One feature you really dislike

Tannin

One feature you really dislike (possibly for no good reason) on acoustic guitars.

*  Thread idea shamelessly stolen from the electric forum. 

Tannin

Come to think of it, I might have done better to title it "Long list of features you really dislike" - I could do a Top Ten without the slightest difficulty. But, at least for now, I'll stick to just one. 

* Slotted headstocks.

matt_sefton

Cutaways. 

Teyeplayer

Tannin said:

Come to think of it, I might have done better to title it "Long list of features you really dislike" - I could do a Top Ten without the slightest difficulty. But, at least for now, I'll stick to just one. 

* Slotted headstocks.

Burn the heathen!!  

I know it’s irrational, but I really don’t like cutaways on acoustics. I understand the purpose and why some players might want upper fret access, but the sight of them just upsets me. I feel similar about sound ports -I’m sure they have a value, I just really don’t like the way they look. 

Open_G

Jack socket combined with strap button. 

Bowl back

VimFuego

I love slotted headstocks.

Think the only thing I dislike on acoustics is bling and not a big fan of coloured tops. I like plain, unadorned guitars, with slotted headstocks. 

blobb

That big boxey body thing. 

guitarjack66

Not being able to tie classical guitar string knots I just want to have a normal bridge and bridge pins please.

BluesLover

Those little pins to trap the strings in place, at one end, and non locking tuners at the other end.
Soooo primitive.
Just my opinion.

matt_sefton

Can I add bridge pins? It’s 2026. Surely someone could design a better way to secure the strings. 

thermionic

Pickup systems, especially piezo under saddle systems. If I was playing live in a band, I’d get one because it would be a tool for the job, There’s no need for them otherwise, but a lot of people choose guitars with them. Some even buy amps to plug into - at home! Give me £150 worth of better wood and construction any day.

thermionic

Also, I’ve never understood the logic that dictates playing live equates to a need to play the higher frets and hence a cutaway. If anything, I’d bet that most live acoustic playing tends to be chords played up to the first 5-7 frets anyway.

MartinB

I'm not keen on a cutaway added to what's otherwise a straight Martin or Gibson design, or on anything with that generic stage electro-acoustic vibe, but then I've seen some really nice hand-built guitars with florentine cutaways that I wouldn't be put off by, so I guess it's more about the overall design language. 

earwighoney

Tannin said:

Come to think of it, I might have done better to title it "Long list of features you really dislike" - I could do a Top Ten without the slightest difficulty. But, at least for now, I'll stick to just one. 

* Slotted headstocks.

12 fret guitars with a solid headstock look a bit strange, but I despise restringing a slotted headstock so I think you might be onto something. 

***

The one I despise are long thin glued in saddles.  Vintage correct but tricky to adjust and they aren't great for compensation either from what I gather. 

VimFuego

wow, think the modmins may have to lock this thread, some of the opinions expressed within are likely to start a fight!

MSedg

Barn door electronics. Matons may be lovely but I’ll never buy one for this sole reason. 

Supportact

Cutaways. All guitars with them should be recalled and the builder forced to replace the missing section of guitar. No exceptions.  

Winny_Pooh

Just one? Noooo

Bowlbacks
Battery boxes & eq sliders
Undersaddle piezos.... DISGUSTING!
Grover butter bean tuners, ugly and heavy

Less evil
Solid black finishes
Very much pearl fingerboard inlays on cheap Korean acoustics

Woodandwires

Gibson upside down bridges, gold hardware, bling, coloured bodies, snot green tuners, the list is endless

sev112

they all look the same pasty wood colour
Except my 2 main ones that have a tasteful burst.

They don't come with a strap pin, so the first thing you have to do with your expensive new toy is get a drill out ....

CoffeeAndTV

Unnecessary binding, inlays, and rosettes.  Controls built into the guitar.  

The ultimate sin is poor intonation.