Parlor vs. Orchestra Model (OM) Guitars: Ultimate Guide for Choosing the Right Style

Would you play a Parlor instead of an OM? Do you reach for a Folk? Today on Alvarez TV we're exploring the sounds and shapes of each of these models and what makes them unique. Which one would you reach for?
Jump to…
0:00 Folk Parlor Blues (Intro Jam)
2:31 Folk or Parlor: What's Different
5:36 Parlor Shape Deep Dive
8:24 The Right Bracing
8:53 The Sound of OM
12:37 Parting Thoughts
12:55 A/B Comparison OM vs. Parlor
Tim is playing an Artist AF60SHB: alvarezguitars.com/guitar/af6...
Dee is playing an Artist AP66SHB: alvarezguitars.com/guitar/ap6...
Chris is playing an Artist AF66SHB: alvarezguitars.com/guitar/af6...
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[@bobjeaniejoey]

The older I get, the more I want and require the ability to play while seated comfortably in my recliner. My sub-parlor sized Delta Delite, among some other smaller-bodied guitars, fits that bill very well. Cigar box guitars are also excellent in that regard. My OMs do have a clarity that beg to be allowed to sing out on occasion, too, though. My dreadnoughts tend to sit these days. I might try the silk and steel. I keep hearing Chris talk about the 000 12 fret. I'm being tempted to look into procuring one. The power of suggestion is not to be underestimated.

[@stickmanmusic5840]

Long ago I had an Alvarez, reminded me of a Martin 00-21 in size. I sold it after getting a Martin 0-18, a great guitar, but have missed that Alvarez. It was a beautiful guitar and played very well.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for sharing with us, @Stickman music!

[@stephanieredden8861]

I've read so many people saying the same, whether here or in other reviews on store pages. It definitely makes me want one more than any other make but I do like the sound of the Yamaha APXT2.

[@752brickie]

I run silk and steel strings on my Martin OM 21 and absolutely love them . They sound great . I just bought my second AP 66 . I had one years ago and traded it for an AFA 1965 Alvarez but wanted another one. I also have the Blues 51 !

[@Kennardy]

I love Martin Silk and Steel Strings. I think they are so under rated and overlooked by so many players of smaller guitars. I agree with your comment.

[@752brickie]

That is what I have my OM 21 Martin strung with. They sound great ! You are 199% correct on that . I have not restrung my AP66 or Blues 51 but I believe I have several sets in my desk? Martin sends me some now and then but they were a different model.

[@localguy8]

I use silk n steel cos of a recommendation from my buddy a luthier. I find the sound more smother n articulate now I change all my guitars to silk, unfortunately Martin use to make them in 10’s now it’s 11’s . Wish they gave us a choice

[@PMexPAT]

As a retired pro guitarist ( almost every style, I worked), I bought a parlour guitar purely because of its smaller size and I could leave it lying around to be picked up and played whenever the mood takes me. Instead of my “serious “ models that are stored away in their cases and are less handy. ITS A GUITAR !!!

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

That's what we love about our Parlors, too. They fit into daily life really well. Thanks for watching Alvarez TV 👍

[@LottimusMaximus]

These sound really good. Played one the other day. Not a fan of 1 3/4 nut width. Have a classical kind of feel. Perfect for a lot of people.

[@daveroach4204]

All 3 are beautiful guitars. It would be hard to pick between them but I might choose the AF66.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks Dave! We love an OM too.

[@lhvent]

The AF66SHB looks amazing

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks, Larry 👍

[@banjoman44]

what neck joint do Alvarez use, and what adhesive is used? Epoxy or PVA?

[@dalesearcy5734]

What is the difference between your OM size and your Grand Auditorium size guitars?

[@Sandy.Squirrel]

I absolutely love the Parlor. Unfortunately is out of my price range.

[@dinoparton6598]

When playing in a full band with electric guitars bass drums and keys. I feel the parlor cuts through the mix better

[@AndrewUnruh]

It would be very useful to use consistent nomenclature across audio. A 'compressed' sound, for example, should refer to the sound that results from the use of a compressor, that is, the output volume is not a linear function of the input force in such a way that each additional unit of input, you get less additional output, e.g. output = sqrt(input).

[@mangolassi_.]

It makes sense to use this terminology for the sound of an acoustic instrument as well, though. it's not quite the same thing but if the volume curve behaves in a more compressed way or the kinetic energy your right hand applies to the strings results in less of a difference in volume this is a very similar phenomenon.

[@stephenlennartz3466]

I am leaning towards the parlor. I already have a 'big strummer' (Taylor 816ce) & love it but looking for a different 'voice' I can take with me to gigs. I like the parlor guitar in this demo very much. Is there a parlor guitar a notch up that you would recommend? I'm looking in the $1000 to $1500 range. Maybe I don't need to be for a parlor guitar? Kindly advise and thanks so much!

[@JamesThomas-zl9er]

Have a look at a Richards Guitars in Stratford - loads of alternatives to big brands

[@dionst.michael1482]

Might be a little more expensive than you're budgeting for but you should really check out a company called Iris if you're looking for somethin unique. They make a beautiful little parlor guitar that is quite fetching and it has such a unique tone of its own for a solid mahogany parlor guitar (base model). Blew me away and I normally prefer spruce tops and rosewood back and side combo's typically. The waiting list is a little long (12-15m) and they're not cheap ($2000-$4000 depending on your specifications) but they are a quality instrument with LOADS of different options. There isn't anything you can't ask them for. It's built to YOUR specifications. Here's a great parlor guitar comparison video where I first heard of them. Actually this video features alot of great offerings from several builders so you might also find something else you'll like. Enjoy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWeUgHmafJaZq7M

[@willieboy8798]

66 just has a look about it! it has both parlor and om look txs for post ing

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for tuning in, @willieboy8798!

[@LorenzoCangiano]

Hi, I am based in Italy and just cannot find the AP66SHB parlor in any of your local resellers (online or physical stores). Is there any chance that some will be delivered soon?

[@rapunzel5030]

amazon..

[@LorenzoCangiano]

@@rapunzel5030 I have one preordered on Amz but even they don't have any stocks.

[@cowgirlinrainboots5336]

I had a stoke and need a smaller guitar. How is the parlor for strumming?

[@andrewcain6518]

Go 00. Parlor slays finger picking and blues. 00 is much more versatile.

[@christurner2398]

I'm torn between the Parlor and the 12th fret dread (I know, massive difference) but the point is to have something different to my grand auditorium.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Either would do the trick, always depending of course on the sound you're after. Our 12th fret dread is super popular with a lot of our players.

[@christurner2398]

@@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial I'm looking for a sound that will lead me to play something different, rather than a play style in mind that I want to find the right guitar for. We'll see what happens over the summer (I take my time on these decisions 🤣)

[@752brickie]

I just bought my second AP 66 guitar !!! Love the parlor guitars !

[@johnderry7943]

What does OM stand for? What's the size of the sound board on an OM?

[@MikeTwoPoint0]

Orchestra Model

[@lfaf9509]

What makes a Parlor a Parlor? A Parlor guitar is a smaller guitar with a shorter scale length, thats it. The scale length is ether 24.75inch or smaller and the body is smaller than a OM.. The outcome differences is that a Parlor won't be as loud due to its body size, and it will sound different due to its scale length. Its a little more complicated, but that is the most simple I can make it. The scale length is what gives it a different tone more than anything else, but its not just the scale length. Its where the sound hole is vs the scale length. Think of it like this, on a Electric guitar you can have one, two, or three pickups on them generally speaking. If you play on the pickup closer to the neck, you will get a very different sound than if you played on the pickups closer to the bridge. The same thing happens with the sound hole on a acoustic guitar, the sound you get will change depending on where your sound hole is vs what scale length your guitar has. Scale length affects much more than how easy the strings are to play and the amount of tension on the strings. You can take the pickups of off a Gibson and put them on your Fender Strat, and it won't sound the same, the difference will be the scale length, providing you moved over all the wiring and everything else.....

[@tellstarrsixtwo7120]

What about sustain ? Same specs (tonewoods, scale length, etc) just different body size. Really like the sound of a Parlor guitar, but lacks of sustain in most videos. Maybe its the songs ppl are playing with it or the cheap recording equipment, don't know :)

[@MMauricette]

Parlor guitars are my absolutely favorite bc they're small. I Iike holding small babies instead of large babies.

[@andrewlesniak4515]

Need to have longer playing comparison so we can actually hear the difference.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for the feedback, Andrew, we have lots of comparisons coming your way in the new year!

[@keestoft250]

I had a left hand AP70 which got badly damaged unfortunately, but you no longer make that model, I'm guessing because the AP66 is so popular? Why don't you make the AP66 lefthand? Don't forget us lefties, we don't all want to be only offered part of the menu!

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks, Kees. 👍 We are adding a few more Lefties to our lineup this year, and we have more in the works! We never charge more for left-handed models, either.

[@brucebaldy]

what do your 12 string sound like?

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Here's an example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm7fahqn6tkraM.

[@mrsmithsmith8418]

One thing that helps out when you are watching this video, is press the "CC" button on the lower right side of the video, with the close caption on in English you can get understand what the speakers are saying.

[@patientswim6888]

That's not a problem everyone is having

[@stuminnis4050]

There’s just something about a slotted headstock.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

There really is…

[@JohnRotonto-ql9ds]

This was very informative! I own a couple of ibanez parlors. Decent guitars in their own right. After seeing this video Im torn between an artist om or a parlor. Thanks for making my decision even tougher. I'm sure what ever avenue I take I will be happy with my choice.👍👍🙂🙂🙂

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Hi John! Glad it helped with your decision process! Another thing to think about is the all-solid vs. solid-top question…if you have any questions for us, please let us know how we can help! Enjoy! 👍

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Too bad these have a soft V neck I cannot play that type of neck...please make a C or slim C in this model.

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Thanks for the feedback, @WysteriaGuitar.

[@Stratman389]

I want chris' jumper.

[@christianlacheze3323]

Their size

[@tj874]

It’s a shame the OM’s do not have electronics….

[@AshCollins]

Silly question time... Whats an OM?

[@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial]

Hey! No silly questions here, it is the body, shape and size. Thanks for asking 👍

[@AshCollins]

@@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial ok but... Whats OM mean?

[@carlpbrill]

Smaller body's easier on my elbow.

[@PJ-ff5jy]

You say a parlour isn’t a strumming guitar, I disagree, you’ll not find a better parlour than the Auden Emily Rose which has a deeper body, great for finger work and strumming.

[@Jonny-Saurus-Wrecks]

Please play/compare the guitars. I understand why guitar construction should be discussed, and I think it's important to go over the design and details of each instrument. You're calling these, more or less, comparison-based videos, yet there is a lot more voice comparison, it would seem. If one were to surf KZbin and come across this video (and other Alvarez videos), it looks like three chaps having a conversation with guitars in their laps. Because that's what's happening. The first 55 seconds consist of a pretty good improv jam session, and that's wonderful. But that's it until the last minute of the video. If we heard each one alone and could get an idea of its voice, well, that's where the musical instrument decision-making happens. Please, more guitar and less conversation in these videos. Don't tell us about the guitars, show us. I am looking for an OM and a Parlour, but I have a better idea of how your competitors sound because they play their guitars. In response to the waist/sound hole/bridge locations and the ratios, the more centered a sound hole is in relation to he waist the faster the air moves through it. Consider the bouts. If you regard them as the "lungs" of the guitar body, then the sound hole is the mouth/throat. The guitar breathes as the top moves and ripples up and down as it's designed to do. Air will more bounce and juggle in the top bout while rolling and flowing, relatively speaking, in the larger lower bout. The sound hole is where the push and pull of air into the machine happens. The waist is more or less the windpipe, if we continue the analogy. The placement of the mouth in relation to the throat is sort of like exhaling vs blowing. The faster or more forcefully the air moves in and out of the guitar the brightness and projection are increased proportionally. The wise philosopher Zappa once said, "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture." The same applies to talking. Otherwise, keep building beautiful instruments and show us what they can do.

[@rickved]

KZbin is low fidelity, so I need someone to tell me how they sound and how they compare. But I understand English, not Australian.

[@Jonny-Saurus-Wrecks]

@@rickved I understand your point. However, I can and have heard the difference in many guitar comparison videos, with accuracy, and I'm sure others and possibly you have, too. If they didn't work then no one would have comparison videos at all. I made my last acoustic guitar purchase online, confident that I heard it's quality well enough on KZbin, and sure enough, it is now my go-to acoustic, not disappointing me in any way.

[@mrsmithsmith8418]

All three gentleman know how to play and it seems like an interesting conversation. But for native English speaking people, all three speakers are using strange dialects and slang in lower tones and this makes the audio sound all muffled. For Example like this: "Ya and this guitar, (mufflle bassy sounds) boxy sounds add welitive stumming merry ustructal utergrity upen op".

[@rickved]

Yes!

[@geoffmead9081]

That is a very strange comment! They're speaking English English, not dialect. Of course, if you speak a dialect of English like North American, then I can see you might have difficulty with proper English.

[@AshCollins]

They are speaking.... English.

[@ryantw19]

Without any sound comparison, this is 16 minutes of only partially useful talking.