The pictures here don’t cover all the options, but are a starting point or reference, and of course cutaway or no cutaway?

For me then, preferring smaller bodies would go with 000, OM, Grand Concert, if we go with the pictures.
cutaways are cool, but not essential

 

Whatever shape/size this is:

 

Whatever this is:

View attachment 616072

Guild M20 I think.

 

Dreadnought with a cutaway is my favorite. Also Grand Auditorium, also cutaway.

Some guys say they don't like cutaways because of the decrease of sustain, but I prefer the look and extended range. Plus I can't hear a difference.

 

If there is a difference, I can’t tell

 

12 FTB

 

I have everything going against me; short arms, short fingers and pot belly so the smaller the guitar, the better. I prefer a parlor, 00 or 000. I also prefer a cutaway for those solos that I can't do.

 

for those solos that I can't do.

me too

 

Smaller bodied, from parlor up to OM/000. I dont mind a dread, but prefer smaller. I have a Lowden S32c, which is about an OM, and the most comfortable guitar Ive played. I prefer cutaways, and 14 fret.

 

Love a slope dread or 000

 

My faves, hands down.
I’ve been experimenting with full contact bridges.
It transforms these somewhat nasal instruments into full range , articulate cannons.

 

Certainly one that isn’t covered by the pictures
they look cool, an$ I have tried them in stores. The ones I tried all had f”at wounds, which I’m not a fan of, but would like to see what they’re like with round wounds.
they are their own thing…

 

I prefer parlour size up to concert size.
I have no problem playing bigger - I’m a big guy with long arms.

But I tend to prefer the sound of small bodied guitars.

My main acoustic is 12 fret parlour with a chunky v neck.

Nathan

 

If this thread were posted a few years ago, I would have definitely been in the OM/OOO camp for sure. But recently I lucked into a Martin J-sized body that basically has the same overall dimensions as a dread, but without the square shoulders and also has a narrower waste. The full range tone of this guitar just sounds beautiful to me, and has become my new favourite and would likely be my go-to if I had to pick only one acoustic.

That said, smaller body guitars possess a ‘certain something’ in the midrange that I really like, especially for blues fingerpicking and flatpicked lead lines. And, Dreadnought bodies are popular for a reason as they create a full-bodied tone that compliments many acoustic genres. For me the body size kind of depends on what style I feel like playing.

 

I'd say parlor or the OO size for me. I use a Martin 00-15 or a Taylor GS MIni.

 

I prefer 000 or OM size. Sound wise i do prefer dreadnaughts for strumming because it has a nice low end.

After years of buying and selling to find the perfect acoustic for me, I landed on an OM by Boucher with Madagascar Rosewood, it was so good that I sold my Boucher Dreadnaught and started diversifying sounds in the 000 and OM realm because I find these more diverse for my playing style.

 

For me, OM is it. I have had most sizes, and OM fits like a perfect glove.

 

I played dreads for years but now being older for comfort I prefer the 00, 000, or OM sizes.

 

I’ve had shoulder issues in the past, although that’s been a while, sometimes it makes playing a dread almost impossible, or uncomfortable at best.
I don’t see myself buying another.
but not putting them down for others.
I am kind of surprised how many are stating prefernces for the smaller side of things.
cool.

 

I think my next acoustic will be a mini-Jumbo, probably with a cutaway.

 

On acoustic I’m all about finger style and classical. On the steel string, the OM series gives the best balance of tone separation for that style, to my ear. I love how well it projects, as well. Shallower body helps. Martin OM-21 has been my favorite steel string for a long time.

 

On acoustic I’m all about finger style and classical. On the steel string, the OM series gives the best balance of tone separation for that style, to my ear.

I love how well it projects, as well. Shallower body helps.

Martin OM-21 has been my favorite steel string flattop for a long time.

 

not sure what shape/size it would count as but I really like my Simon and Patrick songsmith folk. Made in Canada, i've had it for a long time and is reliable and sounds great

 

With sore shoulders, the smallest body with reasonable projection
could be OO body with 12 frets neck. Then a bigger OOO model.
OM generally has longer neck than OOO, so maybe OM with capo ?
Godin 5th Avenue archtop would do it too.

 

I gravitate toward 000-12 fretters. That said, playing postion makes a big difference to me. I prefer seated, with an elevated leg, a classical position. Having larger guitars, ie dreads on hand, is a must but not for everyday.