Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ken Westervelt on February 23, 2009 at 11:30pm

I assume you're talking about acoustic guitars? I find I just need the first 15 frets to do most everything I need to anyway. Cutaways are largely a waste for a guitarist like me.

Permalink Reply by Monkeyfinger664 on February 24, 2009 at 7:46am

I find the only time I really use a cutaway is when I'm jamming with a group of (or another) acoustic guitar(s). Then I have the reach to solo. But for the most part, that is an unusual setting to find yourself. Mostly I ignore the cutaway part of my acoustic.

Permalink Reply by Dave P on March 1, 2009 at 4:50pm

I've never really thought about it. My acoustic playing tends to be chord based strummy stuff so a cut away would be largely redundant, but when buying acoustics it's not something I consider: the guitars that have felt best in the hand have tended to be without cutaways but I reckon that's just coincidence.

Electric wise I'm a bit of a Telecaster fan and the cut away goes with the territory.

Permalink Reply by Jason Holder on May 24, 2009 at 9:58am

I find that it doesn't affect the sound much if any, and I don't spend a lot of time playing above the 12 fret on an acoustic since the notes sound so "pinched" and decay rapidly. So when I choose cutaway or no cutaway, I base it somewhat on aesthetics. Often, I think that guitars we associate with acoustic electric models such as an ovation, taylor or takamine look great with a cutaway. Yet more "traditional" brands like Gibson, or Martin don't seem so attractive with a cutaway. In other words, ovation baladeer HELL YEAH gimme a cutaway... Martin D-28, no thanks.

Permalink Reply by Clarence Dember on May 24, 2009 at 10:37am

That sounds right Jason. Certain makers do the cut away more artistically, I have to agree with your sence of appropriateness on the ovation or even the Gibson SG but Martin- not what they're known for...

Permalink Reply by William Young on July 19, 2009 at 6:35pm

It more or less depends on what type of music I am playing. Folk or country, no cutaway, rock, blues or jazz, cutaway.