Looking for an acoustic gu*tar with a wide neck.

Benjamin Strange · #1 06-10-2007, 04:43 PM

A few years back, I played a Martin Norman Blake acoustic guitar, and decided I had to have it. I've worked in music stores for 10 years, and have never wanted an acoustic until I played this thing. Incredible tone, shorter scale (24.9"), wider nut (1 13/16"), and simply beautiful. It had a slight hump in the neck where it joined the body, so the Martin rep took it in to get fixed... and then it was stolen out of the trunk of his car the next day. Gah! 10 years of searching shot to hell! At that point, I gave up on the idea of having a decent acoustic guitar.

Well, 2 years later, I'm still thinking about that guitar. Trouble is, the list price on it is $5200, and I can't find one in my area to try out. I can't justify special ordering something that expensive without trying it first. So now I'm on the hunt to try to find something with similar specs, but I'm not having alot of luck.

What I want is a guitar with a wide neck, shorter scale, and 000 size (or similar) body shape. Does anybody here have any idea of a manufacturer that makes something close, that doesn't necessarily cost an arm and a leg? I'm willing to spend whatever cash is necessary to get a good acoustic, but if I don't have to spend over $3000 I'd be happy. Any suggestions?

**SoComSurfing** · #2 06-10-2007, 04:46 PM

Seagulls have a wider neck, but not like the Norman Blake. I don't know about the scale, off-hand, either. Those Norman Blakes are absolutely amazing. I completely understand why you couldn't forget one!

Brad Maestas · #3 06-10-2007, 05:03 PM

I play a classical guitar that has a very wide neck, even for a classical, and I know how you feel. I gotta have that wider neck. Steel-string necks feel like toothpicks to me now.

Personally, I would stay away from new Martins and Gibsons mostly due to the outrageous pricing of their "signature" models and such. Check out elderly.com, mandolinbrothers.com and 12fret.com as a starting point. They have good prices on used and new guitars fitting your general description.

Here are a few 00's I found at Elderly after a quick search. I know you're looking more for 000 and smaller but...
Larrivee 00-05 Custom - http://elderly.com/vintage/items/20U-11031.htm
Huss & Dalton 00 - http://elderly.com/vintage/items/20U-11012.htm

The steel-string page at 12fret - http://12fret.com/used/index.html#Fl...Steel%20String
Check out the Bruno Parlor and Collings 000!

A little short-scale 000 is more like a parlor guitar, really. Maybe searching for that will turn up more results as well. Good luck!

Christopher · #4 06-10-2007, 05:10 PM

I know Collings makes some instruments that are close to the dimensions of the Norman Blake - you'll wind up paying more than $3000 for one, though.

Benjamin Strange · #5 06-11-2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

I know Collings makes some instruments that are close to the dimensions of the Norman Blake - you'll wind up paying more than $3000 for one, though.

It appears I may end up with a Collings - $3000 is still cheaper than the Martin Norman Blake...

evan_phi · #6 06-11-2007, 08:53 PM

just get a classical.

Bard2dbone · #7 06-12-2007, 03:41 PM

For budget reasons, I would suggest trying the Seagull first. But if you can afford it, you'll never be sorry for getting a Collings.

Benjamin Strange · #8 06-12-2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bard2dbone

For budget reasons, I would suggest trying the Seagull first. But if you can afford it, you'll never be sorry for getting a Collings.

I've played the Seagulls - nice for the price, but not nice enough to convince me to buy one. I shall continue looking...