Acoustic Guitars Shapes – Complete Review

The acoustic guitar has seen many forms over the years. Each form has been adapted to suit the different musical styles that have come to prevail.

The acoustic guitar has been used in all genres of music including country, folk, rock, blues, and jazz. It is truly a versatile instrument that can be used to create any type of music.

Shapes of Guitars

There are many different acoustic guitar shapes, each with its unique look and sound. The most common shape is the dreadnought, which is characterized by its large body and deep, rich sound. Other popular shapes include the jumbo, the concert, and the parlor.

Dreadnoughts

A dreadnought guitar is a type of acoustic guitar that is characterized by its large size and powerful sound. This type of guitar is typically used for strumming and rhythm playing and is often used in folk and country music. Dreadnought guitars are also popular among beginner and intermediate players because of their ease of playability.

The dreadnought guitar was first developed by C.F. Martin & Company in the early 20th century. It gets its name from the type of battleship that was used during World War I, which was also known as a dreadnought. The original dreadnought guitar was designed to be louder and more powerful than any other guitar on the market.

The dreadnought quickly became the most popular type of acoustic guitar and has remained one of the most popular guitar designs to this day.

Dreadnought guitars are typically made with a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. This combination of woods gives the dreadnought it’s signature loud and powerful sound. The large size of the dreadnought body also makes it one of the most resonant acoustic guitars, which contributes to its overall volume and projection.

Dreadnought guitars are typically played with a pick and are often strummed with a strumming pattern that uses a down-up motion. The down-up strumming pattern is simple to learn and is one of the most popular strumming patterns used on acoustic guitars.
If you are looking for an acoustic guitar that is easy to play and has a powerful sound, then a dreadnought guitar is a great option for you.

Jumbos

A jumbo guitar is a guitar that is larger than a standard guitar. Most jumbo guitars have a body that is at least four inches (10 cm) deep and a scale length that is at least 25.5 inches (65 cm). Jumbo guitars are often used by folk and blues musicians who want a louder sound.

Some jumbo guitars have a cutaway so that the player can reach the higher frets. Jumbo guitars usually have six strings, but some have twelve strings.

The first jumbo guitar was made by the C.F. Martin Company in the 1930s. Martin called it the D-45. Today, jumbo guitars are made by many different companies.

They are often used by lead guitarists who need a guitar that can project over a band. Jumbos are also popular with singer-songwriters who appreciate their full, rich sound.

Grand Auditorium

The Grand Auditorium guitar is one of the most popular and versatile guitar shapes available today. It’s perfect for everything from fingerstyle to Flatpicking and everything in between. Let’s take a closer look at this incredible guitar.

The Grand Auditorium shape was first introduced by C.F. Martin & Co. in the early 1900s. It’s based on the company’s popular Orchestra Model guitar, but with larger body size. The Grand Auditorium quickly became one of Martin’s most popular guitars, and it’s easy to see why.

The Grand Auditorium’s body size is larger than a dreadnought but not as large as a jumbo. This makes it incredibly versatile. It’s large enough to provide plenty of volume and projection, but not so large that it’s unwieldy.

The Grand Auditorium is also known for its excellent balance. The extra length in the body helps to distribute the weight evenly, making it comfortable to play for long periods.

Concert acoustic guitars

Concert acoustic guitars are smaller than dreadnoughts and jumbos, making them more comfortable to play for extended periods. They have a warm, balanced sound that is well-suited for finger-picking and strumming. Concert guitars are a good choice for players who want an acoustic guitar that is easy to carry around.

Parlor guitars

The parlor guitar is a small, acoustic guitar that was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These guitars were typically played in small, intimate settings such as parlors and living rooms. They were also popular as travel guitars, as their smaller size made them easy to transport.

Parlor guitars fell out of favor in the mid-20th century as larger, louder guitars became more popular. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence in interest in these instruments. Many modern guitarists appreciate the parlor guitar’s warm, mellow sound and its smaller, more comfortable size.

FAQ

What’s the difference between cutaway and non-cutaway?

Cutaway guitars have a portion of the body cut away near the neck, which gives the player easier access to the upper frets. Non-cutaway guitars do not have this feature.

What is the difference between a dreadnought and a jumbo guitar?

The dreadnought is larger and is designed for easy strumming and fingerpicking. It has a flatter body shape for better sound projection and a scooped mid-range for good bass response.

The jumbo is smaller and is designed for easy strumming and fingerpicking. It has a narrower waist and a more curved body shape for greater resonance.

Which shape of the acoustic guitar is best for a beginner and why?

The shape of the acoustic guitar that is best for a beginner is a dreadnought guitar. Dreadnought guitars are the most popular style of acoustic guitar and are known for their full, rich sound. They are also one of the most versatile types of acoustic guitar, which makes them a great choice for a beginner.

Conclusion

Different acoustic guitars are uniquely shaped and sized.

Unique guitar shapes bring great variety to the creation of this instrument. They can also be made of different materials. The parts of an acoustic guitar also differ from each other. The body and fingerboard of an acoustic guitar come in different shapes and sizes. The body of an acoustic guitar can be flat or curved.

The type of acoustic guitar you want to buy depends on your personal preference.