#31
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Really fine playing.
The overall tone of the D-18 style guitar was not overbearing nor overreverberating, but the string squeak of the bronze strings is quite unavoidably present with the rapid chordal shifts of a jazz tune. Bronze on a flattop can make some divine sounding ringing chords, as we all know, but this bronze/flattop combination is far less well suited for typical jazz or classical chordal movement. Have you tried monel strings on that flattop yet? |
#32
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"I love the Gypsy jazz sound, but I've never played a real Selmer Macafari guitar, or any of the reproductions made by top luthiers" I have played a genuine Selmer Maccaferri, and a couple made by a fine luthier friend of mine using original parts obtained from Louis Gallo. Played solo, out of context, they sound very poor, but played in manouche style by an expert you get, not a wide tonal range but that "pre-war" swing sound - which is actually harsh and thin. The Eddie Lang pieces you chose are excellent examples as to the thinner sound of early archtops. A long way from ideal for melody work as illustrated. Yes you can hear every note and the virtuosity of the player, but compared to say, a fine 00 or 000 martin 12 fret flat top it doesn't compare. I have a '34 Gibson archtop - it is a thing of beauty, and if I wanted to give a rhythmic chop in a band it would work perfectly, but for melody playing - thin. Here's an example : Somne time ago i wanted to use it to video my version of an old American songbook piece - "All Of Me" I was unimpressed with the Gibson for it and so in frustration, I turned to my 000 flat top : The '34 archtop is incisive and projects well, but has little sustain and the bass is dry and flat ....as one would expect - for a rhythm box. The 000 (when properly in tune) has a perfect balance across the strings, and good sustain as one would expect from a design (including a suitably wide fretboard) intended for auditorium use any time between 1902 and now. As a side note, I also (currently) have a wonderfully built Eastman archtop built to the same dimensions as the old L-4, but built lighter to give a wider tonal sound. I only have one video of this which was made to sell it. I'm no longer a charter member and not trying to sneak in a rogues sales pitch so just look at thins from 2.00 on, to hear the fuller sound of a good modern archtop : Whilst the sound is much fuller - it still doesn't equal the open tonality of, say a dreadnought : Hope that helps illustrate the difference between the design and purposes of these guitar styles.
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#33
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#34
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Monel (Martin Retro) strings have less overtone chime for static chords than bronze, but still more than flatwounds, and they produce more dynamic volume than silk & steel. I would think that either monel or nickel bronze would work well for you. Who made the flattop that you are playing in the video clip? |
#35
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But also bear in mind that the guitars you mentioned (00 and 000) existed in Eddie Lang's day, and he could have played one if he wanted, but he chose to play his L5 because it happened to be the best tool for the job. I'm sure Lang's virtuosity would shine through regardless of what guitar he played, but I think the L-5 is perfect, and that his recordings would not have sounded as good had he played a flat top. P.S. Love the clips! Thanks for posting!
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#36
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+1. Also, listen to Carl Kress and Dick McDonough from that same time period or slightly later for an example of the beautiful rich sound of the early L-5s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgNDZsSOpjM |
#37
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@nooneinparticular
The difference between a flat-top dreadnaught and an archtop is not unlike that between a gymnasium and a nice concert hall.
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Harmony Sovereign H-1203 "You're making the wrong mistakes." ...T. Monk Theory is the post mortem of Music. Last edited by Kerbie; 11-26-2016 at 03:40 AM. Reason: Rule #1 |
#38
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I guarantee you that he produced world class sound in person. I also suspect that he could get WAY more out of your '34 than you or I can. FYI: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gramophone_record
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Harmony Sovereign H-1203 "You're making the wrong mistakes." ...T. Monk Theory is the post mortem of Music. Last edited by Wyllys; 11-20-2016 at 12:03 PM. |
#39
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Please remember rule #1 folks.
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#40
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That guitar was made for my by John S Kinnard in San Diego.
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#41
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Just to chime in with my two bits, I have effectively little-to-no experience with archtops--but while I was at the music store this past Saturday, they had a Gretsch New Yorker hanging on the wall. After pulling it down and playing it, I can definitely say that obtaining an archtop is on my radar now.
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#42
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So, one sounds bad and one sounds good? One's good for basketball and the other is not? I'm confused by your analogy.
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https://www.reverbnation.com/bootheelers |
#43
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Disclaimer: I'm a sound person as well as a musician. It's like the RT60 measurements I have to deal with.
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Harmony Sovereign H-1203 "You're making the wrong mistakes." ...T. Monk Theory is the post mortem of Music. |
#44
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Thanks - it's a wonderful sounding instrument, and you play it gracefully. |
#45
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"Flat top guitars sound lame to 'you'".
I have no problem whatsoever with that. Happy guitar playing.
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Derek Coombs Youtube -> Website -> Music -> Tabs Guitars by Mark Blanchard, Albert&Mueller, Paul Woolson, Collings, Composite Acoustics, and Derek Coombs "Reality is that which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Woods hands pick by eye and ear
Made to one with pride and love To be that we hold so dear A voice from heavens above |