Why stick to one when you can have both and reap the best of both.
danglybanger
ReelItInologist
Re: Why do people like single cutaways?
...there's no real loss of fret access at all when playing a tele over a strat anyway. I think this question refers more to set guitars that have the neck joint itself set further toward the headstock, where it's bulky and inhibits playing. There are singlecuts (like my old Gibson "The Paul" that are thin enough to pretty much nullify the fact that they're singlecut, just cause your palm can "wrap" around the body, and the body is basically an extension of the neck.
Unless you like wrapping your thumb over the neck that far down, which is just ****ed up anyway.
Likewise, a typical Strat neck joint (doublecut) is too thick to afford much fret access, where this becomes not a problem on a Mustang, where the neck joint exists in about the same place relatively because the Mustang is way thinner.
Like so many things about the guitar, I think there is as much tonal difference between individual singlecuts and doublecuts as there is between the two as a whole. It just doesn't matter beyond functionality or looks, depending on the guitar.
...there's no real loss of fret access at all when playing a tele over a strat anyway. I think this question refers more to set guitars that have the neck joint itself set further toward the headstock, where it's bulky and inhibits playing. There are singlecuts (like my old Gibson "The Paul" that are thin enough to pretty much nullify the fact that they're singlecut, just cause your palm can "wrap" around the body, and the body is basically an extension of the neck.
Unless you like wrapping your thumb over the neck that far down, which is just ****ed up anyway.
Likewise, a typical Strat neck joint (doublecut) is too thick to afford much fret access, where this becomes not a problem on a Mustang, where the neck joint exists in about the same place relatively because the Mustang is way thinner.
Like so many things about the guitar, I think there is as much tonal difference between individual singlecuts and doublecuts as there is between the two as a whole. It just doesn't matter beyond functionality or looks, depending on the guitar.
