Parlor / Small Bodied Guitars

UnclePsychosis

I've had a dreadnought for 20 odd years and tbh I've barely played it after getting into electrics not long after.

Part of the reason is I find the big body quite awkward, so I find myself looking at Parlor style guitars and thinking

1. Ooh purty
2. Actually maybe that would suit me more. 

Now, I know that different style acoustics sound quite different from each other but for a ham-fisted strummer and occasional finger picker who plays entirely for his own pleasure in a home environment a parlor is going to sound absolutely fine, right? 

Now, with that out the way, any recommendations at the budget end of the market? The Gretsch Jim Dandy looks great but is pushing £200 these days. Are those £89 Vintage Statesboro guitars any good? 

Andy79

I’ve had 2 Statesboros. I kept the 000. It’s pretty much a joy to use. All laminate mahogany do bear that in mind, won’t be quite as sparkly as Spruce. 11/16 nut and C neck. 

Paul Brett knows his guitars and he got this bang on. It’s light as a feather and very lively
Better than the Jim in my opinion and zero chance of buyers remorse at 90 quid.  

mikeyrob73

I have been looking at a wee Parlor guitar to have by the couch, 
anyone got any opinions on these 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/recording_king_rps_7_ts.htm

Epsilon

mikeyrob73 said:

I have been looking at a wee Parlor guitar to have by the couch, 
anyone got any opinions on these 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/recording_king_rps_7_ts.htm

I'd personally pay the extra £50 to get the model with a solid top. That can make the difference between an instrument and a toy.

ToneControl

IMO most small bodied acoustics sound boxy and awful, only really good ones sound acceptable to me
In fact, many high-end ones sound awful and boxy too

lovestrat74

Andy79 said:

I’ve had 2 Statesboros. I kept the 000. It’s pretty much a joy to use. All laminate mahogany do bear that in mind, won’t be quite as sparkly as Spruce. 11/16 nut and C neck. 

Paul Brett knows his guitars and he got this bang on. It’s light as a feather and very lively
Better than the Jim in my opinion and zero chance of buyers remorse at 90 quid.  

How C is the neck @andy79 ? A nice rounded C handful or more regular/modern C?

Exorcist

I've got an all solid mahogany tanglewood parlour, tw133? next to the sofa, was <£200 when I bought it probably 5 years ago, and I love it. Sounds great.

blobb

I thought the Sigma was pretty good for the money when I was trying out 12th fret parlors.

Andy79

lovestrat74 said:

Andy79 said:

I’ve had 2 Statesboros. I kept the 000. It’s pretty much a joy to use. All laminate mahogany do bear that in mind, won’t be quite as sparkly as Spruce. 11/16 nut and C neck. 

Paul Brett knows his guitars and he got this bang on. It’s light as a feather and very lively
Better than the Jim in my opinion and zero chance of buyers remorse at 90 quid.  

How C is the neck @andy79 ? A nice rounded C handful or more regular/modern C?

Yeah it’s kinda regular C.

chrisj1602

mikeyrob73 said:

I have been looking at a wee Parlor guitar to have by the couch, 
anyone got any opinions on these 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/recording_king_rps_7_ts.htm

I bought one of these for lockdown couch and garden entertainment. I don’t usually play acoustic so it’s nice to have around for a change, and well worth the £119.

mikeyrob73

chrisj1602 said:

mikeyrob73 said:

I have been looking at a wee Parlor guitar to have by the couch, 
anyone got any opinions on these 

https://www.thomann.de/gb/recording_king_rps_7_ts.htm

I bought one of these for lockdown couch and garden entertainment. I don’t usually play acoustic so it’s nice to have around for a change, and well worth the £119.

I ended up buying the next one up the rp9 and it’s great wee guitar to have lying around next to the couch. Only had it a couple of days but so far it’s great fun 

Badnotes

I actually bought myself a vintage parlor guitar off the back of this thread, and I am really really impressed with it for the money, sounds decent and is really easy to play. 

http://imgur.com/gallery/UbuXb8R ;

rossi

I am looking at parlours at present in lock down though was sort of dreaming before ,so a useful thread cheers.