Parlor Size?

[prairieschooner!]

The wifey wants too buy a Parlor size guitar. Does or did Guild build a good one?

 

[walrus]

Yes, they have one:

https://guildguitars.com/g/p-240-memoir-natural/

And here's one example of many reviews on-line:



walrus

 

[Guildedagain]

Does this qualify as a parlor?


Otherwise, yes, for about $600 new.

 

[davismanLV]

Yes, they have one:

https://guildguitars.com/g/p-240-memoir-natural/

And here's one example of many reviews on-line:



walrus

If that's truly a parlor sized guitar, that guy must be tiny!!

 

[jedzep]

I wouldn't recommend, even though I just bought one used on Reverb, as it's chunky neck and 1 3/4 inch nut is even a stretch for my 'guy' hands. I didn't like the feel or tone either, until I replaced the loose fitting compensated saddle with a bone saddle I made, and put 80/20s on to brighten it a bit. Now I thoroughly like it, and I'm partial to 12 fretters anyway.

It's very sturdily built, with a thicker top than I feel necessary, and a full 39 inches long with a 14" wide lower bout, which puts it in 00 territory. If she is past beginner, she could try one out from a place like Sweetwater or Guitar Center, where returns are easy, but true parlors are much smaller and lightweight.

Maybe be specific when shopping parlors to get the sizing correct, and remember, most are Asian made unless you're going pricey.

Here's my 2019 with the new saddle, hanging next to a Martin 018. The Guild M20 is also closer to 00 size.

A parlor looks more like this...

Ibanez PN1 Natural Parlor Acoustic Guitar | Reverb

An Amazingly Affordable Parlor Guitar! If you've ever wanted to step into the world of acoustic parlor guitars, here's your golden opportunity. The surprisingly affordable Ibanez PN1 acoustic guitar has a spruce top, nyatoh back and sides, and a nandu-topped mahogany neck. Comfortable to p...

reverb.com

 

[jedzep]

I was considering and almost bought this one, PS, but went for the China Guild. I think the sample vid shows it as a nice sounding guitar, and visually looks to be parlor size. Mine is certainly not.

Kala KA-GTR-PLR Solid Cedar Top Parlor Natural Satin | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

Here's the Sweetwater listing...

Kala Solid Cedar Top Parlor Guitar - Natural

6-string Acoustic Guitar with Cedar Top, Mahogany Back and Sides, Mahogany Neck, and Ebony Fingerboard - Natural

www.sweetwater.com

 

[Bill Ashton]

All good choices above...let me recommend "one that got away"...there was a Guild GAD-30 12-fret that was very very nice. Mid '90's, had a body that looked almost "dropped shoulder." I bought the "PCE" instead, but the 12-fret pops up every now and then and is (was) a great small-body guitar, also has 1 3/4" neck width which many like for finger-picking. Sorry I cannot give you the proper name...where's Ralph?

 

[HeyMikey]

Search for Guild F20.

Personally I love this older one, looks like a mid 60’s and has a wide nut, which I prefer.

Guild F-20 Troubador | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

 

[Bill Ashton]

My problem with an M-20 or its equivalents (Gibson LG's), is that it was a student guitar then, sounds like a poor student guitar now.
Maybe is the proper tone if you are playing old John Hurt-style blues, but its just not a proper acoustic guitar by today's standards,
regardless of its appearance on a Nick Drake LP cover. If it sounds good to you, after having played several other iterations of the size,
then thats great (it is certaily well made), but there are many other very good sounding guitars out there. And no, I don't like the Colling's "Waterloo" series either, sound like a 1950's Sears and Roebuck plywood guitar (sorry Wes), which is what they were designed to sound like, for trad blues players.

An F30 version or its many iterations is a much finer modern acoustic guitar choice...imho

Rant finished, sorry if I offended anyone

 

[Br1ck]

IMHO, the smaller the guitar, the harder it is to build a really satisfying guitar. I wanted one for not crazy money, and played a lot of them. Of course the SCGC and Collings, as well as very vintage Martins were uber expensive. I finally found Pono, and bought a 0 and an 0 12 string. I bought one used, one on a blowout sale. Maybe their affinity for smaller instruments, they are primarily uke builders, give them an edge. But I'm a dread guy and they remain little played. Very well made. Hawaii Music Supply stocks a few, but you can special order them.

I find a 00 12 fret to be a satisfying size. Not a parlor though.

 

[adorshki]

All good choices above...let me recommend "one that got away"...there was a Guild GAD-30 12-fret that was very very nice. Mid '90's, had a body that looked almost "dropped shoulder." I bought the "PCE" instead, but the 12-fret pops up every now and then and is (was) a great small-body guitar, also has 1 3/4" neck width which many like for finger-picking. Sorry I cannot give you the proper name...where's Ralph?

Hi Bill: I think you may be "conflating" the GADJF30-12 and the GADF40P which would have 17" and 16" lower bouts, respectively.

I didn't recall a GAD version of the 30 (which should have ben called a GADF-112 since they followed the F-212 naming convention for the F40-sized 12. Also didn't recall a 12-er with a 12th fret join but the GDF40P (padauk) was a 12-fret design.

Did a quick review of all available Cats and price lists on GAD's site and still didn't find a "GAD30-12" from any era. The GADS were introduced in '04 catalog.

The GADF40 did offer a "PE" version and the GAD30 offered a "PCE" version.

 

[jedzep]

I guess, given the intent of getting a parlor guitar, the search for PS's partner is pretty specific, though we drift off to discussions of varying sizes. Maybe her needs could be met with other small bods.

Many early models classified as student models end up not being so. I'm certainly not offended, but the 50's/early 60's M20s and LG2s I owned, I would say outran the student classification, not unlike the L00 and others.

Some get frustrated with the lack of 'big guitar sound' when they have chosen a small bodied acoustic, but it's a way of playing 'small' that makes the experience completely different from full throated boomers.

 

[RBSinTo]

If price is definitely an object, I'd suggest looking at Washburn's parlour guitars.
I purchased a used R320SWRK, about 8 or 9 years ago and am very happy with it, and recommend Washburn's guitars without reservation.
RBSinTo

 

[davenumber2]

I was considering and almost bought this one, PS, but went for the China Guild. I think the sample vid shows it as a nice sounding guitar, and visually looks to be parlor size. Mine is certainly not.

Kala KA-GTR-PLR Solid Cedar Top Parlor Natural Satin | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

Here's the Sweetwater listing...

Kala Solid Cedar Top Parlor Guitar - Natural

6-string Acoustic Guitar with Cedar Top, Mahogany Back and Sides, Mahogany Neck, and Ebony Fingerboard - Natural

www.sweetwater.com

I actually just sold one of these. Really well built and really good sounding guitar. I think the cedar serves it well and wood binding at that price is pretty much nonexistent. The nut is 1.68 but seemed smaller, maybe it was the spacing. I don’t think you can do much better for a cheap “parlor” (it’s really 0 sized).

 

[jedzep]

Now that you mention it, Dave, I looked at the nut width in specs and crossed it off my list. Same reason I parted with the old M20s and LG2s. This and neck shape is an aspect shoppers have to know about when considering, as hands that struggle, hurt and fumble ruin the fun experience.

 

[merlin6666]

If I was looking for a parlour guitar my first stop would be to check out a Pono

Parlor Series — Pono Ukulele

www.ponoukuleleco.com

 

[Bill Ashton]

GADF40P...That it! THATS the one! Thanks Al
12 fret, small body, she's the ticket...

 

[Richard31409]

Takamine (Japan made) and Alvarez Yairi (Japan made) make excellent Parlors. Takamine calls the New Yorker models. For me, this is the most comfortable size guitar to hold. Personal choice between 12 fret or 14 fret versions.

 

[GGJaguar]

GADF40P

I played one when they first came out (I'm a 12-fret freak), but was disappointed with the sound. Very bright, no bottom end at all. I don't know if they're all like that, but I was surprised by the lack of bottom end.

 

[Br1ck]

If I was looking for a parlour guitar my first stop would be to check out a Pono

Parlor Series — Pono Ukulele

www.ponoukuleleco.com

Some Pono attributes: In order to conserve wood, they all have a scarf joint in the neck. It's very well done and enables four necks instead of two from the same wood piece. All Ponos have wood binding. All Ponos have bone nuts and saddles. The necks are 1 3/4 and very like a Martin MLO. I have a 00 15 12 fret. Close if not identical. No questions asked return policy. Price point is $600-1200, very roughly. I don't think they can be beat in that range. I have a Pono uke too.