Loar LH-309

**ruger9** · 10-26-2023, 02:52 PM

After many years of wanting a proper archtop, but being primarily an electric (rock/blues/country) type player, I didn't have the disposable cash for a guitar I wouldn't be playing alot. Now I have that cash, so...

I decided on the Loar LH-309 over the Godin 5th Ave. Kingpin, mostly because I have played the Godin and found it's acoustic tone... not quite what I thought I would hear, it sounded kinda flattop-ish to me. So I figured I'd take a chance with the Loar, worst case I return it and try the Godin again.

It arrived today, I put some TI 12 Flats on it. I like it. Obviously it's not a $2000+ guitar, but it sounds good and plays well, certainly well enough for the price. No problems in the finish or frets, but it did have some of Loar's notorious QC issues...

- chip out of the nut next to the low E string
- truss rod screw only halfway in, maybe it was just an oversight, but I wasn't going to try to screw it all the way in because...
-high E tuner is defective. It tunes, but every rotation it catches and "pops", leaving the string flat. You can it there eventually, but obviously defective.

So I'm sending it back. The neck is huge, between the thick V profile and 1-3/4" nut, it's not something I could play ALOT, I don't think. But the Godin's neck was pretty big too, if I remember correctly. It's something I'd be willing to live with awhile, and see if I could get used to it. Did the vintage ES-125's have huge V necks and 1-3/4" nuts too?

So I'll send it back (to Sweetwater) for a replacement (so much for their "55-point inspection" LOL), I'm willing to try another one. But only one more. I'm not spending too much time playing guitar tag with Sweetwater.

I wish I was willing to just spend the dough on an Archtop Tribute ES-150 copy, but I'm just not... not yet anyway... but with a 1-11/16" nut, and IDK what the neck profile is but if it was smaller than Loar's and Godin's, that would be perfect for my hands, and I'd no doubt play it more. Maybe end up there someday... if they are even still available then...

Ongoing...

**RJVB** · 10-26-2023, 05:48 PM

If you like this Loar but not so much the neck, keep your eyes peeled for an LH650 or it's cheaper sibling the LH350 (laminate B&S). You seem to attach importance to the acoustic sound, and these have floating PUs with a single pot in the pickguard so the top can play its acoustic function unhindered. And the have a modern neck, contrary to the non-cut LH600 and LH700.

**Alder Statesman** · 10-26-2023, 08:20 PM

Sorry that one was not for you.

the search continues.

**ruger9** · 10-26-2023, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by RJVB

If you like this Loar but not so much the neck, keep your eyes peeled for an LH650 or it's cheaper sibling the LH350 (laminate B&S). You seem to attach importance to the acoustic sound, and these have floating PUs with a single pot in the pickguard so the top can play its acoustic function unhindered. And the have a modern neck, contrary to the non-cut LH600 and LH700.

Well, I'm not looking for an acoustic archtop. My "dream" is to find a P90 archtop that has a "pretty good" sound unplugged. Plugged in, if it's got a P90 it can sound very good, amps have EQs, etc. Heck P90s can even be upgraded. I was hoping for a cool archtop to play on the couch/on the patio, but was fully capable of being plugged in for THAT tone as well.

**John A.** · 10-27-2023, 08:52 AM

I went through a similar search several years ago. Honestly, among all the 125-ish guitars I tried the Godin Kingpin had the best unplugged sound. Another one that’s quite nice is the Eastman ar405, but I doubt you’ll fine one under $500.

The next level up in terms of acoustic quality would be guitars with either laminated or pressed spruce tops and a floating pickup. You could probably find one of the D’Angelico Premier models in your price range. Those will sound good plugged in, but not really like a 125.