Small Body in the future

[Pdubs76]

If you can find a Yamaha fsx5 to try, you won’t be disappointed.

[brencat]

Take a look at the Iris OG. Russo Music in Hamilton NJ had just gotten one in last week that was insanely good. It’s Gibson LG-2 sized. Huge sound, amazing factory setup, played effortlessly. I think the sticker was $2550 and you can haggle down from there.

[zhelton]

Crap, i totally didnt think about an Iris or yamaha… ugh… so many guitars, so little funds… lol… only issue with the Iris for me is there isnt ine of those around for miles and miles… I learned a lesson the hard way when i bought the LG2 online and then missed the return period because i was trying to like it

[MartinD12-20]

Even though you already have a Larrivee I'm going to suggest a Larrivee Parlor ( P-03,05,09,10). I have an out of production O-01 built in 2000 that is a joy to play. If money is an issue Reverb has several used Larrivee P and O models for sale.
Breedlove offers two small body models, the Companion which is identical in size to my Larrivee O-01, and the Concertina which is slightly larger. I really enjoy playing my all myrtlewood Concertina. Again they can be found used on Reverb.

[Br1ck]

Originally Posted by Corndog

I agree about Santa Cruz. A used 1929-00 all mahogany, that I really should have bought right there and then, is one of the two best small guitars I ever had in my hands.
New, they are very expensive though.

Heck, used they are very expensive, but I'd say worth it. My view is that the smaller guitar needs to be built better to sound good. I've liked the 00 15, but liked the 1929 00 better. In this size there are a lot of builders making great but expensive guitars. My advice is don't exceed your budget by more than 20%. By that I mean just don't play them. Sorely tempted to play the walnut/redwood SCGC at Gryphon right now. I walk on by.

[Mark Stone]

When I first saw the title I thought that this would be a dieting thread lol.

My favorite small-body fingerpickers were a Martin 00-18 and any 14 series Taylor (mine was an 814 - but they’re all great).

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by brencat

Take a look at the Iris OG. Russo Music in Hamilton NJ had just gotten one in last week that was insanely good. It’s Gibson LG-2 sized. Huge sound, amazing factory setup, played effortlessly. I think the sticker was $2550 and you can haggle down from there.

I took your advice and you're right, it's killer! A little deeper body for a smaller guitar so it booms!

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Yes a 00-18.
Find a 12 fret one!

"She's got a double-oh-eighteen Martin guitar
on the backseat of her car,
and she is leaving Mississippi
with the radio on."

Nancy Griffith, "Listen to the Radio"

[fnesnor]

Taylor Grand Concert size is comfortable.

[gurroz]

Originally Posted by zhelton

Crap, i totally didnt think about an Iris or yamaha… ugh… so many guitars, so little funds… lol… only issue with the Iris for me is there isnt ine of those around for miles and miles… I learned a lesson the hard way when i bought the LG2 online and then missed the return period because i was trying to like it

The Yamaha FS and LS body size is perfect for me. My CSF3M is also a delight to play and is probably the smallest I would go personally.

[SalFromChatham]

I played the natural top $2200 Iris OG at the same Russos that brencat mentioned, and it was awesome.

Thinner neck though… I’d tell you to try two standards: the 000-28 and the 000-18. The former has 5/16 bracing and rosewood, and sounds darker. The latter has 1/4 bracing and mahogany, and is crisper and more “jangly”.

[markcrawford]

I have a different take on the Martins. I owned a 0018v that I played all the time. I also own 2 CEO7s. The 0018v was a great guitar and the neck was my fav, but my CEO7s were bigger in every way. I do not find them to have that bluesy, boxy sound that blues players like. To my ear, they just sound like a smaller big guitar.

[markcrawford]

check this thread out and you can hear what my two soundlike in front of them with a phone mic
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=682962

[Annie B]

I know Collings, Eastman, and Waterloo make popular high-end smaller guitars. Don't let go of that feeling you had playing the CEO-7. They're dazzling. Martin 00 and 0 have long illustrious histories and are terrific guitars. And NEVER say one of these beauties "sounds good for a small guitar! lol.. Many of us have spent decades having love affairs in our universe of small guitars! Right now I'm healing from surgery and dealing with arthritis and playing the splendid Martin DJr. Pure joy to play!

[markcrawford]

I will go ahead and say it, my Martin CEO7s both of them, are the best guitars I have ever played for that size. I should say that I have not played all of the vintage stuff and I know there are many amazing smaller gutars that probably sound better. Still, from my limited experience with these little guys, they are a great deal. If you love the blues tank, sound, then get a Waterloo. If you want a smaller guitar that has the hi-fi of a larger guitar but just in a smaller size, find yourself a CEO7 I’m still looking for a Collings C 1035, that I might love, but I have not found it and the two Martin CEO sevens that I have Are the best small guitars I have played. Yes, that is voice to text….i am lazy. Enjoy