Can a dreadnought strummer like a smaller body?

[lmacmil]

When I sold my Gibson LG-1 (which I think was 00-size) and bought a Gibson Gospel reissue (dread), I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I still love the Gospel's sound but I'm not too big and am not getting a younger so I've been thinking about a 000 or OM size Martin, Takamine NEX or Larrivee L-03 or similar. Plus hanging out here has really given me guitar-envy.

I haven't played any small body guitars since I sold the LG-1. I am assuming I would give up some low end and some volume but since I would be playing it for my own amusement, that's not too critical. I do very little fingerpicking (never having mastered it in 40 years but still trying!)

So what do you think, can a dread lover be happy with a smaller body guitar?

[grampa]

Considering that small bodies are better than deads, of course you can.

[Placida]

Heck yeah. My wife is a size 3

Oh, well talking about guitars - yes!

[redcloud]

An excellent choice would be a Huss & Dalton CM without the cutaway. I believe you would be pleased.

[L20A]

I have 3 Dreds and 1 OM.
I like all of them.
The OM is a Blueridge and it keeps up with the Dreds just fine.

All smaller guitars are not alike.
Play some and see which you like.
There will be a few that will surprise you.

[edman]

I am a dread guy but I love my 000 Martin.

[Queequeg]

I almost always prefer smaller guitars. They respond quicker, don't have to drive them so hard. If you need the volume, put a gizmo in it.
I wouldn't have a regular dread. I'll make exceptions for slope shouldered 12-fret slotheads.

[gitnoob]

I love small bodies, but I don't think I've played one yet that sounded like a good dread.

You can get a very nice bass thump out of a small jumbo, though, and they are more comfortable to play due to the pinched waist.

[Jeff M]

Maybe. Maybe not.
Depends on what you like to hear, and whether or not you hear it in smaller bodied guitars.

[acousticologist]

I'm a big fan of Jumbos, - I love having a bog beefy tone when I'm strumming...

I only just got the Martin omjm and it's great. It retains a lot of the low end that I was afraid I'd lose on a small body. Of course it's not an SJ200 but it certainly is a notch above many 000's that I've tried...

Plus I love it and she's beautiful.

[Big.Al]

Have you considered the Taylor GS Mini? It's not a very expensive instrument, but the folks who have them seem to enjoy the heck out of them.

[lmacmil]

Originally Posted by Big.Al

Have you considered the Taylor GS Mini? It's not a very expensive instrument, but the folks who have them seem to enjoy the heck out of them.

Hadn't thought about going that small. The GA3 is interesting to me though.

[Fsgeek]

try 12 fret 000's

[310Taylor]

def try a taylor GA, you get everything a dread does but on 12 guage strings, its more focused. It requires much less effort to make sing. That is what sold me.

[jhchang]

no one sets a rule for what you should like and not. Why put labels onto yourself? Only you have to try for yourself.
Can a hot-water guy like warm water?