Parlour guitars

strat1990

I've been after a parlour guitar for a while now, but I'm trying to narrow down a decent budget one. Looking at either Gretsch Jim Dandy or Fender CP60, unless there is another one I'm overlooking? Advice would be great. 

stimpsonslostson

Nope. Get the Jim Dandy, be happy. 

rossyamaha

Always liked the Washburn one. Really cool looking vibe. Bit of money though. 

stimpsonslostson

Ok, slightly more helpfully... 
I did a tour of my local guitar shops looking for a small acoustic-

Faith Naked Mercury is a brilliant (all solid) parlour guitar for VERY reasonable money. 

Sigma do some lovely Martin copies in various body sizes. 

Vintage acoustics are excellent, particularly the V300mh and Paul Brett signature models. 

Jim Dandy is brilliant, great to play and has that boxy sound you associate with early blues. 

I bought the Faith as one popped up on Gumtree for a bargain price, if it hadn't I would certainly have bought the Gretsch- it has SO much character, is well built etc & even for the RRP it's a bargain. 

Strangefan

The good thing these days is low end doesn't mean crap any more all the established brands are coming out with some really decent stuff, tanglewood are pretty good in the small guitar dept, bit for me I would go 2nd hand, you will have a shed load more choice as Ross above said the washburn parlours are fantastic,
I have a k yairi parlour which sounds like a full acoustic  

strat1990

stimpsonslostson said:

Ok, slightly more helpfully... 
I did a tour of my local guitar shops looking for a small acoustic-

Faith Naked Mercury is a brilliant (all solid) parlour guitar for VERY reasonable money. 

Sigma do some lovely Martin copies in various body sizes. 

Vintage acoustics are excellent, particularly the V300mh and Paul Brett signature models. 

Jim Dandy is brilliant, great to play and has that boxy sound you associate with early blues. 

I bought the Faith as one popped up on Gumtree for a bargain price, if it hadn't I would certainly have bought the Gretsch- it has SO much character, is well built etc & even for the RRP it's a bargain. 

That's why I think  the Gretsch will be better, I'm looking for that Robert Johnson type sound, it seems to fit what I'm looking for. It all hinges on whether I can get a case as well, as I'll be travelling with it too. 

LesbianWithAGun

I did list one for £350.
But it's a vintage 1950's Italian Parlour.
Sounds like this.

It's called a Carmelo by an Italian company called Catania, built in Italy.

LesbianWithAGun

The thing about my one is, it's rare and sounds nice...
I'm in 2 minds about selling it tbh.

rustneversleeps

SIGMA..................NUFF SAID.

Lewy

People speak highly of the Loar brand parlours for county blues, although I haven’t tried one myself.

Phil_aka_Pip

Jim Dandy FTW

BRISTOL86

Beware that the Jim Dandy has a very unique sound compared to other small budget guitars. Make sure you can get your hands on one and make sure you like it. 

I expected to like it and really didn’t. 

Balrog68

Tried both the Gretsch Jim Dandy and the Fender CP60...bought the Fender. Both sound very similar I just preferred the neck on the Fender. Lovely comfortable guitar to play.

strat1990

Thanks for all the replies. I think a trip to Andertons is in order, as that is the only store within a decent distance that has both guitars. 

birdo

The Paul Brett parlor by ' vintage' is worth a look . Alvarez also make a nice one sorry i don't know the model numbers. 

Legionreturns

Just gonna throw Takemine New Yorker into the mix... Just because!

BahHumbug

Vintage V880N.  Good and very cheap, especially second hand.

maltingsaudio

Another vote for Tanglewood played a couple of corkers in their parlour range

Chris_J

I keep an Alvarez parlour at work (AP66SHB) 

Great wee guitar 

zepp76

strat1990 said:

stimpsonslostson said:

Ok, slightly more helpfully... 
I did a tour of my local guitar shops looking for a small acoustic-

Faith Naked Mercury is a brilliant (all solid) parlour guitar for VERY reasonable money. 

Sigma do some lovely Martin copies in various body sizes. 

Vintage acoustics are excellent, particularly the V300mh and Paul Brett signature models. 

Jim Dandy is brilliant, great to play and has that boxy sound you associate with early blues. 

I bought the Faith as one popped up on Gumtree for a bargain price, if it hadn't I would certainly have bought the Gretsch- it has SO much character, is well built etc & even for the RRP it's a bargain. 

That's why I think  the Gretsch will be better, I'm looking for that Robert Johnson type sound, it seems to fit what I'm looking for. It all hinges on whether I can get a case as well, as I'll be travelling with it too. 

If it's the Robert Johnson type sound you're after try out an Art & Lutherie Roadhouse, in the reviews it states it does that early blues finger style really well. It's been on my radar for a while, I may just talk myself into buying one!

Sassafras

stimpsonslostson said:

Ok, slightly more helpfully... 
I did a tour of my local guitar shops looking for a small acoustic-

Faith Naked Mercury is a brilliant (all solid) parlour guitar for VERY reasonable money. 

Very impressive little guitar.