Single Cutaway vs Double Cutaway Guitars: Pros and Cons

What single and double cutaway mean

A cutaway is a scoop or horn carved into the upper bout of the guitar body so your hand can move past the neck joint. A single cutaway removes material from one side, usually the treble side, while the other side keeps its original outline. A double cutaway removes material from both upper corners, creating two horns or a more symmetrical silhouette.

The basic trade-off is simple: a single cutaway preserves the classic body profile and a bit more mass, while a double cutaway opens up both sides of the neck. Manufacturers use both approaches on acoustic and electric guitars. On electric models, the double cutaway became a staple of rock and instrumental guitar designs; Ibanez's own history credits the RG, S, JEM, and JS lines with setting the standard in hard rock and instrumental rock. On acoustics, Martin's body guide notes that some Auditorium and Orchestra models include a cutaway, so the feature appears across the spectrum. For a broader look at shapes, see guitar body shapes.

Upper fret access: the main practical difference

If you play chords in open position or solos in lower positions, the cutaway barely matters. If you regularly play in the upper registers, it changes your hand position. The cutaway lets your thumb and palm slide past the heel of the neck, so you can reach the highest frets without twisting your wrist.

A double cutaway gives the same clearance from either side, which helps when you play wide stretches, tapped lines, or two-hand techniques. Fretted instruments already cover some of this in fret count and playability and 24 fret vs 22 fret electric guitar, but the body shape determines how comfortable that last octave feels.

Tone: how much does a cutaway change the sound?

The body shape is part of the voice, but it is not the whole story. Martin's acoustic guitar types guide says body size and shape directly affect volume and tone, and its wood guide adds that denser woods often produce a more focused sound with longer sustain, while lighter woods can offer a softer, more open response. Those ideas explain what a cutaway does: it removes a section of the upper bout, which changes how the body vibrates.

On a single cutaway, more of the original upper bout remains, so the tonal change is subtle. On a double cutaway, the body is more heavily sculpted, and the instrument may feel snappier or more balanced depending on wood and construction. For electric guitars, pickups, strings, and the amp usually dominate what you hear. Ibanez's FAQ notes that their RG, S, JEM, and JS models became standards in hard rock and instrumental rock, which shows that a double cutaway can carry plenty of sustain and aggression. If tone is your priority, choose a cutaway for ergonomics, then shape the sound with pickup configuration and string gauge. Martin's string guide makes the same point from another angle: strings can affect brightness, warmth, volume, sustain, and feel.

Visual balance and identity

Visually, single and double cutaways read differently. A single cutaway keeps the classic asymmetrical outline associated with traditional solid bodies and many acoustic instruments. A double cutaway with two balanced horns looks more symmetrical, modern, and aggressive.

The choice is partly aesthetic: you are more likely to pick up a guitar that looks like the music you want to play. If you are drawn to metal and hard rock, the Ibanez RG, S, JEM, and JS family is a well-known double cutaway language. If you prefer a vintage or acoustic-friendly profile, a single cutaway often fits that world. Balance while sitting or standing also matters. A double cutaway removes wood from the upper bout, which can shift the instrument's center of mass toward the lower bout and reduce the tendency for the neck to dip. Single cutaways vary by model, and strap placement, body wood, and neck weight play a larger role than the cutaway alone. For more, see guitar balance and neck dive.

Acoustic guitars and cutaways

On acoustic guitars, cutaways are usually a compromise between playability and volume. Removing part of the upper bout reduces the surface area of the top, and Martin's body guide points out that the shape directly affects volume and tone. That is why many acoustic cutaways are single cutaways: they open the upper frets while keeping most of the body intact.

Some Auditorium and Orchestra models include a cutaway, according to Martin's guide, so you can still get a balanced voice across all six strings. If you play fingerstyle or singer-songwriter material, a cutaway may be worth the small tonal trade-off for better access in the high positions. If you mostly strum in lower positions, a non-cutaway acoustic may satisfy you with more surface area and a traditional profile. Compare options in best acoustic guitars and best acoustic-electric guitars, and see cutaway vs non-cutaway for more.

How to choose

Start with where your hand spends time. If you rarely play high on the neck, a single cutaway or even no cutaway is fine. If you play lead, sweep arpeggios, or need to reach the high frets comfortably, a double cutaway makes more sense. Pair the body with a comfortable neck shape and scale length, because reach is a combination of all those dimensions.

• If you want a timeless silhouette and keep most playing below the upper registers, choose a single cutaway.
• If you need easy access from both sides and play fast lead or modern styles, choose a double cutaway.
• If you want an acoustic that can reach high notes, look for a cutaway model, single or double depending on the body.
• When tone is the main concern, put more weight on wood, strings, and pickups than on the cutaway.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Does a double cutaway sound brighter than a single cutaway?

Not automatically. Body shape affects tone, but wood, strings, pickups, and the amp matter just as much. Martin's body and wood guides both say that shape and materials shape the voice, yet there is no fixed rule that double cutaways are brighter. Play the guitar through your own setup before deciding.

Is a single cutaway harder to play than a double cutaway?

Only in the upper frets. A single cutaway gives access on one side of the neck, while a double cutaway gives clearance on both sides. In lower positions, the difference is small. If you rarely play above the area where the neck meets the body, either style can feel comfortable.

Are double cutaway guitars only for metal?

No. Many rock, jazz, and pop players use double cutaways. Ibanez's history connects the RG and S models to hard rock and instrumental rock, but the shape itself is versatile and appears in many genres. Choose the body style that gives you the access and visual appeal you want.

Should a beginner choose a cutaway guitar?

Not necessarily. Beginners should focus on neck comfort, string action, and overall playability. A cutaway only matters if you expect to play high on the neck soon. If you are choosing a first guitar, start with a comfortable model and consider a cutaway if you already play melodies above the neck joint.

Do acoustic cutaways lose much tone?

Removing the upper bout changes how the body resonates, which is why many acoustic cutaways are single cutaways: they keep most of the body intact while still opening access to the high frets. The tonal trade-off is usually modest and worth it for players who need upper fret access. Compare cutaway and non-cutaway models to hear the difference.