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I need advise on these 2 models. Both are X braced with BJB floaters. I know the L5 is 3/8 thicker. I can get either for the same price. Very hard call. I do like the old style 3 piece neck on the Premier better than 5 piece but 3 inch body depth is real nice. I take it the necks are the same except for the inlays ? I have never played a Premier and only 2 LeGrands in my life. After selling my DAQ I feel I really need 1 archtop with a floater.
Both tops are carved thin like a Heritage. Where should I steer my boat ?
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07-03-2016 10:29 PM
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Every guitar is different, so I would advise" try before you buy" on either model. That said, I prefer the cosmetics of the
L-5 and think it will have better long term appeal, value wise (in the world of archtops, the Gibson L-5 is king). So my vote is for the L-5.
Didn't you buy Patrick's Guild AA? That is an archtop with a floater.
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Marc, I sold the AA, my DAQ, black L5, and a VOS 175 to buy my daughters condo. Thanks bro for your input. I just flipped the wine L5 also to get one of these. JD's conquest stirred me up too.
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Same color ?
Same scale & nut width and neck shape ?
LeGrands will have that non-floating fingerboard and finger style TP.......( correct me anywhere I'm wrong)
I'd think they'll play and sound pretty close - again correct me.
So, what if it got down to - --which weighs less ??? Maybe you'd always want to know you got the lighter instrument ?
Good luck w/ your decision Vinny.
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Marc, also no chance of playing 1st. One is in New York and the other is in Arizona. TMZ & Rainbow.
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The Premier is Blonde and the LeGrand is Lemonburst.
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A blonde L-5 is very much the top of the archtop foodchain. A superb match to your blonde Super 400.
Lemonburst is one of those "fashionable" finishes that may or may not be in demand up the road.
I strongly advise the L-5. I also think that the floating neck lets the top vibrate more....
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Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
I just checked the one TMZ had listed in lemonburst recently.....it does have the elevated fingerboard end, the fb end is just straight...sorry.....
From the weight listed, the LeG is lighter....6 lbs.13 vs 7lbs. 1 oz. ( correct ? ) ....thought the LeG would've been heavier due to that extended non-elevated neck joint the JS's used to have....
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I've played some of the L5 Premiers at Rainbow and I found them to be awesome electric guitars that I would love to take home. I considered trying to raise the cash for one ... and Rainbow offered me an incredible deal, but I would rather pursue something in the 18 inch range ... hopefully a Super 400. Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
I was not impressed with the acoustic qualities of the L5 Premiers ... they sound good, but where just not that loud. I think my L5WES can put as much volume acoustically. I loved the neck on them.
I have a 93 Le Grand that was signed by Hutchinson in '94 ... and it is a very lively acoustic as well as a sweet electric .... I consider my Le Grand to be a much better guitar than the L5 Premiers and the Premiers are pretty awesome in their own right....who knows if the Le Grand at TMZ sounds as good?
If I was loaded with cash I would get both ... LOL
I don't think you can go wrong with either one
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Originally Posted by Stringswinger
I was glad to hear the L-5 is blonde.
For me, that's 'end of story' ! If it were my decision, I'd think it just got a lot easier.
Good luck !
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The Le Grand has a slightly more compact body; it is shorter and narrower in the lower bout. 20.5" long, 16.875" wide, 3" deep.
My opinion is that the Le Grand is more "prestigious" compared to the L5 Premier. Didn't TMZ clear out the L5 Premier Natural, with BJB for $6480 or thereabouts last year? In Japan, at the nadir of the Japanese Yen-USD rate, I found a used one, L5 Premier, Natural online for $5000.
For the money, I'd look for a vintage L5C if I want an L5C. The new L5 Premier needs another 20 years to open up, that is my estimation.
I like my 2012 Le Grand. It is something different. It is a little less thumpy in the bass, more suitable for solo single-note-clear-chordal works than chunking out rhythms. It just feels right in terms of size. It depends on your eventual use. The L5 Premier is for digging in and chunking out rhythms, in my estimation. The Le Grand is not really best for that. OK, I have the grand experience of one L5 Premier and it mirrors Bluedawg's assessment. Needs time to open up. It sounded tight. You got to dig in with a heavy pick and 13-56s to wake it up, la pompe. I couldn't obviously as it wasn't mine. The Le Grand has a more thinly carved top. Acoustically voiced.
For the same price, my pick is the Lemonburst Le Grand. Besides, I love that Lemonburst Le Grand at TMZ and my wish is to be next in line after Vinny goes after another Nashville hussy. I am very much the remora.
The Le Grand is like a classical guitar. The L5 Premier is like a J200.
I don't know, Vinny. Once you hold each one in your hands and in a deep embrace you will know immediately which one is right. Your head tells you L5 Premier but your heart says Le Grand Lemonburst. I love the experience of opening up a new Gibson case. It is the best feeling in the world. It is like seeing the woman that you love disrobed for the first time. A special feeling that goes beyond lust. You feel like you are the luckiest dog in the world because she has chosen to reveal herself to you.
And that vanilla candy scent!
P.S. The only thing I do not like about the Le Grand is the Fingers tailpiece. Would much rather have the regular L5/L4 T or Citation/ES5 Switchmaster Loop tailpiece.Last edited by Jabberwocky; 07-04-2016 at 03:12 AM.
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Wait a minute, Vinny, that Wine L5 WM that you just got, you've sold it already? Did I read you wrongly?
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Vinny, it just might be worth the cost of shipping to get them both in your hands and have a tryout. Keep one, send the other back. Gawd help you if you like them both and can't decide!
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Not sure about this ..... . My 2003 L5CES took about three years to open. Now after 13 years it just sounds gorgeous. But of course, i did play it a lot. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
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I would get the le Grand.
There is something artificial about the new L5 P. The original L5 P was an acoustic guitar, the new one is, like all modern L5s an electro-acoustic guitar.
The Legrand is a classic- it is not supposed to be a pure acoustic guitar- more an electric with a wonderful acoustic voice.
If you are after a real acoustic Gibson, get an old 17 Inch L5.
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You could have a worse dilemma. I think the Le Grand is a beautiful instrument and was made consistently well. The fingered tailpiece looks a bit odd but functionally it is handy to be able to adjust individual strings. Over time I think the market will look after your investment in both but I think the Le Grand just has the edge because of the build quality and design.
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Oh Vinny, Vinny, Vinny.. What am I gonna do with you...
i agree with everything Jabbs said. The LeGrand is loaded with fancy treats. And if you like that color, that about seals it.
Now, DONT DO ANYTHING until you speak to Stevie. I'd pretty much make him the authority on the subject.
I think $8,000 for the L5 is a very beatable price. You remember the one that was there and then it wasn't that I was selling one of my nuts for? That was mint and the asking price was $5999. Personally, I think you can be into an almost new Blond L5 premier with pickup for the same money you sold Rita for. I don't think you can find the same deal on a LeGrand.
I know there is nothing like a new guitar. But you can get a mint one cheaper and not have to hide the crazy glue when you are sleeping..
Plus, I don't want you spending a lot of money on a guitar with a floater. Because I'm gonna own it in a month and I have limits that can spend on a guitar..
Personally, I think you should get the single pickup Super 400. That's the only one you will be Totally satisfied with. And ya know dat!!!!
JD
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OK, I slept on it........
Hope this helps - -
( sorry if this story is repetitive )
Last year I went up to Dave's to trade for Natural Premier w/ BJB. Dave had 3 new L-'5. One WesMo, one acoustic - no floater, and one w/ BJB.
Bottom line the acoustics that I thought would be there ( ' should be there' ? ) just weren't. There's almost no audible difference - unplugged - between the cut top WesMo and the others. Plugged in, was a ' take your pick ' - - they're both fantastic. (( I did buy a WesMo, mainly because I liked the picking - string clearance the humbucker allows, vs the BJB )).
So, I don't know what your reasons may be for shopping for this particular floater. Maybe you do need to try a new LeG somewhere.....I don't think you'd necessarily have to send for the L-5 to play it - but FWIW I don't believe the LeG is going to be / sound any louder - -or distinctive - -either unplugged or plugged.
So then, it'll just get down to appointments, color etc etc.....I still stand by my earlier choice.
Hope this helps, and it's just my opinion, of course.
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1. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
This is the right plan. I'm sure the retailer would be pleased to help you in this regard.
2.
Of course, there's a MUCH better plan, involving the Hofner Chancellor I have for sale...
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Hearing that the new L-5P is not as acoustic as the L-5C of the past makes me withdraw my choice. I am neutral. I do feel that a blonde archtop will be easier to sell than a yellow one. I also feel that there is more marketability to an L-5 then a Legrand. But it sounds like the Legrand is the better deal.
This is a good example of a first world problem.Last edited by Stringswinger; 07-04-2016 at 12:04 PM.
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Vinny,
Lots of good opinions from all on these two models. I do own both - and they were carefully selected. My L5 premier was hand picked from all the inventory at TMZ - and its beautiful with a lush sound and endless sustain. Fit and finish is impeccable, excluding a few laquer checks adjacent upper register frets - quite common on Gibsons, but of no concern to me. I focus on sound and playability - or course im speaking about a new guitar. The L5 I chose was not the loudest, but the most lyrical and musical- and perfectly balanced. I purchased one without a pickup because that one spoke to me. I can always add a pickup. As for the Legrand, its a different sound, I find mine to have a thick warm timbre
with a fatness found on many Dangelicos ive played - the thickness and warmth is found on every note throughout the fingerboard. I purchased this from a very reputable retired Philadelphia guitar dealer who told me it was one if the best Legrands he played - and offered an approval period. It was a case queen - and is just remarkable . In comparison to the L5 - which has a deeper body - the L5 sound lingers around internally slighly longer and is quite rich and magical and reminicent of some of the later period Daquisto's I once had in my collection - but still has that undeniable Gibson L5 throaty growel. When I was picking out the L5 I sent my wife voice memo clips from TMZ and she heard the magic in the one I purchased. She has heard 35 years of some of the finest archtops that have passed through my hands- so I can always count on her opinion - and when she says buy it - I buy.
When comparing new Gibsons to old, the new ones are heavier, and i find them to be more conducive to chord melody work - due to a common sustain, likely brought out by the TOM bridge. If your after the early orchestra sound with more of a drier chrispy chomp/ volume go for an early period. I had a drop dead gorgeous 48' l5 that had it all, except for the beautiful sustain I find on many of the post 90' s Gibsons. I think Danny feels the same way about the later period Gibsons.
Of course this is all very subjective, and you really cant go wrong with either choice. Good luck with your decision, and if you want to chat , send me a pm and we can exchange phone numbers.
Sent from my GT-N5110 using TapatalkLast edited by QAman; 07-04-2016 at 11:24 AM.
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There's some great advice here, truly boots on the ground advice. Love this place for that.
Big
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Never having owned a Gibson officially (Heritage JS may or may not count), my advice is to buy both and return the one that is slightly less desirable (since both of them are easily wet dreams for thousands of players out there). A/B'ing in your own room with your gear is unbeatable. Much cheaper than having to flip or going to the shops to play- except if you get tempted and keep both than you are screwed :-).
I did this with three Godins of the exactly same model and color once, there were differences even among three factory produced solid body guitars including nut width variability and finish quality of course. Cost me a hundred dollars more. Cheaper and easier with solid body guitars than high value archtops though.
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This is what I unconsciously seek-all the rest is maya & illusion!
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Can't buy both just to A/B. That is over $16k plus shipping costs and risks. I appreciate all the expert advise from all you guys for sure. This will positively be my last guitar purchase if I decide to do so. My wife is actually upset that I sold the wine L5. She said it was the prettiest guitar I had. I think my Tal is. Well someone just got a brand new wine L5 at a great price at least.
So you guys are saying that $8k is not a good price for a blonde L5P/BJB but is for the LeGrand ?
L5P map is $13.9K and lemon burst LeGrand is $13.5k. The sensible thing to do is nothing I know.
This whole thing just kind of escalated. It started out as just getting this stunning new Tal for only $4k. It had a bad neck.
I sent it back and was just going to get a refund. Then Garrett shows me this stunning wine L5 for $2.5k more. I am a easy mark. It was beautiful. I surely don't need 3 Wesmo's. A friend of a friend is looking for a Wesmo so bam I off it for $6.2k (I'm a horrible business man). Marc buys Joe's HDA and Joe gets the HJS and I miss my DAQ with the JS pickup big time. And yes I know I need to join the Prozac nation. I do miss the clarity of a floater Archtop at times. All my archtops have humbuckers. It would be nice but $8k nice ? I always buy new.....it is just my nature unless it is something really special or no longer in production.
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