Poll Decides: Which Archtop to play tonight?

[Paulie2]

Can't decide myself, leaving it up to you guys (though in full disclosure I voted for the L-5). I have a 2 hour solo guitar gig, bringing one guitar to play through my DV Mark Jazz.

[garybaldy]

Leave them at home at take your ibby af55.

[citizenk74]

An enviable position to be in! Just from the standpoint of (God forbid) replacement, I'd go with the L-5CES.

Also, L5-CES!

[grahambop]

Depends on the venue I guess.

[Paulie2]

Depends on the venue I guess.

Ha fair point. Unfortunately no Good ole Boys, no country, and no western. Playing cocktail event at an upscale space, so no worries on any of the gear surviving.

[Paulie2]

L5 opening up a commanding lead. I thought that would be the case, but I assumed the L7 and the Trenier might give it a run for the money.

Very, VERY fortunate to be in a place to choose from these fine instruments. Lots of years of hard work, gigs, trades, teaching, sales, etc to get to this spot. Any of these guitars would be great and up to the task.

[Jonah]

If you need to decide this way... you have too many (too good) guitars)))

[deacon Mark]

No brainer I have a jazz guitar gig and I pull out my L5.

[pingu]

i vote the L7 .... cos it looks the best

[bluejaybill]

If the Trenier has an airier more acoustic sound I would pick that for a solo gig, since there is probably not going to be a feedback problem.

L5 for a group gig.

All bets off if you don't play them equally well!

[Mark M.]

Your Trenier looks like it came from about the time as mine. Mine is #1058. What is yours?

[FredH]

So I have the same issue to consider in about two weeks.
Choices: 71 Gibson L7 C with a Lollar floater or a 74 Gibson Johnny Smith with the standard floater.
Solo guitar, quick 1 hr gig, after dinner entertainment at a church meeting. Probably will run it through a newly purchased Bud 10 - if it arrives in time.
At this point, leaning to the L7 because its incredibly light, has a quick neck, and an acceptable sound with the Lollar. But the JS has a richer, warmer sound. It will be interesting to hear how each sounds through a Bud 10
shreddin

[Christian Miller]

What are these grandpa guitars? Why they are all brown? How can you play with only six strings?

Sell them and get a Strandberg.

[Woody Sound]

I guess it depends on how large a place and how loud you will need to play. Is that an original McCarty? The knobs are different.

[Paulie2]

I guess it depends on how large a place and how loud you will need to play. Is that an original McCarty? The knobs are different.

It is not, repro McCarty with a Lollar pickup.

[Greentone]

FWIW, the sunburst L5-CES is worth automatic jazz guitarist cred as soon as you pull it out of the case. People simply assume that you belong at the gig when they see it.

[citizenk74]

If you need to decide this way... you have too many (too good) guitars)))

"Too many" and "guitars" in a sentence. Does not compute! Danger, Will Robinson!

[Paulie2]

Your Trenier looks like it came from about the time as mine. Mine is #1058. What is yours?

Hard to make out, but it appears that it is either #1027 or #1037. I couldn't really get a better view of it. He calls it a "Broadway Custom" on the handwriting on the top.

I messaged Bryant and he confirmed it was a one off custom build for a customer compelted in 2006.

[Paulie2]

Democracy wins, L-5CES was on the gig last night. Here's some proof:

[bluejaybill]

FWIW, the sunburst L5-CES is worth automatic jazz guitarist cred as soon as you pull it out of the case. People simply assume that you belong at the gig when they see it.

I would doubt that he would have any problem with that Trenier either!

[bluejaybill]

Democracy wins, L-5CES was on the gig last night. Here's some proof:

Looks and I'm sure sounds great! Do you always gig with a backup guitar strap?

[JohanAbrandt]

No offense, but the clip on tuner kind of mess up the aesthetics…

[garybaldy]

Democracy wins, L-5CES was on the gig last night. Here's some proof:

That's a really beautiful guitar. Is the tuner safe on the nitro? I have felt pads on mine!

[wintermoon]

That's a really beautiful guitar. Is the tuner safe on the nitro? I have felt pads on mine!

I mentioned this before, but a friend has a beautiful 50s Gibson archtop and when visiting I asked him to take the snark off it's headstock and sure enough it left an impression in the lacquer.
I use headstock clip ons at home but they go on and come right off.

[Paulie2]

No offense, but the clip on tuner kind of mess up the aesthetics…

Ha fair enough. I thought to grab a pic last minute before I started and didn't think of the tuner aesthetics. Some people might be into a royal blue snark look, I'm not really one myself. But at least I was in tune!