YouTube Comparisons are Awful - Trenier Excel vs. Gibson L-5C

[kamlapati]

So I made one myself! I love these two guitars, but honestly, I'm not sure I could tell why from a video like I just made.

The Trenier was made in 2011 and has been in the front of my home rotation since day one. I've owned the 1977 L-5CN since about 2007. For most of its life it has had a Lollar Johnny Smith pickup, but I recently converted it back to its original all acoustic state. (You can see the slight shadow that the PU left in the finish.)

OK, I admit it, the strings are not the same on the two guitars. The Excel has D'Addario XS coated phosphor bronze .012s, and the L-5 has plain old D'Addario phosphor bronze .012s.

Takeaway: playing a guitar is better than any video, or other people's opinions! What do you think?

[DMgolf66]

Thank you, I enjoyed that. I would be thrilled with either. They are different in the ways I THINK most would expect from me reading this forum for these last handful of years.
Winners both....

[garybaldy]

I prefer the L5 which I hear as slightly warmer. Both lovely guitars though.

[kamlapati]

I prefer the L5 which I hear as slightly warmer. Both lovely guitars though.

Fortunately, I don't need to choose! The L-5 definitely has the big mid-frequency bump, and that's probably what you're hearing. (The fundamentals of the guitar range are in the mids, say 100 - 800 Hz). In person you would notice that the Excel has wonderfully balanced bass and sounds sooo sweet as you play up the neck.

Of course I really love both guitars, but choosing between them is impossible. I just revel in their individual personalities, and I play them as often as I can.

Thanks for listening and letting me share my love and joy.

[D'Aquisto Fan]

Nice to see you posting again! You're fortunate to have both guitars!

[Max405]

Kam, my man!
It is really great to see you on here and posting again.
I am REALLY torn in this one. I’ll get this right out there, Both guitars sound gorgeous.
The Trenier has a little something extra to it. More Omph in the midrange maybe? The Gibson sounds typical thick sides Gibson.
I like em both and I like your playing. Very classy. You look great!
Thanks Kam, Joe D

[kamlapati]

Kam, my man!
The Trenier has a little something extra to it. More Omph in the midrange maybe? The Gibson sounds typical thick sides Gibson.

"Thick sides" OMG you could not be more correct about that. The Gibson is heavy, and thick all around I think. and although I'm inclined to hate that, when you play it you have to adjust your opinions. It's a great guitar and OMG it's an L-5!

I'm still laughing about making this pretty silly comparison vid b.c. these two guitars could not be more different. X vs. parallel. 3 3/8" vs 3". Plain woods from the 70's vs. the finest European spruce and maple. In the big picture, the L-5 is still a big band instrument form the 40's vs. the modern D'Aquisto style Trenier.

For my style of chord melody and vocal accompaniment, the Trenier is my favorite. It is balanced from the low E to the high A on the high E string. It is sweet. Maybe my hands are more accustomed to bringing out it's strengths. But if I was going to a jam with some heavy handed players? I'd take the L-5!

[skiboyny]

Those are two really good guitars to own. I could enjoy playing either, and depending on the day, say I prefer one over the other. The Gibson is so recognizable, the Trenier with a little more complex sound. After the first second makes no difference to the listener.

[kamlapati]

Those are two really good guitars to own. I could enjoy playing either, and depending on the day, say I prefer one over the other. The Gibson is so recognizable, the Trenier with a little more complex sound. After the first second makes no difference to the listener.

Agreed. If these were my only two guitars I would be grateful every day and consider myself a rich man.

[Jabberwocky]

Great to hear from kamlapati again. It has been a while since you posted last. Hope that everything's been well.