Dred or Jumbo??

I'm on the market for a new acoustic and I'm wondering which would be best for my needs. I don't know too much about acoustics, but have researched the differences in the body styles and I've played a lot of styles. I mostly play rock and alt. country in band situations, but will soon be doing more singer/songwriter stuff as well. When playing alone, the Jumbo always seems to sound better to me, but I've never played one in a band setting.

So my question is: is one body style better for handling both of my needs? What are the pros and cons of Dreds and Jumbos for doing band and solo work? Do you all have any suggestions? FWIW, I rarely (if ever) finger pick. I know this is a vague question because there are so many factors that go into it, but I am looking for different opinions. Thanks

I like a jumbo mostly because everyone has a dreadnought, and a jumbo stands out and looks cool. But also there's a boomier low-end with a jumbo which can be a good thing or not a good thing, depending on what type of music you play, your technique, etc.

Couple of things to consider: Comfort, larger guitars can become uncomfortable to some. Electronics, if you'll be plugging in (amp or home recording interface) see if you like the sounds and usability of the electronics, and then maybe the sound difference between jumbo and dread isn't such a deciding factor.

JUmbo`s LOOK cool, but for what you`re describing, how about a smaller than dred sized? Like a ooo or oo size ? ?
In any case, it`s more important to get a quality instrument than a loud one!
Picker`s Exchange in chatanooga is a larrivee dealer, and if money`s not a factor, make sure to give them a listen. If money IS a factor, seagull does alot of good in the $400 range!

Volume in a band setting will be through your pickup, preamp and amp. So don't worry too much about that.

I've got a Martin D18, Christina has a custom Gibson J200. My guitar is way louder than her's unplugged. So Jumbo vs Dred has other factors than size. (I've heard J200's called Gentle Giants.)

Get a good guitar, one that's playable and has the sound you like. That's really all that matters.

I can honestly say that in 45 years of playing, I have never heard a good jumbo.
The look cool.
They all sound scrawny, to me.
I've heard the term "Whispering Giant".
I personally like 000 or OM sizes best.
The have good volume and balance, and don't overpower your voice.

Dreadnaughts were invented to be loud enough to play with other instruments, such as banjos, un-amplified, and then became the standard. With modern amplification, the design/size of the guitar is more a factor of comfort and producing tones that you like or fit your style and situation. In general, larger body styles project more bass frequency while smaller bodies emphasize mid and treble ranges better. Try some 000, grand concert, 0M sizes. They tend to have a nice balance.
A local performer that I saw recently played a Recording King (Martin 000-28 knock-off) that really impressed me.

I LOVE my Guild F-48 jumbo but as noted, it gets uncomfortable after a while. However you just cant get that tone from a dread. That's why I have both. My favorite is the Guild CO-2C Orchestra(?), essentially a mini jumbo, easy to play, sounds great and projects real well.

Probably selling the dread, it just doesnt have the tone I like and the jumbo was inherited from an uncle so it's staying put..

Volume in a band setting will be through your pickup, preamp and amp. So don't worry too much about that. +1. I've played flattop in plenty of band situations and unless you are micing it--and even then not much--the body style doesn't matter at all. It's all about your pickup and preamp. I've played D-28s and D-35s on stage and honestly the big rosewood 'boom' is a detriment in a band, bass-oriented 'boom feedback'.

I play an AJRI or J-45 mostly because I like the tone w/o sound reinforcement, but my little LG-2 would be a monster on stage with the right pup etc. So get whatever feels & sounds good to you overall and don't worry about needing big guitars for stage.

Thanks for the responses! I need to keep the guitar under $1000 and preferably lower, which greatly limits the best options for acoustics. As of now, I've looked at Seagull, Breedlove, and Epi Masterbilt. Dreds and Jumbos aren't necessarily the only thing I'm looking at, but I was thinking the smaller guitars were designed more for finger style. Of course, a lot of this is new to me. Feel free to correct me and offer suggestions.

Regarding the stage presence of a guitar being based on the pickup, I definitely understand this, but I just meant the general tone before a lot of EQ. I like a full sound that doesn't cut out of the mix too much, as my on-stage acoustic style is just to hold down a very basic rhythm.

Thanks again.

I think what you are looking for is a guitar with great electronics like anti-feedback and tone controls, and acoustic quality is second.

I would not worry so much about the shape.

I have been told that the Seaqulls with the Q2 are just about unbeatable on stage.

I personally like slope dreds, and 000's

The one on the right. Versatile, sweet sounding, easy playing guitar. 1 3/4 inch nut width is very comfortable for my fat, stubby fingers. They don't cost an arm and a leg either.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/1115/medium/Picture_114_crop.jpg

I like my Yamaha FG700S too. If a song calls for lots of loud strumming it gets the nod. Both have bone saddles/pins, which made a difference IMHO. Cheers!

ditto, what Stubee said

The pickup and amp make my 00-18 louder than my dread can ever be, and it's always a pleasure to hold. I don't dislike my dread but it's for sale because it's not the same pleasure to hold and play.

You can get a used Larrivee L or OM in your budget and might like their compound radius if you're an electric player along with Larrivee being a nice family owned and run business.

You'd top your budget but this buyer's market might get you into a Martin OM-21. That's a classic.

Make sure you feel that dread difference standing and sitting down. The time sitting and playing is when I care less for the big guitar.

Jumbos are way too oversized for me. Love my Guild GAD 50 dreadnaught!

I love both my dreadnought and my Jumbo "F" Series Fenders

I like J-45s.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/tgoss/J-45.jpg

I love both my dreadnought and my Jumbo "F" Series Fenders

Sweet guitars! That jumbo screams "made for \/\/\/ this guy"!

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I traded my D28 for a JC16RE and even my kids notice the difference in tone and sound level. The JC is the best guitar I've ever owned...Jim

I couldn't resist the Epi Artist Jumbo when MSFriend had them at $150. Fantastic guitars for very little money even at the everyday price of $200.

There are so many great cheap guitars, I sometimes wonder why I keep my high end Dreds.

I like reading over the great responses... The Epi Masterbilt series of Jumbos and Dreds has my attention right now. I'm also considering a Takamine because I am not a collector and need something affordable, functional, and made sturdy. I've heard good things about these. As of now, I'm leaning towards the Epi Masterbilt Jumbo.

Any experience with these?