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I love the F-holes on a LeGrand. Classy.
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05-30-2020 04:28 PM
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The Deacon mentioned 16.5" because I told him mine were; however, I have on very rare occasions been wrong about something, perhaps last in 1964.
Originally Posted by AKA
With that in mind I "reached out" (I hate that phrase!) to the buyers of my two LeGrands. One has responded and told me that his is in fact 17."
So I take the blame for any confusion here, unless the other one turns out to be 16.5"
Danny W.
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My LeGrand is from 2001. It is built as an acoustic but has a BJB pickup. It has a thin top. I have several cross braced Heritages that have similar thin tops as does my L-5P. My Guild X-700, Super Kenny Burrell, and my Super 400 all have thicker tops and are parallel braced.
The LeGrand is 20.25" long and a hair narrower than 17". It is about 3" deep.
The L-5 is bigger and feels it.
It's hard to be wanting with any of these.
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Hi AKA, that really is an amazingly beautiful guitar. What I am learning is, if you are gonna pay more for a guitar, it should be more beautiful. Because the differences between the high end stuff and the mid range stuff is miniscule in terms of sound and playability. The LeGrand really is a perfectly appointed guitar. If I had half a brain, I’d listen to QAMan and make the Legrand the focal point of my lineup. And then, work down from there. Originally Posted by AKA
Deacon, it all comes down to what you want this guitar to be. You already have the best of the best. If you want another great one, and you want it to be a more modern guitar, the LeGrand would be the one.
JD
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For years I had a love-hate relationship with my '69 Johnny Smith. Gorgeous guitar, but as a player it was crap. Horrible neck, maybe unseasoned wood. I'm sure it was an anomaly, or maybe the original owner didn't store it properly. Sold it to someone over in Germany with full disclosure, never regretted it. But the guy was thrilled with it, even though you could shoot an arrow from that neck.
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In my experience the GJS has a wider, flatter feel than that of an L5, or Legrand. Additionally, the flatter wide frets ( depending on year) can also exacerbate playing discomfort. What I did admire about the GJS was the solid neck extension , matched by the interior block which provides beautiful bell like clarity and sustain to the very last fret.
But only those that play in this territory will benefit.
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I LIKE the wider flatter neck. I'm talking about a real BOW. That's why I think either the wood wasn't aged enough or the original buyer didn't take care of the guitar. It was left on its own in a closet when he went off to Nam. Obviously cannot fault him at all given the circumstances. He came back and didn't want to play anymore.
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I have played a few Gibson Johnny Smith models from various years and can say two things about them:
1. They vary quite a bit (As every piece of wood is different, that is true of any guitar, but the differences I have experienced with this model is pretty striking).
2. These are electric guitars first and foremost. I feel the same way about the one Heritage Johnny Smith that I have played. As I prefer an electric guitar with a built in humbucker, I would choose an L-5 over a Johnny Smith. Which probably explains why I have never owned a Johnny Smith. And if I wanted a more acoustic archtop, an L-5C would be my choice in a Gibson.
I have never played a LeGrand. Reading this thread informs me that like it's predecessor, this model varies quite a bit too. I would want to play one of these before I bought it for sure.
@ Deacon Mark: Go for an L-5, a perfect companion guitar to your Super 400 (and IMO, a better long term "investment").
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IMO the legrand would fit you very well. It will meet and exceed your playing, sound and aesthetic requirements. It's a very responsive guitar. You seem to play with a light touch, you can get a lot of "pop" even with a light touch. Originally Posted by Max405
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Vinny, Steve is right. This Steve too! When QAMan sold his L5P, I regretted not jumping on it when I had the opportunity. When I saw yours, I was on it quicker than a bolt of lightening! And I was right to do it. Everything about this guitar is right. It plays like magic. And, you did make a lifelong friend. Thank you brother! I'm a lucky man. And I will forever remember your hospitality, letting me play every one of your guitars. That Campellone is off the charts! I can't imagine the new one. We sure had fun, and it was a long day for me. Started out in Seattle, spent the day with you, flew home with the new guitar, carry-on! I was so concerned they wouldn't let me on with it that I upgraded to 1st. Felt like a child at Christmas with that thing! Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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Agreed. Given the cost I would want to play any expensive carved acoustic archtop before I bought it - including D’Angelico’s. Originally Posted by Stringswinger
I recommend that Deacon Mark, or anyone seeking a Gibson high-end archtop, consider the LeGrand as among Gibson’s best offerings. If mine is indicative of other LeGrands, they are comparable to the outstanding work of other great contemporary luthiers.
Albert
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Originally Posted by Stringswinger
I never expected to disagree with you, but I find the LeGrand and the Heritages with floating pickups for the most part to be acoustic instruments in construction. The thinness of the tops and the bracing suggest that. They sacrifice with their frailty for that acoustic responsiveness.
The Gibsons, Guilds, and Heritages I've played with mounted pickups have heavier tops. They sound and play great but are definitely different animals.
My two cents, Marc.
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You are not actually disagreeing with me Mark. You are presenting a different experience. As I posted, I have never played a LeGrand and the only Heritage Johnny Smith I played was as quiet as an ES-175. I have played other Heritage archtops that were acoustic guitars to be sure. I gather that the LeGrand is a fine acoustic guitar and suppose that some other Heritage Johnny Smith guitars are quite "acoustic". I have played about a dozen different Gibson Johnny Smiths. None were particularly acoustic compared to say, an Artist Award or genuine DA or vintage Epi. Perhaps some examples of that model are more acoustic and I just have not played one?
My experience so far keeps me in the L-5 camp, electric or acoustic. But I would love to be proven wrong by playing the right guitar
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Current Reverb asking prices range between $7500-11,800. Of course, these are asking prices and subject to negotiation where a “make an offer “ option is listed.
Unfortunately- the Reverb “sold prices” are not truly indicative of the actual selling price.
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Our forum member Jabberwocky usually has some keen insight into current market valuations - so you may want to send him a PM.
I purchased mine a few years ago and asking prices have gone up since then. I don’t like disclosing my purchase prices on an open forum, but others might.
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Originally Posted by buduranus2
I have a Triggs arch top in Wes Montgomery fashion. When I asked Jim to build for me, I stated I wanted a Wes Montgomery but didn’t trust Gibsons quality and couldn’t afford an older one when quality wouldn’t be a big concern. It’s a great guitar.
Then a few years ago I decided I wanted an acoustic archtop, with a pick guard mounted pickup and for this guitar I commissioned Ted Megas. As much as I love the Triggs guitar, the megas guitar is far above.
I recommend considering a custom from Ted Megas. I think it was Jan 2023 that I commissioned Megas, and this guitar was 7500. It’s not a very ornate guitar, but the woods he used are fantastic. I realize fantastic is subjective but so is AA vs AAAA gradings.
Both luthiers are very easy to deal with and both did as they said re starting time, progress updates and photos, etc. My only negative about Triggs is that he sources out a good bit of the work - finishing was done by someone else, the electronics were done by someone else, an inlaid initial in the fretboard was done elsewhere, whereas Megas built everything himself, except the tuners, pickup and electronic pieces. He crafted the metal base for the tailpiece and he carved the tailpiece himself too.
Either luthier will make an excellent instrument for you and probably save you some cash.
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I’ve played a couple over the years….the first(mid 90’s and unplugged) was the holy grail of acoustic tone for me. The 2nd (late 90’s) had some similarities to the first, but not quite there. A/B’ing it with my other instruments, I prefer the tone of my Triumphs which I had set up the same way or even the Ibanez 2471 (L5 clone). When Gibson gets it right, they define what ‘right’ is…..the rest of the time there’s a much less expensive way to get great tone.
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Ted Megas builds a great guitar I and one of the few boutique guitars I would consider owning. His guitars have excellent look, feel, and wood he manages to do it all. He is not on the top of everyone's list as a archtop maker but he did the Blue Guitars and is one of the finest. Originally Posted by Morgus
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I have very much admired your playing and quality of your videos and have listened very closely to your guitars played by an accomplished player, so far my favorite for sound (yeah i get its utube) are the vids with the Golden Eagle which I might point out are about 1/2 the cost used of a LeGrande, Since both guitars will sound different depending on each particular example Im not sure I understand why the LeGrande gets such attachment when its been pointed out that none of these vaunted models are consistent in sound or build quality, and yes Ive owned and played them but I dont play like JD so not sure I would be getting all the box was capable of giving...just sayin Originally Posted by Max405
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