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Acoustic/Non-Cutaway vs. Acoustic-Electric/Cutaway
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Forums Archive -> The Vault: 2007 | Message format |
Tony PD |
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Joined: October 2002 Posts: 178 Location: New York, NY | I know there are exceptions, but it seems like traditionally most acoustic guitars are non-cutaway and most acoustic-electrics are cutaway. Is there any logic or reasoning behind this? | ||
Old Man Arthur |
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Joined: September 2006 Posts: 10777 Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Mmmmm? The type of person that likes to play amplified also likes to play further up the neck? | ||
dobro |
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Joined: January 2006 Posts: 2120 Location: Chicago | First of all, genre rules: so Gypsy jazz dicatates needing a cutaway, hence Django had cutuaway before anyone had heard of Hitler. In terms of mass-marketing or the pop scene, it seems that "cutaway" was first widespread or iconic for "new" solid body guitars like the first Strat: you just cut the plank with no worries about the complexities of a "box". As a kid (early 60's)I loved guitars and payed attention, but never saw much in the way of "cutaway" acoustics. Somewhere down the line (maybe with semi-hollows? or Gibson jazz boxes?) the idea catches on: why not provide acoustic players with the same advantage? When I was dreaming about owning my first Ovation in the very early 70's I did not realize that the cutaway option was in the works! | ||
Beal |
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Joined: January 2002 Posts: 14127 Location: 6 String Ranch | The first one was made in Moosup in 1975. It was a Matrix or Medallion, I forget which. | ||
an4340 |
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Joined: May 2003 Posts: 4389 Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I always reckoned that it was because people who came to the cutaway were coming from a jazz or rock background and had either needed or got used to playing in the cutaway region. | ||
bvince |
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Joined: September 2005 Posts: 3618 Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Also for those of us who have little fingers that still want to play in the higher octaves, | ||
Yak |
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Joined: September 2006 Posts: 347 Location: Reno, NV | Im assuming the only disadvantage of a cutaway is a slight loss in sound? But the advantages of being able to play anything on the fretboard seems like a huge advantage to me. Id be surprised that anyone would prefer a non-cutaway all other things being equal. For some is it a looks or traditional thing? | ||
Tupperware |
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Joined: January 2005 Posts: 4903 Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Yak: YUP. Call me an old fart. I WISH that I could play in such a way that I needed a cutaway !!! For some is it a looks or traditional thing? Dave | ||
an4340 |
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Joined: May 2003 Posts: 4389 Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | If you play a little beach boys, a little chuck berry, a little latin, you gotta get up in there and the cutaway helps. | ||
Paul Blanchard |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 1817 Location: Minden, Nebraska | Some of it's marketing a different look. | ||
PEZ |
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Joined: July 2003 Posts: 3111 Location: Nashville TN. | I think deep non cut is the fullest sounding | ||
Paul Templeman |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 5750 Location: Scotland | Originally posted by Yak: The amount of air-space lost with a cutaway design is neglible, and the top is so stiff in that area that it contributes very little to the overall tone. I'd defy anyone to tell the difference between a cutaway and non-cut guitar by sound alone.Im assuming the only disadvantage of a cutaway is a slight loss in sound? all other things being equal. | ||
Waskel |
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Joined: February 2005 Posts: 11840 Location: closely held secret | I'm with Temp. I couldn't tell any difference in sound between them, now I've wound up with all (except for my 1624) Elite-style cutaways. And I'm very happy with them. And I no longer have bruises on the heel of my left hand from slamming it against the treble bout going for the 15th fret... | ||
Tony PD |
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Joined: October 2002 Posts: 178 Location: New York, NY | Darn, I was almost sold on the "cutaway = slight loss of sound" concept until Paul and Wabbit chimed in. I would think there must be some kind of trade-off between the two. Otherwise why would anyone still offer non-cutaway acoustics if cutaway has better fret access and sound just as good? | ||
moody, p.i. |
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Joined: March 2002 Posts: 15654 Location: SoCal | And I no longer have bruises on the heel of my left hand from slamming it against the treble bout going for the 15th fret... What 15th fret??? There's a 15th fret? | ||
Waskel |
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Joined: February 2005 Posts: 11840 Location: closely held secret | There's your answer, Tony. | ||
Akami |
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Joined: January 2007 Posts: 146 Location: Japan | Originally posted by Tony PD: I was reading with curiosity and wondering which way it was going to go since I've never tried A/B'ing them. Darn, I was almost sold on the "cutaway = slight loss of sound" concept until Paul and Wabbit chimed in. I would think there must be some kind of trade-off between the two. Otherwise why would anyone still offer non-cutaway acoustics if cutaway has better fret access and sound just as good? Regardless, I've always liked the look better with the cutaway, and love the feeling of complete freedom to do whatever I want without having to contend with the body being in the way. | ||
Andrea |
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Joined: July 2007 Posts: 423 Location: UK | I think you get a better view up there | ||
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