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What would the impact be to a dreadnoughts sound if I narrowed the body from 4.75 to 4.25 at the butt?

I have a client that said he played a narrower dread and it was puncher and had less boom, im guessing he ment less BOOM and more CHUCK! Does this sound reasonable? Its what he wants.

Thanks
LK

By the way, this will be a 14 fret Dread, Brazilian Back and Sides with an Addy top.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

See if you can find a 0000 or M body Martin. They have about the same width as a dread but are about as deep as an OM. In the 80s Martin sold a bunch of these. Elderly might even have a few in stock. I know that they order special 0000 models. Besides, any excuse to take a trip to Elderly's is worth it.


If the customer is looking for sound changes, you might want to consider the M body. If he actually likes the dread shape, I guess you could make on thinner. If, however, he is looking for comfort, consider making a wedge.

Mike Mahar38544.3525578704

Lance, I built a dred shape that was about a half in less deep than a regular dred. It was my first guitat and I was taking advice from Sloane's book. He suggested the decrease in depth fo a more balanced sound, as I recall.

I really like the sound of it and several folks have offered to buy it over the last couple of years. I guess they liked the sound too. It does sound a lot like you describes, less boom and more chuck.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I've begun doing just this, too. I never have a boomy tone, but overall, there was little difference. I don't offer it for tonal reasons, it's for comfort.

Thanks Guys,

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I'm building a "thin-line" Slope D that is 3" deep at the tail. It sure doesn't lack any bass or thump.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Lance,
I've got a side template for a prewar OM that might do the trick. I build a guitar which I call the OM on steroids which has roughly the dimensions you need. Contact me if I can help.

SteveColonial Tonwds38546.3531365741