Loar lh 309

[DAVE 57]

Hi, i have been looking to get my first archtop.any views on the loar lh 309. Thks dave

[lucky]

Have played one extensively in a great folk music shop locally & have one coming to me from another forum member within a week--glad to post a review after I've had a chance to break it in.

Thanks!
luk

[mr. beaumont]

Played one recently...decent guitar, could have benefitted from a setup. The P90 was terrible, low output and noisy. Absolutely terrible pickup.

for modern ES-125 vibe the Godin Kingpin is a much, much better guitar.

[Steve DeRosa]

Own one - ditto...

[artb]

I have the original prototype Loar of 1998 by Schaeffer. I also have the very nicely made and finished in Korea EH550 NA serial 61 that looks like a Gibson Johnny Smith with single pickup like the larger prototype. I have many fine Jap and American large acoustic/electric arche tops that are equivalent in sound and other qualities to it. All superb. The original hand made prototype is very little better. There may be some adjustment and pickup variations so play before buy may be adviseable, but I have 4 different Loars all equally fine. The center hole Loar model I especially like. I have a Martin 1931 C2 carved arch top and back like it that is inferior. Greg Rich has designed many fine instruments and his production source is well chosen for his Loars in my experienced opinion.

I do not like the Photo loading here not allowing direct copies and will not load into any remote storage. [email protected] for e mailed photos. art b.

[DAVE 57]

Brought one in the end.overall for the price i have been quite impressed with the guitar,acoustic wise and plugged in.will probably use mostly unplugged.

[lucky]

Received my Loar LH309! Very pleased. As previously stated, I have played the same model locally many times & had an expectation of the guitar prior to receiving it--well it met my expectations & then some. The guitar itself is obviously a budget number--not impeccable by anyone's standard, I imagine. Rough finish work, not the most beautiful sunburst, typical noisy P90, etc. All things that should be known prior to purchase of this type of instrument.

All that said, I haven't had this much fun playing a guitar in a long time. Typically, I play an Eastman E10D (again, made in China, but an outstanding guitar regardless of country of origin, or price) or an Gibson SG Standard for electric work. This Loar is the type of guitar I feel I've been missing--it bridges the gap for me in terms of acoustic feel/sound & electric performance.

The "V" neck takes some getting used to as one can't wrap their thumb around the top of the fingerboard as easy as on a more C or D-shaped neck. None-the-less, the "V" profile is very comfortable once gotten used to. Playability is outstanding as the guitar was set up professionally when purchased. Low action, in tune, etc.

The sound with electric strings (.12-.53) is good, but lacks volume acoustically. A switch to GHS White Bronze strings brought out the acoustic volume I was hoping for, while retaining the beauty & clarity of the electric tone.

My signal chain is as follows:
TC Polytune
Fulltone Fulldrive 2
Zoom MS70CDR (ZNR Noise reduction, carbon delay, HD reverb)
Tech 21 Blonde
Orchid Electronics Muting DI

Overdriven, the guitar has that grinding character found in P90's. It is a very warm overdrive sound, not cutting like a tele at all. Clean, it is again warm & articulate & full.

Very happy! I know it's not at the quality level of even an Eastman Archtop--but it is extremely fun to play & sounds good within my context of performance. As always, best to play before you buy--individual examples' quality varies.

Cheers!
luk

[lumena]

I played several and passed. The frets are quite thin and narrow. I think that a more medium fret is nicer on an archtop. There are lots of nice Eastman 610nc and 605Nc for very reasonable amounts. The neck is a bit more modern and they usually include a case which is always an extra expense. IMHO.

L>

[savofenno]

I ordered a Loar LH-300 from Thomann, Germany in friday, but i got a LH-309 instead. Can be that i discussed with them about availability of Loar guitars in december and mentioned that i wanted a LH-309, which they did not had back then. My pickup equipped guitar i got has quite good acoustic volume whatever, much stronger than in my Ibanez AF-75 and Epi Casino.

Not much issues, action is set low, perfect to my playing, and there is still left 1 mm to lower bridge if needed. Stock strings are quite stiff.
Yes, neck angle could be greater, but it seems to be enough as it is now.
No need to adjust truss rod.

The area of top which is under the neck end seems painted, but looks dusty, there was dust between neck and pickup too.
There is one small spot, at left of top of f-hole in treble side which is not correctly sprayed, but i think i keep this guitar despite that.
Pickup is ok for me, volume is normal for a P-90. I can`t say how good it`s tone really is before i have changed to better strings.

Now, how can i attach photos here, must i use Photobucket, or?