YOUR Acoustis...

[Coda]

...this is a thread where we will talk about what acoustics we have/prefer/hate, and anything else we associate with the acoustic guitar...such as: strings, straps, picks, capos, soundhole pups, string grease, cutaways, onboard electronics, amplification...

...my main acoustic isnt anything special, but I love it...Its an Epiphone DR-100 in Vintage Sunburst...Lennonesque...I didnt buy it, two friends of mine bought it for me for my birthday...I like the sound of it, and it plays great...and looks great to boot...Ive tried a number of different string manufacurers, and I keep coming back to D'Addario...I recently made the jumps to 12's as well...and I love them (although my fingers were a bit sore for the first week)...I have a Dean Markley sound hole pickup that has a strip of electrical tape down the middle (holding it together, cause its cracked)...I got it for free from a fella I used to gig for...I may have given him $5 for it actually, he was one of those fellas who was always trying to sell something for cheap...I pick all sorts of what have yous...flat pick, thumb pick, finger pick, travis pick (although my travis picking technique is only thumb and first finger)...

...so, that said, what is your acoustic set up?...

...I also have an old Guild Maderia from the 70's that my grandfather bought...its action is horrible, its been dropped, and is separating, the truss rod is shot, and it wont stay in tune at all...but it is a bit sentimental...

[Kerouac]

Here's a partial shot:

Godin 5th Avenue
http://andymclain.com/pics/Godin1.jpg

Dean Dao:
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/18/l_3ea82cc9243d40bcb9a77ed18a4d2835.jpg

'69 Fender:
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/24/l_ff32dd72c3b618a6a514836fae8c9392.jpg

'67 Kay Nylon:
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/48/l_ccc060cdfcd8474a97cd1e666b0c9a92.jpg

'50s Buckeye Parlor:
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/45/l_96f5cd6be54c468cb7ed0d57cf2eb062.jpg

80's Yamaha:
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/60/l_50f7a4a857204a90a59fd2086c5a1fea.jpg

Emerald:
http://andymclain.com/NAMM2010/andyandalistair.JPG

Ohana Uke:
http://andymclain.com/pics/guitars/ukulele.jpg

Not pictured: Hondo mandolin, SX 1/2 size acoustic, McNally Strumstick, Fender Concord, Chris Adjustomatic and Simon & Patrick Cedar/Mahogany

[Coda]

...I always wanted to learn how to play the Uke...I'd also love a small bodied acoustic, or a nylon stringer or something with a different timbre...

[Kerouac]

...I always wanted to learn how to play the Uke...I'd also love a small bodied acoustic, or a nylon stringer or something with a different timbre...

My acoustic GAS has subsided a lot since I got the Emerald and the Godin this year. I'd still like a better nylon string and I really need to get a baritone acoustic, but I'm really happy with the acoustic collection.

[telecaster911]

I have an old gibson J40 from '78 or '79. Sounds huge. Also, an old '70s Yamaha that has been at my brothers house for 10 or 15 years. And a mandolin.

[Help!I'maRock!]

i have a Taylor 414ce and a La Patrie Etude. neither is Flamencology approved. i prefer Martin SP 12-54 phosphor bronze on the Taylor. on the La Patrie, i'll use whatever high tension nylon strings we have in stock. i haven't been able to tell much of a difference between brands. i mostly use Kyser capos. i have a Dunlop which is ok and a coupla G7 Nashvilles that i don't like. picks are usually Clayton .63 but i really dig the Dunlop Ultex .73 and i'm moving towards them recently.

[Denverdave]

I have two acoustics right now.

My stage guitar which is a Takamine EF341SC, which I have had for about three years now. I have done well over 100 live shows with it and it is slowly getting worn in with dings and scratches. It is not the best sound guitar acoustically, but it has all the requirement of a great stage guitar. It sounds good plugged in, has a built in tuner and very rarely goes out of tune. Takamine makes really good acoustic pickups. It plays pretty well too. It is a keeper.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/akousticdude/ss5.jpg

My second acoustic is a Larrivee OM-5 I bought just a few months ago. It is a mid to late 90's model that has some time in the past gotten dropped on the bottom and was repaired fairly well, but it has some cosmetic issues. New OM-5's run about two grand. I picked this up used for less than $400.00. It plays very nicely and has become my recording guitar. There is no pickup installed right now, but if the acoustic trio starts up I may install one and keep this guitar n stage for dropped 'D' or DADGAD songs. it is a great sounding guitar!

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j186/akousticdude/OM5-1-1.jpg

Right now I have D'Addario strings on both acoustics - and always 12s.

[Flamencology]

i have a Taylor 414ce and a La Patrie Etude. neither is Flamencology approved. i prefer Martin SP 12-54 phosphor bronze on the Taylor. on the La Patrie, i'll use whatever high tension nylon strings we have in stock. i haven't been able to tell much of a difference between brands. i mostly use Kyser capos. i have a Dunlop which is ok and a coupla G7 Nashvilles that i don't like. picks are usually Clayton .63 but i really dig the Dunlop Ultex .73 and i'm moving towards them recently.

I don't disapprove of the La Patrie, it's not a perfect instrument, but it doesn't get much better at that price range. I don't necessarily disapprove of the Taylor, either, as yours might be exceptional, but my experience with Taylors suggests that you probably could have done significantly better at that price range.

[Help!I'maRock!]

I don't disapprove of the La Patrie, it's not a perfect instrument, but it doesn't get much better at that price range. I don't necessarily disapprove of the Taylor, either, as yours might be exceptional, but my experience with Taylors suggests that you probably could have done significantly better at that price range.

of all the acoustics i've played in the $1200 range, it's still the best. i'll let you know when i find something better.

the La Patrie has side dots.

[Flamencology]

of all the acoustics i've played in the $1200 range, it's still the best. i'll let you know when i find something better.

the La Patrie has side dots.

Ok.

Yeah, Yamahas have side-dots, too. Like I said, price range. And I've got no issue with side-dots for other people, just not for would-be Musical Jedi. I always ask myself "would I still be able to play this as well if the Duke of Cornwall plucked out my eyes?". Inspired by George Van Eps, who, in Harmonic Mechanisms for Guitar, stated that "well-trained hands don't need eyes to guide them". Also practical advice for the bedroom.

[Flamencology]

My best guitar:

http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo113/Flamencology/Rubio1.png
http://i367.photobucket.com/albums/oo113/Flamencology/Rubio2.png

[Help!I'maRock!]

Ok.

Yeah, Yamahas have side-dots, too. Like I said, price range. And I've got no issue with side-dots for other people, just not for would-be Musical Jedi. I always ask myself "would I still be able to play this as well if the Duke of Cornwall plucked out my eyes?". Inspired by George Van Eps, who, in Harmonic Mechanisms for Guitar, stated that "well-trained hands don't need eyes to guide them". Also practical advice for the bedroom.

i just don't think they're all that big of a deal. i'm more worried by guitarists looking at the fretboard than the side dots. besides, it shouldn't matter if the guitar has them or not. you're supposed to be reading the music in front of you, right?

[Flamencology]

i just don't think they're all that big of a deal. i'm more worried by guitarists looking at the fretboard than the side dots. besides, it shouldn't matter if the guitar has them or not. you're supposed to be reading the music in front of you, right?

No, I totally agree. It's a purely aesthetic thing, I don't condescend to those who find side-dots useful. I just prefer guitars that don't have fingerboard inlays, first because I think it's a great look, and second because it is a kind of badge, I think. And it's fun when someone asks to play your guitar and then they quickly get flustered.

And again, no... I consider it professional, where possible, to commit pieces to memory.

[Denverdave]

No, I totally agree. It's a purely aesthetic thing, I don't condescend to those who find side-dots useful. I just prefer guitars that don't have fingerboard inlays, first because I think it's a great look, and second because it is a kind of badge, I think. And it's fun when someone asks to play your guitar and then they quickly get flustered.

And again, no... I consider it professional, where possible, to commit pieces to memory.

I like bare fingerboards as well, or just a single inlay at the 12th fret. Both of my custom acoustics were built that way (12th fret inlays).

[Mark Wein]

My Guild DV52. Not the greatest dreadnaught in the world but better than quite a few under $2000. I also have a Yamaha APX acoustic and a Takamine nylon string that I don't have pictures of.

http://markwein.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/dv52.jpg

[Gary Blanchard]

My main guitar is my Yamaha 12-string. I love my Luna Muse Burst 6-string but hardly play it anymore. I hope eventually to get a Guild 12-string. My aesthetic sense rebels against acoutic electrics with visible controls and any acoustic with a cutaway. I don't really play plugged in anyway, and never go that far up the neck. We folk singers rarely go above the third fret, for God's sake. :D

[Tralfaz]

I've got a decent Martin D-28 usually strung with a set of Bluegrass gauge that's my main guitar, and fairly indecent Epiphone that gets used mostly for slide and weird tunings.

Also have a Bushman "Jenny" concert ukulele.

[paulskirocks]

I have a 1978 Guild D-50 that I like quite a bit, an old classical from around 1970 that I don't know how to play correctly, but is quite nice, and a beater Honer for the beach (wishful thanking these days being 5 hours from the ocean)...

[Tiltsta]

This Takamine EF440SCGN is my current acoustic. I really love the neck shape/feel. It is very much in the realm of an electric guitar, and it reminds me most of my les paul. Guitar sounds really great too, with a nice round tone from a cedar top and mahogany body/neck. The pickguard logo is just protective plastic that has since been removed.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn134/tiltsta69/10050449-front-l.jpg

[Lerxst]

My only current acoustic is the seagull:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/k4df4l/guitars/Seagull002.jpg

It's a 2001 model that I picked up used, mint w/ a hardshell case for 200 and change a few years ago. Very balanced tone, good volume and sounds fantastic with the right set of strings. Over the years I've had a Sigma dread, Alverez 12 string & an Ovation.

Sometimes I think I'd like a nice fancy acoustic but considering I just play acoustic around the house & occasionally with friends, this little guy hangs tough.

[Denverdave]

This Takamine EF440SCGN is my current acoustic. I really love the neck shape/feel. It is very much in the realm of an electric guitar, and it reminds me most of my les paul. Guitar sounds really great too, with a nice round tone from a cedar top and mahogany body/neck. The pickguard logo is just protective plastic that has since been removed.

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn134/tiltsta69/10050449-front-l.jpg

:thu:

The 'F' series Taks are very nice stage acoustics!

[Prages]

Taylor Big Baby:
http://www.thewindtunnel.com/GuitarPics/11.23.06/TaylorBigBabyFull.jpg

Fender GDO500SE:
http://www.thewindtunnel.com/GuitarPics/FenderGDO500SE/TopAngle1.jpg

And the best sounding, best playing one of the lot, a Fender Catalina:
http://www.thewindtunnel.com/GuitarPics/POSSmall.jpeg

I've got the GDO strung up with Nashville tuning strings on it. Otherwise, I use it for live acoustic gigs since it has onboard tuner and electronics. The Catalina gets the call for all of my recording purposes.

The Taylor is just there if somebody shows up at the house and needs an acoustic guitar to play.

I really need to do some work on the Taylor. I just don't play it enough to really worry about it. I did play it at a campfire a couple of weeks ago and the truss rod is way out of adjustment on it, so the action was about 1/4" at the 12th fret. :(

[Denverdave]

Taylor Big Baby:
http://www.thewindtunnel.com/GuitarPics/11.23.06/TaylorBigBabyFull.jpg

Fender GDO500SE:
http://www.thewindtunnel.com/GuitarPics/FenderGDO500SE/TopAngle1.jpg

And the best sounding, best playing one of the lot, a Fender Catalina:
http://www.thewindtunnel.com/GuitarPics/POSSmall.jpeg

I've got the GDO strung up with Nashville tuning strings on it. Otherwise, I use it for live acoustic gigs since it has onboard tuner and electronics. The Catalina gets the call for all of my recording purposes.

The Taylor is just there if somebody shows up at the house and needs an acoustic guitar to play.

I really need to do some work on the Taylor. I just don't play it enough to really worry about it. I did play it at a campfire a couple of weeks ago and the truss rod is way out of adjustment on it, so the action was about 1/4" at the 12th fret. :(

I thought you had one more acoustic than that....:idk:

[Prages]

I've got Mrs. P's old Epiphone, which is a black to orange sunburst. No pics of it though. It has had a cracked nut and funky saddle for as long as I've known Mrs. P. I did buy saddle and nut blanks a few months ago and roughed them out, but haven't got them finished yet. I think it'll sound really good once I get it all set up, though.

[Kerouac]

I've got Mrs. P's old Epiphone, which is a black to orange sunburst. No pics of it though. It has had a cracked nut and funky saddle for as long as I've known Mrs. P. I did buy saddle and nut blanks a few months ago and roughed them out, but haven't got them finished yet. I think it'll sound really good once I get it all set up, though.

Don't forget the 5th Avenue you want. :o

[Pitar]

Acoustics

1. Goodall RCJC (Rosewood Cutaway Jumbo Concert). Sitka Spruce over EI Rosewood B&S. K&K Sounds PWM Pup and preamp onboards.
2. Breedlove Focus Concert - Cedar top over EI Rosewood B&S. LR Baggs dual source onboard system (UST & condenser mic).
3. Rovere Orchestra Model - Custom built by luthier Dylan Rovere. Engelman Spruce top over Honduran Mahogany B&S. K&K Sounds PWM out to a belt clip K&K Pure Preamp.
4. Guild F-412. 1974 Jumbo 12 string. Spruce top over maple B&S. No electronics. Currently requires structural repair.
5. Yamaha CG-110CE. Classical cutaway with Yamaha onboards. Spruce over Nato B&S.

I prefer the smaller bodied acoustics. I started with dreadnaught and jumbo sizes and stayed with them many years. Then, when the smaller sizes became comparable in sound quality I switched. I have no preference for guitar make/model. I'll buy whatever sounds/plays good to me at the time I'm looking. Those "times" are always changing so I keep an open mind. Cosmetically, bling belongs on a woman. I prefer wood trim and little or no mother of toilet seat or other plastic. And, a huge killer: Any kind of burst on an acoustic. Sorry, I consider that ghetto graffiti-izing an acoustic. You don't paint acoustic guitars. That's reserved for electrics and I'm quite at home with it there.


Primarily a fingerstyle player, I prefer a 1-3/4" width at the nut and 2-1/4" spacing at the bridge. I won't buy a guitar with narrower spacing. Neck shape preference is the low oval or "modified C-shape". I can't abide V-shaped necks.

On 1,2 & 3 I keep D'Addario EJ-16s on. While I do admit EJ-17s are louder there's little difference in tone so why go the extra finger effort? On the Yamaha classical I use GHS string Set 2510. Classical guitars, in my experience, all have a weaker 3rd (G string) sound. Don't know why. The GHS Set 2510 has a wound 3rd that cures that problem. Plus, the windings are nickel steel so they never tarnish (corrode) and die like other alloys do. Their Set 2500 is also nickel steel with a plain nylon 3rd.

Currently use an older Fender Acoustasonic (SFX-HMF) amp but will be nixing it for a Fishman "fishstick". Also have an Ibanez IBZ10A 10 watt acoustic amp. Prefer to play unplugged and mic'd if possible/convenient.

Capo preference is the Shubb line of products. Everything else I've found hugely over-sized for what they do or gimmicky. Spring tension capos lose spring tension over time. One that comes close to good is the Planet waves NS but its current geometry isn't quite right for all neck shapes. It's also weak when used with .013s (EJ-17) unless clamped from the bottom-up direction. That puts the bulk of the capo in the way of the hand, though.

If I flatpick I'll use a Dunlop .58mm or equivalent. Not real fussy about flatpicks anymore. I am fussy about thumbpicks. I stay with Fred Kelly's Delrin Speed and Slick Picks in heavy gauge (orange). Typically, though, I'll use the blade of the thumbpick like most use a flatpick so it's rare that I need a flatpick.

[reitze]

Well maybe they shouldn't be considered "acoustics" after what I've done to them...

Gifted to my guitar instructor (blown away - loves it - only guitar he keeps at home):
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk213/reitze/IMG_1730.jpg

Barrowed by my daugher's BF for college - studying music (used and loved a lot):
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk213/reitze/IMG_1533c.jpg

2 on left were abused to destruction. The one on rt is w/ daughter:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk213/reitze/8f7158b9.jpg

My personal 1st guitar, LR right hand, best I've ever played, esp with the amp (imho):
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk213/reitze/IMG_20101026_150536-1.jpg

Sold eBay - for about the parts costs:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk213/reitze/IMG_20101016_161121.jpg

Never leaves its case - available for a good home/deal:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk213/reitze/Elliott%20Dean%20Vox%20Power%20Guitar/IMG_1994.jpg

Sold eBay - for about the parts costs:
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk213/reitze/IMG_1518.jpg

[ellengtrgrl]

Here's mine:

Republic Tricone Resonator
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp36/Ric360girl/May222011-1WeekAfterBuyingIt.jpg

[Help!I'maRock!]

Here's mine:

Republic Tricone Resonator
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp36/Ric360girl/May222011-1WeekAfterBuyingIt.jpg

also doubles as a Transformer

http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/main/wp-content/uploads/Logos/transformers_logo.gif

[reverend1]

also doubles as a Transformer

http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/main/wp-content/uploads/Logos/transformers_logo.gif

It looks more like a decepticon to me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[reitze]

It looks more like a decepticon to me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Ellen, is that steel? Or a lot of cuts in the wood? I have the impression steel but IDK - don't see a big pan. What's its "tonishness" - like I might even know what that is?

EDIT: I googled it. Nice guitar!

[sunvalleylaw]

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w92/sunvalleylaw/P7301227.jpg

Here is my main rig. I saved up for this fall before last. Martin SPD-16TR. It is a 16 series Martin, but a really nice one, that made give up GAS'ing for any fancier ones than it. Gives me that low end throb and some high end sparkle, and makes me want to play. Above I am playing it to accompany my Dad. Probably "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" or something like that.

Here is a closer shot:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w92/sunvalleylaw/P4300034.jpg

It is strung with regular old Martin Lights at this point. Has no electronics at all.

[ellengtrgrl]

also doubles as a Transformer

http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/main/wp-content/uploads/Logos/transformers_logo.gif


It looks more like a decepticon to me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah, I noteced that years ago, when I first saw a tricone resonator! :lol:


Hi Ellen, is that steel? Or a lot of cuts in the wood? I have the impression steel but IDK - don't see a big pan. What's its "tonishness" - like I might even know what that is?

EDIT: I googled it. Nice guitar!

The neck is wood, and joins the body at the 12th fret. The body is nickel plated bell brass. All resonators are basically mechanically driven speakers (made out of thin wall, spun aluminum) in the guitar body. They were developed by John Dopyera who is the founder of the National company, in the early 20s. Tricones (which mine is), are the first type develped, and have 3, inverted cones, with a T-brace connected to the apex of each cone. The t-brace is also connected to the bridge, and serves to transfer string vibration from the bridge, to the cones. They have this raspy ringing kind of tone to them. It sounds kind of haunting. A few of these have wood bodies, but most are either brass bodied like mine, or have painted sheet steel bodies.

The other two types of resonator guitars are of the single cone variety, and basically differ in how they drive the cone. John Dopyera wanted to market single cone resonators when he was still running National. The board of directors wouldn't let him, and voted him out of the company. So he started a new company with his brothers called the Dobro Company (Dobro is shorthand for Dopyera Brothers), in the late 1920s. Unlike the Nationals, the Drobros were, and are a bit different. A typical Dobro-style guitar has a wooden body. While the resonator cone (and its assembly) are still made out of aluminum, it's mounted the opposite way of a National-syle resonator - with the cone facing outward from the guitar body (instead of downward) - like a speaker in a stereo enclosure. Now, this creates some problems with how to drive the cone, since the apex of the cone is away from the bridge. John got around that problem in a unique manner - by driving the rim of the cone instead! This was done by creating what is called a spider bridge. In a nutshell this is a spider web-type assembly, with the ends of the web, contacting the rim of the cone. The bridge sits on a platform in the center of the web, transferring string vibrations via the web, to the rim of the cone. Spider bridge resonators, have this sort of honky, midrangey tone, and as a result, are not only liked by acoustic blues players, but also bluegrass players (especially lap steel bluegrass players like Jerry Douglas).

Now, as I said, there are two types of single cone resonator guitars. The other type is basically a resonator guitar in its simplest form, and was developed by National around the same time as the Dobros, to sort of steal John Dopyera's thunder. These single cones (often called Duolians, or Triolians in their earliest forms), use an inverted, large, single cone. The bridge is put on a biscuit shaped mounting assembly (hence, giving guitars of this type, the classification of biscuit bridged resonators), which is mounted directly to the apex of the cone. They have a very brash, popping, percussive sound that is very popular with blues players (especially those of the gutbucket slide variety). Body materials for single cone , biscuit bridge resos vary. Some (such as the majority of those made by National) have plated brass or painted steel bodies, but quite a few have wooden bodies.

Tri-Cone Assembly
http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/gimages/resos/tricones.gif

Spider Bridge Assembly
http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/gimages/resos/spider.gif

Biscuit Bridge Assembly
http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/gimages/resos/BiscuitCone.gif

Here's a website that goes into some further explanation of resonator guitars:

http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/ResonatorsExplained.htm


Here's some clips of each type

Tricone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpdKdENaZxU

Dobro/Spider Bridge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J5Gzg4B1eI

Biscuit Bridge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1d1PGnu5Go

[ellengtrgrl]

If you guys would like me to, I'll make some clips of my Republic Tricone in action, tonight after I get home from work, and helping out at the animal shelter. Let me know.

[reitze]

If you guys would like me to, I'll make some clips of my Republic Tricone in action, tonight after I get home from work, and helping out at the animal shelter. Let me know.

I would enjoy seeing ANYTHING from you on youtube Ellen (IDK if you've got vids out there already?). Also, I never realized the "speaker cone" aspect of how these were developed - the only resonators I've really tried were just something to try in a guitar store. Rather big-sound and very heavy - specialized tone - so I could see the desire but the $ and other choices... never went for it all the way.

And yea that looks like a very nice guitar!

[Elias Graves]

My kid's Ovation. It was cheap, sounds good plugged in and plays easily. That's about all I can say about it. Totally meh.
http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv134/EliasGraves/DSC02688.jpg

My kid's Ibby AC30NT. This thing is a freak. We got it new for like $250, but it was the best sounding guitar in the store for under a grand. These are still made and I pick em up every time I see one, but none I've tried come close to this one. I'll never understand why this happens, but I'm happy it did. It's a beautiful sounding guitar. Mystery mahogany laminate body, solid spruce top.
http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv134/EliasGraves/HPIM0687.jpg

This is my Godin 5th Avenue. Yeah, it's all plywood but it has that nice percussive chunky sound to it and I dig it. New ebony bridge with bone sadlle helped it a lot. The laminate construction makes it darn near impervious to weather changes. Stays in tune forever.
http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv134/EliasGraves/5th%20Avenue/HPIM0816.jpg

Dad's old Silvertone. This was a total basket case when I got it and required a complete rebuild. Looks like hell, but it plays well and sounds terrific.
http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv134/EliasGraves/OklahomaCity-20110618-00224.jpg

EG

[Help!I'maRock!]

Elliot - the resonator was an early attempt at making guitars louder to keep up with a band. electronics eventually took over, but they're a really cool stitch in time that has endured.

Elias - does your Godin keep up with the Gibson? how do they differ?

[Kerouac]

I restrung Ruby (the '69 Fender) last week and I've been playing her nightly again. :)

[tgk03]

Ellen, It's cool to meet another resonator enthusiast. I'd love to hear your tricone. I'd post clips of mine, but I don't have anything to record it with except and iPhone or a Mac laptop.

[Elias Graves]

Elliot - the resonator was an early attempt at making guitars louder to keep up with a band. electronics eventually took over, but they're a really cool stitch in time that has endured.

Elias - does your Godin keep up with the Gibson? how do they differ?

Gibson? You mean the Silvertone?
They are very different.
The Silvertone has a giant neck, while the Godin's is quite slim.
Size-wise, the Silvertone is a bit bigger.
Volume,the 5th Avenue does well with the bridge upgrade (and proper fitting of bridge) but the Silvertone is LOUD.
The sound of both is fairly midrange heavy, as is typical on archtops. The 5th Avenue is much more percussive, less sustain and has a stronger fundamental tone, while the Silvertone has a lot more going on in terms of overtones. It's a more complex sounding guitar. Likely the solid spruce top vs the laminate.
The Godin will stay intune longer, though the Silvertone is about onpar with most other solid top acoustics. Again, the playwood doesn't expand and contract much.
I'd say the Godin has an edge in terms of playablility...it has new frets and a nice level fretboard, while the Silvertone has some good gouges worn in the board at the first position and the frets are worn. With the reset neck, I can keep the action on the Silvertone about as low as I like it. The action on the Godin will go as low as you want it. I had it shredder low for a while but have since raised it some, as archtops respond well to a heavy hand. They require some serious vibration to get the top moving.

EG

[Help!I'maRock!]

Gibson? You mean the Silvertone?
They are very different.
The Silvertone has a giant neck, while the Godin's is quite slim.
Size-wise, the Silvertone is a bit bigger.
Volume,the 5th Avenue does well with the bridge upgrade (and proper fitting of bridge) but the Silvertone is LOUD.
The sound of both is fairly midrange heavy, as is typical on archtops. The 5th Avenue is much more percussive, less sustain and has a stronger fundamental tone, while the Silvertone has a lot more going on in terms of overtones. It's a more complex sounding guitar. Likely the solid spruce top vs the laminate.
The Godin will stay intune longer, though the Silvertone is about onpar with most other solid top acoustics. Again, the playwood doesn't expand and contract much.
I'd say the Godin has an edge in terms of playablility...it has new frets and a nice level fretboard, while the Silvertone has some good gouges worn in the board at the first position and the frets are worn. With the reset neck, I can keep the action on the Silvertone about as low as I like it. The action on the Godin will go as low as you want it. I had it shredder low for a while but have since raised it some, as archtops respond well to a heavy hand. They require some serious vibration to get the top moving.

EG

sorry, i dunno why i said Gibson.

how much, if any, do you think age plays a part in the difference in sound?

[Elias Graves]

sorry, i dunno why i said Gibson.

how much, if any, do you think age plays a part in the difference in sound?

I have no clue. The brand new Eastman archtop I fell for a couple of weeks ago was brand new, with solid woods, and sounded better than the Silvertone.
I've heard that solid top guitars will change in sound over time, but I've never owned one long enough to hear that. My kid's Ibby is solid top and sounds the same to me as it did a year and a half ago...but then it's dipped in plastic, so....
The Godin, I doubt will ever change in sound, being plywood.
The fatter neck neck may play a role in that, too. Every who "knows" :rolleyes: says a fatter neck=fatter tone. I have no idea. My LP Jr has a skinny neck and sounds plenty fat to me. ???

My ultimate guess is that those things probably do contribute some, but the solid vs laminate top is the key.
For example, there's a store here that has all three models of those little A&L Ami parlor guitars...spruce top, cedar top, plywood top. You can hear some difference between the cedar and the spruce..the cedar is a little "dryer" and "woodier" sounding and the spruce is softer and more mellow. The laminate top version is just "thunk." I think they mostly offer that one as a beach guitar, since the plywood is impervious to anything short of napalm.

EG

[Help!I'maRock!]

I have no clue. The brand new Eastman archtop I fell for a couple of weeks ago was brand new, with solid woods, and sounded better than the Silvertone.
I've heard that solid top guitars will change in sound over time, but I've never owned one long enough to hear that. My kid's Ibby is solid top and sounds the same to me as it did a year and a half ago...but then it's dipped in plastic, so....
The Godin, I doubt will ever change in sound, being plywood.
The fatter neck neck may play a role in that, too. Every who "knows" :rolleyes" says a fatter neck=fatter tone. I have no idea. My LP Jr has a skinny neck and sounds plenty fat to me. ???

My ultimate guess is that those things probably do contribute some, but the solid vs laminate top is the key.
For example, there's a store here that has all three models of those little A&L Ami parlor guitars...spruce top, cedar top, plywood top. You can hear some difference between the cedar and the spruce..the cedar is a little "dryer" and "woodier" sounding and the spruce is softer and more mellow. The laminate top version is just "thunk." I think they mostly offer that one as a beach guitar, since the plywood is impervious to anything short of napalm.

EG

that whole "fatter neck, fatter tone" is a buncha TGP bullshit. conversely, as you've found, the different top wood is very real.

that ibanez will change even more as your kid plays it. it just takes some time. it's never overnight. give it 5 years.

[Elias Graves]

I had no idea how long it's supposed to take.
The solid wood/laminate I can attest to. I've heard that with my own ears starkly enough. I think it plays a much bigger role in the top than it does in the body. You can pick up any lam top and A-B with a solid top and hear it plainly. Those A&Ls were convincing. He has probably a dozen of those hangin up...several in each configuration, so you can test variations between like examples along with the other tops, too. All the spruces were darn close, all the cedars were darn similar, as were the plywoods.
Godin claimed he went with the plywood on the 5th Avenue for cost and stability. It sounds good, but you can hear the difference. I always wondered why he didn't do like Harmony did back in the day and press the solid tops into shape. I mean, he's pressing the plywood, so.... It's not as nice as a carved solid top, but those are very expensive to do.
My suspicion is that they had electric models in mind when they developed that guitar. There are presently five versions of the 5th Avenue and four are electric.

EG

[Elias Graves]

As for the neck size, I seriously doubt that it has a huge impact. Like many things with a guitar, it has some, but not as much as many will claim.

EG

[Help!I'maRock!]

I had no idea how long it's supposed to take.

as long as it needs to



The solid wood/laminate I can attest to. I've heard that with my own ears starkly enough. I think it plays a much bigger role in the top than it does in the body. You can pick up any lam top and A-B with a solid top and hear it plainly. Those A&Ls were convincing. He has probably a dozen of those hangin up...several in each configuration, so you can test variations between like examples along with the other tops, too. All the spruces were darn close, all the cedars were darn similar, as were the plywoods.
Godin claimed he went with the plywood on the 5th Avenue for cost and stability. It sounds good, but you can hear the difference. I always wondered why he didn't do like Harmony did back in the day and press the solid tops into shape. I mean, he's pressing the plywood, so.... It's not as nice as a carved solid top, but those are very expensive to do.
My suspicion is that they had electric models in mind when they developed that guitar. There are presently five versions of the 5th Avenue and four are electric.

EG

right. that's because the top is softer so it vibrates more easily. you really just need the sides and back there to push the air back out of the soundhole. that's why Ovations took off. they proved that you could make an acoustic for live performance that sounded just like every other acoustic (also due to the piezo pickup), but toured better. unfortunately, they're built like shit, so they didn't last. but the idea is sound.