What's your favorite body size, and why?

[DaveyO]

I love a good dread
It's all about the sound
I appreciate all the sizes
All I've ever repeated was a dread
The best Guitar in the world there a D03

[Silence Dogood]

The best Guitar in the world there a D03

Yes, this has been well-established here on the forum.  The acoustic world at large has yet to catch on, but I think it's slowly happening. Good thing we got in on the secret before it got out!

[Rockysdad]

Nope, BEST is the *L* & *LS* bodied guitars, after all this IS the Larrivée forum and they're Jean's design. 

You folk will catch on eventually.

[Silence Dogood]

 

[StringPicker6]

I would love to try an LS. It's still a mystery to me why that size isn't more available.

[teh]

I agree with Herman about the L body that was Jean's design which is the perfect "Swiss Army Knife" in Larrivees's lineup. It's also probably part of the reason I opted for a 12 string with an L body as my second Larrivee 20 years ago. It took another 15 years until Larrivee offered the LS body for the Forum VI. Glad I jumped on that one too.

P.S. Asking someone to pick a favorite guitar body size is like asking them to pick a favorite grandchild; Like each of my guitars with different body shapes, I wouldn't trade any of them.

[BlueBowman]

I would love to try an LS. It's still a mystery to me why that size isn't more available.

That one is definitely not readily available out in the world. Isn't the LS the one that is a near exact size of classical guitar body?

I used to see mostly Larrivee dreads when I'd visit music stores, but now it seems to be more OMs than anything else, followed by L-bodies, followed by dreads and 000-12s. Parlors, 00-12s, and LS's are sparse in my neck of the  woods. I've not played a jumbo in a while either. But good for Larrivee for winning people over with their OMs.

[broKen]

My OO Sitka/rosewood short scale is so comfortable and easy to play. The bass is thick and rich. If it had a wider nut it would be the perfect guitar. Also, the SD sitka/walnut(Peruvian) is great as well. If only it were short scale. Dreds are dreadfully big.

[B0WIE]

If it had a wider nut it would be the perfect guitar.

That's how I feel about several of mine. Once I tried 13/16 I said, "This is it. The perfect width for me." But, there's really not a lot of guitars made in that width and I like to bargain hunt. So, most of mine are 1 3/4 and I've adapted.

[BlueBowman]

My OO Sitka/rosewood short scale is so comfortable and easy to play. The bass is thick and rich. If it had a wider nut it would be the perfect guitar. Also, the SD sitka/walnut(Peruvian) is great as well. If only it were short scale. Dreds are dreadfully big.

A walnut SD, very nice. I imagine it sounds wonderful.

I also prefer a 1 13/16" nut. Much easier to switch between a classical neck and my acoustics.

[broKen]

That's how I feel about several of mine. Once I tried 13/16 I said, "This is it. The perfect width for me." But, there's really not a lot of guitars made in that width and I like to bargain hunt. So, most of mine are 1 3/4 and I've adapted.

The OOO from Larrivee years ago were 13/16. And their SDs were 7/8. My SD is one of the last of those before they went to 3/4 on all SDs. If only the SD was short scale...

[William2]

Talking about neck widths, is there a reason Larrivee makes their dreadnoughts with a 1 & 11/16" width? Others do also like Gibson and Martin used to. Just wondering if there is some historical reason for this width. Also, I just noticed a brand new Larrivee L-03 for sale that is a 12-fret. While I'm a 14-fret player, I have to say that L body with the 12-fret connection makes that my favorite guitar to look at. It would be great if Larrivee made both versions of the L without the upcharge. I might even bite on one.

[StringPicker6]

The Tommy Emmanuel C-03TE IS A 12 fret with an L body

[B0WIE]

Talking about neck widths, is there a reason Larrivee makes their dreadnoughts with a 1 & 11/16" width? Others do also like Gibson and Martin used to. Just wondering if there is some historical reason for this width. Also, I just noticed a brand new Larrivee L-03 for sale that is a 12-fret. While I'm a 14-fret player, I have to say that L body with the 12-fret connection makes that my favorite guitar to look at. It would be great if Larrivee made both versions of the L without the upcharge. I might even bite on one.

I believe it's because that's the traditional dread width and favors strumming. I see tastes trending toward 1 3/4, though I don't know how much of the market comprises of each now. I do know 12 fretters are primarily 1 3/4 in most brands.

[Queequeg]

I believe it's because that's the traditional dread width and favors strumming.

Yes, quite sure that's it.
Another thing- it's a match for most electric guitar necks which makes for easy transition. Anecdotally, I hear electric players say they find a 1 & 3/4 neck too wide when they pick up an acoustic.

[StringPicker6]

I believe that. When I pick up an electric, I find the necks way too narrow (fenders, anyway)

[B0WIE]

Funny enough, I'm fine with most electric guitar string spacing, be it fender, Gibson, etc. But, 11/16 is uncomfortable for me on an acoustic. I think it has to do with string tension and exertion required. I won't play my 11/16 acoustic for more than 15min but I never think about it on an electric.

[Queequeg]

Funny enough, I'm fine with most electric guitar string spacing, be it fender, Gibson, etc. But, 11/16 is uncomfortable for me on an acoustic. I think it has to do with string tension and exertion required. I won't play my 11/16 acoustic for more than 15min but I never think about it on an electric.

Possibly due to the smaller radius on your electric(s)

[John Lee Pettimore]

As some others mentioned, my favorite body size (and tonewoods combo) is determined by the voice I'm seeking for the variety I "need" in my playing. 

[Koamon]

As far as my DV10K, C10K and 000-40MT goes, the best is whichever one I'm playing at the time. Each one has their own unique qualities on tone, articulation and compression in the mids and top end, but all three including the 000 12 fret have a full bass response which is great for my Travis style picking especially in drop D.