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Post by tallsailor on Mar 3, 2020 12:37:51 GMT
I'm thinking of treating myself to a nice 14-fret parlour for old-school fingerstyle blues. I imagine a decent original would be well over budget, so I've been looking (online) at the Gibson L-00 standard and the Atkin LG47 replicas. On the face of it, these are very similar instruments, yet the Atkin is £1000 dearer. Why might this be, I wonder, and is the extra expense justifiable? Then there's the Collings Waterloo WL-14L. . . . I'm sure I could confuse myself further without too much trouble. Any thoughts? (Try before you buy, I know, but I haven't managed to find them all in one place and everywhere is a long way from S. Devon, so I could do with narrowing the field.)
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Mar 3, 2020 13:17:59 GMT
I go for old Supertones, Regals, Harmonys etc. ladder braced jobbies like what the old boys used to use.
They are crude and you can find the occasional really good one.
They are less "polite" than the high end new guitars but my old Supertone spruce top is as good as the big name expensive ones.
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Post by Andymccann on Mar 3, 2020 13:23:25 GMT
There’s a Waterloo WL-K on eBay at mo. A copy of Gibsons 30s Kel Kroydon. The Gibson L-00 studio is a great guitar. Walnut back n sides If you are looking for something old I may have something to interest you. Thinking about thinning out a few
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Post by lacerta on Mar 3, 2020 13:28:05 GMT
I've not played the Atkin, but of those you mention, the Waterloos are absolutely superb guitars. Definitely better than the Gibsons. I've played a few and they've all been excellent. Also, there's a shop in Exeter that stocks them so you can try before you buy...
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Post by Andymccann on Mar 3, 2020 13:34:01 GMT
Better than Gibson? Definitely different not necessarily better but you have to play one is my advice. Project music have had no stock on the two occasions I visited in the last 12 months
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Post by lacerta on Mar 3, 2020 13:46:16 GMT
Yes, different is probably a better word, but I would say the Waterloos are definitely better suited to my style of music and playing.
Also, whilst I love old Gibsons, I cannot bring myself to buy a new one since they were caught using illegal Madagascan timber, having witnessed what this has done to the forests over there.
I think PM have some stock at the moment
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Post by ricks on Mar 3, 2020 14:22:50 GMT
The Eastman versions of L00's might be worth considering as a lower-priced option? I have the rosewood b&s version, & it's a great little guitar, very punchy ( adirondack top I guess ), & the nicest neck of any of my guitars.
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Post by slide496 on Mar 3, 2020 14:25:16 GMT
I don't know if you are looking for a small bodied 14 fret along the lines of the old twelve fret harmonies with that shape then IMHO the Waterloo is along those lines but it's deep. The Atkins is a dreadnaught shaped guitar and may be that size.
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Post by tallsailor on Mar 3, 2020 18:43:18 GMT
I go for old Supertones, Regals, Harmonys etc. ladder braced jobbies like what the old boys used to use. They are crude and you can find the occasional really good one. They are less "polite" than the high end new guitars but my old Supertone spruce top is as good as the big name expensive ones. Only thing that puts me off with the old 'uns is the possibility of expensive work required, since I'm not exactly an expert in spotting flaws, but I'll keep an eye out; thanks.
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Post by tallsailor on Mar 3, 2020 18:47:54 GMT
There’s a Waterloo WL-K on eBay at mo. A copy of Gibsons 30s Kel Kroydon. The Gibson L-00 studio is a great guitar. Walnut back n sides If you are looking for something old I may have something to interest you. Thinking about thinning out a few Thanks for the tip, but I was really after a 14-fretter. I was thinking mahogany might offer a better tone, hence the Standard rather than the Studio.
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Post by tallsailor on Mar 3, 2020 18:49:42 GMT
I've not played the Atkin, but of those you mention, the Waterloos are absolutely superb guitars. Definitely better than the Gibsons. I've played a few and they've all been excellent. Also, there's a shop in Exeter that stocks them so you can try before you buy... Good to know, thanks. I'll keep an eye on the PM and Manson's sites.
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Post by Andymccann on Mar 3, 2020 19:05:47 GMT
Guitar guitar have a 14 fret mahogany Waterloo ex display looks really nice
Talking of 14 fret mahogany guitars. Just found myself a 1940 Martin 0-15. The thing is just about the most incredible small guitar I have ever played. The Scalloped braces look like they have been carved by angels and it is so loud and balanced
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Post by tallsailor on Mar 3, 2020 19:24:29 GMT
I don't know if you are looking for a small bodied 14 fret along the lines of the old twelve fret harmonies with that shape then IMHO the Waterloo is along those lines but it's deep. The Atkins is a dreadnaught shaped guitar and may be that size. Sorry, got confused with the Atkin. I think it's the 36 I mean. Small body, anyway, with pretty much the same dimensions as the others. The Waterloo is a smidgen shallower than the Atkin and Gibson. All three are Grand Concert size, more or less. I have a smaller Gretsch Style 1 from their roots collection, which is a 'proper' 0 size, and lovely to play. Looking for an upgrade now, and a couple more frets. There don't appear to be many 0-size models about, apart from the Martins. I have played the 0-18 and wasn't that enamoured by its tone.
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Post by tallsailor on Mar 3, 2020 19:29:29 GMT
Guitar guitar have a 14 fret mahogany Waterloo ex display looks really nice Again, though, it's a 12 (if it's the one I'm looking at). You're just trying to make me jealous now
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Post by Andymccann on Mar 3, 2020 19:40:29 GMT
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