Paulnumbfingers Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 As many of you know, I am planning a long trip through the south and so I have a good excuse to add a parlor guitar to my collection. I have played many, but I have not found one that did not sound tinny. Any recommendations on parlor guitars, or plain old smaller body guitars that have a good sound. One other caveat, are there any worthy ones under $800? I bought my daughter a seagull coastal grand, but frankly it also has a tinny sound to it, okay for her age and a beginner guitar, but not for my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacamartin Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Try Steve at VintageParlorGuitars.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 If you can find a 1920's Stella......great for blues.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainpicker Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Eastmans rock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulnumbfingers Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 Eastmans rock! I can't find a local shop that carries the eastman parlor guitar. You would think someone in Chicago would carry at least one parlor guitar..... I ifound them on 'bay, but a little weary to buy off the bay without playing one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParlourMan Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Larrivee P-01's if you can find one... For the man with a more available budget: Martin 0-28vs Gibson Keb Mo (double zero 12 fret) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 i've been researching parlours too , the recording kings get fantastic reviews and wont break the bank . like you i havent got a guitar central to go and try 50 different ones , maybe someone here has one and can back it up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParlourMan Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 i've been researching parlours too , the recording kings get fantastic reviews and wont break the bank . like you i havent got a guitar central to go and try 50 different ones , maybe someone here has one and can back it up The one I've played on a lot of the AyeTunes clips I've posted is a ROS-627, it's an absolutely cracking guitar. Very open, extremely lively and just overall a really nice wee guitar. It may not have the prestige of guitars with loftier prices, but it's an absolute cracker... my cajon player is forever trying to buy it from me, the singer wants to buy it from me, a few other guitarists I know from the open mic scene here have all started looking / buying Recording King guitars based on trying mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 The one I've played on a lot of the AyeTunes clips I've posted is a ROS-627, it's an absolutely cracking guitar. Very open, extremely lively and just overall a really nice wee guitar. It may not have the prestige of guitars with loftier prices, but it's an absolute cracker... my cajon player is forever trying to buy it from me, the singer wants to buy it from me, a few other guitarists I know from the open mic scene here have all started looking / buying Recording King guitars based on trying mine. thats the more expensive ones , but still huge bang for a buck ... but even the ones at a couple hundred quid are highly thought of . and they look particularly nice i think . so many guitars so little money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParlourMan Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 thats the more expensive ones , but still huge bang for a buck ... but even the ones at a couple hundred quid are highly thought of . and they look particularly nice i think . so many guitars so little money One of my mates has the laminate one, I think it's a ROS-16, it's nice, the 627 is nicer overall, but as you say one is about 200 quid, the other is 500 odd. The cheaper one is great 'bang for buck' so to speak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I do not have a clue about the new stuff out there so cannot offer any kind of advice. I only own one parlor guitar (which I define as having a lower bout under 13 1/2") - a 1930s Harmony-made Supertone. Paid $30 for with it with its original canvas case and instruction booklet and never had to put a dime into it to make it playable. Most folks would probably turn their nose up at it. It is thin and almost hollow sounding. But it is still alot of fun to play. I prefer the concerts though. And I do have a thing for the 1920s and 1930s Stellas and own a concert and jumbo (which are rare as hen's teeth). The key to the Schmidt-made guitars is they only have three long tapered top braces. They are probably the lightest built guitars out there. You could try Neil Harpe's Stella Guitars site to see what he has. He does include sound clips as well. He runs a sale in May but buy-in will still be around $900. But you will get a guitar that is one of the most iconic ever made and totally issue free. Steve's Parlor Guitar site is also alot of fun. Thing is you never really know what the thing is going to sound like unless you have experience with them. So it is a leap of faith. But then again, buying any guitar you have not held in your sweaty little hands first always beings with it a bit of worry before you finally get it. Like Neil's guitars though, you will know the guitar you are getting will be in great shape. And he will have quite a few in your price range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Here is my small Stella. Red spruce top and birch body. Real binding on this one instead of the painted on variety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onewilyfool Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Here is my small Stella. Red spruce top and birch body. Real binding on this one instead of the painted on variety. Zomby...let me know if you want to sell that one!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markini Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 You might want to consider a Guild Gad M-20. Its solid wood mahogany, 24 3/4" scale and with factory 12s on it, does not have the 'tinny' sound. It is 00 size parlor. Beautiful guitars, excellent craftsmanship. Every one I played was flawless cosmetically. Shop around and the non pickup model is in the low $500 range with case, Equipped with pickup about $575 (no case) This guitar is especially suited for finger picking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Zomby...let me know if you want to sell that one!!! I Promise - You will have first crack it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorick Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Zomby...let me know if you want to sell that one!!! That's a beauty, ZW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorick Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Paul, The Larrivee parlors are fine guitars, and I'm pretty sure you can find a used one in your price range. I bought one some years back and have used it a lot, even played a few gigs with it. I bought it for travel and it has certainly filled the bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainpicker Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Going back and re-reading your criteria for a parlor has me responding again. I can't believe you can't find an Eastman dealer in the Chicago area! But you maybe could find one on your upcoming trip. As a second choice I'd heed the words of those responding here about Recording King. I own both a Recording King and an Eastman for my "small guitars". Both of mine are Gibson clones while, when I hear the words "parlor guitar" I think of Martin size 0, 12 fret...for some reason. The only reason I steer you towards an Eastman is that Eastmans fit and finish is right up there with the boutique American made guitars and the playability is just slightly ahead of RK IMO. Eastman has about the most beautiful mahogany you can imagine too if you're leaning towards 'hog. RK on the other hand gives you huge bang for the buck. If you're just looking for a beater smaller guitar I'd even consider looking at their new Dirty Thirty lineup. I was playing my RNJ-25 two nights ago with a friend on his Santa Cruz VJ and my RK was just killing that funky bluesy sound that small body Gibsons are known for. I think I paid $200 for that guitar and I wouldn't sell it for a grand. We ARE lucky as guitar players to be living in these bounteous times. Lots of great instruments to choose from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merseybeat1963 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 They aren't in that price range but you should seek out and try a Lowden S as a sound bench mark for little guitars (new) This size was common before 1930. Maybe a lesser known name from back then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pschaafs Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 +1 on the Larrivee P-01! Mine has been many places in the last 10 years since I bought it, great traveling companion. I put mediums on it, so it sounds meatier than otherwise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulnumbfingers Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 Shocking how limited the parlor guitars are here in Chicago. GC sells online only apparently. I checked the websites of those who are supposedly dealers and many don't even mention they are recording king or eastman dealers, or if they say they are dealers they don't actually have the guitars in stock. So I will be off to Chicago music exchange who have the RC 06 in stock, I really wanted to try some of the others, but we will see how the 06 sounds. If it meets expectations I will go with that, if not then I may do what I dread and order online, say a novena and hope it sounds good. GC has the ros 16 online, so I may also give that shot if the 06 is not to my liking. At least with GC I can return it easily if it does not work out. I saw several good options on ebay, but weary to buy and the be stuck with the guitar. I saw a nice larrivee koa parlor in my price range, anyone ever heard the koa before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crna Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I've really been dying to get a small body, but right now the budget really puts another Gibson out of reach. Thanks for all of the great suggestions guys! I'm in the same position where I live, just not a lot of things to try. But I'm thinking I'll keep my eyes open for a Larrivee, or check out the RK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulnumbfingers Posted May 24, 2013 Author Share Posted May 24, 2013 Ok, I took the leap of faith and bought a recording king 626 off ebay, I can't wait to play it and I will give you my thoughts and whether its a keeper. The seller had great reviews and sells a lot of guitars, so I am giving a little bit of trust that he knows what he is doing and the guitar will be prime. Thanks for your input because I never would have considered a RK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry K Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Ok, I took the leap of faith and bought a recording king 626 off ebay, I can't wait to play it and I will give you my thoughts and whether its a keeper. The seller had great reviews and sells a lot of guitars, so I am giving a little bit of trust that he knows what he is doing and the guitar will be prime. Thanks for your input because I never would have considered a RK. Isn't that a 12-fret triple-oh? Not really a parlor guitar. 15 inch lower bout, probably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMarie Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Isn't that a 12-fret triple-oh? Not really a parlor guitar. 15 inch lower bout, probably. It could be the RP1-626. That's a 0 body--I've got one and it is an amazing little guitar and definitely NOT tinny! Englemann spruce and Mahogany with a 25.4 inch scale and one of these days my teacher is gonna steal it... :unsure: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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