Standard Eagle vs Gibson Tal Farlow

**lawson-stone** · 03-09-2019, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by joe2758

im trying to find an alternative guitar to my 175. im trying to decide if i want a similar sound to what i already get (which i love), or go with the eagle for a bigger difference in sound. i’ve basically narrowed down my search to these... so im not just blindly poking around in tthe dark

You might also consider a laminated L5ces type of guitar, like the Matsumoku made variants on the Aria Pro II PE180. As you know, I have one, and also had an Epiphone Elitist Broadway and an L5ces. The Epiphone was so much like the L5 it was amazing; but I had to sell one of the copies. I sold the Epi because I just love the tone and feel of the Matsumoku instrument. I think of it somewhat like the Tal or the ES350 though honestly I've not played them, but that guitar has a big guitar feel and sound, but with the laminated thunk and snurly tone.

**Gitfiddler** · 03-09-2019, 03:57 PM

I love Heritage archtops, but given the specific model comparison of an Eagle vs. Tal Farlow???

Tal would be my choice in a heartbeat!

**don_oz** · 03-09-2019, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by joe2758

im trying to find an alternative guitar to my 175. im trying to decide if i want a similar sound to what i already get (which i love), or go with the eagle for a bigger difference in sound. i’ve basically narrowed down my search to these... so im not just blindly poking around in tthe dark

Well, the bigger difference in sound imo would be having a floating pick up with the eagle, wouldn't it?

EDIT: this one's a beaut. Heritage Golden Eagle 1996 Natural with Hardshell Case | Reverb

**joe2758** · 03-12-2019, 11:36 AM

Listen to this bullshit: the even though the tal is made in the custom shop, it's not in the custom line...therefore I can't get the financing I need. dammit!!!

**ESCC** · 03-12-2019, 12:56 PM

If you have a 175 I think the Eagle would be a good alternative. I have a 175 and an Eastman AR910ce, I tend to prefer playing the lighter hand carved guitar, they sound different, play different and I thoroughly enjoy them both - but thats just my opinion.

**Gustavo Eiriz** · 09-06-2025, 11:44 PM

This is a great example of how tonewood affects tone.
Tal farlow is basically a laminated L-5. I didnt like it compared to an L-5. The solid carved wood makes a whole lotta difference in the amplified tone.
I would go for the Eagle since i like solid spruce.

**joe2758** · 09-07-2025, 09:25 PM

I got the Eagle last year if anyone is wondering haha (since this thread is from 6 years ago.) I apparently had to think about it hard lol

**Sleeko** · 09-07-2025, 11:22 PM

The Tal in Viceroy Brown. It's like a nice Creme Brulee desert. And I'm a visual kind of guy lol.

Standard Eagle vs Gibson Tal Farlow-img_0631-jpeg

**Rickco** · 09-08-2025, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by joe2758

I got the Eagle last year if anyone is wondering haha (since this thread is from 6 years ago.) I apparently had to think about it hard lol

Is it what you were hoping for Acoustcally etc?

**joe2758** · 09-08-2025, 12:55 PM

It's just about perfect, with just one flaw.

The fattest strings that can fit into the tail piece are 12 gauge. I have no idea why they would do that. I even had to cut part of the fabric winding off to make them fit. My tone would be much better with heavy strings because my attack is so heavy, but now I have an excuse to make sure I ease up.

It also sounds a lot better with finger style, with a heavy pick sometimes it can sound sort of strummy

**FredH** · 09-09-2025, 04:49 PM

I reacted the same way. Very different instruments. Solid Spruce vs ply maple? IMO, too different to compare.

**Gustavo Eiriz** · 09-10-2025, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by FredH

I reacted the same way. Very different instruments. Solid Spruce vs ply maple? IMO, too different to compare.

Well, they are not that different in specs (thats what i thought), same scale lenght, and box dimensions. The common sense is that the pickups dont hear the resonance, i am not sure about it really, but the resonance of different woods affects the amplified tone, sure it affect attack and sustain and feedback. My experience comparing even same wood specs and box dimmension is that heavier boxes like l-5 sounds amazing amplified, while the same box dimensions and wood specs and same pickups sounds different if the resonance is different: more resonant guitar sounded thinner amplified and louder acoustically.

**jzucker** · 09-19-2025, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Gustavo Eiriz

Well, they are not that different in specs (thats what i thought), same scale lenght, and box dimensions. The common sense is that the pickups dont hear the resonance, i am not sure about it really, but the resonance of different woods affects the amplified tone, sure it affect attack and sustain and feedback. My experience comparing even same wood specs and box dimmension is that heavier boxes like l-5 sounds amazing amplified, while the same box dimensions and wood specs and same pickups sounds different if the resonance is different: more resonant guitar sounded thinner amplified and louder acoustically.

they sound VERY different through an amp or acoustically. A better comparison would be a Tal vs an H550 but they also sound very different due to the kerfed bracing on the H550. If the tops didn't make any difference, just play a les paul.

**joe2758** · 09-19-2025, 10:44 AM

Just to quote myself real quick:

"im trying to find an alternative guitar to my 175. im trying to decide if i want a similar sound to what i already get (which i love), or go with the eagle for a bigger difference in sound. i’ve basically narrowed down my search to these"