Guitar Sizes

[Thawk Dean]

As someone new to guitar, I am still sorting out the terminologies. I have heard the terms Jumbo, Dreadnaught, Parlor, Concert, etc. as related to guitar size. Can someone put these in order for me and give me a brief description of the differences besides the size, please? Also, I have an Epi PR350E. What size category is it in? The reason for my Q is that I'm looking for a smaller size guitar to use as a "traveler". I live in an area where there are VERY few places to shop for guitars. So I am "shopping" on Craig's List, eBay, etc and need to relate to the given descriptions. My PR350E is my prized posession and I don't like taking it with me when I hit the road.

 

Thanks,

 

Dean

[Guest]

Steel-string acoustics traditionally come in basically three sizes, from smallest to largest, they are Parlour, Dreadnaught and Jumbo. Your current guitar is a Dreadnaught size which is the most common. Other names like "concert", "auditorium" etc are somewhere in between these sizes but usually on the larger end of the scale, as those names imply a large acoustic projection of sound. Anything labelled "performer" is usually on the smaller end of the scale and often with a thinner body, the name "performer" implies practicality for a touring musician i.e compactness. If you like a small body but a "traditional" type of shape and style go for a "parlour" size guitar, if you're into a more modern style with cutaways and electronics go for a "performer" style, but be aware that these guitars sometimes compromise the acoustic sound to bring you a better plugged-in sound. These links might help:

 

Jumbo: http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=77&CollectionID=9

Dreadnaught: http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=73&CollectionID=9

Parlour: http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=76&CollectionID=9

Performer: http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?ProductID=281&CollectionID=10

 

Go any smaller than "parlour" and you get into your 3/4 size guitars and your "travel" guitars like the Martin Backpacker, Mini-Maton, etc, these guitars are good for REALLY squeezy traveling where you MUST have a guitar with minimum space and weight allowance (say, climbing a mountain) but usually sound a bit meh compared to standard size instruments.

[Ship of fools]

here is a great diagram to help you see the differences.

This will give you some more insight.Ship

[Thawk Dean]

Thanks People....... Both these responses are great. This puts my PR350E in the Dreadnaught category. I will be looking for a Parlor size for a traveling git. Also, I assume the Performer is of the Dreadnaught category???

 

Dean

[andy59]

Dean,

From a prior thread I learned to check (for air travel) whether a guitar can be carried on and the size restrictions or if it fits in my luggage. There are also folding guitars and specifically designed travel guitars, sometimes called "backpackers". I've tried one in the local shop and there is a difference in tone and sound but it is good to keep in practice. For driving trips smaller is definitely easier.

[Guest]

Thanks People....... Both these responses are great. This puts my PR350E in the Dreadnaught category. I will be looking for a Parlor size for a traveling git. Also' date=' I assume the Performer is of the Dreadnaught category???

 

Dean[/quote']

 

Performer is smaller and with a thinner body, and almost always a cutaway. Not as small as parlour though.

[Ship of fools]

A Performer is considered to be a dread.Ship