"Volcano" Baranik Meridian Concert

[cpabolting]

Originally Posted by Mary

Nooooo, no, no, no. You are "good" family.

I get so busy working that I tend to forget to lurk around forums. Phil knew where to find me to make sure I saw his link to his newbie guitar.

Tell ya what, since I am easy to find, send an IM or an e-mail me so I can see your threads. Deal?

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=168336

[Mary]

I have seen the light!

[jennconducts]

Originally Posted by riorider

I'm a bit of a nit, so just kind of enjoy this opening process with me!

Very cool, Phil, congrats! I once again played the prototype for the Meridian today at Dorian Michael's house. It just keeps getting better!

Jenn

[Martin_Nut]

Darned nice guitar Phil! Cool case choice - didn't know Mike was using those. Have fun!

[El Conquistador]

Phil,
Really cool!!! Love that case. Have you had a chance to try out the new pick-up yet?
LC

[riorider]

Originally Posted by El Conquistador

Phil,
Really cool!!! Love that case. Have you had a chance to try out the new pick-up yet?
LC

No, I haven't! Still marveling at the voice and comfort. I'll likely get it all set up this weekend and see how it goes --but it's the same IP-1 that is in the CX, so I'm not expecting a significant change in pickup -- just wondering how this new puppy will pour through the signal!

More soon...

Phil

[riorider]

Ok. I'll go out a bit on the limb, here. I'm a long-time player, but there were years in which I never picked up a guitar. I've always managed to amuse myself, but I'm in awe of many of you better players. One coffee house player a friend of mine was talking to said it best: guitar players are the most humble musicians in the world. Why? Because it's so easy to find someone who plays better than you do! You'll notice the errors - but I think you can hear the tone comparisons that I wanted to investigate.

That said, here's two clips I recorded this evening. The setup was into a Zoom H4n - but I couldn't fathom how to set the record level for L/R or channel 1/2/3/4 differently (the Highlander is much hotter than the mic), so I ended up going first through my little Behringer mixer. Left channel on both is from the Highlander IP-1 pickup (in both guitars - same pickup). Right channel is into an Audix VX-5 condenser, using the Behringer's preamp and phantom power.

The only EQ (set on the Behringer) was to drop the lows a bit to tone down the D string freqs - otherwise as flat as I could set everything. Post-recording processing was into Audacity, using only the Normalize effect to smooth the volume, out to an MP3. Recorded in the Zoom at 96khtz/24 bit to a wav file.

The first progression on each clip is a simple original. The second is a variation on a Tom Rush cover of Joni Mitchell's "Urge for Going".

CX Brazilian / German Spruce (venetian cutaway in the pic below)
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8717721

Meridian Concert "Volcano" (florentine cutaway in the pic below)
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=8717722





I didn't realize the perspective would be so extreme - in the first picture the Meridian looks much bigger, so I took the second from the other side and you can see that the CX looks bigger. From straight on (I didn't get a shot) they look very similar in size. The Meridian is a slight bit smaller in the upper bout and the waist is a bit tighter. The asymmetry is a bit more in the Meridian, and it is really comfortable to play.

My own observations of the tone is that - without the headphones on and listening to the guitar "live" from the players point of "ear", the Meridian is much bolder - stronger lows, brilliant highs, nice even mid range. The Brazilian is gentler - perhaps the different spruce tops, or that the CX top is 5 years older - more mellow and a bit rounder. Both have amazing presence and personality.

Let me know what you think, what you hear. Thanks for being gentle with the player!

Phil

[Mary]

It will be a fun memory to hear you play again, Phil. Let us know when the links are ready.

[riorider]

Well, let's just call this issue "PEBKAC"** as the Help Desk analysts do...

The links are now correct.

Thanks!

Phil


** "problem exists between keyboard and chair"

[Martin_Nut]

Phil,

Sounds like the two compliment each other nicely. The recordings seem to yield results similar to what you described "live" in your comparison. Both sound lovely - now waiting on you to add your "tree" guitar to the mix when she is ready!

Cheers!

[riorider]

Thanks John...

The CX will be going back to "retire" at Mike's when I pick up the mahogany - so it's great to have these two for a comparison now.

The differences are accentuated dramatically when played without headphones - the soundport on the Meridian really makes a huge difference!

Looking forward to that mahogany / cedar as well!

Phil

[Martin_Nut]

Phil,

That will be a nice set of Baraniks to have. I am a real fan of Cedar. The cedar topped CX I have is a nice piece, and still my all around personal favorite.

Take Care!

[Thin Crust]

I can't wait to get my hands on that Meridian.........two more weeks.

[El Conquistador]

Originally Posted by riorider

The Meridian is a slight bit smaller in the upper bout and the waist is a bit tighter. The asymmetry is a bit more in the Meridian, and it is really comfortable to play.
Phil

Phil, What are the dimensions of the Meridian? Upper/lower bouts and overall length?

Originally Posted by riorider

Thanks John...

The CX will be going back to "retire" at Mike's when I pick up the mahogany -

Phil

I would like to retire at Mikes. : )
LC

[Mary]

Great sound, Phil.

Mike does a great job of creating a clean line on a fine instrument.

Now that I've heard your clear, crisp recording, and you're unable to attend the McJam again this year, I hope other attendees will record on a few McKnight guitars.

Maybe I need to pay more attention here.