Topic: Guitars

[GhostRider]

Howdy:

Do any of you out there have, or have played any of the Gibson LG series guitars. The LG 0 and LG 1 are supposed to be ladder-braced whereas the LG 2 and LG 3 models are X-braced (LG2=sunburst, LG3=natural finish). 1947-1963 (the LG 0 lasted a bit longer).

All were mahogany back and sides, spruce top, short (24.75") scale 14 frets clear. Small-bodied.

These show up regularly on eBay, the X-braced models going for $700+, the ladder-braced ones for less.

I just wondered how they sounded and the sound difference between the X- and ladder-braced models. Does our resident ladder-bracing expert Mr. Cambio have an opinion?

Any info/opinions any of you have would be much appreciated.

Took all my money, put me on a bum,
Alex

[waxwing]

I've played a few of the ladder braced variety and they definitely had that sound, and one or two were very good sounding. The problem for me was that they tend to have a relatively narrow nut width, but then I like 'em very wide, like 1 7/8". These are probably in the 1 11/16 neighborhood, and the earliest ones would be the widest of the bunch. Like most Gibsons, you've got to take each individual on it's own terms.

How do you describe that sound? Well, fat, maybe, with far less overtones. To me you really hear the wood more than the strings. Does that make sense? I know that when I heard Elijah Wald warming up before his book signing at City Lights, I whispered to Gre that I thought he was playing a Stella. Turned out it was a Kalamazoo. He ain't half bad, either.

All for now.
John C.

[Cambio]

My new favorite description of the sound of ladder braced guitars is "a sinewy punch", that's what I'm shooting for anyway.  Some of the older guitars have a really dry tone to them, that may come with age, as the pitch pockets dry out.  I thinks it's hard to generalize the difference in the sound though because there are so many other variabilities; body size, scale length, woods, etc.  Another cool thing about some of the old ladder braced guitars is that they used lots of domestic woods that the fancier makers wouldn't (and still won't) use, like birch, oak and cherry.  I've been having a lot of luck with white oak lately.  It has a more vibrant, snappier sound than mahogany.
Expert my arse!

[ozrkreb]

Pyrochlore:
I've got a Gibson LG-0 made in 1959. It was given to me by my grandfather (who bought it new) but I didn't play it much because the action was high and it just wasn't comfortable. I finally decided to take it to a luthier and see how much it would cost to get it into playing condition....$100 was all it took to get it playing like a dream. I've been kicking myself for letting this thing lay around for all those years unplayed. It's gotten a heck of a workout the past 2 months though.

It's ladder braced and has a nice sound to it....although I'm one of the people that believes that a vast majority of the sound comes from the player rather than the guitar. It sure does sound good to me though. I can't comment on how it sounds relative to the X-braced LG2 and LG3. As you mentioned, I see them occasionally on ebay...most of the time they are very reasonably priced. There's a couple of them hanging in a music shop in downtown Sedalia, Mo right now...at least there was the last time I was there.

Az

[waxwing]

"a sinewy punch" Yeah, I like that, Todd. Sounds like a good goal. Really lookin' forward to hearing Paul G's 12.

Alex, if you're lookin' for a relatively inexpensive way to get that ladder-braced sound, LG-0s and 1s are probably your best bet. I've seen real beaters, that need a neck reset, for under $200. Those in good condition, needing only a little set-up work, say $5-600 or less. I haven't looked for them on ebay, but they could be under rated there, if you're confident of knowing the condition (i.e. honest communication from the seller). Like I said, nut width (and neck thickness, really) is my problem with most post war guitars, until you get into the "reissues".

Wasn't Ari playing an LG- at PT two summers ago?

All for now.
John C.

[waxwing]

Just went down to Gary's shop to see how the little Stella was coming along. It's in line for a fret Plek and should be done in a few days. While I was there I scoped out what was hangin' in Real Guitars, which is the vintage/used shop in front. And what do ya know, there's a '67 LG-0, in very good condition. Action was great, and it sounded fine, but by that late date, the nut had shrunk to 1 5/8". I could hardly play it. They were asking $699 but they do have pretty high overhead there and their prices are usually high, but also negotiable. But 1 5/8"?? Actually, almost every time I go in there's another LG- or two and they seem to move pretty fast.
All for now.
John C.

[onewent]

...waxwing, yes, Ari played a 50's (I think) LG1 for a number of years, until, about a year and a half ago he bought a black, 30's vintage 14 fret L-00 ... he used to take both his LG and his J-45 to shows for the range of sound he needed, but told me last night on the phone that he's retired his J-45 because the L-00 can handle the sound of both the LG and J

Regarding the ladder-braced sound quest:  other ideas are a Kalamazoo, and some of the  all birch OS concert sized guitars fit the under $1000 bill nicely ... I think Neal Harpe had a nice little Galiano, all birch, for about $750 recently

[dabluz]

twocrows
before you're done in your search, especially if your ater an "EC" style guitar, check out a Sega instruments BR-163 (blueridge)

thi is a made in china american company and before your go poo hoo check it out. this is their top of the line guitar and features solid brazilian rosewood back and sides with .110 engleman spruce top. reatils for about 1500 but can be had for 1000. it's a beautiful guitar. inlayed bindings in ivroid and abalone. awesome looking. definate knock off of a martin EC. the one i have sounds great. can't beat the amount of guitar for the price. inlayed up the ying yang beautiful wood.the photo is poor but the guitar is beautiful an plays really well. if you would like a better picture let me know and i'll take a better photo

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