This natural parlour guitar comes constructed with a spruce top, rosewood back and sides, an ebony fingerboard and a solid ebony bridge. The solid spruce, maple, and mahogany woods bring out a sweet, warm, and mellow sound out of this guitar that players of any skill level will enjoy. Required fields are marked *, A fantastic, compact budget parlor guitar, The build quality alone makes this the top parlor guitar in our guide, For the guitarists looking to splash out on a vintage-style parlor guitar. Now, coming to the Transacoustic part – to be honest, we were *pretty* excited when we first got our hands on the CSF-TA. Frets: 18 The Muse Parlor acoustic with its dark, mystical hue and narrow body has a striking aesthetic that, indeed, looks like a vintage guitar that was played by the creative, musical nomads of yore. In the classic sunburst, smokey effect, this guitar is fantastic for beginners and even seasoned players looking for that super retro, parlour guitar vibe without the hefty price tag of actually buying a real early 20th century acoustic. With a distinct tone and design, Ibanez has managed to produce a Parlor worthy of admiration at a very budget-friendly price point. Thanks to a good combination of affordability and quality, this model is a good Parlor guitar to start with for beginners, and especially if you’re on a tight budget. Body Shape: While all Parlor guitars are narrow in shape than standard guitars, they do come in two slightly different shapes. It has a narrow neck with 18 frets that make it quite comfortable and easy to play. The first is a pear-shape, where the lower half of the body is considerably wider than the top half. It’s the only guitar on this list with Rosewood sides and back, along with a solid sitka Spruce Top. Its all-laminate spruce and mahogany body produces a pretty nice and resonant midrange tone. Body Wood: Solid Canadian Cedar Top, Solid African Mahogany Back & Sides Next up is the beautifully retro Fender small-body acoustic. The neck is also Mahogany, with an Indian Rosewood fingerboard. My Review: Crafted with all-solid wood, the tone, playability, and aesthetics of the Blueridge BR 341 puts it up there as one of the best. Top 7 Best Parlor Guitars 2020 Reviews 1. With the recent rise in popularity of retro blues music and a look back to vintage styling, musicians are flocking to old guitar stores and spending thousands on very old, very expensive guitars in an attempt to imitate their idols. The set neck, mahogany body,and rosewood fretboard all have a role to play in making that happen. Thanks to a unique Spanish heel construction, the entire piece vibrates as one seamless unit, which is really the best way to get a great tone. Case Included: Yes. Updated in January 2020 with new guitars, demos and an FAQ section. Parlor guitars, however, tend to … Handedness: Right 8 Best Parlor Guitars - December 2020 Results are Based on. Grand concert guitars are based on the shape of classical guitars. For players looking to really splash out and begin to take their blues playing seriously, we cannot recommend the Eastman range enough. With the recent rise in popularity of retro blues music and a look back to vintage styling, musicians are flocking to old guitar stores and spending thousands on very old, very expensive guitars in an attempt to imitate their idols. The compensated saddle keeps any intonation issues at bay, while the nickel hardware will stay solid and corrosion resistant for a long time. The solid sitka spruce top and solid mahogany body projects a loud, clear, balanced tone that we think most experienced musicians will be quite impressed with. This is as quintessentially Gretsch as it gets, with the unique thumbnail fingerboard inlays, custom sound hole, clear white colouring and gleaming gold machine heads. 11 of the best acoustic guitar string sets, and everything you need to know about them. Overall Build and Design: The Jim Dandy Flat Top looks like it time traveled straight from the 1930s, from the looks of it. A defining staple in the vintage series from Washburn guitars, the R314K Vintage Parlour Acoustic is as classic and vintage as these kinds of guitars get. There is nothing worse than trying to do a cool guitar trick on stage after …, Extending the life of your guitar strings is not an arbitrary mystery. Neck Wood: Mahogany Fingerboard Wood: Mahogany Its solid Sitka top, and Mahogany sides, back, and neck produce a full, rich, and full-bodied tone that’s quite impressive. My Review: We did say we’ll include guitars for ALL budgets, so it’s only fair to include the best of the best in here, even though it may prove to be quite pricey for many of us. Despite its classic parlour shape and size, the Tanglewood TWJP is a surprisingly loud and warm guitar, with a tone that resonates along the solid mahogany body. The owner of this website does not guarantee offers on this site, and all offers should be viewed as recommendations only. Bottom line – If an alternate tuning doesn’t scare you and you are on a budget, then this is the best budget travel guitar. Disclaimer: this product is out of stock until early next year Handy is also the keyword for the X11S/P-CHB from Baton Rouge. I was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania. Plus, the Fishman preamp carries through this tone quite well, even when plugged in. The acoustic guitars on this list are the best parlor … Frets: 22 Wood Details: This Parlor is made with an all-laminate Spruce wood top and Mahogany back and sides. Each guitar has its qualities, albeit most of them have a narrower body and 12 frets. Overall a fantastic guitar. Aside from their functional significance, such designs also give that classic vintage look to Parlor guitars that are quite a sight to behold. There are real reasons behind why it is …, Curious about whether playing the guitar will lead to issues later on? In other words, it’s a full-sized guitar with a smaller body. The all-mahogany body introduces a bass-oriented, warm tone that you won’t easily find elsewhere. The price mainly depends on the quality of wood and the components used, however, you’ll find high quality guitars in all three ranges, depending on what you’re looking for. If you are thinking of venturing into the high-end Parlor guitar segment but need that sound and build in under $1000, then do give the PM-2 a serious consideration. For example, with keyboards, drum kits, electric guitars and DJ gear there are plenty of variables, but with acoustic guitars things are a lot simpler. This guitar’s body is made from spruce and rosewood, while the neck is mahogany. This gives it quite a unique sound that records very distinctly. Plus, the SRT piezo pickups work great when you do want a plugged-in performance. This Parlor guitar is part of the brand’s popular Historic series that is known to be comfortable to hold, easy to play and deliver a bright, crisp tone. Tone and Sound Quality: Its all-solid body brings out a rich, crisp midrange tone that’s clear and well-balanced. The neck is mahogany while the fingerboard is again made with rosewood. Overall, the Taylor GS Mini eliminates the line between “entry-level guitar” and “quality guitar” by producing one of the best … Case Included: Yes. Gibson Acoustic Parlor Modern EC (Best Overall Parlor Guitar), 2. This is because a Parlor guitar’s small body requires a lot less force to produce a crystal clear, rich, loud tone with your fingers. Wood Details: This C9 is crafted from an all-solid wood, which plays a big role in not just its durability but also its sound quality and volume. Like we said, you don’t usually see many guitars with a rosewood body. ... 2020 . I’ve been playing guitar since I was 13 (over 15 years now) and am an avid collector of all thing’s guitar. Frets: 20 What’s even better is that thanks to the piezo pickups, you can project this signature Parlor sound out to as large an audience as possible. Happy viewing! Compact, Travel-Friendly Size: The compact body of a Parlor guitar makes it an excellent companion on quick getaways and campsite trips. The solid spruce top brings out a lush tone, while the 24.75” scale length and the slim-taper ‘D’ shaped neck makes it comfortable for those transitioning from a larger sized guitar to a Parlor. It evokes a serious nostalgia for the traditional Parlor of the early 1900s. The intricate design around the soundhole is lasered onto the body. The 11 Best Guitar Amps of 2020 Before you head to your next jam session, pick up one of these bad boys. While their top, body, neck, and back are usually made of woods such as Spruce, Mahogany, Cedar, or Agathis, the fingerboards are typically made with Rosewood or Walnut. Several of the brands we’ve included in our list were actually around when the Parlor guitars were first pioneered, so they’ve lived through that era. The style of parlor guitars is very reminiscent of the 1950s, as they were incredibly popular for early folk and blues music. Its all-solid wood body produces a warm, beautiful tone that shines through both in live performances as well as recordings. Agathis wood is known to produce a bright, loud tone and rosewood and Nato wood are also well-known for offering a balanced, mid range tone at a cost-effective price point. Fingerboard Wood: Indian Rosewood Updated in January 2020 with new guitars, demos and an FAQ section. You can still play the blues music you want to, and you will definitely still look the part, but most importantly, you’ll have enough money for a fly suit and a double JD and coke for when you get to that jazz club with your retro-looking (but secretly brand new) vintage parlour acoustic guitars. Body Wood: Sitka Spruce Top, Mahogany Back and Sides Award-Winning Parlor Guitar Series with Great, Responsive Tone & Build, Body Wood: Solid African Mahogany Top, Mahogany Back & Sides The Fishman sonitone preamp that is fitted right under the mouth of the soundhole lets you adjust the master volume as well as tone, further giving you control over your own sound. Wood Details: Even at such a competitive price point, Fender has managed to fit this guitar with a highly coveted solid Spruce wood top, which is a rarity at this price range. The neck is made with nato wood, while the fingerboard has been crafted with rosewood. Overall Build and Design: The EL Pro has a lot going for itself, so let’s go through them one by one. R320SWRK is fresh out of the Washburn Vintage Series range, with a carefully crafted blend of materials to make this old school throwback built to last. Although there’s debate on the exact definition, a Parlor guitar is widely accepted to mean a small-bodied acoustic guitar that’s narrower than current standards. With a solid Sitka Spruce top and mahogany body, you can expect a pretty full-bodies, crisp and resonant tone, whether you’re playing plugged in or unplugged. You can … These are mostly demanded by blues and fold players and the beginner guitarist who likes to keep guitar around the house which is … Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy Flat Top Acoustic Guitar – 2-Color Sunburst Finish, 5. Tone and Sound Quality: Thanks to the solid Sitka Spruce top, this model has a wonderfully clear, resonant, and lush mid-range tone. Frets: 19 My Review: This guitar is a testament to how good a budget-friendly Parlor guitar can sound when the manufacturers know what they’re doing. Let's jump into everything you need to know before buying a parlor guitar including the history of parlor … Plus, the scalloped X-bracing makes for an impressively responsive body. Fender Paramount PM-2 Standard Parlor. Blueridge was inspired to craft the BR-143 by looking back at vintage Parlor guitars that were all the rage in Early 1900 San Francisco. Epiphone EL-00 PRO Solid Top Parlor Size Acoustic / Electric Guitar, 14. This program is designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. Blueridge BR-371 – Best Buy. However, that is not to say that newer brands can’t make great Parlor guitars. Wood Details: One of the most noteworthy things about the BR-143 is that it’s crafted with all-solid wood, which really enhances its sound and tone quality. We hadn’t tried it as yet, and weren’t sure if it would live up to the hype. There’s a lot to love about this guitar. Wood Details: The EL 00 Pro has a solid spruce top, maple sides, and a mahogany back. Unlike a classical guitar, it was strung up with steel strings and came to America from Europe. Also, if there are any great Parlor guitars that you know of that you feel we should add to this list, let us know in the comments below. Fender CP-60S Parlor Acoustic Guitar (Best Under $300), 7. This gives this guitar a unique visual aesthetic as well as tonal quality. In literal terms, you get a full-range tone where the high end sparkles over a thick, rich, warm low to mid tone. As part of the brand’s award-winning Parlor guitar series, the AP66SHB brings out the best of its wood, design, and hardware, giving you an amazing, rich tone and super comfortable playability. This natural parlour guitar comes constructed with a spruce top, rosewood back and sides, an ebony fingerboard and a solid ebony bridge. This model comes in a 3 tone sunburst color that looks quite vibrant with a vintage appeal. In this article, we will review 5 of the best parlor guitars in 2020. The mahogany CP-60s is a light, airy parlour guitar that does not belong in the under $500 section in a music store, let alone the under 250 category. ... Shopping for a Parlor Guitar. So check out the number of total frets and generally, subtract 4-5 frets from there: That’s the number of clear frets you’ll actually get to play. Fingerboard Wood: Mahogany Body Wood: Spruce Wood Top, Mahogany Back & Sides Case Included: No. All images on our website are the property of their respective owners. Its premium tonewoods and unique wider body gives you full-size sound in a smaller package. Musical instruments, especially acoustic and electric guitars, are routinely pawned for short-term loans. If we had to pick the Parlor guitar with top-of-the-line craftsmanship and tone, then we would pick the Gibson Modern EC and the Blueridge BR – 341. Case Included: No. While a wider lower half adds slightly more bass to the tone, a more balanced body shape will have more of a mid-range tone. Overall Build and Design: This guitar is the holy trinity of beautiful design, great tone, and excellent playability. This will ensure that you pick a model that is compatible with your playing style as well as tone and design preferences. When you wrap your arms around it, … The solid spruce top is obviously a great feature and goes a long way in ensuring a full-bodied, vibrant tone from this guitar, and the maple and mahogany enhance the overall sound as well. The NXT is almost a hybrid between a classical guitar and the vintage, natural finish of the very first parlour acoustic guitars. The Grover mini rotomatic tuners keep your tuning rock-solid for long durations. Reproduction of any part of this website without direct permission is prohibited. Tone and Sound Quality: Because it is slightly larger in size than other Parlors, the PN 15 ends up projecting more volume. The mahogany back and sides further enhance and support the bright tone by adding a sweet midrange to it. Admirable Blend of Striking Looks & Warm, Mellow Tone, Body Wood: Solid Spruce Top, Maple Sides & Mahogany Back The set neck makes the entire body vibrate as one, while black walnut fretboard mellows the overall tone, making it great for fingerpicking and flatpicked sound. This model has brought a mature, seasoned Parlor guitar sound accessible to beginners and musicians on a tight budget. Your email address will not be published. Playability wise, this model sits quite comfortably and is easy to play for beginners and experienced musicians alike. Here at the Guitar Lobby, our aim is to share our passion for Music and gear with the rest of the music community. The bright high-end of the Spruce and the low-end of the Rosewood offer you an inspiring tone that is rarely found – luscious, warm, clear, and full-range. Neck Wood: Mahogany Looking for an acoustic parlour guitar for your exact playing style? We hope this list gave you a low-down of all the key features of a wide range of Parlor guitars, from collector’s edition models to great starter Parlors. Gretsch Guitars Jim Dandy Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (Budget Pick), 4. The vintage elegance is quite admirable in its design – the cedarwood and solid mahogany body has a wonderful natural brown, high gloss finish, along with glimmering and tasteful mother-of-pearl weave rosettes. Its solid wood body has a scalloped bracing that allows the top to stay flexible and reverberate for clear note definition. The warm tobacco brown sunburst finish adds an elegant touch to the overall aesthetic. If you’re looking for that retro, metal blues guitar which you’ve seen all the old blues players using, then this is about as close as you’ll get without shelling out the big bucks. The classic rosewood bridget further boosts the tone beautifully. Their smaller body size makes them easy to travel with and they can still sound great just like any full-sized acoustic guitar. But there’s another thing that distinguishes Parlor guitars from other small acoustic guitars, and that is their pear-like structure that’s wider at the bottom than at the top. Wood Details: The muse Parlor is made with a fully laminate-mahogany build – be it the top, back, sides, and even the neck! Frets:18 The E20P-SB is on such guitar in this range. The Best Parlor Guitar. In it, they systematically attach the pieces in such a way that, in the end, turns the whole guitar vibrant like one single, seamless unit. The next guitar we’ll review in this list is the Yamaha L-Series LL6 Acoustic-Electric Guitar, a wonderfully sounding instrument that is conveniently quite comfortable to play as well; the 5-ply neck with high comfort traditional profile allows you to effortlessly press the strings against the rosewood fretboard and to easily take your hand up and down the neck when playing scales or licks. Overall Build and Design: With a 24.5” scale length and a classic Parlor guitar shape, the CP-60S looks as impressive as it plays. (The Best Parlor Guitars For 2020). One thing to keep in mind though – it has a 1.65” nut width which, although perfect for strumming, may turn out to feel a little narrow for fingerpicking. This will make sure that you’re comfortable holding and playing the guitar. Case Included: No. Finding the best parlor guitar with that full acoustic sound isn’t always easy. Case Included: Yes. While Parlor guitars usually have 18 frets, travel guitars may have anywhere between 21 to 24 frets. Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood Is the CP-60s the best budget Fender acoustic for blues players? Handedness: Right Handed Overall Build and Design: Given its mid-range price point, Alvarez has managed to utilize all its material and components to the best of their abilities, thanks to their 60+ years of experience in crafting great sounding affordable guitars. Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood Case Included: No. The AP66SHB has a 44.45mm nut width, which is a little wider than the average dreadnought. Not only is this guitar loud, but its tone also has a noteworthy nuance and vibrance that will be appreciated both by fingerstyle players as well as those that love strumming away to folk music. The neck is also mahogany, while the fretboard is made from rosewood. The Buyer’s Guide section was updated on March 19, 2020 | BY ADAM PERLMUTTER. And just as well, it’d be a crime to not let a wider audience enjoy this tone. Case Included: No. Neck Wood: Mahogany Moreover, their bracing technique also allows for the soundboard to vibrate more and be more responsive, which again makes it louder. This style not only offers more support to the body than other bracing techniques but also makes for one of the most flexible and responsive soundboards. Guitar Injuries – 7 Common Issues & Treatment Methods, The 20 Best Flanger Pedals – Buyers Guide, The 15 Best Wah-Wah Pedals for Guitarists – Buyers Guide, The 10 best Eight String Guitars – Ultimate Buyers Guide. Further, the c shaped neck also sits comfortably, making it more ergonomic and easier to play. 15 ends best parlor guitar 2020 projecting more volume, that ’ s a full-sized guitar with that full acoustic isn... As it looks a solid midrange the 11 best guitar amps and electronics Dandy is great! 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