Anyone else only play dreads?

[movehome]

I've tried owning some 000 and OM size guitars recently (Eastman OM and Breedlove 000 cascade cedar top) but there's always something about the sound that bothers me. Some sort of congestion that is unpleasant to my ears and is almost literally painful. When I put them down and pick up one of my dreadnoughts it's instantly better.

Can anyone else relate to this? I'd like to have something smaller sized but am struggling to find something that works. The only solution I've found so far is to keep really old strings on the smaller guitar which helps but then it sort of just sounds like any cheap guitar with old strings on it.

[Wardo]

I came close to buying an M36 once or maybe it was an M1911.. lol

Played it, and then came back the following week with the credit card all polished up. Played it again and decided it just wasn’t quite there. Ended up getting an HD 35 custom shop from a store that had ordered a couple of them and forgot they had one more laying in the basement the last three years. So I got a good price on that guitar and still have it.

My main guitar for acoustic is an HD28V and I don’t see myself changing from using dreds.

[Jaxon]

not me...0, double0, triple0 is plenty loud n tone for me and i'd never ever be involved in a volume competition

[jw3571]

All dread's for me, you can't beat them.

[BigTim]

They have more of a fuller sound. You may like playing the body size better as they are pretty comfortable.

I have 2 different acoustic guitar sizes....grand auditorium and a dreadnaught. I like both as they do sound a bit different.

[Stonehauler]

nope, grand auditorium, dread, and Jumbo here. Honestly, if I had to choose one? The Jumbo. No, it's don't have quite the finesse of a smaller guitar, but since I am (mostly) a chord strummer, I love my 12 string Jumbo. Clarity, precision, and superb sustain.

[warfrat73]

Used to, then I played some good OMs.

[L20A]

Dreads are my favorite body size but I do have and enjoy 2 GPC size guitars along with a great Guild Jumbo Baritone 8 string.

[Sadie-f]

Opposite here, OM, OOO.

[Whit51]

I like OM sized guitars, but, as an amatuer guitar builder, I think it is easier to build a great sounding guitar in the dread format. My last couple of builds have been a little wider and deeper than an OM, and I like the reuslts.

[Mbroady]

I’ve been gravitating towards smaller body guitars, especially for gigs. However, I’m not ready to let go of the Dreads I have. Perhaps trade them all in for one ultimate Dread.

[LAPlayer]

No. There are too many great builders doing magic with SJs, OMs and other Grand Concerts... for me to limit myself to one size/style.

[boneuphtoner]

Yes! I’m unique in that I prefer the fingerstyle tone I get from dreads, especially my 12-fretters. I do still have a parlor but I’ll likely be putting that up for sale soon.

[soups]

Originally Posted by warfrat73

Used to, then I played some good OMs.

Yup. Never looked back

[JKA]

Yes, I only play a dread, my Guild D55. Covers picking, strumming and chord/melody/solo. Get gigged regularly and is used for recording. Have toyed with all other sizes in the past but nothing is as versatile as a dread, for me.