Best Parlor Guitar Choices for Comfort and Great Sound

What is a Parlor Guitar?

When people hear “parlor guitar” (or parlour guitar), they’re often surprised to learn the name comes from those Victorian-era reception rooms where guests would gather for music. Back then, these small-bodied guitars were right at home in an intimate setting.

By the 1930s, you could order one from a mail-order catalog for cheap, and they became a favorite among blues and folk musicians. Many players nicknamed them “blues boxes” because of their punchy, midrange-rich tone that could fill a room without getting boomy.

These days, the parlor guitar is far from an outdated relic. Modern builds still carry that vintage charm but with better reliability, smoother playability, and improved projection. They’re the kind of guitars you can take anywhere, whether you’re writing songs at home or recording in the studio, and they’ve got a voice that sits beautifully in a mix. And with today’s options, you can find something that fits your budget without compromising on quality.

Size and Shape
Parlors are known for being compact, but that’s not the whole story. Since there’s no single “official” size, today’s parlor guitars come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and specs, the only constant is that they’re smaller than full-sized acoustics like Dreadnought Guitars.

Smaller bodies naturally have less bass and more midrange, which is part of the magic. That warm, present midrange works beautifully for blues, folk, and rock, and it’s a big reason these guitars are still relevant today. On the other hand, a dreadnought’s larger body gives you more low-end depth and volume.

Shape matters too. The size of the lower bout can add bass response, so some builders give parlors a slightly bigger lower bout for a more balanced tone. This makes them more versatile, opening up possibilities beyond the traditional “parlor sound.”

Wood and Tone
The tone of a parlor guitar is shaped just as much by its body size as it is by its materials. Solid wood tends to resonate more and improve with age, while laminate wood is more budget-friendly and can handle changes in temperature and humidity better.

Different acoustic guitar tonewoods give you different flavors. Spruce is the most common top wood—it’s balanced, responsive, and projects well. Sapele is similar in tone but usually more affordable and eco-friendly.

Mahogany is a favorite for higher-end parlors, adding warmth and rounding off some of that midrange punch. There are also sustainable alternatives like nyatoh, and other tonewoods such as Canadian cedar and koa, each giving its own character to the guitar’s voice.

Scale Length, Nut Width, and Playability
Guitar Scale Length is the distance from the saddle to the nut, it affects string tension and feel. Shorter scale lengths make the strings feel looser, which can make bends easier and add warmth to the tone. Many parlor guitars have this shorter scale, which is one reason they feel so comfortable to play.

Nut width also changes how the guitar feels. A narrow nut can be easier for players with smaller hands or for those used to electric guitars. A wider nut gives more finger space, which fingerstyle players often prefer. For more detail, check out our guide to the acoustic guitar neck.

Pickups and Electronics
Some parlors come with onboard electronics, usually an under-saddle piezo pickup with a battery-powered preamp. This lets you plug your instrument into an amp or connect directly to a PA system with basic volume and tone control.

Higher-end systems may blend a piezo with an internal mic for a more natural amplified sound. Some builders prefer passive pickups with no preamp, which means you’ll get the best results by running into a preamp before an acoustic amp or PA.

You can also explore less common options like magnetic pickups for a grittier, more electric-style tone, great for blues or slide. And if your guitar doesn’t already have electronics, there are plenty of acoustic guitar pickups you can add with minimal modification.

Are Parlor Guitars Good for Beginners?
Absolutely. Their smaller size is comfortable, the shorter scale length is easier on the fingers, and restringing is simple. Here’s a guide on how to Change Strings. The only adjustment you’ll face is getting used to a bigger body if you switch to a full-size acoustic later.