Is the reason why you rarely see cutaways...

[fenster1977]

that don't already have pups installed is b/c the loss of surface area on the top causes a crappy unamplified sound?

I can't remember the last time I saw a purely acoustic cutaway. Are they just not practical?

Just curious...

[Thomas]

well most people that play acoustics don't really know what to do with the higher end of the neck so they don't need it. the cutaway doesn't make a huge difference in sound at all.

[Pickles]

actually, its kinda weird why. some people dont think that acoustic guitars should have cutaways and pickups, more traditional. so its either both or none for the most part.

[Ranting Thespian]

for some of the things I play, I have to grab my les paul, because my Mickael Kelly dreadnaught isn't a cutaway, so I can'g hit those high notes that I want (like when I play my guitar version of In Dreams, from Fellowship of the Ring). Tim uses them up there, but he has long fingers, and uses a slide most of the time he goes up that high.

It all depends on preference. I also played a guild, both pretty much the exact same, one with a cutawya and pre amp, one without, and they both sounded and played just the same.

[ShawnRT]

I'm not a big fan of cutaways or electronics on an acoustic unless I know that I will specifically need them. For a stage instrument, electronics are a must, but for home and recording, I prefer no cutaway and no electronics.

On acoustics I'm not a big fan of cutaways anyway. Anything above 12 can get a little thin on an acoustic. I usually try and revoice anything up that high to frets 0-12 if the song permits.

You are correct though, an electronics free cutaway acoustic is a rarity. I imagine that most are ordered that way so that the buyer can install a non-factory pickup system on thier own.

[c_tietze]

If you're not going to use those upper registers than it's just not that important to have a cutaway.

[dmb_tatertot]

i have a taylor 514ce and i can honestly say that i find the cutaway and the electronics very useful for live performences and high solos.