Newport Body Size/Balance?

[Craig S]

How much larger is the body on a Newport vs. a FM or similar solidbody or maybe more pertinent how smaller than a 335?. Also how well do they balance on the strap? My FM is a bit neck heavy and I'm looking to avoid that. David E... I know all these questions probably could be answered if I make out to On The Rocks, The equation (small children*early job start time) + (other things to get done) = no time. I will get there sometime.

[hardheartedbill]

it's right in between a special and a 335 , a very nice size. I've never played a non bigsby Newport but the standard model w/ trem balances well on my frame, no neck dive yet still light and comfy , I'm fairly sure I was the second owner of DavidE's guitar , it's a nice one and sometimes I miss it ( but IMO red hair and orange sparkle are just asking for it LOL )

[Craig S]

That sounds good. I have a Heritage H535 that I got from David E which I really like. I'm getting more intrigued with hollows so that's why all the interest in the Newport. I also have a Tele Thinline which is pretty decent but I think the Newport would be better. Necks that dive for the floor are really getting old for me and is a major deciding factor for me right now.

[cmatthes]

HHB - ya killin' me. If I've told you once, I've told you 100 times not to put glitter in your hair...it's so Xtina Aguilera!!

Seriously, I do agree with Bill's assessment and feel that it is the perfect size for doing that 335 thing without the 335 bulk. Although I am fast becoming a Monaco fan, the Newport (yes, with the Bigsby!) is an extremely comfortable guitar to play. Very well thought-out in my opinion, and it didn't escape me that Gibson really started pushing the downsized 336 shortly after the Newport started getting all those great reviews.

[straightblues]

The Newport is smaller than the 335. It doesn't sound like the 335. If you want a 335 buy a 335, the Newport isn't a substitute. It is its own beast.

I have the Newport with the Phat Cats and Bibsby and it is not neck heavy at all. With its hollow mahagony body and spruce top, it is super dynamic. Another guy on this forum yesterday described it as a "scalpel" which I thought that was a great description. It just gets a nice precise cutting tone. You hear everything from pick attack to each and every note. It is simply the best sounding guitar I have ever played.

[Kurt L]

Here's a pic to help you out, comparing a Special FM, Newport Pro and ES-330 (which has the same size body as a 335).

Glad to help.

[doody]

My recent unforseen sunday morning trip to the ER for the superflu sank my custom order dreams this year. I WILL someday get a newport with bearclaw spruce top(or Koa) ebony board, duotone bridge, bound and crowned.

[Brooks]

I WILL someday get a newport with spruce top, ebony board, duotone bridge, bound and crowned.

yes, that's what i want next!

but will they build it? hmmmm.

[tomteriffic]

I just put a cheezeball sealt-belt webbing strap on my Newport Pro to check the balance. No neck dive.

I compared it with my H-535 and a couple of Specials, and the size is smack in-between. The tone of that thing, with the Seths, it a thing all it's own.