Gibson L-9

[Woody Sound]

The underside of the top is carved with a thick middle section to allow the bridge and stop tailpiece to be mounted directly, without the need for braces, additional glued-on wood, or a block - the top vibrates freely.

Not an expert by any means, but wouldn't that make it prone to belly pull, similar to what happens on some flattops?

[rio]

Read post #36.

Oh, I must have read this thread and forgot about it because when I clicked it it took me to the list before mine with the video and I thought that was the first post. So is maple hard enough to handle heavy strings with a stop tail or is there some reinforcement under there? Every time I see a stop tail I assume semihollow.

Also I do still wonder how this sounds - I haven't really liked the few solos maple too archtops I have played. The wood looks great though.


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[archtopeddy]

I have no opinion about this guitar, but I like the way in the vid from the 20 second point for about a minute it looks like Muddy Waters is playing a guitar five times bigger than he is.

[Hammertone]

Not an expert by any means, but wouldn't that make it prone to belly pull, similar to what happens on some flattops?

No. Maple is very rigid, and the center section of the top is quite thick.

...So is maple hard enough to handle heavy strings with a stop tail or is there some reinforcement under there? Every time I see a stop tail I assume semihollow. …[ ]...

Maple is very hard. No reinforcement at all - the key to the design is the design of the top, which is quite thick at the location of the bridge and tailpiece.

I have no opinion about this guitar, but I like the way in the vid from the 20 second point for about a minute it looks like Muddy Waters is playing a guitar five times bigger than he is.

Howlin' Wolf, dood.

[jads57]

It looks like a Les Paul that needs to go on a diet ,like me also LOL!

[mr. beaumont]

Lol, 2 years later, I might think it's even dumber now.

So it's basically a mis-shapen single cut 335 with a small block instead of a full block? For 3k plus more?

[cosmic gumbo]

Anyone who regularly watches Greg Koch demo guitars for Wildwood knows he can make them sound twice as good as they actually are, but try as he may, the L9 sounds like a pile of crap.

[archtopeddy]

[QUOTE
Howlin' Wolf, dood. [/QUOTE]


Oops -- ha ha. You're right. Geetar still looks too big for him...

[entresz]

The L-9 is a strange one. I thought it was strange when I first heard of it, I still think it's strange.

I can't help but think that Gibson don't really pay any attention to what their customers want. Most people in the market for an archtop guitar for example will want a classic archtop; ie. the guitars that Gibson used to make (ES-350s, L-5, etc.). A strange Franken-LesPaul doesn't make any sense.

It's a bit of a dilemma; a big part of Gibson's appeal is cemented on guitars that were made 50+ years ago. I don't think any new model is generally all that well received (unless it's a version of a Les Paul maybe). I can't help but think that if they just built guitars like they used to and got rid of this strange 'lifestyle brand' element they'd be better off.

[Hub]

Does someone use this model? and compare to other?

[jads57]

I tried one a couple of years ago at Dave’s Guitar in LaCrosse Wisconsin. Very strange ergonomics/ feel to me at least. Neck felt like scale was too short for the size of the body.

Works fine with an ES-335 thinline, but not this guitar. Cool idea , but stick with an ES thinline!

[furtom]

Nothing wrong with hoping! I hope to own a 1996 Heritage Super Eagle one day. Although not exactly cheap, the biggest obstacle will be finding one made in 1996 that's also for sale!

Ok. I'll bite. What's so special about 1996? Sorry if I've missed something everyone knows...

This L-9 thing is interesting, but I'm sure it will be outrageously priced.

With a little TLC, the 339s do well, I'd think this would be better than that. I wonder what it will weigh... ?

Edit: ok. This was a necrothread. Sorry.