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Next best thing to an L5
I'm on the hunt for a 16" archtop that excels at old time and folk music as well as punchy old school jazz. Must have a raised fingerboard to get a floating pickup under there right at the end of the neck.
I've got a '53 L-50 that I love the sound of, but the fingerboard right on the neck means I can't get a floating pickup in there where I want it. A lot of the modern builds I've played have a much smoother sound, and I can't shell out for a real-deal vintage L-5. I think there were a couple transitional years in the 30's where L-50s had a raised board, and some other years where L-4's and L-7's hadn't moved to 17" bodies. Or maybe there is a modern builder out there that captures the grit of the old ones at a price that doesn't break the bank? Would love any pointers, be it specific years where vintage guitars fit my need, modern builders to look into, etc. Thanks! Baron
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Mandolin, Tenor guitar, Guitar, Banjo, Button Accordion |
#2
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I'd look into the Eastman line.
By the way, I believe all L4's are 16".
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"Vintage taste, reissue budget" |
#3
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Some options:
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#4
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=================================== '07 Gibson J-45 '68 Reissue (Fuller's) '18 Martin 00-18 '18 Martin GP-28E '65 Epiphone Zenith archtop |
#5
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In a different vein, what about an Epiphone Blackstone from the 40s or 50s? Beautiful build, necks and easy to install a pickup (raised fretboard extension).
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#6
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I used to own a '46 Blackstone, and IME they're seriously undervalued on the market (as are virtually all New York Epiphones) - you'll probably pay about 20-30% less than a Gibson L-50 (the closest comparable model) in similar condition; BTW if you're used to Gibson archtop tone be advised that the tops are carved to very different specifications, which translates to the uniquely Epiphone "cutting power" - more even across the board, versus the characteristic Gibson lower-midrange "thump." Unless you live in the Northeast Corridor they can be relatively scarce - this was considered an advanced-beginner/semi-pro 16" instrument, situated between the entry-level Zenith (the latter of which outsold/outlasted the Blackstone, which was discontinued in 1949, and was still produced in nominal quantities into the Kalamazoo era) and the Spartan, Epi's pro-level 16-incher (also discontinued by 1949) - but if you have a line on a nice one they're well worth checking out...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#7
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#8
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Thanks for the thoughts everyone!
I would certainly consider outfitting my L50 with a pickup if I could get one under there, but have yet to find anything that would get close unfortunately. The Krivo is the lowest profile, but archtop.com suggests a 7/16" clearance, where I am measuring only 7/32" on my L50 going by their specs: Approximate dimensions: Length- 2 3/4" (72mm); length including mounting tab- 3 3/8" (86mm); Width- 1 1/2" (40mm); Depth: 9/32" (6.5mm) Minimum recommended string clearance: approx. 7/16" (11mm) from guitar top to bottom of strings at the end of the fingerboard, with strings depressed at highest fret. I've played some of the Loars, and they are certainly good for the money, but the ones I've played haven't had the sound I was after. I'll have to look into those Epi's! Thanks for the tip! I've been eyeing that L4, it's a beauty for sure. If it had a raised board I'd be all over it. I've tried some under saddle transducers and haven't really found any of them to get the sound I'm after. Really looking for a P90/DeArmond sound out of a magnetic pickup. The hunt continues, thanks again for all the wisdom! Baron
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Mandolin, Tenor guitar, Guitar, Banjo, Button Accordion |
#9
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#10
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I had a Devon with a walnut body that i sold and still have one with a maple body...wonderful guitars.
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#11
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Quote:
or However, if you are going to screw a floating pick up on it - then might as well just go for a loar.
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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! Last edited by Silly Moustache; 09-03-2020 at 03:15 PM. |
#12
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#13
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Maybe consider an L7?
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#14
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Love my Loar
I'd like to say a few words in praise of my Loar LH-700. I bought it used through Reverb about a year and a half ago. Payed about $1000. It had hardly been played. I had no archtop experience but wanted the classic L5 sound having heard a bunch of YouTube vids from Jonathon Stout on his L5. (I recommend his solo acoustic guitar album "Pic it and Play it") I'm so happy with the Loar. I think it really has that sound and plays just fine. It's my go to guitar for couch playing which is about all I do these days. I can feel the vibration of the back against my body, very cool. I really think the sound has gotten better the more I've play it. I've used Elixir Nano phospher bronze (PB) strings on all my other guitars and have them on the Loar right now. They are very "zingy" if you know what I mean. I tried Martin Retro monels on it and liked the sound, very different from the PB's, darker, I want to say "duller", but not in a bad way. I'll go back to the monels when the PB's die, which takes a long time. Elixirs last, expensive but worth it to me. I play mostly jazz standards using four note movable chords up the neck. Love the sound in that style.
Anyway just wanted to share. Cheers! |
#15
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Thanks Dave, I've sent you a PM. Will also reach out on FB.
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Mandolin, Tenor guitar, Guitar, Banjo, Button Accordion |