Gibson ES-150 Charlie Christian vs Recording King A104

[LC Swings]

Hi all ! I’m a new member on the forum as it’s my first post but I think I read you since at least 5 years.

I finally decided to make a post here as I would like opinions about two guitars that the aficionados of Charlie Christian / Oscar Moore may know.

I’m very aware about the CC tone/gear however I was wondering if some of the lucky ones of you have had the opportunity to make an A/B comparison in between those very models. I don’t own any of those two guitars, unfortunately, but I know how a genuine ES-150 sounds as I have been lucky to play one in my life.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge !

[LC Swings]

No one ?!? ?

[Major Seventh]

Sorry, I can't help, but welcome to the forum.

Don

[Spook410]

Same here.. no insights to share on this topic but welcome to the discussions.

[customxke]

The only thing I could add to this, is that the amp is, to my ears, more important than the guitar when chasing those Christian/Moore tones. Any single coil through an EH185/150 is going to get that sound better than an ES150 into a Fender-type amp will. A Recording King A104/Smeck through an EH185 will definitely get you there, but without an adjustable truss rod.

[ruger9]

The only thing I could add to this, is that the amp is, to my ears, more important than the guitar when chasing those Christian/Moore tones. Any single coil through an EH185/150 is going to get that sound better than an ES150 into a Fender-type amp will. A Recording King A104/Smeck through an EH185 will definitely get you there, but without an adjustable truss rod.

100%.

The modern day Supro Delta Blues has a similar sound, very mids-pushed, if you're looking for an amp as well. And Fender tweeds aren't that either: they can sound great, but they aren't the very early EH-150/185 sound.

[LC Swings]

Thank you very much to share your knowledge with me !
I actually have a vintage EH-150. I play a guitar fitted with a vintage DeArmond FHC threw it but always wondered if I would get even closer to Charlie’s tone with a real CC pickup.

Hence a second question : I was just offered a Gibson ES-125, so laminate body, as you all know, retofitted with a vintage CC pickup. Unfortunately this is from a friend of a friend and can’t try it threw my EH-150. (BTW the seller wants, in my opinion, a bit too much.) I didn’t try the guitar yet but wanted to know if you guys think there would be a huge difference with an ES-150 which is, all solid.

Threw my EH-150 I can notice a difference between the guitar fitted with the DeArmond and an ES-125 with a P90 pickup. Obviously it’s not a drastic difference as I do agree with you that the amp plays 80-90% of the sound.

However maybe you guys have tried such a laminate guitar with a real CC. And I’d like to read your opinions and views if you have any.

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and experiences with me.