Loar LH-700-VS Guitar

Josh5v · #1 08-23-2010, 06:39 AM

I recently played a Loar LH-700 and was very impressed by it. I was wondering what others think of this guitar.

Also, I am new to this type of guitar. How do most of you amplify this guitar? Do you play into a mike or is there a particular pick up that would be best for this guitar?

I also wonder what is the main difference between a Loar LH-700 and a LH-600.

Thanks for any replies.

Geert · #2 08-23-2010, 07:12 AM

I own a LH-600 NA and love it.
I think the difference between the 600 and the 700 is the quality of the wood used. I assume they use the best pieces for the 700's and they are mounted with more expensive tuners (allthough I am very happy with the ones on the 600);. The 700's also come in another case.

G

Josh5v · #3 08-23-2010, 08:36 AM

Thanks for the reply.

What do you used to amplify your guitar? Have you used it with just a microphone or do you have some type of pickup?

gianluca · #4 08-24-2010, 03:43 AM

hi
i have just ordered the lh-600-vs and i'm very interested in your opinions and solutions: i ordered it without try it, just after to have seen it on the loar website and hearing the demo there.
it is expected to arrive in a couple of days.
so, if it is possible, please write if it is confortable to play, if it has great tone and volume, what string do you use on it and, if you have find a good way to amp it.

gianluca

Geert · #5 08-24-2010, 05:53 AM

First of all I've only played a few acoustic archtops and therefore can't compare the The Loar archtop with guitars from other brands.

I find the 600 very easy to play. The v-shaped neck is very comfortable IMO.
It can be played with relative low action without any fretbuzzing. I am very happy with the grover tuners which are very precise.
The sound is loud compared to for example the godin 5th avenue which is much quieter. It has a very sweet round voice when played near the fretboard, and a great barking gypsy swing tone when played near the tailpiece. I am currently testing the 600 with different sets of strings. I am very happy with a set of Argentine 1610 strings which I am using now. They are somewhat lighter than the ones the guitar came with but they have a nice 'ring' and are very easy to play on.
One thing that surprised me was the difference in tone when using different thicknesses of pics. I am currently using a Dunlop 3 mm pic.
I guess it is all about what you like the guitar to sound like but I think the The Loar gives you a lot of possibillities in different sounds you can get from this guitar.
Finally I think the guitar looks absolutly beautifull...

Good luck with yours and let us know how you like it.

Regards,

G

Josh5v · #6 08-25-2010, 08:00 AM

I have been playing a friend's Loar 700 and find it a great guitar. I don't know what strings his had but they are a medium size. The guitar has a great tone and as was said is loud. I am seriously considering buying it.

If so I need some way to amplify it. I would appreciate any ideas of what type of pick up would be best for this guitar.

gianluca · #7 08-26-2010, 03:56 AM

hi LH lovers,
i received the ordered lh600vs just yesterday.
it has an amazing look an a wonderful tone. that was what i were looking for.
i play an es175d as electric guitar and i have a dupont nomade gipsy jazz guitar as well (but i'm not too able to play manouche). i was looking for an acoustic warm woody jazz tone and the LH600 seems to be what i needed.
this is the first acoustic archtop i play: i used it for only one hour but that was enough to get in love with it.
i agree with GEERT, acoustic jazz tone if played near the neck; gipsy style tone if played near the tailpiece.
i use 2mm plectrum. (but i'm curious to try a 3mm one)
the original strings are some d'addario phosphor/bronze medium gauge (maybe 0.12): i'm going to ask it directly to the producer e-mail.
i own some argentine 0.10 and i will try them; i'll try some dean markley 0.12 nickel wound as well.
but at the moment i will go on with the original ones.
i tryied to lower the tailpiece: ok, the strings don't buzz but if lowered too much you earn in confort but you loose some jazz tone and you get very cloose to a normal folk guitar.
consider that it may be due because i hit the string pretty hardly.
the case looks well done and is light: it fits my 175 and i'm thinking to use it on my gig.
of course i have soon tought to a way to amplify it.
i own a zoom h2 digital recorder that may be used as a simple external mic: i suppose i'll do some attempt with it.

ciao from italy

Geert · #8 08-26-2010, 10:10 AM

Congrats on your buy Gianluca!
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do

Good luck

G

Josh5v · #9 08-27-2010, 12:02 PM

I have about decided to purchase a Loar 650. Since it comes with a factory installed pickup I will not have to make any alterations to the guitar. I talked to the factory and they said any modification would void the warranty.

From what I can determine the 600 and the 650 are very similar guitars.

Does anyone have any ideas on the differences other than the pickup and cutaway?

Thanks for any responses

kamlapati · #10 08-31-2010, 09:27 PM

Josh, wrt amplifying a Loar, I have a "pickuptheworld" PU on an old Epi archtop and it soundes really good. Installation is simple and non-invasive. Look at the pickups / accessories at archtop.com.

Josh5v · #11 09-01-2010, 08:58 AM

Thanks for your post.

I have decided to go ahead and buy the LH-650 and have ordered it. I decided mostly because of the factory install pickup but I also like the single cutaway.

jromeo · #12 11-05-2011, 05:44 AM

I play a lot of 4 to the bar rhythm under my vocals, and have had great luck using a Rode S1 live performance condenser mic into an acoustic amp, to get a sound as close as I can to that big band Freddie Green sound. In this application, I would recommend phosphor bronze or 80/20 (brighter). Nickle strings are normally used for electrics, as they react more to a magnetic field.

To me, adding a clip on or a pickup defeats the purpose of having an acoustic archtop. Feed back issues are largely eliminated by the use of a good quality mic. This is very important in my opinion. Also for the best sound, I would recommend an acoustic amp like the Roland 90, or Fishman 220 over a guitar or combo amp, as the frequency range is more appropriate.

Happy playing!
http://joeromeojazz.com/

gianluca · #13 11-11-2011, 04:17 AM

hi
after almost one year since I bought it, I took my LH-600 to a luthier for a floating pickup installation (kent armstrong 2D handmade) and for a professional set up (not too much to do) but now its comfort has been improved.

I gave a try to Thomastick flats .013 and I like very much the tone.

somedays ago I posted a link to a my youtube video where I play my LH 600 unplugged recorded directly with a zoom H2 digital recorder.
It is in the "acoustic archtop tone" thread of this forum.

gianluca

gianluca · #14 11-28-2011, 11:36 AM

and this is my the loar's tone with the new pickup (kent armstrong handmade 2-D)
silent night - jazz guitar solo - YouTube

rpguitar · #15 11-28-2011, 11:47 AM

Well, you must be pleased with that tone! Very nice. I thought they sounded like flats. You should try a reasonably light set of 80/20s on there one day. I have the same pup on my new Solomon, and it's pretty nicely balanced even with the bronze strings. Congrats on the practical, nice-sounding setup.

Geert · #16 11-28-2011, 12:20 PM

Nice tone Gianluca (and nice playing offcourse).
Did you use an amp when you recorded this?
I am having trouble finding the right tone with my The Loar (with Benedetto P.U) when playing it through my tube amp.

Regards,

G

gianluca · #17 11-28-2011, 03:08 PM

@rp - thanks roger. do you believe some 80/20 might sound nice? I'll try...

@geert - I've the same trouble: in silent night the guitar was plugged directly in the recorder (zoom H2); and the tone was ok. but with my polytone MB II and with the twin reverb it's a little difficult to find the right tone. not a big trouble for me now as I'm playing only at home...

Geert · #18 11-28-2011, 03:52 PM

My hopes are set on an acoustic amp to suit my The loar

The best tone I got on an AER compact 60 I tried at a guitarstore (couldn't afford it..)
I am looking at the Phil Jones AG100 but none of the local shop carrie them, and I would like to try it before I buy one.

.

rpguitar · #19 11-28-2011, 04:35 PM

Gianluca, my 1934 L-5 historic reissue is a similar guitar, and I love 80/20 12-53 on her. But of course she has no pickup. Anyway, you sound great! Just suggesting a string type change for fun. Ignore me if you are totally set on your sound, which is molto bene.

Retroman1969 · #20 11-29-2011, 12:26 AM

Beautiful playing! I'm kind of interested in one of these, but I doubt I could ever make it sound like that.