Some vintage guitars I played today

[Dutchbopper]

I wanted to check out some new guitars that a friend had bought so I went to his place. It was actually too much of a good thing. I mean, it's great to play a fantastic guitar but to play 10 of them is a bit ... well ... you know, too much. You should spend a few hours with every single one of them.

First there was a late 40s Gibson ES 350. Very much like my own, only this one was sunburst. Then I played a 50s ES 175 that was standing next to it. A very responsive and lovely instrument. From there I went to a 1957 D' Angelico New Yorker. It was interesting to compare it with a 1979 D' Aquisto New Yorker. Both were outstanding and very much alike. The non cutaway Stromberg I played next was a 1951 one. I had played and demoed its cutaway brother from 1953 earlier last year but now there was a duo of them ... Then I played a Trenier Excel (superb guitar) and a Koentop Chicagoan. And then a blonde L5 CT with the most marvellous woods you can imagine, a blonde L5 LBJ, an Elferink Excalibur, a 1983 Johnny Smith and a 50s ES 350t with a lovely flamed top. Too much of a good thing. A total overfeed of great sounds and gorgeousness.

Here are some pics. Now you salivate ...

DB

[Archie]

Would love to know your top 5.

[Woody Sound]

OMG, my heart!

[EllenGtrGrl]

You may have been overwhelmed with the cool guitars, but lucky you!! Ooh! To play a late 40s or early 50s ES-350......

[Dutchbopper]

You may have been overwhelmed with the cool guitars, but lucky you!! Ooh! To play a late 40s or early 50s ES-350......

I own a 1952 blonde ES 350 Ellen.

DB

[Dutchbopper]

Would love to know your top 5.

Hard to compare them for they are all different beasts.

For the acoustics the D'Angelicos are hard to beat. However the 1979 d' Aquisto was very close. It combined the best of both worlds. Modern playability and that vintage sound.

The Strombergs do the Stromberg thing best.

Pffff .... They are all great guitars. The Trenier impressed me a lot too.

But for a good assessment I would need more time with each instrument.

DB

[kris]

Beautiful melody lines.
Great jazz sound.
Best
Kris

[lawson-stone]

I can't think of a better person to sample and truly appreciate these wonderful instruments. They would be wasted on many people, but I bet you thought of just the thing to play to sound out each one's character.

[Alter]

Daaaaaamn!!

[burchyk]

Uff what a collection... hope your friend is a truly great player and not just a hoarder keeping all those amazing instruments to themselves

[jads57]

Wow! Some spectacular guitars all in one place! For me it would be too much to own that many similar guitars. And though it seems like fun, I’ll bet it could become hard keeping them humidified, insured etc..

Glad someone keeps these beauties in top shape!

[wintermoon]

Nice. I'm pretty sure that blonde cutaway NYer was just purchased from Larry Wexer.
First impressions, was there a noticeable difference between the 2 NYers?
How about the 2 Strombergs?

[citizenk74]

Your friend has some very nice guitars. I congratulate you both!

[Cunamara]

Well, I was wondering why there are so few archtop guitars available for sale- your buddy has them all!

What a collection of gorgeous guitars. Hope you made a few videos (like comparing the D'Aquisto and the D'Angelico...), hint, hint.

[Paulie2]

Absolutely unreal. Did you play the Benedetto?

[skykomishone]

DB,
You are going to have wonderful dreams tonight!

[6v6ster]

Oh. My. Goodness. Holy smoking cow!
I can’t imagine.
just…wow…
!!!!!!

[AKA]

Daaaaaamn!!

What he said.

[Dutchbopper]

Nice. I'm pretty sure that blonde cutaway NYer was just purchased from Larry Wexer.
First impressions, was there a noticeable difference between the 2 NYers?
How about the 2 Strombergs?

I do not know that.

I did not play the two New Yorkers side by side unfortunately. I demoed the 1947 non cut last year so I left it on the wall this time. Would be great to play them both in a vid some day.

DB

[Dutchbopper]

Absolutely unreal. Did you play the Benedetto?

No. I do not know why. I was sitting and was handed the guitars and somehow the Benedetto did not make it.

DB

[Dutchbopper]

Well, I was wondering why there are so few archtop guitars available for sale- your buddy has them all!

What a collection of gorgeous guitars. Hope you made a few videos (like comparing the D'Aquisto and the D'Angelico...), hint, hint.

Yes, we are a planning a new video session. The question is which ones to feature. He has too many!!!!!!!!

DB

[QAman]

Would like to know your thoughts on the Koentopp.


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[Doctor Jeff]

Wow you have some good friends! (Or at least one good friend…)

I too am curious about humidity in storing these guitars. Having had a bad experience recently with a flattop, I am wondering whether hanging guitars from the neck is the best way to store these guitars, unless one can be sure the humidity is fairly constant during the seasons, I.e., 45-55%.

Our humidity inside right now is 30%. A small room humidifier doesn’t do much for increasing that. during the summer it’s about 50-60%.

Of course laminates are not prone to top issues, and archies less than flattops.

[laap45]

I too am curious about humidity in storing these guitars. Having had a bad experience recently with a flattop, I am wondering whether hanging guitars from the neck is the best way to store these guitars, unless one can be sure the humidity is fairly constant during the seasons, I.e., 45-55



they are kept at 45-50% humidity. Rarely goes below

[laap45]

Would like to know your thoughts on the Koentopp.


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here’s a video of the Koentopp

I love the sound when played through an amp. It is very warm, balanced, beautiful tone. Very good for melody. Less suited for rhythm, especially when played acoustic. Maybe not as versatile as the Trenier, but in itself a very good guitar.