The Most Versatile Acoustic Guitar?

When people ask me to recommend a versatile acoustic guitar my mind always goes to the slope shoulder dreadnought design.
From the Gibson J-45 and J-50 models to their equivalents by Bourgeois, Collings, Santa Cruz Guitars and others - these beautiful instruments are a great choice for the finger style player, strummer, songwriter and blues picker alike.
In this video I share my thoughts about these great guitars.
If you want to support my work please do use the Super Thanks button!
Michael

[@SiggyMe]

My top three slop shoulders are Santa Cruz VS, Kopp K-35, Fairbanks F-35, and Gibson J-35 between 1946-1953. Yup like to own one of each. I agree the most all around is the Slope dred. Like that SC VS you are playing sounded very nice. Thanks!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching - I love all your guitars already! Especially the Fairbanks…

[@daryllossing1340]

Beautiful Santa Cruz guitar!! Your playing is so smooth and precise.........very delicate touch. Thank you so much Michael.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Daryl!

[@AntonEmery]

I'm the lucky owner of a1987 Goodall Rosewood Standard. Its their take on a slope shouldered dreadnought, I love that guitar.

[@andrewbowen6875]

Every Goodall I’ve heard have been sublime

[@MichaelWatts]

That is a very special instrument

[@mooseymoose]

Most versatile had to be the horrible Ovations. Made a stellar boat paddle and bear defense system for camping trips. We weren't talking about playing the things right?

[@calebbhawkins]

I love this way of thinking!

[@MichaelWatts]

Ha ha ha brilliant!

[@jed1166]

Yeah, Glen Campbell, Paul Simon, Jim Croce and Mellisa Ethridge all played, (or still play), Ovations… whadda they know?

[@starfireforge1830]

Horribly plasticky sounding guitars, like many piezo/undersaddle pickups. It amazes me that so many people can’t hear that terrible thin plastic quality. Complete contrast to a Santa Cruz slope shoulder D. Love my J45!

[@redfox8626]

Thanks Michael, for a beautiful piece on the sloped. My most versatile guitar is a Santa Cruz H13 Mahogany back and sides...

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Inspired by, if not designed by, my friend Paul Hostetter. RIP

[@MichaelWatts]

Ah the H13 is a wonderful thing

[@starfireforge1830]

Gotta love a SC guitar… and a slope shoulder, love my J45. Lovely enveloping warmth. Thanks Michael, all the best.

[@Bowie.]

I've been waiting to hear you play an SCGC. My ears are in love with their instruments.

[@MichaelWatts]

That’s very kind of you! I hope it was worth the wait!

[@garretknisley6015]

recently purchased an Eastman e6 slope shoulder and its completely blown me away, SO much guitar and so much responsiveness and versatility - its mind boggling to me how little I had to spend. Great things coming out of that shop right now, especially since the bourgeois partnership

[@calebbhawkins]

I had one and loved it! It went on the for sale list to get a Martin 00-18 but I may get one again at some point even though I have a J45 50s Original now. The E6 is amazing!

[@garretknisley6015]

@@calebbhawkins I’m currently saving up for a 000-18 to add to the stable, we have similar tastes it seems (long live sitka&mahogany). The 50s original j45’s have been on my radar for quite awhile too, hopefully I’ll be able to demo one eventually!

[@MichaelWatts]

Eastman are making great guitars for the money and the new bourgeois touchstone collab instruments are wonderful.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@garretknisley6015 very true - look out for the Murphy lab models which I found very impressive!

[@garretknisley6015]

@@MichaelWatts of all the boutique makers it seems like the Murphy lab models (and the j43 Atkin) come closest to the real deal - I was lucky enough to play a 47’ j45 years back and I have dreams about that tone. For now I’m having a particularly good nail day (freshly buffed) and my tone this morning is ticking off all the boxes my brain wants to hear - there is something to this, maybe whenever I’m pining for a new guitar I should just take 20 minutes for proper nail care, my laziness just gets the better of me too often lol

[@calebbhawkins]

I just got a Gibson J45 50s Original and it’s brilliant. I have had two Eastman slope shoulder models that were amazing. I actually still have the rosewood one… But because of some hand issues I’ve found an open tuned short scale guitar to be a real godsend!

[@MichaelWatts]

Congratulations! Open tuned short scale? Now you’re talking my language!

[@EasyBreather000]

Thank you for this video Michael - very cool! My most versatile instrument has to be my air guitar: it makes any sound I seek, light as a feather, vey low maintenace, strings last forever and no one can steal it: makes it a winner in my book ☺

[@MichaelWatts]

Ha ha ha I’ve got one like that.

[@calebbhawkins]

As for the most versatile guitar I’ve ever encountered? Gosh… a 12 Fret Martin D21 in Gruhn spec really knocked me on my rear sometime right before Covid. That will probably forever be the one that go away for me. It was brilliant.

[@MichaelWatts]

Yes indeed - I know the one you mean!

[@ellenrik]

For my favorite, I've recently purchased a 1981 K. Yairi AR 351 dreadnaught which is proving, after some TLC, to be a very versatile instrument. Its response is phenomenal and its tonal range is far above anything else I've owned or played.

[@MichaelWatts]

Very cool!

[@ricardosotosan2279]

Thank you for doing this video. I own a SCGC VS and it's the greatest acoustic I own. I felt that "oh yeah" when you talked about the Gibson Roy Smeck lol.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching! Yeah those Smecks are something else!

[@scottfishkind5335]

I find the Grand Auditorium is for me the most versatile and also extremely friendly on my shoulders. But it’s great for fingerstyle or strumming etc I’m a singer-songwriter and have a Furch Yellow Master’s Choice Gc-CR. I recently recorded my new 14 song CD (final mix stage) and it was golden on everything! No doubt the slope shoulder dreads are equally versatile, it comes down to personal preference!

[@MichaelWatts]

Congrats on the new CD Scott!

[@scottfishkind5335]

@@MichaelWattsThank you!!

[@cognoscenticycles4351]

Hey Michael. Thanks for shining the light on the venerable sloped dread. I have been dreaming about the Collings Traditional model sloped dreadnought for awhile now. That big round Gibsonesque neck with a short scale could be interesting. My initial awareness of the Gibson J50 was its use by John Renbourn early on in his career.

[@MichaelWatts]

You’re very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@garretknisley6015]

Bob minner does an incredible service to the Collings cj45, a perfect pair for each other. I've spent hours listening to him with that guitar

[@smandez2023]

Even Taylor has introduced slope shoulders into the foray. And, they will compete totally with other brands with V and C class bracing patterns. Not saying they are superior, just a different spice. That SCHC sounds INCREDIBLE, especially in your hand Michael.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you! The Taylor slope shoulders remind me of early Goodall. Which makes sense.

[@LevinLg17]

Great playing as always, Michael. I have Taylor GS, grand symphony, a large body with a short scale neck. Pretty good for finger style

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching Levin - I do like those GS models

[@Bernd_Boeckmann]

Bravo, Michael! Now you make me want one! 😬 But seriously I thought about it lately. I own a wonderful luthier built guitar by Alexander Voss-Schütte from 2021. That’s my favorite for all styles. Thanks for your always inspiring and informative videos, not to speak about your fabulous playing! 😊❤️🎶

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much Bernd! I’ve never played a Voss-Schütte guitar but I look forward to seeing one at some point!

[@jeffhildreth9244]

My first sloper was a 1946 J-45. After that several Martin D-18 slopers, 12 fret, slot heads . And my all time favorite.. my 1969 D-35S. I lived 10 minutes from Santa Cruz Guitars. Never owned one but considering my experiences with the company that claims everyone wants one of their guitars...I am strongly considering a Scruz sloper. (or a toned down version of the Eric Skye) Also own a Blue Ridge sloper, excellent.

[@MichaelWatts]

SCGC make lovely guitars - and Eric’s sig model is beautiful too… the agony of choice

[@jeffhildreth9244]

@@MichaelWatts The agony is when you can afford it but can't justify it. ! Eric Skye guitar but not with Coco Bolo but with mahogany backs and sides and my favored Sitka Spruce top. I'll be down their way sometime this summer. Hope to stop in and discuss having one made.

[@jamesturtle]

A Guild D-20 I recently picked up is checking all the boxes right now. The all hog experience is highly recommended!

[@MichaelWatts]

Absolutely right!

[@PhilTaylorGuitar]

Some lovely playing and an interesting/enjoyable video.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much Phil!

[@glennstrangemagic]

Love the tones of the first piece you played. Is that your original? You make it beautiful. Thank you.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Glenn - it’s a new idea I’ve been toying with

[@paulboden7850]

Dale Fairbanks builds a well regarded Adirondack/Mahogany Roy Smeck 12 fret, but this 14 fret slope shoulder Santa Cruz seems to be doing the job very nicely.

[@MichaelWatts]

He does indeed - he also makes an astonishing thing called the Super Smeck - a Roy Smeck with super 400 styling. I want it so much

[@richbrodeur2261]

Is the super smeck a maple guitar?

[@paulboden7850]

Torrefied, figured maple b+s. Old growth Adirondack top.

[@1paparico]

I have a 2006 Santa Cruz H13 , Mahogany back and sides.I brought it(her) from a customer after it came in for some set up. I told him ìf you ever want to sell it?`and lucky me ,one day he did.I only play this now as my main acustic, all the others reside in their cases..

[@MichaelWatts]

Beautiful

[@justinlouismusic]

Beautiful sounding guitar!

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you like it Justin!

[@cugir321]

You should play the L series yamaha's....especially the made in Japan LL26, LL36, or LL56. (The LL56 is made by their master luthier..one man, one guitar) The LL16's are made in China and can be a monster (I have one) but can have the chinese made problems....mine had a hump at the 14th fret which I had to personally refret to level out the fingerboard but!!! It's a monster now. I play an open jam with 8 guys who all have Martins...every week. The Yamaha blows away the Martins...including the D45, D35, and a few 28's and 18's. They have a different sound profile. Scooped a bit in the mid range....huge bass and great treble. Cuts through the mid range guitars. These guitars were the best kept secret but not so much anymore. .

[@MichaelWatts]

I have done - Bert Jansch was a big fan back in the day too. Nice guitars

[@RJVB]

/Methinks that every "normal" acoustic guitar is the most versatile one in the Michael Watts universe as long as resonators are also admitted there... but I'm still surprised you'd pick an instrument that will always sound like a big guitar that's keeping maybe half of its sound inside for later delivery. I'm more and more convinced that there's only one design that can give you the oompf of a big guitar and the immediacy of a small-body (or classical): the 16" acoustic archtop. So if we're to stick to guitars that only work with steel strings that would be my recommendation. But of course no one is asking O:-)

[@user-jm7uv9ld8p]

Yes very a versatile guitar👍played well by you . I’ve got a j45 but looking for another versatile guitar but smaller body . Can you recommend one please 🙏

[@MichaelWatts]

Sure! The 12-fret 000 is another favourite of mine

[@szabolcsmezei4088]

The second tune rang the bells somehow...

[@tombonk2932]

Another great video, Michael. What’s your view of Yairi guitars?

[@MichaelWatts]

I haven’t played one for years but I do remember having a crush on one of their tiny parlours back in the day

[@GuillermoCarrasco]

That it is not any slope shoulder guitar... it is a Santa Cruz !!

[@MichaelWatts]

It is indeed!

[@markgaffney2583]

Hi Michael how would you rate a Collings CJ SB and how would it react to DADGAD as it would be mainly played using that tuning for traditional Irish music , looking for something different I have aD18GPCE at present and like the slightly brighter sound of the Collings regards and thanks , Mark

[@andrewbowen6875]

Silly Moustache aka Andy has a Santa Cruz Roy Smeck. Absolutely devastated at the moment with having to put my J 35 down because of suspected rheumatoid arthritis in hands making it impossible to play

[@MichaelWatts]

He does indeed! Good old Andy

[@clayship]

Does that have a Baggs pickup? I love that you always only play unplugged and mic’d for your videos (seriously, it says so much), but I’m always curious…how does the Baggs sound (if it is a Baggs)?

[@MichaelWatts]

It is a Baggs - thank you so much for your kind words. I am not a pickup fan and I think it shows!

[@StringsAtHome]

Slope shoulder Dreadnought, 12th fret body join, slotted headstock, Maybe my next purchase 🤔

[@MichaelWatts]

Have fun shopping!

[@StringsAtHome]

@@MichaelWatts Gods no not yet 🤣 Literally bought a new guitar 2 days ago Don't tempt me

[@cottoneyejoe1able]

👌 👍perfect 👌

[@kinnjohn]

And Ralph McTell!

[@MichaelWatts]

AND Ralph McTell and Wizz Jones!

[@gianfrancoviola9868]

The widest palette of sounds I’ve ever experienced was coming out of a …erm… Kostal MDW!

[@MichaelWatts]

Yeah that does happen…!

[@roscoe2311]

Do modified dreadnoughts have a similar feeling to these comfort wise? I've played many slope shoulders but never a mod D so I was just curious. I thought maybe they were in a similar camp size/shape wise. Thanks for the video :)

[@jeffhildreth9244]

The first Martin (Ditson) dread was a sloper.

[@MichaelWatts]

Not really, the MD is a different beast tonally and ergonomically - still great, just different

[@roscoe2311]

@@MichaelWatts appreciate it, thanks Michael

[@LegsON]

Slope shoulders are visually the golden ratio to me. That's how a guitar should look. J-200 shape is another golden ratio look, though its tonal versatility is nowhere near the slope shoulder. Gibson's truly square shoulder bodies are atrocious. Only beautiful pickguards and bridges redeem them. Martin's modern dreadnought body shape is just okay.

[@dannyb1202]

Ciao!, I'm Daniele from Italy, I have a question for you: what do you think of Merrill guitars, do you know them?

[@MichaelWatts]

Ciao Daniele - I have never played a Merrill guitar but I’ve heard good things about them

[@cfibanez]

Oh dammed! My dreadnaught has no slope shoulders. Not versatile then… I guess.

[@MichaelWatts]

😂

[@mickymillersson4376]

If that guitar sounds like this in the room I'll eat my pants. Come on Michael, make it real

[@MichaelWatts]

It’s pants eating time for you Micky. There is no EQ, no reverb, no effects. Maybe a glass of water to help down all that fabric?

[@davidharris7431]

Hello Michael, I will be deleting yt as all my comments get deleted on most vids . Not yours but still , I'm leaving . Peace ✌

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Why bother to announce that here if Michael's channel has nothing to do with your "issue". ?