Tom Butwin takes a close-up look at three parlor-style acoustics that punch well above their size. The Taylor Ben Harper Gold Label 512e, the Cort Modern Black, and the Breedlove Roots Parlor each approach the compact acoustic differently, and all three sound great at home, in the studio, or on stage.
The Taylor brings a deeper Grand Concert body with a torrefied Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides, plus the Action Control Neck for easy angle adjustments and the Claria pickup system that stays clean and free of distortion. The Cort Modern Black rethinks the format from the ground up, moving its sound ports to the top and aiming everything at the player with an Ergo-A asymmetric neck carve, fret edges that have been hand rolled, and a Fishman Matrix VT system. And the Breedlove Roots Parlor pairs Sitka spruce with Indian rosewood, a pinless bridge, and the L.R. Baggs HiFi system, all built with Breedlove's sound optimization process and wood that is sustainably sourced.
Ben Harper Gold Label 512e
Acoustic-electric Guitar, Signature, with Spruce Top, Mahogany Back and Sides, Mahogany Neck, and Rosewood Fingerboard - Shaded Edgeburst
Roots Parlor Sitka/Rosewood
Acoustic-electric Guitar with Spruce Top, Rosewood Back and Sides, Mahogany Neck, and Ebony Fingerboard - Vintage Toner
Modern Black
The Cort Modern Black is a unique acoustic guitar designed with dual side sound ports for enhanced resonance and player-focused projection. With a solid spruce top and mahogany body, it delivers a warm, balanced tone. Its compact Modern Concert shape offers excellent comfort, playability, and a distinctive visual style.
