Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all.

A customer of mind is interested in a flamenco with a cutaway. She loves the sound of my demo but is concerned (so as I am) that a cutaway might influence the sound. On a steel string guitar, I'm not so worried, but on a nylon string where small changes are usually more important, I'm a little bit afraid.

Any of you guys tried it?

Thanks!

_________________
Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

http://www.guitarrasramirez.com/english ... nalEn.html

See above website. Even the Jose Ramirez shop has cutaways, although I am not sure if all models are electrified.

I never learned proper techinique to play in the upper positions, but I am amazed to see some of the top players who can play adeptly all the way to the 19th fret without a cutaway. They do not need to have their thumbs behind the neck.

I don't think I can honestly say that I can tell a difference between my cutout classical guitar and the non cut outs. At the same time I can't help but think there IS a difference. Seems like there should be but it's negligible. I've only ever done one cut out though so that is not much to go on. I am planning on doing another one very soon and will be watching this thread

Alain;
I have ;many times!
I make the cutaway guitar 1-2mm deeper .
There is less air for the top to pump with a cutaway .


I use very stiff but lite in weight Lutz from Shane for the tops.
Leave the B & Sides as thick as you can .
Make the fans if that's what your using only 3mm tall X5mm wide.

Get a good neck angle so the saddle will only be 7-8mm off the top.
Sound hole 90mm.

I hope this helps.
Mike

_________________
Mike Collins

Thanks all.

Ok, I guess we'll try it then.

Mike, do the mesurements you gave about bracings and thinkness are specific to your cutaway models?

_________________
Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Not always!
I judge by experience , my ear, and what the client wants the guitar to sound like.
But 3mm tall X5mm wide with a .095 (2.3-4mm)center of the top working down to .080 (2mm)or less to the edges always works for me.
I like that traditional crisp ,raspy Flammer sound !!

Mike

_________________
Mike Collins