Parlor guitar for blues

[bloozeman]

Thinking of possibly getting a parlor guitar for playing blues. What is a decent guitar to check out that won't break the bank? Say 1k budget?

[CTIMOTH]

I have a Waterloo WLS ($2000ish) and a Gretsch Jim Dandy ($170). Both are 12 fret and great for playing blues and played equally. Not sure if they technically qualify as a parlor though.

[Shaneh]

Eastman e20p or e10p. Also the blue ridge br-341 or 361

[jpd]

Martin 0-15. Got my G.A.S. charging for a Gretsch Jim Dandy

[davidbeinct]

You can get an Alvarez parlor, solid mahogany top, laminate back and sides, for under $400. The all-solid Masterworks version can be had for under $700.

[Goat Mick]

I'd vote for a Farida OT-22 also. Great for most forms of music but a great blues box as well.

[Realbluesman]

I have an Alvarez Blues51. 00 body, solid headstock with 12 frets clear. Mine has solid sitka top and laminated walnut b/s. (arched back really projects). I got mine as MF SDOTD some time ago.

[Steve DeRosa]

Used Martin Style 15, Retro monel strings...

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by davidbeinct

You can get an Alvarez parlor, solid mahogany top, laminate back and sides, for under $400. The all-solid Masterworks version can be had for under $700.

I second this recommendation. I love playing blues on my Alvarez parlor. I have the Masterworks version which is a bit livelier but I also owned the laminate version and it has its own vibe. Both great guitars in my experience. One thing to note when comparing, the Alvarez parlors have 2 and 1/8” at the saddle and a 24.2” scale length which some find a bit cramped and others barely notice.
Best,
Jayne

[Fatfinger McGee]

If you're looking for a classic blues box tone, check out Recording King. Several options in your range from laminate to solid, even a resonator.

If you want a guitar that's great for all styles, check out Pono, also in your range used. My OO is my favorite 'blues' box, short scale and super easy to play with a nice dry tone.

[Conomor]

You don't need a parlour guitar to play blues. The early blues guys played them because they were readily available and easy to carry around. But I've seen photos of John Lee Hooker with a Goya dread, R L Burnside with a 00018, Robert Belfour with a Cort jumbo etc.

FWIW, I have an Eastman "parlour" (0 body size) and an old 1930's Stella (concert size). I prefer the latter for country blues because of its loud, dry, ladder braced tone and the wider board and string spacing. It sounds far better with a slide too.

Waterloos may be beyond your budget, but you could consider a used Guild M20 if you don't object to a 14 fretter. All mahogany, short scale, 1 3/4" nut and it's a Guild so it's instantly cooler than pretty much anything else.

If you're looking for something vintage you could look here:

http://vintageparlorguitars.com/inventory.html

and maybe here:

https://www.vintagebluesguitars.com/inventory/

[acoustigoat]

Originally Posted by GroovyException

Waterloos may be beyond your budget, but you could consider a used Guild M20 if you don't object to a 14 fretter. All mahogany, short scale, 1 3/4" nut and it's a Guild so it's instantly cooler than pretty much anything else.

I second this. Just finished playing some ragtime stuff on mine and I find the M-20 sounds especially nice in open tunings.

[takamineGD93]

Originally Posted by GroovyException

You don't need a parlour guitar to play blues. The early blues guys played them because they were readily available and easy to carry around. But I've seen photos of John Lee Hooker with a Goya dread, R L Burnside with a 00018, Robert Belfour with a Cort jumbo etc.

FWIW, I have an Eastman "parlour" (0 body size) and an old 1930's Stella (concert size). I prefer the latter for country blues because of its loud, dry, ladder braced tone and the wider board and string spacing. It sounds far better with a slide too.

Waterloos may be beyond your budget, but you could consider a used Guild M20 if you don't object to a 14 fretter. All mahogany, short scale, 1 3/4" nut and it's a Guild so it's instantly cooler than pretty much anything else.

If you're looking for something vintage you could look here:

http://vintageparlorguitars.com/inventory.html

and maybe here:

https://www.vintagebluesguitars.com/inventory/

The question to ask is if he want's a compressed sound or not and start from there. Many people think the compressed sound you get from most small guitar sounds bluesy.
I don't like that sound. 000-12 fret is the smallest for me.

There is nothing more bluesy then to play what you have and not bother.

[jontewright]

Some great suggestions already. Maybe a vintage Kalamazoo kg-11 as a wildcard option.
Fantastic fingerpicking beauties!

[Emil]

I played the PRS Parlour yesterday and it was great.
Also it’s well within your budget.