Gibson L-5 Acoustic Archtop Copy

[swingtoneman]

If you were to buy a Gibson L5 acoustic archtop copy today which company do you think produces the best for tone & volume?

[ThatRhythmMan]

16”, 17”, non-cut, cutaway? Only factory made? Luthier built?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AllanAllen]

Eagerly following this

[mr. beaumont]

All of ThatRhythmMan's questions.

[omphalopsychos]

If we're talking about the 16" Dot Neck L5, the best sounding and playing ones I've tried were the ones made by Steve Gilchrist. (I should mention also the most expensive by a long shot.) I have also heard great things about the Collings 16" archtop from people who have played it. Jackson Cunningham is another builder who makes these. The one Jackson I played did not impress me much, but it had old rusted strings and a bad setup.

I have no experience with replicas of the later era acoustic L5s. Those are relatively much more affordable, so I would recommend anyone interested to get the real thing.

[jazzshrink]

Who makes the best Gibson L-5 copy?

[Dennis D]

Besides those mentioned, and those who've contributed, I'm also hoping Jonathan Stout chimes in.....

[AllanAllen]

Who makes the best Gibson L-5 copy?

That’s electric guitars, and the thread is 14 years old.

[Woody Sound]

If we're talking about the 16" Dot Neck L5, the best sounding and playing ones I've tried were the ones made by Steve Gilchrist. (I should mention also the most expensive by a long shot.) I have also heard great things about the Collings 16" archtop from people who have played it. Jackson Cunningham is another builder who makes these. The one Jackson I played did not impress me much, but it had old rusted strings and a bad setup.

I have no experience with replicas of the later era acoustic L5s. Those are relatively much more affordable, so I would recommend anyone interested to get the real thing.

Never having played one, should Slaman be added?

[Stringswinger]

I suspect that a Dupont Lloyd Plus would be worthy of consideration, but I have not played one.

Jazz Archtop guitars Maurice DUPONT

[ThatRhythmMan]

The Collings AT-16 while a fabulous guitar (one of my favorites), they are more inspired by vintage Gibsons than reproductions. Their construction diverges quite a bit from a 16” L-5.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jazzshrink]

That’s electric guitars, and the thread is 14 years old.

[jads57]

Mark Campellone.

[swingtoneman]

Thanks for reminding me of my topic. 16" lower bout preferred--full bodied-- factory made. I have a Loar LH-600. Not bad but a bit on the treble side of sound. Looking for something with a little more depth in overall sound. Would the Loar LH 700 sound different? When I bought it I had the choice of 3 LH 600 to try. All looked the same but each one different in sound--such is the nature of wood.

[RJVB]

The OP did say "company", not luthier, and factory-made. I can't think of any alternatives to The Loar as far as acoustic instruments are concerned.

. I have a Loar LH-600. Not bad but a bit on the treble side of sound. Looking for something with a little more depth in overall sound. When I bought it I had the choice of 3 to try. All looked the same but each one different in sound--such is the nature of wood.

Did you have the chance to compare it to the LH-700?

I have an LH-650 and it still surprises me by the amount of bass it can produce. String choice and player technique are very important here. To underline that: compare Rob MacKillop's recordings on an LH-700 with those by daddystovepipe (YouTube). That's the same guitar; the latter bought it from the former.

[olejason]

Stringphonic out of Japan is worth a look.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...EQ&oe=66AC22CE

[RJVB]

Stringphonic out of Japan is worth a look.

View this post on Instagram

Somebody hoped for Jonathan Stout to chime in: he follows that company on IG which can't be a bad sign!

[AllanAllen]

View this post on Instagram

Somebody hoped for Jonathan Stout to chime in: he follows that company on IG which can't be a bad sign!

Stout has recommended The Loar on his blog.

[Christian Miller]

I’ve been banging away on a Loar lh600 for a decade now, and it’s only getting better. If you have Collings AT-16 money (and can find one for sale!), for sure that’s an amazing guitar, but I’m not sure I’d want to busk with it…

The Loar impressed one early jazz specialist with experience of orignal L5’s, and I did have the chance to compare it myself with an original. The original guitar has a different sound for sure. But the wood has had a lot of time to dry out…

Those DuPonts and Japanese guitars represent interesting mid range options. There’s not many of them for this type of guitar.

There’s Canmer guitars in the UK whose instruments combine L5 design elements with modern Ken Parker inspired features. I have yet to try one but they are reasonably priced as far as hand made carved archtops go.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hotpepper01]

Sumi S5, Japanese build by Sumi Kobo. It has a Kent Armstrong 12 pole floating HB on. Rare item. 16" solid build. Body depth is more a L48

[garybaldy]

I’ve been banging away on a Loar lh600 for a decade now, and it’s only getting better. If you have Collings AT-16 money (and can find one for sale!), for sure that’s an amazing guitar, but I’m not sure I’d want to busk with it…

The Loar impressed one early jazz specialist with experience of orignal L5’s, and I did have the chance to compare it myself with an original. The original guitar has a different sound for sure. But the wood has had a lot of time to dry out…

Those DuPonts and Japanese guitars represent interesting mid range options. There’s not many of them for this type of guitar.

There’s Canmer guitars in the UK whose instruments combine L5 design elements with modern Ken Parker inspired features. I have yet to try one but they are reasonably priced as far as hand made carved archtops go.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My 700 gets the same treatment. It's a super instrument with Monel 13s. (It also has a floater).
Have you put your 600 up against a 30s L5?

[swingtoneman]

Thanks everybody for your input--much appreciated.

[Christian Miller]

My 700 gets the same treatment. It's a super instrument with Monel 13s. (It also has a floater).
Have you put your 600 up against a 30s L5?

I’ve A/B’d it but the guitar but the L5 had non acoustic strings, it was set up as an electric. The guitars sounded comparable in acoustic volume with the Loar being a bit louder and brasher from what I can tell. But these things are deceptive in many ways - apparent volume =/= projection - and it could have also been the strings.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[garybaldy]

I’ve A/B’d it but the guitar but the L5 had non acoustic strings, it was set up as an electric. The guitars sounded comparable in acoustic volume with the Loar being a bit louder and brasher from what I can tell. But these things are deceptive in many ways - apparent volume =/= projection - and it could have also been the strings.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you. One day I hope to do a comparison myself.

[Christian Miller]

How my Loar sounds in the room