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Hi everybody,
I've never thought I would register to a jazz guitar forum since I'm not a jazz player at all. But since I've been called up to play in a Rockabilly band I'm starting to lust for an L5 style box. Actually I deeply fell in love w. the cosmetics of a blonde ES 350T w. P90 Model. Unfortunately it's a short scale and too pricey for my humble budget. So at this time it all melts down to either a Norlin era long scale 350T or a late 90ies Tal Farlow sb.
Like I said, I want it to go together with Rockabilly and Blues material. I have been playing my 67 Telecaster for the last decade.It works great in almost any situation but together w. my 59 Bassman and a echoplex tube simulation it can sound a bit ice picky at times.
It's not that I'm not satisfied w. what I have, I just fell in love w. a big box sound and cosmetical appearance that I think would go nicely w. a Rockabilly stage appearance. I'm not even sure if I would prefer it to the Telecaster since I haven't tried it out yet. I'm probably going to borrow me a friend's old L5 w. P90 for a test ride and see if I get along w. the sound of and also see if the thicker depth is still comfortable enough for me. I'm 6,14 ft tall, so maybe that won't be of concern.
Sorry for my ramble. Again, which guitar, from experience, would you prefer to choose, the Tal Farlow or the 350T?
Thanks in advance
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08-09-2017 04:52 AM
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Hi and welcome! I think you have to consider feedback problems...
So a thinline like the ES 350T may be better suited for your needs or still better an ES 135 with P 90s. The ES 135 has a center block (light balsa wood) that's intended to cut feedbaclk - not so much for increase of sustain.
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Okay, I see what you're saying. Long scale, P90s, like a Telecaster but not the ice pick sound.
How about a P90 Tele?
Okay, not what you're looking for, then how about something leftfield....
Reverend Club King 290.
Twang-some P90 long scale semi tele
Reverend Club King RT
IMHO this sounds dead on for Rockabilly with those Filtertron type pickups.
And both come with Bigsby's under 1k in coin. Case extra.
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Thanks for your input guys. I still remain in favor of the Guitars I mentioned. Like the rounded lower bout over the sharp florentine bout.
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I don't play anything that even resembles rockabilly, but I do play a '93 Tal live regularly. It's never given me feedback issues. If you can play an L5 without feedback being a problem, I would think either a Tal or 350T should work nicely.
Originally Posted by Rim Shot
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Yeah, I don't think feed back will be a problem w. our style of music.
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It's been said before here and elsewhere the Tal Farlow has to be the best deal in up level gits available, IMO you can't go wrong with one.
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6,14' ? Originally Posted by Rim Shot
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6,14 = 7,2. Recommendation: 19" Stromberg
(Back to reality) +1 on the Tal Farlow. Super deal in top-shelf archtop.
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Rockabilly?
Gretsch 6120...just sayin...
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Old school, nu skool
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What an enviable position you find yourself in! Two very cool guitars to choose from... what to do? Both guitars would be admirably suited to blues or rockabilly, or just about anything not requiring Marshall stacks and skull-crushing volume. If I were in your shoes, I'd get the Tal, because 1) sunburst!!! and 2) Tal Farlow!!! (another tall guy) and 3) I want one.
On the other hand, a 350T would be great. Didn't Chuck Berry play one prior to the ES-355? I'm sure you would be happy with either one. I know I would be. Good luck with your decision.
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Neither.
Gibson ES5 Reissue with P90s or Alnico V Staples. It is a Gibson and it is in the same price bracket as the TF and ES-350 Reissue with the long scale. 25.5" scale length.
Last edited by Jabberwocky; 08-09-2017 at 04:02 PM.
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Gary, You are so right bud. Originally Posted by GNAPPI
As some of you may know, I absolutely LOVE my Johnny Smith. I would make love to it if I could only get those damn F-Holes to stretch a little..
I cycle out my guitars so I play them all, equally. 2 weeks ago I was playing the JS, every day. At the end of the week, with a smile on my face I put my Johnny back in the display case and said, "You are the best. I'll see you in a week".. Then last week, I played my Tal all week. Nirvana..
Last night, I cycled back to my JS. I swear to you guys. It was like I was playing this dead guitar. At 1st I was so disappointed. Then, I began to feel it again. 2 hours later I was back in love again with my Johnny.
Bottom line is.. I am lucky to have such great guitars. But if all I had was a Tal Farlow, I'd be fortunate and that is the only guitar I'd ever really need.
But the funny thing is.. Loving my Tal and getting back loving my Johnny made me think... Jeeze, I really miss having an L5 Wes.. And Oh boy, how cool would it be to have a D'Angelico New Yorker with a cutaway.
I hope that helped. What I am trying to say is.. You could be very happy with the Tal. But you will always want what you really always wanted.
Joe D
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350T, jmo.
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Tal no question. The 22 frets on the 90's 350T made the neck feel very long. I have owned both. The Tal sounds way better IMO. Now if you are talking the plywood Byrdland spec 350T than we are talking apples and oranges.
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Curious that... I wouldn't need them to stretch at all... DAMN, now EVERYONE knows :-) Originally Posted by Max405
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Originally Posted by Rhythmisking
Rockabilly?
Gretsch 6120...just sayin...
Rhythmisking, I was prepared for receiving the Gretsch recommendation. I tried hard but for my hands unfortunately this is the least playable guitar on the planet. The lord must have build it for lille dwarf hands. Other than that great sounding guitars especially w. the D'Armond pickups. But no option for me at all. THX for the pointer though
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Well I wish it was that easy. I would have to sell my 1971 ES 335 TDW to finance my new acquisition. My pristine condition 335 looks almost like factory new w/o dings and dongs, almost untouched and extremely well well cared. Not sure if I can advertise it for sale or trade in this group. Originally Posted by citizenk74
What an enviable position you find yourself in! Two very cool guitars to choose from... what to do?
Yes CB played a 350T too. Thanks Originally Posted by citizenk74
On the other hand, a 350T would be great. Didn't Chuck Berry play one prior to the ES-355? I'm sure you would be happy with either one. I know I would be. Good luck with your decision.
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The band and I are very stubborn old school. Originally Posted by jazzbow
nu skool
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Yes, that's the guitar I was falsely naming as L5 in one of my posts above. A friend has got one of those 50ies original w. a flame that would blind you instantly. I'll have to borrow it for an evening to see if it works fine for me. I remember having played it a couple of times in his home and it always sounded unexpectedly dull unplugged. But I always blamed it on his extremely acidious hands that would kill strings in no time. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
Neither.
Gibson ES5 Reissue with P90s or Alnico V Staples. It is a Gibson and it is in the same price bracket as the TF and ES-350 Reissue with the long scale. 25.5" scale length.
Thanks for the pointer. I wasn't aware they're still producing them. Actually my dream guitar would be a blonde long scale 350T w. only 2 P90. I don't like the middle pickup concept as I tend to hit the middle pickup w. the plek or the thumb pick. I saw it being offered from some japaneese dealer but that's way out of my price range. Like I said, I would have to sell my 335 first to raise the funds
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So that's probably because of the thicker body I guess? Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
So the TF is a solid top vs. plywood on the 350? Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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You could find the Gibson Custom Shop Nashville ES5 Reissue with P90s used in Antique Sunburst or Wine Red for under $2800 on ebay in 2010 to 2012. Scour Reverb or ebay or ã?ã??ã?¸ã??ã?¼ã??ã??楽å?¨ã¨é ?³æ¥½æ©?æå°?é??ã®æ¤?ç´¢ï¼ ?ç·å?æ??å ±ã?µã?¤ã??.
The Custom Shop version with the Alnico Vs cost about $600 more than the P90s.
I have a 2002 ES5N Switchmaster with Classic 57s that I paid $3700 for as a used guitar in 2012. I know what you mean by the middle pickup that gets in your way. The middle humbucker can be lowered. The P90 can't. Adapt as you must. Have it removed and store it away for future resale value. You may have a plate made to cover the hole or leave it as it is.
You could also look into the non-cutaway 17" ES-150 (not the Double Cut) with a single P90. It has a 25.5" scale length. The first one is from 1949. The ones from 1950s have a bound fretboard and trapezoid inlays.
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If you like P90s, you could get a Tal Farlow and switch the humbuckers out for P90s housed in humbucker casings. They won't sound exactly the same as a dogearred P90 but close enough.
Used TFs could be found asking for between $2495 and $2795 in 2010 to 2012. The asking price has gone up recently to $3495 at my favourite reliable used dealer.
Tal Farlow '10 - Dave's Guitar Shop
Tal Farlow '94 - Dave's Guitar Shop
Note the tighter waist of the '94 TF.Last edited by Jabberwocky; 08-10-2017 at 03:03 AM.
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Interesting guitars. Good to know Gibson is still sending out those.
Yes, that's exactly what I'm intending to do. I wind my own pickups but I would try to have the orig. P90 design on mounts tall enough not to have me necessarily enlarging the original holes in the top. P90ish pickups hidden under humbucker caps would be the other option. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
Interesting observation of the waist. So all TF prior to 94 have a wider waist? Thought they were all externally clones of the L5. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
As for the TF at Dave's I have to consider tax and customs when shipping to Germany. I'm also a bit hesitant as the foogin' German customs go wild w. CITES documentation. A real hassle. I have an option getting a 1997 TF flamed sb locally at appx. the same price as it would add up when shipping in a TF from the Staates.
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