What's a loud small body acoustic?

[YamaYairi]

My Blueridge BR163 is loud without sacrificing tone.

[FloridaGull]

Alvarez AP-70, Taylor GS-Mini, Walden T550...

[pjroberts]

Originally Posted by penguin71

Loud, but not a lot of sustain.

Easily improved, at least in my case. I recently added bone saddle and I was amazed at sustain difference from this simple mod.

It still does not have sustain of my larger GS, but this is a $500 (now $550) guitar, that can go almost anywhere without fear.

[penguin71]

Originally Posted by pjroberts

Easily improved, at least in my case. I recently added bone saddle and I was amazed at sustain difference from this simple mod.

It still does not have sustain of my larger GS, but this is a $500 (now $550) guitar, that can go almost anywhere without fear.

I may have to look into that. Other than the lack of sustain, I love my GS mini - especially comfortable for sitting on the couch and messing around. I've heard the saddle size for the GS Mini is not the same as the standard saddle. Is that correct? May I ask where you got yours?

[Long Jon]

I am quite pleasantly surprised by the amount of votes for the GS Mini. (I Love mine and I've got Martins... just sayin'....)

I thought this thread would fill right up with Larris and whatever, less ubiquitous brands.

Where has the OP gone ?
He could narrow it down, by giving us a few more clues to what he means by "small" and how much of his money he wants us to spend for him ...

[Tony Done]

Parlor sized reso. Can't be beat if loud is all you want.

Frivolity aside, if you are looking at the GS Mini, compare the spruce and mahogany topped versions if you have the chance. I preferred the latter. You get to 00 size and I've tried a couple of Gibson Blues Kings whose sound I liked, and they were plenty loud. Also the Martin 00-15; there must be lots of others. Where IMO you lose in small bodies is the cutting power of the lower registers, and they can sound boxy.

[MGap]

I will give my vote to the Taylor GS Mini. I have a Limited Rosewood model, and it has great sound, and volume.

[cisco7]

I used to have a Recording King 627 (12 fret)... a very loud and balanced guitar for her size (000). I only sold her because the neck had an uncomfortable Vintage V shape for my hands. The sound was truly great!!!

[Taylorplayer]

I have a Blueridge BR 143SBA that is quite loud, indeed!

[llew]

I would have probably bought a GS Mini except for the 1 11/16" string width at the nut. I did just receive a Marin 0-15 Custom from Ted at LAGS and I have to say it is a loud little guitar with a typical all mahogany voice. Much fuller/larger than I would have thought for it's smaller size? Granted...it's twice as much as the Mini but if you're looking for a smaller (24.9" scale) guitar with a 1 3/4" nut width this little 0-15 is quite a catch.

[scriv58]

my hauver blind blake and blueridge br371 are both plenty loud- the hauver has a great tone, the blueridge just loud

[pjroberts]

Originally Posted by penguin71

I may have to look into that. Other than the lack of sustain, I love my GS mini - especially comfortable for sitting on the couch and messing around. I've heard the saddle size for the GS Mini is not the same as the standard saddle. Is that correct? May I ask where you got yours?

Hi Pengun, the bone saddle was custom made by my luthier guy (he services my guitars, he does not build me guitars (yet:-)). He charges a standard $50 (seems to be fairly standard) and with an added set up out the door for $85 total. So, I would check local luthier/high-end techs, you might be able to do better. If you're near Austin I can share his contact info.

[donh]

My Voyageair Model B (handbuilt by Harv) is an amazingly focused parlour guitar and holds it's own quite nicely in a room full of dreads and banjos. It is ballsy, not harsh. Great fun to play, very easy to hold, and beautiful to behold.

Last Thursday a buddy playing a D18 remarked on how loud my guitar was, and I was just playing along with his song.

Here I am with my favourite roady setting me up to play it:

Yes, parlours can hold their own with the big guys. But it may take you finding an exceptional parlour!

[smaragio]

The Huss &Dalton OO-SP is incredibly loud for its size. The light build and deeper body really projects some sound.

[mattwood]

Originally Posted by mloywhite

Every orchestra-sized Eastman I have played, including two that I have owned, has been very loud compared to other similar sized guitars I have tried.

+1. My E8 om is so loud that I have a hard time hearing myself sing. And that my friends is a good thing.