Observation - Sonic Differences Between Hybrid and Concert Series...

[Blueser]

I currently own an Hybrid Dread (H-DR1100N2) and have been on the hunt for another RS guitar. This time I've been thinking about a Concert Series model, not so much for the bling (though I love the abalone rosette), but for the unidirectional carbon top which is supposed to simulate the warm tone of wood more closely.

Like everyone else, I have gone to youtube to take in all of the sound samples I can of the CO guitars, and what I've noticed is that the CO guitars sound a bit too bright on the top end. Brighter than what I'm looking for (at least in these clips). I also happen to think that the Hybrid series guitars sound warmer and more like wood to my ears.

I have been playing my Hybrid Dread side by side with my custom shop Martin D28 Marquis Madagascar, and while it does not have the lower mid whoomph, or all of the magical sweetness on the top end, It does sound and feel like I'm playing a wood dread, but drier like Mahogany with a more straight forward top end jangle which is satisfying in its own right.

I have included the links to the Youtube videos that I was using for comparison between the Hybrid and Concert Series:

Hybrid WS1000N2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JmHq...eature=related

Concert Series WS1000N2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBDvyr62P98

Hybrid OM1000N2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6KYvTKWzLE

Concert series OM1000N2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoDvtA2nR-k


In the case of the OM, I think the two models sound more similar, but I was surprised by the WS. Does anyone have experience with these two models and if so, what are your thoughts around this? I know there are a lot of variable in these sound clips that affect the outcome of the sound, but this is all I have to compare, which is why I am soliciting some real world feedback here.

Sorry for the long drawn out post, but I just want to cover my bases.

Thanks,
Dave

[jonfields45]

I upgraded a H-DR1100N2 to a CO-DR1100N2 (the sight unseen Internet method that graphite guitars often force) and have thought that they are so different that I should have kept both. The H-DR seemed pretty much in the Martin dreadnought camp and the CO-DR is a very powerful OM/000 (headroom and volume like a well built jumbo and the bright tone of an orchestra model). I have come to really love the CO-DR, but at first it seemed too bright. After a short while all other guitars sounded muddy to me. In a big acoustic jam the CO-DR will push across a lead line like no other. You will be heard and heard well. So if the traditional wisdom is correct and smaller is brighter, then I think you should try out a CO-OM, before buying. I have played a CO-WS and thought it was not too far off from my CO-DR. I bought several Emeralds on the strengths of YouTube demos and found them much different in-person and not at all what I expected. The videos I've made of my own guitars don't reproduce what I hear when I play them in my living room. Nothing beats playing in-person... Jon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWYkOpah4K0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad6pSYRoe8Y

[Blueser]

Originally Posted by jonfields45

I upgraded a H-DR1100N2 to a CO-DR1100N2 (the sight unseen Internet method that graphite guitars often force) and have thought that they are so different that I should have kept both. The H-DR seemed pretty much in the Martin dreadnought camp and the CO-DR is a very powerful OM/000 (headroom and volume like a well built jumbo and the bright tone of an orchestra model). I have come to really love the CO-DR, but at first it seemed too bright. After a short while all other guitars sounded muddy to me. In a big acoustic jam the CO-DR will push across a lead line like no other. You will be heard and heard well. So if the traditional wisdom is correct and smaller is brighter, then I think you should try out a CO-OM, before buying. I have played a CO-WS and thought it was not too far off from my CO-DR. I bought several Emeralds on the strengths of YouTube demos and found them much different in-person and not at all what I expected. The videos I've made of my own guitars don't reproduce what I hear when I play them in my living room. Nothing beats playing in-person... Jon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWYkOpah4K0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad6pSYRoe8Y

Thanks very much for your response Jon! You know, your clips further confirm my thoughts that perhaps the Custom Series may not be the right guitar for me. Just way too bright for me. I really think that your Standard sounds so much more natural, as does the Hybrid that I have.

I think I may just go for the H-OM1100N2 which is the Hybrid OM without electronics. Shame though, as I really wanted the abalone rosette and bridge pins. Well, on the bright side of things, it will save me some $$$. LOL!!!

Thanks again,

Dave