Deep Body Guitars

[William2]

Visually, I have always been more attracted to deep body guitars. Maybe that is why I like dreadnoughts. In fact, the Martin 000-15SM I just sold had no issues; I just didn't get wowed by its looks. Aside from looks, what does the deeper body instrument supposedly do to the sound that the shallower body doesn't do? I might be interested in a smaller body instrument if it had the deeper body dimensions. Here is a real short video of a smaller deep 1920s Oscar Schmidt made Stella grand concert sized body Stella (Oscar Schmidt). I love it's looks as well as its sound. One of the reasons I am attracted to the Iris Roy Smeck DF with its 5" body depth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SKpMDqS2FE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qo0IGwAR7o

Here is some information on the instrument: 
This is perhaps the deepest and most robust sounding Oscar Schmidt made Stella grand concert size we've had through the shop. It is also the literally the deepest grand concert Stella we've seen at nearly 5.0" deep! Early Stella label dates it to the 1920s. This guitar has been rebuilt by Dan Lambert to enhance its full potential while maintaining as much vintage originality as possible. This includes repairs/enhancements to the original ladder bracing, retaining orginal wood whenever possible for improved tone and structural integrity. New spruce top with French polish finish. Neck has been slimmed for more of a "C" profile than its original vintage very deep "V" profile. Slightly radiused new Ebony fretboard, frets, new Ebony pyramid bridge, new bone nut, new bone saddle. New Ebony bridge pins. Two new carbon rods have been inserted into the freshly reset neck to enhance structural integrity for another 100 years of playing.
Top:
Solid Spruce
Back & Sides:
Solid Mahogany
Lower Bout:
14 1/2"
Scale Length:
26.5"
Nut Width:
1 7/8"

[guitarman001]

This is my 4 7/8" deep bodied OO (check out the sound clips):
https://www.paramountguitars.net/gtr/NorthwoodStudio00ma.htm

It is an improvement on regular depth but you lose some of the plosive immediacy in the notes.
It (and the lower bridge placement!) almost makes up for the shorter scale (shorter scale = weaker bass notes).

I think I prefer the OM body shape with full scale length (maybe full scale length, deep-bodied OO would be good!).
The above is a beast, though - it's one of my fave guitars.

Getting your arm round a deep body can be a dealbreaker.

It's ok on this OO with shorter scale (I suspect if the scale were longer or the body size larger, I'd have trouble... Like I did with my L-05 which was only 4.5" deep!)

[William2]

I love those Northwood guitars' I play lefty and the dealer I work with also sells this brand. And the ones he has had and sold were all deep body instruments.

[Queequeg]

The body of an acoustic guitar is essentially an air pump. So the more air inside getting pumped out, the bigger sound it's going to make.
One of my favorite players, Pat Donohue from Minnesota (mostly retired now, I guess) teamed up with CF Martin and did a limited edition deep-body signature model back in 2008. Slothead, adirondack over rosewood with a pyramid bridge. But it was an OM. And it was 4.5 inches deep. Only a 1/4 inch deeper than a Larrivee OM.
Of course Pat could make any guitar sound great but this one truly did sound special.
This is the guitar but not Pat playing. A big voice for an OM.

[guitarman001]

I love those Northwood guitars' I play lefty and the dealer I work with also sells this brand. And the ones he has had and sold were all deep body instruments.

They're really good... So you've played them?

Care to share the dealer? I'm always interested to see Northwood stock....

[William2]

That is a really nice and warm sounding Martin. I get my guitars from Woodstock School of Music in Illinois. Dave Dalton also plays lefty and carries both configurations. So, I get to hear before I buy. I have never played a Northwood, but Dave has videos of them.

[guitarman001]

Hear before buy is how I've done my long distance purchases. Thanks for that, William .. I will check it out!