Conference napalm::guitar

    
    "Concert Size" usually refers to smaller-bodied acoustic guitars.
    If I'm not mistaken, a concert-size guitar would correspond to
    a Martin OO sized instrument.  Grand Concert is a OOO size.
    
    Fingerpickers often prefer a OOO instrument.  The OOO guitar is
    smaller than a dreadnaught (which is what assume you refer to
    as a "standard" size instrument), with a significantly narrower
    waist.  The body is also shallower.  OO guitars have the same
    proportions, but are a size smaller.  Both instruments have a
    well balanced sound and are not as boomy and bass heavy as a
    dreadnaught.
    
    There aren't many quality concert-sized instruments available
    today.  Martin makes the OOO-16, about the only Martin you can buy
    for under $1000 these days.  Its a very nice little guitar. They
    also have rosewood OOO or OM instument available as a current guitar
    of the month model.  Other OOO, OO, or O guitars are special order.
    Guild has a mahogany sides/back OOO instrument, but the one I tried
    was TERRIBLE.  Taylor also has one OOO-sized instrument in their
    regular model list (maybe more). 
    
    I mostly fingerpick, and was seriously interested in a OOO guitar,
    but ended up buying a Martin HD28 instead.  The scalloped bracing
    makes the guitar responsive enought to perform well when fingerpicked,
    and the sounds more balanced than a regular D28 or D35.  I really
    liked the OOO-16, but it just wasn't versatile enough.
    
    Jim

    Upon further review, I didn't have it quite right the last time:
    
    O = Concert
    OO = Grand Concert
    OOO = Auditorium (some OMs, too)
    M = Grand Auditorium
    D = Dreadnaught
    J = Jumbo
    
    (in order of increasing size)
    
    M size guitars have a wider lower bout than D instruments, but aren't
    as deep, and have a narrower waist.  Martin J instruments have the
    same top dimensions as M instruments, but are as deep as dreadnaughts.
    

    re -1

    Most excellent info. I've always wondered but never had the occasion
    to find out.

    --rjb

    I had looked into one of these guitars several months ago and came up
    disappointed at the selection out there.  I play exclusively 
    fingerstyle and was looking for a steel string guitar with dimensions
    similar to my classical guitar.  Basically, after playing the wider
    neck of the classic I have trouble on the "broomhandle" necks of
    most steel string guitars.  The "concert" style guitars, in addition
    to the smaller size, offer a wider neck; some in fact with 12 frets
    to the body like a classic.  
    
    Fiddler's Choice has several Martins but at the $2010 price it was
    way out of my range.  Washburn has recently reissued their 1850's
    style "parlor" guitar... $1300!  A few Korean copies of Martin's
    OO-series are now out of business.  So, I really don't know what 
    else is around, 'cept for a good deal on a used guitar.
    
    I'd be interested if anyone knows of a dreadnaught-type guitar
    with at least 1 7/8" wide neck (at the nut).   

    Takamine has a model that might fit your bill.  I believe its the
    EN-30 (or EN-30C for the cutaway version).  It has the following
    features:
    
    		o Solid cedar top
    		o Laminated mahogany sides and back
    		o Takamine transducer and pre-amp
    		o Slotted headstock (but designed for steel strings)
    		o Wider than normal fretboard (I think it is  1 15/16")
    		
    The body is similar to a classical (narrow waist, smaller than
    a dreadnaught).  They also sell a nylon string model.
    
    Street price is in the $500 range (I think).
    
    Another option is a Martin OOO-16 (About $830 at 40% of list) with
    a custom width neck (I'm not sure what this would run).  Taylor also
    has a OOO-sized guitar and a custom shop.  Either would be a 
    better sounding instrument than the Takamine, but are significantly
    more expensive.
    
    Good luck--
    Jim
    
    
    

Have you tried any of the Martin D-**S models?   (D-18S, D-28S, D-35S)
They have a wide neck, either 1 7/8 or 1 15/16, and a very large body -
bigger than standard dreadnaught.  The scale length is the same as a 
dreadnaught but the neck joins the body at the twelfth fret.  

A vintage D-28S with Brazilian rosewood is expensive, but 70's and 80's
S models can be bought for roughly $800 - 1400, sometimes less.

You can also order a J or M or 000 model with a custom neck in the $1000 -
1500 range (roughly).  They are all respectable for fingerstyle.

Larive� makes similar models, with and without cutaway.

Or you can visit Eric Schoenberg and spend $2500++ for the supreme steel-
string fingerstyle guitar.


Bob

    re .5
    
    The real beauty of the Takamine is the excellent pickup system/EQ. 
    While this may not be the best guitar when played un-amplified, it is
    truly beautiful when amped especially through a Tracer Acoustic! :')
    
    I plan to buy one once my wife gets over my last guitar purchase!
    
    Geoff (who's everyday guitar is a 1949 Martin O-18)