Head in stocks thread: Acoustic guitars for wee hands

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 3:16 pm

Acoustics bore me to death. I literally find nothing exciting about them in any regard and they hurt my hands like nothing else...... EXCEPT I love the sound and it's far better for noodling at home sat on the couch. I'm looking to get something in the near-ish future however I need certain aspects in an acoustic to make it fun for me, mainly because I have small hands and short fingers. I'm hoping more knowledgeable folks might point in the right direction:

1. Small nut width, and generally small fretboard width.
2. Possibly a shorter scale than 25.5
3. Maybe small bodied for sitting on couches.
4. A neck that plays like an electric.
5. Can be set up with electric gauge strings, say 10s or 11s
6. Reasonably priced. Cheaper the better.

Any brands? models?

NoisemakerEffects · Post by **NoisemakerEffects** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 4:16 pm

Fender Malibu. Hands down.

I got my Fiesta Red one for like...$120? Something ridiculous.

Plays like an electric. Has electronics so you can plug it in for fun times. Nice neck. Good quality.

Get one.

James · Post by **James** » Sun Aug 12, 2012 4:53 pm

Have you thought about a fully hollow electric? They obviously sound different but if it's a sound you're happy with it ticks all the other boxes though of course the prices varies a lot. I also hate acoustics and instead I have one large hollow body (ES-175 type) and one thin one (Coronado).

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 1:02 am

I got a Crafter TRV23 about a year ago and I think it's great. It's 22.75" scale, and feels really nice to play strung with 10s. It's a solid top, and the back is contoured to make it sound bigger than it is. Got it originally to take sailing, but mostly lived in our lounge as my sofa guitar. My other acoustic remained untouched after I got it.
Lankety lank

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 8:35 am

I've been playing my brother's Breedlove a lot in the last year. I think it's Gibson scale and the neck feels nice and narrow towards the nut, although I haven't actually checked either of these specs. The best thing is its sound though, it sounds terrific. I don't know what to listen for in an acoustic as well as I do an electric, so it might not be a connoiseur's choice or anything, but it seemed to do everything pretty well.

I couldn't own one because I don't like the style of them, mind.

Gomer · Post by **Gomer** » Tue Aug 14, 2012 7:07 pm

Doesn't meet all your specs, but I have an Ami, by Art & Lutherie. LINK
If it's good enough for Lee, it's good enough for me.

TheBurbz · Post by **TheBurbz** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:23 am

Gomer wrote:Doesn't meet all your specs, but I have an Ami, by Art & Lutherie. LINK
If it's good enough for Lee, it's good enough for me.

Yeah, those are really nice. I have the next one up, the A&L Folk and find the neck really easy to play on.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 12:09 pm

I love the Ami, but is it not pretty broad at the nut?

Gomer · Post by **Gomer** » Wed Aug 15, 2012 1:24 pm

Is is a wide nut. 1.72"

http://www.artandlutherieguitars.com/specs.htm

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:33 pm

Thanks for all the tips chaps, many look promising. The fender malibu definitely hits the small nut/shortscale/plays like a guitar/cheap elements... Will try and hunt some of these suggestions down in the local shops first though.