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What is your favorite body size, why?

Right now, Grand Auditorium, but I have a sneaking suspicion that might get replaced by an OM or SJ-ish sized body.

My Grand Auditorium is patterned after Taylor's -14 series where general dimensions are concerned; full 16" at the lower bout, but much curvier than a dred. It's a good body size that can handle both hard strumming and is pretty good at handling the fingerpicking. Well-balanced, deep voice. I suspect a relatively deep-bodied 15" lower bout guitar will give me something similar, but give me slightly better fingerpick performance than the 'big' 16" does.

Mattia, me too 14 size GA, great shape, sound.

I love the OOO 12 frets, for recording and private enjoyment. OM's are nice too!!
But there's something sweet sounding about the ooo scale.
WalterK

Good ol' dreadnaught. That's what they tell me I need to play bluegrass.

I like the SJ, it is more sexy and curvacous, and perfect for my fingerstyle playing.

My favorite is the old Taylor GA Bodysize, makes a very versatile Guitar.

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http://www.hl-guitars.at

I love all three 00, 000, OM for different styles of play. 00 for blues, 000 for classic British folk in 24.9 scale and OMin 25.4 scale for contemporary altered tuning work. But if my arm was twisted I'd have to go for a classic 12 fret 000 (Mahogany and European of course) as my favourite all rounder.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

36-24-34 Actually, I'd say dred, but my experience is very limited. Is there a source for the general dimensions of all. Elderly's catalog shows silhouettes,but no dims..

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DES - Shepherd, MI

Here's something I pulled off of internet a while back. But realize that many makers vary their dimensions a bit from these.


Martin Dimensions:

0 (Current)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 38 3/8'
BODY LENGTH: 18 3/8'
BODY WIDTH: 13 1/2'
BODY DEPTH: 4 1/4'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16' (2 1/8' Bridge Spacing some 1 ?”// 2 ?” [0-28IA 1 7/8”// 2 5/16”])
SCALE LENGTH: 24.9' Scale

0 (Old Style)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 12
TOTAL LENGTH: 37 3/4'
BODY LENGTH: 19 1/8'
BODY WIDTH: 13 1/2'
BODY DEPTH: 4 3/16'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 7/8
SCALE LENGTH: 24.9' Scale

00 (Current One, 15 & 16, 17 Series)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 38 5/8'
BODY LENGTH: 18 7/8'
BODY WIDTH: 14 5/16'
BODY DEPTH: 4 1/8'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16' (2 1/8' Bridge Spacing)
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4' Long Scale

00 (Current Vintage Series)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 38 5/8'
BODY LENGTH: 18 7/8'
BODY WIDTH: 14 5/16'
BODY DEPTH: 4 1/8'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 ?”' (2 1/4' Bridge Spacing)
SCALE LENGTH: 24.9' Long Scale


00 (Old Style 14 fret post 1938)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 38 5/8'
BODY LENGTH: 18 7/8'
BODY WIDTH: 14 5/16'
BODY DEPTH: 4 1/8'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16' (2 1/8' Bridge Spacing)
SCALE LENGTH: 24.9' Scale

00 (Old Style 12 fret)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 12
TOTAL LENGTH: 37 3/4'
BODY LENGTH: 19 5/8'
BODY WIDTH: 14 1/8'
BODY DEPTH: 4 1/16'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 7/8'
SCALE LENGTH: 24.9' Long Scale

000 (Current X, Road, One and 16 Series)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 39 5/8' (1000.7 mm)
BODY LENGTH: 19 3/8' (492.1 mm)
BODY WIDTH: 15' (381 mm)
BODY DEPTH: 4 1/8' (104.8 mm)
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16' (2 1/8' Bridge Spacing)
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4' Long Scale

000 (Current 18/28 ONLY)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 39 5/8' (1000.7 mm)
BODY LENGTH: 19 3/8' (492.1 mm)
BODY WIDTH: 15' (381 mm)
BODY DEPTH: 4 1/8' (104.8 mm)
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16' (2 1/8' Bridge Spacing)
SCALE LENGTH: 24.9' Short Scale

OM (current 21 & 42)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 39 5/8'
BODY LENGTH: 19 3/8'
BODY WIDTH: 15'
BODY DEPTH: 4 1/8'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 3/4' (2 1/4' Bridge Spacing)
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4' Long Scale

OM (current 18V & 28V)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 39 5/8'
BODY LENGTH: 19 3/8'
BODY WIDTH: 15'
BODY DEPTH: 4 1/8'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 3/4' (2 3/8” [18] 2 5/16' [28] Bridge Spacing)
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4' Long Scale

000 (Old Style 14 fret post 1938)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 39 3/8'
BODY LENGTH: 18 7/8'
BODY WIDTH: 14 5/16'
BODY DEPTH: 4 1/8'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16' (2 1/8' Bridge Spacing)
SCALE LENGTH: 24.9' Scale

000 (Old Style 12 fret)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 12
TOTAL LENGTH: 39 9/16'
BODY LENGTH: 20 7/16'
BODY WIDTH: 15'
BODY DEPTH: 4 1/16'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 7/8'
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4' Long Scale (Some 24.9')

000 (Current Standard 42 )
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 39 5/8' (1000.7 mm)
BODY LENGTH: 19 3/8' (492.1 mm)
BODY WIDTH: 15' (381 mm)
BODY DEPTH: 4 1/8' (104.8 mm)
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 2/4”'(2 1/4' Bridge Spacing)
SCALE LENGTH: 24.9” Short Scale

0000 (M)
#OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAI: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 40 3/8”
BODY LENGTH: 20 1/8”
BODY WIDTH: 16'
BODY DEPTH: 4 1/8”
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16' (2 1/8” Bridge Spacing)
Note: 1 ?” (2 ?”) on M-16GT as of 01/01/02
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4” Long Scale

D (Current 14 fret models except GE)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 40 1/2'
BODY LENGTH: 20'
BODY WIDTH: 15 5/8'
BODY DEPTH: 4 7/8'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16' (2 1/8' Bridge Spacing
D (Old style 14 fret & Current 14 fret GE)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 40 1/2'
BODY LENGTH: 20'
BODY WIDTH: 15 5/8'
BODY DEPTH: 4 7/8'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 3/4' (2 5/16' Bridge Spacing)

D (Old Style 12 fret )
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 12
TOTAL LENGTH: 39 9/16'
BODY LENGTH: 20 15/16'
BODY WIDTH: 15 5/8'
BODY DEPTH: 4 3/4'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 7/8 (2 ?” bridge spacing)
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4' Long Scale

D (Current 12 fret VS)
D (Old Style 12 fret )
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 12
TOTAL LENGTH: 39 9/16'
BODY LENGTH: 20 15/16'
BODY WIDTH: 15 5/8'
BODY DEPTH: 4 3/4'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 ? (2 ?” bridge spacing)
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4' Long Scale

J (Current)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 40 3/8'
BODY LENGTH: 20 1/8'
BODY WIDTH: 16'
BODY DEPTH: 4 7/8'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16 (2 1/8' Bridge Spacing)
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4' Long Scale

J (Current, second variant)
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
TOTAL LENGTH: 40 3/8'
BODY LENGTH: 20 1/8'
BODY WIDTH: 16'
BODY DEPTH: 4 7/8'
NECK WIDTH AT NUT: 1 ?” (2 ?”' Bridge Spacing)
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4' Long Scale

I definitely favor the smaller body sizes. I've made a 000-14 fret and a 000-12 fret which I'm pleased with but I seem to be lately favoring the parlor sizes. After hearing the sound that John How and Hank Mauel can get from a well designed parlor guitar, I now have a standard to shoot for.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Many of you appear to like the 00,000,OM styles. What are the sound differences you experience and what determines if you use 12 or 14 fret.

I really can't describe any tonal differences between a 12 fret and 14 fret. Here's my rationale:
1) I think slotheads look cooler
2) I rarely play too far up the neck so the upper frets are a waste for me
3) Slotheads are more aerodynamic

On the con side...
1) slotheads are more difficult to change strings until you get used to it
2) Tuner options are limited

Others more knowledgeable may have better reasons.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I knew I would receive this reply at least once. Very nice dimensions. Can I see picture when you build it?

Right now I'ld have to go with the OO size. After playing a D size for years I switched to a OO-18. It fits like a glove.

Joe Volin

I do apologize, but I could not resist (somebody had to do it, right?). Actually, I lied. My wife's are my favorite! of course, I favor continuing life just as much, and therefore shall keep those to myself!!

Roy, Thank you for those specs.    Darin Spayd38424.8849421296

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DES - Shepherd, MI