Loar

jazzyjman · #1 07-14-2010, 07:21 PM

Hello all,

Im wondering if anyone here plays a loar archtop. I am saving so when I get my taxes back in the spring I can get a new archtop. Im looking for something under $2000 us. But with a professional feel to it. I saw the loar on amazon so I'm wondering about that. Thanks everyone

spiral · #2 07-14-2010, 09:52 PM

On paper the 650 sounds amazing: nitro finish, carved top, 3 3/4" body depth, bone nut, etc. Seem crazy they can sell that for $1000. I have no personal experience with one though, sorry. Wish i did. I'd like to hear if anyone has though.

ps. i just checked and Musicians friend has a used, natural Loar LH-650 for $800 or sunburst for $700. Dang!

jazzyjman · #3 07-14-2010, 10:08 PM

Yeah im interested in playing one. I just got to play a godin kingpin, and sadly I was disappointed. Sounded more like an acoustic flat top than an arch top. The wood was very thin too. That def. bummed me out

jeffstritt · #4 07-15-2010, 07:02 AM

If your budget goes up to 2k, you need to look at Eastman.

brad4d8 · #5 07-15-2010, 08:00 AM

I haven't played one of their archtops, but have been very pleased with their mandolin. I also played one of their flattops recently and was very impressed with it. The same dealer has archtops on order, so I might get to try one in the near future. If I do, I'll post my comments.
Brad

SamBooka · #6 07-15-2010, 08:11 AM

That is my major issue with Loars: no one has ever tried one! (my other major issue is they dont make a 17in but I digress)

gpmedium · #7 07-15-2010, 08:34 AM

I've played one, I don't know which one, but it was a lower end model. I do know it had The Loar on the headstock.

A friend of a friend owns it and brought it over to a get together/jam session for us to try out.

The good: it was acoustically very loud and sounded good amplified as well. After hearing it I wanted to record with it, acoustically. The neck had a nice feel.

The bad: it felt cheap. I know this is highly subjective, considering a couple of members on this forum have said the same about the Godin 5th Avenue, but that was my reaction to it. There were several build/quality issues that I didn't like and I think shouldn't have been missed.

Like I said, this was a lower end model, but based upon what I experienced, I wouldn't want to buy one sight unseen.

Geert · #8 07-15-2010, 09:12 AM

I've been playing the LH-600 archtop acoustic model by the Loar for about a month now.
I have no experience with other archtops accept the 5th avenue which I liked.
I am very happy with both the look, sound and feel of the guitar.
I have the natural finish, and the guitar is just beautifull..
There are a lot of different sounds coming from this guitar whether played with a thin or thicker pics, played close to the bridge or near the neck.
A much greater range compared to the 5th avenue in my opinion.
I love the v-shaped neck it gives a lot of support when playing chords but is easy on soloing aswell.
I have mine set up with a very low action but no buzzing what so ever.
The tuners are very precise.

What can I say..maybe high end 2K instruments are no comparison to these guitars, but I love it and find it very much guitar for the money (€800 ordered from Thomann)

My two cents

G

SamBooka · #9 07-15-2010, 11:51 AM

Thanks Geert! Is there anything you dont like about it?

Geert · #10 07-15-2010, 01:21 PM

Not really.
But like I said this is my first archtop, I used to play on classical guitar exclusively, therefore I have to get used to playing a guitar like this. Maybe in the future I will have more usefull things to say about this guitar. But so far I'm loving it!

G

spiral · #11 07-15-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geert

Not really.
But like I said this is my first archtop, I used to play on classical guitar exclusively, therefore I have to get used to playing a guitar like this. Maybe in the future I will have more usefull things to say about this guitar. But so far I'm loving it!

G

If you have good audio clips, please share.

killacon · #12 07-21-2010, 11:48 AM

I've played one of their archtops, I'm not sure if it was the 600 or the 700 model. It was a very well built, quality instrument. The tone didn't jump out and grab me, but that's just personal preference of course. The V neck is fairly gentle but is also not my favorite. They're nice guitars in a great tradition, at a really great price. If you're interested in acoustic archtops, I definitely recommend checking them out.

jazzyjman · #13 07-21-2010, 12:09 PM

Does any one know of any good music shops in new england cant sr. To find one thanks

goshawk · #14 07-21-2010, 01:06 PM

Where in New England? Route 7 Music in Brookfield, CT carries a decent selection of archtops and amps, but that's pretty far south if you're in Vermont or New Hampshire.

Welcome to Route 7 Music | 203.775.6377

Tom Karol · #15 07-21-2010, 01:25 PM

Acoustic Guitars Collings, Martin, Taylor, Banjos, Mandolins - The Music Emporium

jazzyjman · #16 07-21-2010, 01:36 PM

Im in nh but I dont mind a drive, my dad lives in southern mass so I can just go by when i visit him

kamlapati · #17 07-21-2010, 01:37 PM

I played a 650 at Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto.

I have played all solid wood, carved top archtops for over twenty years. My main players are a '46 and a '77 L-5. I like archtops.

The Loar impressed me as a fantastic entry level archtop. If that is your price range, you should get it. Is it an L-5? No. Is it better than all the laminated wood models out there? Yes.

I also agree on the above comment regarding the Eastman line... if you can stretch you budget a bit, these are incredible values and good guitars.

jazzyjman · #18 07-21-2010, 02:52 PM

Im going too try and take a ride up to route 7 music they have a couple eastmans that look great thanks everyone

Old Feller · #19 07-21-2010, 09:47 PM

First hand accounts of the Loars seem frustratingly rare. Anyone know how to find one in the midwest?

bob32069 · #20 07-28-2010, 10:58 PM

I have a Loar LH-550. I have had it for 3 years now. (See my avatar.) It was a great, great guitar to get as my first jazz guitar. The workmanship was flawless, it was perfectly set up, and had (and continues to have) spot-on intonation all the way up the neck to the 14th fret. It is very easy to play. The body meets the neck at the 14th fret, so despite the lack of a cutaway, it is still very accessible in the upper register. It has a floating pickup. I have had rounds, half rounds, and flats on it. With rounds it can easily sit in for a flat top acoustic guitar, but with a more midrangey, less trebly/shimmering sound than a traditional flattop acoustic. With flats it sounds fairly dull acoustically but like a traditional jazzbox when plugged in to an amp (Roland Cube 60). I finally settled on daddario half-rounds and I can get the best of both worlds. The particular model I have has the pressed solid top - I believe the newer models are carved. I suspect the carved top would sound better but don't know for sure. I should mention that I own several other jazz guitars which I have purchased subsequent to the Loar including a GUild Manhattan x-170, a Guild Starfire IV, a 72 Reissue Telecaster Thinline, a Gitane John Jorgenson DG-320 (D-hole gypsy jazz guitar), and an Eastman AR805-CE. I have toyed with the idea of getting rid of the Loar but cannot bring myself to actually do it, because I still pick it up and play it and still enjoy it because it works so well without an amp (this is the guitar I play when I don't want to sit in my music room with an amp). In comparison to the carved top Eastman, I would say the acoustic tone of the eastman is significantly better, the eastman is drop-dead gorgeous, but the Loar is just flat out easier to play. Additonally, the eastman's intonation is messed up on the A-string, way messed up. I have never before had a guitar witha problem setting intonation on the A-string. It completely messes up the intonation of the whole guitar and is extremely disappointing for a guitar that retails for over 1500 dollars ( I got mine on ebay - buyer beware). Overall I am very disappointed by the eastman because it does not meet expectations. I rarely play it any longer. On the other hand the Loar, for the price, more than meets expectations. One other thing I would say is it kind of has a swing-era feel to it. This is the guitar (I think because of its looks) that makes me want to play freddy green style rhythm and charlie christian style solos. I don't think it would make a good fusion guitar - not the right vibe. Overall, it's a real value and a great first jazz guitar.