I had one of these, and it was a really great guitar! I got it used from guitar center, and it was set up really well...apparently owned by another local swing guitarist. I put a McNelly sparkletron p90 sized pickup with flatwounds, and it was a fun jazz guitar. They're really good bang-for-buck guitar.
I ultimately sold it because I have an old L7 and a Levin Royal archtop, and just wanted to clear space for other music related things.
vanmalmsteenDiamond Springs ,CANewLatch Drom F, Eastman DM2v, Altamira m30d , Altimira Mod M
Well this Loar Arch top just showed up and I’m very impressed with it. Sounds good acoustically, and I can tell it has a lot of potential plugged in. I’m not exploiting that in the short clip ha ha. I should’ve just left it unplugged. Excited to play it though...... Oh yeah another pleasant surprise, it is quite light!
Sounds nice! How does it sound for swing rhythm? What strings are you using? thx
vanmalmsteenDiamond Springs ,CANewLatch Drom F, Eastman DM2v, Altamira m30d , Altimira Mod M
edited October 2020Posts: 337
Thanks Bones......13 gauge flat wound, with low action although I’m getting some buzzing on 13 and 14 so I have to iron that out. really good rhythm sound. Very classic arch top sound. I’m very happy with it just acoustically speaking, I’ll figure out how to dial-in a decent sound and maybe post something a little more complete. Overall very happy though, for $370:)
Depends what sound you are going for. Most old 'jazzers' go for the flat-wound smooth tones but if it is more twang you are after then yes, bronze 80/20s medium gauge are the way to go whether playing acoustically or through a pickup. I have a liking for old Hofners (yeah, my problem I know) and have had many down the years and have tried all types but usually go back to bronzes for most things. I do keep one with flats just for when I am in the mood though.
One showed up locally on Craigslist in W. Puget Sound WA without case $250. Took 4 or 5 days to sell. If I didn't have too many guitars at my age, I would have checked it out. It has a black finish. Maybe the buyer will post a review here.
Comments
cool post a report
I had one of these, and it was a really great guitar! I got it used from guitar center, and it was set up really well...apparently owned by another local swing guitarist. I put a McNelly sparkletron p90 sized pickup with flatwounds, and it was a fun jazz guitar. They're really good bang-for-buck guitar.
I ultimately sold it because I have an old L7 and a Levin Royal archtop, and just wanted to clear space for other music related things.
Well this Loar Arch top just showed up and I’m very impressed with it. Sounds good acoustically, and I can tell it has a lot of potential plugged in. I’m not exploiting that in the short clip ha ha. I should’ve just left it unplugged. Excited to play it though...... Oh yeah another pleasant surprise, it is quite light!
Sounds nice! How does it sound for swing rhythm? What strings are you using? thx
Thanks Bones......13 gauge flat wound, with low action although I’m getting some buzzing on 13 and 14 so I have to iron that out. really good rhythm sound. Very classic arch top sound. I’m very happy with it just acoustically speaking, I’ll figure out how to dial-in a decent sound and maybe post something a little more complete. Overall very happy though, for $370:)
Cool, yeah couldn't even buy the bare materials for 370.
Wonder how it would sound with bronze round wounds??
Neat find. Congrats!
I’ve never had an arch top before. Is bronze round, the preferred string for an arched top?
Depends what sound you are going for. Most old 'jazzers' go for the flat-wound smooth tones but if it is more twang you are after then yes, bronze 80/20s medium gauge are the way to go whether playing acoustically or through a pickup. I have a liking for old Hofners (yeah, my problem I know) and have had many down the years and have tried all types but usually go back to bronzes for most things. I do keep one with flats just for when I am in the mood though.
One showed up locally on Craigslist in W. Puget Sound WA without case $250. Took 4 or 5 days to sell. If I didn't have too many guitars at my age, I would have checked it out. It has a black finish. Maybe the buyer will post a review here.