way cool! it's nice to see that i'm not alone in liking acoustic archtops. and this is the way comparisons should be done. bravo!
but all this goes to show that it's all matter of taste. i like L-5 sound the most out of of these 4. i guess it depends on playing style and what kind of music one plays.
@123Fenderman - And in fact, the L-5 is my favorite, and it actually sounds way better than on this video. I have sold the Eastman and the L-12 (my dad has that one; it's still around!). The L-5 is now fitted with a DeArmond 1100 Super Rhythm Chief and it is the bomb. Thaks for posting.
Great vid, should do the same with mine. Much more info than most "guitar reviews" with lots of blah blah, my compliments. L5 sounds killer, L12 is very sweet, great specimens to demonstrate parallel vs x-bracing. Eastman is very boomy, sounds good but after a while Id get annoyed with that bass and pick one of the f-holes again. The last IMHO seems like a nice experiment gone sightly wrong, rather thin and trebly. More a flattop lacking midrange rather than an archtop with some flattop mixed in
The L5 has a bit of that honk I dislike .. the Eastman sounds too bit boomy, the Forshage comes closer, but still honky .. but now I want an L12 or at least that one.
@Cybernalt - Wow, I remember your handle from Usenet many years ago! The L-12 is an example of a 17" X-braced vintage Gibson, and I agree that these are some of the coolest ones. The L-5 is a better single note guitar because of its somewhat focused punchy tone, but I agree that it is a little simpler sounding harmonically - it has a narrower dynamic range.
@rpguitar ... yea, been around a while but mostly quiet. Thanks for the memories.
I use to have a 30's Martin arch-top - C2 as I recall - paid $500 (mid 80's) , but frankly never liked the sound .. sold it WAY to early ... regardless - Thanks for the tone samples. Now I know the sound is possible from an Arch-top (Queen of Guitars) .. and also know what I will be seeking.
Now THAT is how to compare guitars. THANK YOU! No talking,no amps, no effects same thing being played on each guitar, editted appropriately. You, sir, are officialy in charge of EVERYONE on you tube who is attempting to "demo" ANYTHING.
I liked the L-12 best of all, by far. My only archtop is a 1938 x-braced L-12, love those things. The L-5 was good too, but seemed more limited in what you could do with a tone like that.
@moonmatt I agree with you. I love the warm bass of the L-12. That would be my preference. However, the guitar that surprised me the most was the Eastman. Very nice tone for an oval hole guitar.
I liked the L-12 best of all, by far. My only archtop is a 1938 x-braced L-12, love those things. The L-5 was good too, but seemed more limited in what you could do with a tone like that.
Hello Roger, and had wanted to see another video of you, mmmm but not so short, see if you dare and do not take so long to upload another and it is some issue of those who know how to play and sing as well or any improvisation you that I like so much and I have to spend:)
Anyway, I hope all goes well and you do not feel bad about my comments.
@rpguitar correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Eastman also have a bone nut. I seem to remember asking my guitar tech guy to put a bone nut in cause I love playing my Eastman acoustically. I hope the Eastman I have now will take better to 13s. Word of advice, I wouldn't string Eastman's with 15s as the necks may not be able to take it. But they sure do sound great acoustically. Have you played the newer models with a metal bridge, heard it gives more sustain.
@splanky87 - Yes, all of these guitars have a bone nut. I string with 12's since I play a lot of fingerstyle, and 13's are just a bit stiff for that (to me), even though of course they sound good with a flatpicked style. I like metal TOM style bridges on electric jazz guitars, but give me wood for the acoustics!
@rpguitar Sorry to comment twice, but I was also curious if you were hip to stone picks. The tolex picks are great for rhythm guitar, but stone picks are great for adding clarity to single lines. I know that Howard Alden uses a faux shell gypsy style pick and his chordal style doesn't seem to suffer from the thickness of the pick at all. Though I must be honest, I'm stick working on getting the clinkiness out of my attack with the stone. Another thing to consider besides guitars.
@splanky87 - Ah, picks... I have hundreds! I recently made a major reduction on the ones that I keep nearby while playing, leaving just the ones I might actually use. I have one stone pick but it's very clicky and not my thing, really. Actually I prefer something around 0.7 - 1.3mm in thickness, but the material matters more than the thickness itself - at least to me.
way cool! it's nice to see that i'm not alone in liking acoustic archtops. and this is the way comparisons should be done. bravo!
but all this goes to show that it's all matter of taste. i like L-5 sound the most out of of these 4. i guess it depends on playing style and what kind of music one plays.
123Fenderman 2 months ago in playlist Uploaded videos
@123Fenderman - And in fact, the L-5 is my favorite, and it actually sounds way better than on this video. I have sold the Eastman and the L-12 (my dad has that one; it's still around!). The L-5 is now fitted with a DeArmond 1100 Super Rhythm Chief and it is the bomb. Thaks for posting.
rpguitar 2 months ago
Comment removed
fws6 6 months ago
Great vid, should do the same with mine. Much more info than most "guitar reviews" with lots of blah blah, my compliments. L5 sounds killer, L12 is very sweet, great specimens to demonstrate parallel vs x-bracing. Eastman is very boomy, sounds good but after a while Id get annoyed with that bass and pick one of the f-holes again. The last IMHO seems like a nice experiment gone sightly wrong, rather thin and trebly. More a flattop lacking midrange rather than an archtop with some flattop mixed in
fws6 6 months ago
Great way to compare! I vote for the L-12!
fpierangel 6 months ago
The L5 has a bit of that honk I dislike .. the Eastman sounds too bit boomy, the Forshage comes closer, but still honky .. but now I want an L12 or at least that one.
Cybernalt 10 months ago
@Cybernalt - Wow, I remember your handle from Usenet many years ago! The L-12 is an example of a 17" X-braced vintage Gibson, and I agree that these are some of the coolest ones. The L-5 is a better single note guitar because of its somewhat focused punchy tone, but I agree that it is a little simpler sounding harmonically - it has a narrower dynamic range.
rpguitar 10 months ago
@rpguitar ... yea, been around a while but mostly quiet. Thanks for the memories.
I use to have a 30's Martin arch-top - C2 as I recall - paid $500 (mid 80's) , but frankly never liked the sound .. sold it WAY to early ... regardless - Thanks for the tone samples. Now I know the sound is possible from an Arch-top (Queen of Guitars) .. and also know what I will be seeking.
Cybernalt 10 months ago
Now THAT is how to compare guitars. THANK YOU! No talking,no amps, no effects same thing being played on each guitar, editted appropriately. You, sir, are officialy in charge of EVERYONE on you tube who is attempting to "demo" ANYTHING.
bertreb1 1 year ago 4
@bertreb1 - You are too kind! If I could quit my day job and get paid for that, I'd sign up immediately. :)
rpguitar 1 year ago 2
This is really interesting!
I wish my 1939 L4 was in that line-up for comparison.
vibratingstring 1 year ago
Killer. Thanks for doing this!
I liked the L-12 best of all, by far. My only archtop is a 1938 x-braced L-12, love those things. The L-5 was good too, but seemed more limited in what you could do with a tone like that.
Which do you prefer?
Thanks!
moonmatt 1 year ago
@moonmatt I agree with you. I love the warm bass of the L-12. That would be my preference. However, the guitar that surprised me the most was the Eastman. Very nice tone for an oval hole guitar.
mikebri527 1 year ago
Killer. Thanks for doing this!
I liked the L-12 best of all, by far. My only archtop is a 1938 x-braced L-12, love those things. The L-5 was good too, but seemed more limited in what you could do with a tone like that.
Thanks!
moonmatt 1 year ago
Just PERFECT test !
cyberprimate 1 year ago
nice guitars =)
fornidisimo 1 year ago
Hello Roger, and had wanted to see another video of you, mmmm but not so short, see if you dare and do not take so long to upload another and it is some issue of those who know how to play and sing as well or any improvisation you that I like so much and I have to spend:)
Anyway, I hope all goes well and you do not feel bad about my comments.
A hug;)
AlberVlc 1 year ago
wow, first video from you in a while! how have things been?x
megamattlolz 1 year ago
@megamattlolz - Good, thanks, and you? :)
rpguitar 1 year ago
@rpguitar good :)
megamattlolz 1 year ago
@rpguitar correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Eastman also have a bone nut. I seem to remember asking my guitar tech guy to put a bone nut in cause I love playing my Eastman acoustically. I hope the Eastman I have now will take better to 13s. Word of advice, I wouldn't string Eastman's with 15s as the necks may not be able to take it. But they sure do sound great acoustically. Have you played the newer models with a metal bridge, heard it gives more sustain.
splanky87 1 year ago
@splanky87 - Yes, all of these guitars have a bone nut. I string with 12's since I play a lot of fingerstyle, and 13's are just a bit stiff for that (to me), even though of course they sound good with a flatpicked style. I like metal TOM style bridges on electric jazz guitars, but give me wood for the acoustics!
rpguitar 1 year ago
@rpguitar Sorry to comment twice, but I was also curious if you were hip to stone picks. The tolex picks are great for rhythm guitar, but stone picks are great for adding clarity to single lines. I know that Howard Alden uses a faux shell gypsy style pick and his chordal style doesn't seem to suffer from the thickness of the pick at all. Though I must be honest, I'm stick working on getting the clinkiness out of my attack with the stone. Another thing to consider besides guitars.
splanky87 1 year ago
@splanky87 - Ah, picks... I have hundreds! I recently made a major reduction on the ones that I keep nearby while playing, leaving just the ones I might actually use. I have one stone pick but it's very clicky and not my thing, really. Actually I prefer something around 0.7 - 1.3mm in thickness, but the material matters more than the thickness itself - at least to me.
rpguitar 1 year ago