Cutaway — Lutherie Encyclopedia

CutawayType: glossaryA scoop in the upper bout near the neck joint that allows easier access to higher frets on the fingerboard.## Definition A cutaway is a concave section removed from the upper bout of a guitar body on the treble side, adjacent to the neck heel. Its purpose is to allow the player's fretting hand to reach the higher frets more easily, which would otherwise be blocked by the body. Cutaways are found on both acoustic and electric guitars, though their impact is more pronounced on acoustics where the deep body would otherwise prevent access above roughly the 14th fret. There are two main cutaway styles: the Venetian (or rounded) cutaway features a smooth, flowing curve, while the Florentine (or sharp) cutaway has a more angular, pointed shape. Each has distinct aesthetic and structural implications. ## In Practice Adding a cutaway to an acoustic guitar introduces construction complexity. The treble-side rib must be bent to a much tighter radius to form the cutaway horn, and the junction between the cutaway and the neck block must be carefully fitted and reinforced. The cutaway also reduces the vibrating area of the soundboard on the treble side, which can slightly decrease bass response and overall volume compared to a non-cutaway version of the same body shape. Many builders and players consider this a worthwhile trade-off for the improved upper-fret access. The interior bracing pattern must be adapted to account for the cutaway, and the kerfing along the cutaway curve requires careful fitting due to the tighter radius.