Gibson vs Epiphone Vintage Acoustic Archtops

[AlohaJoe]

I have a post-war Triumph and my wife has a similar vintage Broadway. They both sound great and have volume when you need it but can be sweet when you need that. I prefer them to similar vintage and size Gibsons, although some of that is the neck.

Of the two, and factoring in everything... sound, feel, playability etc., I really like the Broadway, but I LOVE this Triumph.

[Klatu]

I've played old L5s and a variety of 1940s Epiphone Broadways and Deluxes, but most of my experience with vintage guitars centers around the Epiphone Triumph. Owning 3 of them, I can say that they are lovely handmade instruments that vary in feel and tone the way one would expect from hand carved instruments. One is barky the way Greentone and Jonathan describe, one is very smooth, while the third is somewhere in between. Of the three, I tend to favor the two barkier instruments as they sound more "vintage" to my ears.

[teleman3726]

I have a 37 Truimph and a 37 L7, both of which are for sale.
PM if interested

[Hammertone]

I have a 37 Truimph and a 37 L7, both of which are for sale.
PM if interested

I don't believe you unless you post a photo similar to that in post #9 above. ;^)

[Klatu]

I think just like the Holy Grail of anything Vintage Guitars are way over rated for the most part. I'm 58 years old and have played most of the instruments mentioned here as well as many newer Boutique and Gibson's current archtops (eletric and acoustic). Sure there are those exeptional old guitars, but nowhere near as many as are currently being made.
Are you buying for playing or for bragging rights? I would put my Elferink Tonemaster up against any instrument it's same dimensions. I also feel the new Gibsons are consistantly some othe best Gibson has ever made. Buscarino, Comins Campellone, Megas, are other incredible acoustic archtops as well as many others.
I have nothing against old instruments but what's the point of owning something that isn't used to actually make music,other than saying my guitar is better than yours B.S. If you buy it and actually play it, more power to you! If not would you please take up golf LOL!

I don't know anyone who behaves as you are describing.

[jads57]

Sorry I realized I've just read too many posts by people who don't actually play and go on and on about their guitars. I ended up deleting it.

[kkfan]

Funny, I did a couple gigs where I've compared both my '35 L-12 and my '32 DeLuxe, and several more where I compared the DeLuxe with my '32 L-5, but never really compared the L-12 and the L-5.

I did a gig last night and brought the L-5 and L-12: https://www.instagram.com/p/BD7PfSbR4Tn/

Of course, it was very interesting to compare and contrast. The 17" x-braced L-12 seemed voiced higher and had a bit more acoustic volume, while the L-5 sounded smoother and clearer. I used my customary clip on mic, and switched between them every couple of tunes. Sadly, I didn't bring my own monitor, and the sound guy disappeared half way through the gig, so I was playing mostly acoustic for much of the gig. When I used the L-12 I had a bit more acoustic volume, but it was a bit quackier. Switching to the L-5, the volume dipped a bit, but the tone was great. It still managed to cut through, but I didn't have as much room to spare.

Still, it was fascinating to go back and forth.

Jonathan,

If remember right, you mentioned playing the Collings AT-16 archtop at NAMM. How would you compare that sound to your vintage guitars? Is Collings aiming for that vintage sound?