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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? |
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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? |
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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! |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | The first one was made in Moosup in 1975. It was a Matrix or Medallion, I forget which. |
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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. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Also for those of us who have little fingers that still want to play in the higher octaves, |
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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? |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Yak:
For some is it a looks or traditional thing? YUP. Call me an old fart. I WISH that I could play in such a way that I needed a cutaway !!!
Dave |
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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. |
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February 2002
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | Some of it's marketing a different look. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I think deep non cut is the fullest sounding |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Originally posted by Yak:
Im assuming the only disadvantage of a cutaway is a slight loss in sound?
all other things being equal.
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. |
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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... |
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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? |
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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? |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | There's your answer, Tony. |
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January 2007
Posts: 146
Location: Japan | Originally posted by Tony PD:
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? I was reading with curiosity and wondering which way it was going to go since I've never tried A/B'ing them.
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. |
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Posts: 423
Location: UK | I think you get a better view up there |
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Acoustic/Non-Cutaway vs. Acoustic-Electric/Cutaway
