Would you rather... '50 ES350N or newer L5CT?

[Steve Z]

So, I don't have the cash for either... but if one had money to spend, which would you prefer... The ES350 is advertised at $9,000. I assume L5CTs (if they can be found) sell for about the same.

I tend to prefer the ES350N, though my daughter likes the sunburst better.

1950 ES350N or 2013 L5CT

[Rob MacKillop]

The views of daughters always win…in my house at least. I’d be happy with either.

[telephone]

Just my opinion. I’d take the 350 all day long over the L-5. In fact, I did just that about a year ago.

Where is the 350 listed?

[Steve Z]

Just my opinion. I’d take the 350 all day long over the L-5. In fact, I did just that about a year ago.

Where is the 350 listed?

Gruhn’s Guitars. I recently traded some guitars neither my daughter nor I played much and a ton of cash for a ‘39 L5N from Gruhn’s so I’m hoping to stop by sometime and play the ES 350. I imagine the guitar is “upstairs” at Gruhn’s though I could be wrong.

[hotpepper01]

Difficult to choose. Depends on what you are going to use it for..They are very different animals, so I believe. Looks like the 350 still has the small frets on what could be a Brazilian rosewood board. I had a 50s L4 with that kind of fretboard. Played and sounded great, but didnt work for me in a bigband, it was just to prone to feedback. I have a L5CT Hutch though and some other stuff. The CT is very comfortable to play when sitting down.

[Dennis D]

Difficult to choose. Depends on what you are going to use it for..They are very different animals, so I believe. Looks like the 350 still has the small frets on what could be a Brazilian rosewood board. I had a 50s L4 with that kind of fretboard. Played and sounded great, but didnt work for me in a bigband, it was just to prone to feedback. I have a L5CT Hutch though and some other stuff. The CT is very comfortable to play when sitting down.

Which would weigh less ?

Thx

[Steve Z]

Difficult to choose. Depends on what you are going to use it for...

Any guitar for me is just to have… just a guy who likes to play around at home on nice guitars.

[omphalopsychos]

Depends on the use case. If it's something to play quietly at home I bet the 350 is more rewarding. For gigs, the CT might be more practical.

[John A.]

In the abstract, I'd be more interested in the L5CT. 17" bout + 3 1/2" depth is a bit too much more me, and I already have a laminated top guitar. I've played L5 CES's, Studios, and Wes Mo's and really love the sound (though not the size), and it would be cool to have that i a more comfortable form factor. But I'd have to try both to be sure (I've only heard recordings of a 350, but love what I've heard).

[Woody Sound]

Super difficult decision! There are different pros and cons to both.

[Woody Sound]

The 70s/80's 350T kinda bridges the gap between the two. Thinner body, lamin top, regular scale, buckers. I think DutchB used one for a while.

[Cunamara]

Es-350 without a doubt for me. The most classic of classic jazz guitar sounds IMHO.

[Woody Sound]

The 70s/80's 350T kinda bridges the gap between the two. Thinner body, lamin top, regular scale, buckers. I think DutchB used one for a while.

Speaking of Dutch, he hasn't been around of late. I hope he's ok.

[grahambop]

Speaking of Dutch, he hasn't been around of late. I hope he's ok.

He decided to leave the forum for various reasons. He still posts videos regularly on his youtube channel (most recently on his ES350) so as far as I know, he’s ok.

[Steve Z]

So, I went and played the ES350…
Gorgeous finish, fantastic neck (for what I like)…

Unfortunately, the guitar did not “wow” me at $9,000. It could be I am more into the acoustic tone and feel of my L5. Also, the tiny strings (10s perhaps?) were the wrong strings for that guitar.

I did play a wonder Guild Artist at Gruhn’s All in all a good guitar day.

[jads57]

Not difficult for me the newer L-5CT. Much easier to manage and no 60 cycle hum!