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Dear jazzers,
Enclosed a new new video of mine where I am comparing these two great guitars:
Hope you'll enjoy the sound of them.
Best and take care.
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07-03-2022 01:03 PM
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Sweet, rich tone from both iconic instruments! Thank you!
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Now that was really something! Thank you for all of the effort!!
Super 400 for me.
But not by much. And both instruments sublime.
But it's not all about the guitar here. How about that player, too! Wow! The joy in that tune really comes through!
Thanks for the post!
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Super 400 CES vs. L-5 CES ?
My answer: Yes!
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Great playing as always. Thank you
Soundwise, they differ. I do believe that the ebony bridge of the 400 contributes largely to that difference. The L5 has the TOM bridge on.
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Which one? Well whatever I happen to pull out between the these.........................they work and sound magnificent. Fred, you playing is top notch and when you open a case and the one of these appears in the hands of the players.....a lot is expected. In my case more than I can deliver but I can fool some beginners. In your case everyone is just nods the head.
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I'm with Deacon. I've only got a laptop for the listening and my threadbare ears can't find a discernible difference in tone. But what I'm hearing is some insanely great and pleasurable playing. Thank you, Fred!
Last edited by Gitterbug; 07-03-2022 at 02:50 PM.
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I always enjoy your playing Fred! Very nicely put together and a really good comparison. Thanks!
(i kinda miss the old sock show though...bit of added entertainment...maybe too much of a distraction...)
I wonder if you have a stronger bond with one over the other, or if that changes from time to time? Does one 'feel' better to you? Or does that change as well? They both sound so right.
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I could be happy playing either instrument. However, the Super 400 would be my choice based on this video. It has a slightly rounder tone to my ears but is only discernible in a few passages. For a better comparison, each guitar should play identical lines where there are no differing tonalities base on neck position/chords, etc. Beautiful instruments.
Marinero
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They sound very much alike, and the slight difference could be from the different saddles as much as anything else. Great guitars very well played. Thanks for assembling and posting this.
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Excellent playing on excellent guitars!
I actually favored the L5, I thought it was a bit ‘clearer’?
Interesting because on the switch between them, they sure do sound alike.
Thank you!
jk
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Great playing.
I enjoyed it.
IMO the 400 has a slightly wider range in tone, i.e. more highs and lows than the L5 which has this well known tone with enhanced mids.
But nice tone of both.
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Frankly I found the S400 more balanced throughout. Yes less clarity but every note had the same rich tone. On the L5 you can hear the added treble on the high E and B. Either one is a winner.
Uptempo the L5, ballads the S400. Luckily Fred you have a axe for every type of song or situation. Sweet playing regardless…..V
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the Super sounds better because you bought the bridge from me
just kidding Fred, they both sound great, almost splitting hairs but I'm a little more partial to Supers anyway.
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There is nothing between the S400 and L5CES sonically, however the S400 is too large for my frame
so my choice would have to be the L5CES, both sound superlative in Fred's hands Bravo
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Dear Jazzers,
Thanks to all of you for your appraisal. As for me, the L5 is more kinda 'slap in your face'. So, yes, Vinny is true when he says the L5 for up tempos and the Super for ballads. I must say that the Super is becoming more and more my favorite among the CES I have.
Best to you.Last edited by Fred Archtop; 07-04-2022 at 12:45 AM.
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Dear Fred, I thoroughly enjoyed your video and your guitars. Your playing included.
I heard in your L5, a characteristic L5 tone that I hear in most L5's. And it's great.
In my L5, I changed the stock pickups (a 1981 model) because that characteristic tone was so exaggerated, it distracted me while playing, and it was uneven. It is much better now.
But your tone on both instruments is superb. Thank You, because now I know I made the right decision to change my pickups!
Just an outside bunch of thoughts!
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My man Fred,
Originally Posted by Fred Archtop
I must say, the thing that blows me away is the sound you get from both guitars picking them so close to the bridge. I make a conscious effort to pick as close to the neck pickup as I can. And I still don’t get the sweet sound that you get. You have such nice touch. You just have it, period.
The Super400 had slightly more air surrounding the notes. The L5 was extremely focused. Both sounded incredible. As c74 said, they had that rich iconic tone. Unmistakeable Gibson tone.
Only you Freddy, can put a video together like that. Thank you for your effort, and sharing your beautiful instruments and your talent.
Joe D
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I prefer the extra bit of midrange coming from L5. Both great!
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Sitting here in the early morning of July 4 with a cup of coffee listening to this. What a great way to begin the day. Great playing as always. IMO, the 400 seems to have a deeper, darker, warmer tone - but both are very very close. Thanks for sharing!
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Awesome playing, beautiful! I prefer the slightly darker sound of the 400. Were the vol and tone knobs set the same?
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yes, roughly. The output level of the L5 is higher than that of the Super, but I've equalized both volumes in the final mix. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
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I once had a lunch date with a beautiful single woman. And she brought along her best friend, another beautiful single woman. It was a blast. I felt like the luckiest guy in the world.
It feels kinda like that luncheon.
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We need pictures Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
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Dear Joey, thank you so much for your kind words. I wish I could have the strength you have in your hands, but I just don't have it. I have weak hands and, altough they probably contribute to my mellow sound, I would gladly change them with more punchy ones. Originally Posted by Max405
Best.
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