donnie Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 You'd think I'd easily know the answer to this but keep in mind I'm a late life beginner and don't play much acoustic anyway. In fact, my only two acoustics are Seagulls, so that oughta tell you something. Anyway, I'm just wondering if any of the Heritage hollow bodies have an acceptable acoustic sound and tone when they are not plugged in, such that you could do away with a regular acoustic and instead have a guitar that could do double-duty?
koula901 Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 That's a good question, I've wondered the same thing myself.
kbp810 Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 My 575 has a really nice acoustic tone, and I've often played it unplugged... but it's not quite as loud as my 445 acoustic. I know Big Bob has a custom pup-less 575, so that tells me the guitar must indeed be capable!
Patrick Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 Donnie . . . that's not at all a dumb question. Unfortunately, it's a question that only you can answer. If you were to strum a 17" Golden Eagle f hole acoustic arch top, with X bracing and tap tuned top and back . . . the acoustic tone, properties and projection would blow you away. But, it will never equal a good quality acoustic flat top. Only you will be able to decide if the acoustic arch top will be adequate to satisfy YOUR OWN need for an acoustic sounding guitar.
FredZepp Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 I know Big Bob has a custom pup-less 575, so that tells me the guitar must indeed be capable! Here it is...
FredZepp Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 I love to play my big Heritage archtop unplugged.. it is magic. An archtop with a spruce top would tend to be a bit warmer and project more maybe, but because of the large body , this has plenty of tone and the maple top keeps it well defined. While it sounds quite different from my Martin and other acoustics,it's great and I also have archtop acoustics that I really like.
big bob Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 Here it is... Just got back from band practice, sounds great acoustic, cuts right through the fog.. even better with a mic..
donnie Posted March 20, 2011 Author Posted March 20, 2011 Which guitar in the Heritage line then would be most adept at providing a pleasant acoustic tone and project the best? I would think a carved solid spruce top archtop with a floating pickup like the Sweet 16 perhaps? Or, what are your personal favorites at this?
drfie Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 Which guitar in the Heritage line then would be most adept at providing a pleasant acoustic tone and project the best? I would think a carved solid spruce top archtop with a floating pickup like the Sweet 16 perhaps? Or, what are your personal favorites at this? My spruce top eagle with standard, non-floating pup sounds good enough acoustically to me that I am seriously thinking of selling the 445 I got at the beginning of the year. dan
DetroitBlues Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 You'd think I'd easily know the answer to this but keep in mind I'm a late life beginner and don't play much acoustic anyway. In fact, my only two acoustics are Seagulls, so that oughta tell you something. Anyway, I'm just wondering if any of the Heritage hollow bodies have an acceptable acoustic sound and tone when they are not plugged in, such that you could do away with a regular acoustic and instead have a guitar that could do double-duty? Since the openess of the semi-hollow or hollow body is not the same as a full acoustic (unless of course you have a true archtop acoustic), it won't be as loud because those guitars are meant to be plugged in. There is not enough open space inside the guitar to resonate the sound/tone of a true accoustic unplugged. If you're looking for true acoustic sound when playing through an amp or pa, I'd suggest a Piezo or some other kind of acoustic guitar pickup with a semi/hollowbody electric guitar. But don't think you're going to pick up a H-535 and keep up with a Gibson SJ200 unplugged....
NoNameBand Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 Donnie . . . that's not at all a dumb question. Unfortunately, it's a question that only you can answer. If you were to strum a 17" Golden Eagle f hole acoustic arch top, with X bracing and tap tuned top and back . . . the acoustic tone, properties and projection would blow you away. But, it will never equal a good quality acoustic flat top. Only you will be able to decide if the acoustic arch top will be adequate to satisfy YOUR OWN need for an acoustic sounding guitar. It is too a dumb question, I can't believe you let him off the hook (kidding). The strings are going to have a lot to do with the final sound and the strings are different for both.
smurph1 Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 You'd think I'd easily know the answer to this but keep in mind I'm a late life beginner and don't play much acoustic anyway. In fact, my only two acoustics are Seagulls, so that oughta tell you something. Anyway, I'm just wondering if any of the Heritage hollow bodies have an acceptable acoustic sound and tone when they are not plugged in, such that you could do away with a regular acoustic and instead have a guitar that could do double-duty? Just wanted to throw this out there..i've played several Seagull guitars, and I liked em..My 2 cents..
DetroitBlues Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 I've considered Seagull's myself. Very interesting design perspective and I don't mind a Made In Canada label either. Next best thing to Made In USA.
donnie Posted March 21, 2011 Author Posted March 21, 2011 Just wanted to throw this out there..i've played several Seagull guitars, and I liked em..My 2 cents.. Oh I think they're just fine, especially when you factor in the money. I guess I was just looking for an excuse to feed my blooming Heritage addiction down the road...
donnie Posted March 21, 2011 Author Posted March 21, 2011 Again, I do like them and yes, MIC is certainly next best to MIA. It probably doesn't matter in the end anyway, because ever since last year when I saw John Leventhal backing Roseanne on the Today show on "Sea of Heartbreak" with his 00 sized Collings, I've been totally haunted by his tone. It sounded to me more "old Martin" than an old Martin.
smurph1 Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 Oh I think they're just fine, especially when you factor in the money. I guess I was just looking for an excuse to feed my blooming Heritage addiction down the road... I feel your pain Brother...
DetroitBlues Posted March 21, 2011 Posted March 21, 2011 Again, I do like them and yes, MIC is certainly next best to MIA. It probably doesn't matter in the end anyway, because ever since last year when I saw John Leventhal backing Roseanne on the Today show on "Sea of Heartbreak" with his 00 sized Collings, I've been totally haunted by his tone. It sounded to me more "old Martin" than an old Martin. I bought a 1971 Epiphone 12 string last summer for $25. Cheap guitar, nut was broken, its adjustable saddle was replaced by a stacked saddle, and its bolt on neck wasn't right. It was strung up like a six string, but I have to say its old, old wood had a great sound to it. I kept it for about three weeks deciding if its worth fixing up. Between a new nut, tuners, saddle, and missing binding, I decided to sell it after all for $125 on Ebay.... But it had great tone though. I agree that there is just that something special with guitars that have that old tone mojo working for them...
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