Dreadnought vs. Grand Auditorium

[@blindovermatter3054]

As a blind guy who plays, I just got a grand auditorium with all solid walnut, and it just feels amazing to play, the way I would describe the sound is that it really gives it back when you need it to, I started learning to play some Johnny Cash with it, and I was just blown away at how well she took to the chords and rhythmic strumming, I’m very impressed thus far and I’ve only had the guitar for about three days.

[@smallnuts2]

Is a grand auditorium more for strumming? Also do they make short scale? I have small fingers.

[@blindovermatter3054]

@@smallnuts2 it doesn’t seem much smaller than any other guitar. I’ve played to be honest, but it feels great. As someone who is born prematurely, and also has smaller hands, I find it pretty easy to get around. It handles strumming very well and I’m a fan. You can use it for anything, the tone is pretty warm and bright at the same time so I think it would be pretty good for doing solo work as well, though that’s definitely not my specialty.

[@scrappie8309]

If its not an overly personal question, which i understand if it is, how did you learn how to play guitar as a blind man?

[@dccardwell6805]

Nice discussion, and it's also great to have the carefully recorded comparison at the end, of dreadnought vs. grand auditorium but with similarly constructed guitars. Good work!

[@scottfishkind5335]

I really enjoy all of the content you have produced, it's really outstanding on every level! The side-by-side comparisons were really quite stunning and very helpful to listen to especially with headphones on! The GA definitely is a great all around guitar. When I went to buy my all solid dream guitar, it made sense to go with what was the most versatile, a GA with a cutaway (Cedar top with an East Indian Rosewood back and sides). I also have 2 lower end, though really nice GAs, one with a cutaway, one without. I also have an OM, which is an extremely comfortable guitar to play, but the sonic difference between the GA and OM is significant.

[@rossdurand9044]

I bought a AGM660CEAR because it was a great deal. It's a GA. I love playing it, and the way I would express it's clarity is that it's like you can hear the chord, and also each note in the chord all at the same time. I mainly flatpick, so that is great combination. Love my dreadnoughts, but this is currently my favorite guitar to play.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

That's very cool to hear, Ross! It's always great how a different shape and sound can change up your playing experience. Glad you're loving it!

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

I never hear anyone talk about songwriting on guitars. I don’t own any more dreds (sold all of my Martin’s), because I don’t play bluegrass music. They’re too big to sit and be comfortable, and they are way over-hyped. A dred would be the last size I would grab to write or perform with. I do have demos on my channel of my Martin and Cort dreds, but they’re all sold off now. For me, it’s an OM or 00, and the GA size has taken the place of my dreds. I have one GA, and it’s my Cort Gold series A8. I’m currently looking at getting another Alvarez- I own an FYM66HD, and an older classical from the mid-1970’s (which is the best classical guitar I’ve ever played). How does one go about reaching out to Alvarez to sponsor a video/demo? Peace. 🐰🇺🇸💙🎸🎶🤝✌️

[@stevevice9863]

Interesting that the term Grand Auditorium, (GA), has been adopted by just about all guitar manufacturers. As far as I know, it was Bob Taylor that developed this shape and the name. Similar to the Dreadnaught shape and name that was developed by Martin and has become adopted by all manufacturers. Taylor also has the Grand Concert, Grand Symphony, and Grand Orchestra, Grand Theater and Grand Pacific.

[@johnflannery3535]

Love my GA, great for jumping around on stage. Brilliant workhorses 👌

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Great to hear, John, thank you for sharing! 👍

[@darianooitgedagt3245]

Great comparison! Helped me a lot, thanks! 🤩

[@vyvynylification]

So is the GA really a perfect middle inbetween an OM and Dread?

[@RichLunaMusic]

Pretty much. That's how I always looked at it.

[@lhvent]

My AD66SHB is so great for fingerstyle. Actually this model is the most comfortable just sitting in a chair strumming. Something about the dimensions is just so easy to play.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Very cool to hear, Larry. And yes, that's a great one to sit and strum. Glad you're loving it!

[@SteveMirabole]

Great vid. I have been trying to decide between a grand auditorium or a dreadnought and between a spruce top or a mahogany. Thanks to the video I think I know which one I like. Now I need to hear them in person.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Here to help! What would you like to see next @user-yz9yn8pp9f?

[@bradbaker4679]

Which one you get? Thoughts?

[@nicholascowie5944]

My AGE95CESHB works for every style and the GA shape is more comfortable to play than my Faith Mars dreadnaught. As an aside the (allegedly inferior) laminated back and side do not make any difference that I can perceive and the Alvarez's cedar top produces as mature a tone as the Faith's torrified spruce top. The Alvarez is currently selling at £400! don't know how you do it.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for that, Nicholas! The AGE95CESHB is a great one, we loved making it and are glad you're enjoying it. 🎶

[@deadlypredator3]

Would love a video of the masterworks elite ga guitars

[@philipjoerglewin]

Me too!

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

@@philipjoerglewin We'll see what we can do…

[@jamesmcgraw724]

Really enjoy your presentations and knowledge sharing. Of all my guitar collection, nothing compares to the stunning tone and projection of my APA 1965 Parlor. The sitka / acacia combination is the key I think. Do you plan to offer this same combination in a 000 model ? Thanks.

[@jamesmcgraw724]

Do you make a ooo sitka / acacia model …. Can you please supply me the model number… if you do not have one … do you take special orders to produce one ?

[@joetexas4407]

I have an AG75CE and a AD60 in my Alvarez collection. The AG is my primary live guitar as it has a naturally scooped mid sound which is my preferred guitar sound in general. The AD however is my porch guitar unless I’m feeling a little more southern then it’s my AP710SB. However you cut it, y’all make some amazing guitars. Thanks from Texas!

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thank you, @joetexas4407! 🙏

[@joetexas4407]

@@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial truly thanks to y’all. 2013 was a search for a parlor guitar. Walked into the local Guitar Center in Columbus Ohio, and found a parlor in the acoustic guitar room. Within 15 minutes played and fell in love with my AP710SB. Suffice to say 11 years later, I’ve got 13 Alvarez Artist series guitars in my house. I will boldly put any of my Alvarez guitars against the American big boys. Y’all keep doing what y’all do. 🤘

[@cowboybob0452]

I got my first G A and love it. I have had for a couple yrs. and I use XS strings now went from EXP and I have the best even sound and tone where my dread has booming low sound. TheGA is more comfortable and lighter but I don’t notice a major difference other than the evenness of the GA where the dried booms more bass. I am truly happy with my Artist series Alvarez and I have had great compliments on the guitar and even some who say an Alvarez

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Great choice on strings! And thanks for sharing that, happy to hear you found a GA you love, it's great to have both. 👍

[@JohnRotonto-ql9ds]

I have quite a few dreadnoughts in my collection and I'll put my ag60 shadow burst up against any of them. Nice loud clean tone. I really dug in hard and this guitar stays true and doesn't distort.👍👍

[@gilbertstevenson1494]

I played a Alvarez 5013 dread for 16 years before I knew that other shapes were relevant. Now I have 11 guitars. Six are dreads, including a slope shoulder. And three are jumbos. The other two are a thin-body and a takedown parlor size. I have played a bunch of Auditoriums. Alvarez and Taylor. Haven’t found one yet that I had to have.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks Gilbert, that's a nice collection!

[@cowboybob0452]

HeyGilbert try an Alvarez GA model AGA99CEARSHB in AcaciaFermosa. Artist series. I us D,add aria XS strings and the sound is ausome. I don,trike a guitar that I can,t feel thenvibration thru the back and even tho this GA is laminated sides and back it still resonates against me.

[@gilbertstevenson1494]

Thank You. Six of the Eleven are Alvarez. The 5013 was the “gateway”.

[@dalesearcy5734]

Why did Alvarez choose the GA size over the Dreadnaught size for their 8 String Baritone Guitars?

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Hi Dale! Thanks for asking. Tighter waist influences trebles as there is enough bass, which is why we went with the GA. Thanks for watching 👍

[@amitm1]

Dreads are best for strumming. The GA has got more zing to it. More clarity of notes. 🤘

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Got to love some zing! (It's also fun just to change it up.)

[@sharonbontz1998]

INTERESTED IN DIFFERENT DESIGN THANKS

[@Trevorj333]

13:33 13:46 13:30 13:43

[@LT.X380]

Awesome 👌.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for tuning in, Lynn 👍

[@Sunscribes]

Dreadnought is a Masculine Shape & Sound, Grand Auditorium is a Feminine Shape & Sound. Both provide an ambiance catered towards the mood of the song, but when played in Harmony, Sound Extraordinary.

[@cesmcmyth]

Tim is absolutely right. Dreadnought with a cutaway is the most hideous anti-geometric design ever. I had to get a freking one like that, but nowadays is hard to get an acoustic-electric dreadnought without one. Freking builders, come on....

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Sounds like you and Tim have a lot to discuss. 👍

[@VexxJam]

It's "freaking" homey

[@cesmcmyth]

@@VexxJam actually it's "fucking" :-D but gotta "disguise" it. you know.

[@davidwilliams7552]

Yes cutaway ruins the tone to my ear and let's face it most people are dreaming if they think they actually need a cutaway anyway.

[@seventwistsclockwise]

I don't think I could play a guitar without fret markers:-/

[@patrickdolan.]

Theyre on the edge of the neck when you're looking down

[@bighes100]

Hi guys - you're from the north east i am too (teesside). Can i plug my facebook group for players? 🎸 "Guitar beginners and players UK"