When browsing for an acoustic guitar, you’ll inevitably encounter terms like “dreadnought,” “concert,” “jumbo,” and “parlor.” These aren’t just marketing terms; they represent established conventions for acoustic guitar body shapes and sizes, some dating back over a century. Understanding these dimensions is crucial in determining whether you need a larger or smaller instrument, a louder or more mellow tone, or a guitar suited for fingerstyle or flatpicking.
Generally, deeper guitar bodies contribute to greater resonance and a richer bass response, while shallower bodies offer enhanced projection, focus, and a balanced tone across frequencies. Many body styles also come with a cutaway—either Venetian (rounded) or Florentine (sharp)—allowing easier access to the higher frets. Let’s explore common acoustic guitar body styles, arranged from smallest to largest, keeping in mind that dimensions can slightly vary between manufacturers.
Parlor Guitars
Parlor guitars evoke a vintage, old-world charm. Popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these slender, small-bodied guitars often feature slotted headstocks, rounded shoulders, and necks that join the body at the 12th fret. While less common in standard retail settings, parlor guitars are experiencing a resurgence in popularity due to their comfortable size and unique tonal character.
General Dimensions:
- Length: 18 1/4″ or less
- Depth: 4″
- Upper Body Width: 9 1/2″ or less
- Lower Body Width: 13 1/4″ or less
Concert Guitars
Dating back to around 1854, the concert body shape was a standard size for many years. Known for their bright, trebly sound, concert guitars eventually made way for larger, bass-heavier designs. However, this style has seen a renewed appreciation in recent times, favored for its balanced tone and comfortable playability. For a classic example, check out the Tim Armstrong Hellcat, a popular concert-style acoustic.
General Dimensions:
- Length: 18″
- Depth: 4 1/4″
- Upper Body Width: 10″
- Lower Body Width: 13 1/2″
Grand Concert Guitars
Introduced in 1877, the grand concert is the smallest of the major acoustic guitar styles. Directly derived from the classical guitar, it features a shallow body and rounded shoulders. Being one of the quieter designs, its smaller size makes it ideal for younger or smaller players and particularly well-suited for fingerstyle techniques.
General Dimensions:
- Length: 18″
- Depth: 4″
- Upper Body Width: 10″
- Lower Body Width: 14″
Auditorium Guitars
Also known as “orchestra” models, auditorium style guitars emerged in the early 1920s and were considered large guitars for that era. Today, they are recognized as medium-sized, featuring a thinner waist than a dreadnought and a broader upper bout with flatter shoulders. Auditorium guitars produce a robust sound with a good balance between treble and bass, making them excellent for fingerstyle playing and versatile for various musical genres.
General Dimensions:
- Length: 19″
- Depth: 4″
- Upper Body Width: 11 1/4″
- Lower Body Width: 15″
Triple-O (000) Guitars
The Triple-O, or often referred to as “000,” shape shares similarities with the grand concert but is typically wider and sometimes deeper. This results in a very balanced tone with impressive volume and dynamic range. Triple-O guitars are appreciated for their responsiveness and clarity across the tonal spectrum.
General Dimensions:
- Length: 20″
- Depth: 4″
- Upper Body Width: 11″
- Lower Body Width: 16″
Dreadnought Guitars
Introduced under the name “dreadnought” in 1931, although its predecessors date back to around 1916, this body style is currently the most popular acoustic guitar shape. Named after the large dreadnought warships, it’s a big guitar with a deep body, broad waist, and a relatively smaller upper bout. Dreadnoughts are known for their tremendous projection and booming bass, making them a favorite for flatpicking and bluegrass music.
General Dimensions:
- Length: 20″
- Depth: 4″
- Upper Body Width: 11 1/2″
- Lower Body Width: 15″
Jumbo Guitars
Jumbo guitars are true to their name – big instruments. Proportioned similarly to a grand auditorium but larger, they offer a vast resonant space resulting in significant volume, sustain, and a deep, dreadnought-like tone. Often considered the quintessential “cowboy” guitar, jumbos are perfect for strumming and bold, full-bodied sound.
General Dimensions:
- Length: 20″
- Depth: 4″
- Upper Body Width: Over 11″
- Lower Body Width: Over 16″
Understanding these Acoustic Guitar Dimensions is the first step in finding the ideal instrument for your playing style and sonic preferences. Now that you’re familiar with the major acoustic body types, delve deeper into which one is right for you and explore the vast selection of Fender acoustic guitars to discover your perfect acoustic companion.
