DeArmond x155 review
John Zyla
it is a hollow body archtop, so I hope this is on topic enough for me
to post my initial review.
The finish is pretty much pristeen, it came with no scratches, and was
well protected during shipment. I ordered without a case since the
vendor did not stock a case. I will have to order a case separately.
The tuning keys are generic Gotoh type, chrome, and seem to be
adequate.
The guitar is made in Korea.
The body is laminated maple, mine is all black. The neck is set.
Fretwork seems perfect, very level. The strings on the guitar as
shipped leave something to be desired on a jazz box like this, so I
will be replacing with more suitable strings.
The nut is plastic, and as with all of my guitars, the first thing I
am doing is fashioning a bone nut. I decided against carbon for
aesthetic reasons.
The bridge and saddle are rosewood, well made, but not very well
compensated, just about like an uncompensated acoustic guitar. Next on
my list (after the nut) is to do some work on the saddle. I had
considered putting a tunomatic on it, but I think I will just graft a
carbon fiber saddle to the bridge assy. and intonate that surface. I
find this material gives a very nice tone.
The binding on the body and neck is flawless, the binding around the
f-holes seems to be painted, but I am not sure of this. I will
investigate further.
The wiring harness adhesive clips inside had fallen off during
shipment, so I had to push them back on against the wood.
The neck feel is very nice, I compare it to an ES 335. Fret ends are
smooth.
The tailpiece is very stout, well made.
The control knobs are kind of cheezy looking but adequate. I had
considered replacing them, but I am rethinking this - the cheezy look
is kind of retro-style, and they might grow on me. I will wait on this
decision.
Inlay work is very nice, no gaps I could discern.
Overall the feel is nice, this feels like a nice jazz box when you
hold it.
Playability: as I mentioned, the neck is quite nice, as is fretwork. I
think I will really like this axe. Unplugged, I am amazed at the
volume of the guitar. Since it is completely hollow, with no center
board (a-la Epiphone DOT), it has a nice jazzy tone, if only a little
brittle - of course it IS a laminate guitar.
Plugged in I am very impressed. The alnico pickups give a very nice
jazzy tone, I am anxious to hear the guitar with proper jazz strings.
I am considering replacing the neck pickup with a Bendetto floating
pickup, just for kicks.
cheers,
John Zyla
John Sorell
Did you get it at Sam Ash? They have a sale going on....$299 for them.
I've very tempted at that price. What size is the nut?
John
juvenal
"John Sorell" wrote...
> They have a sale going on....$299 for them.
> I've very tempted at that price.
The single cutaway Starfires look good at that price, also.
Timothy Juvenal
Ken Cashion
wrote:
>John,
>
>Did you get it at Sam Ash? They have a sale going on....$299 for them.
>I've very tempted at that price. What size is the nut?
I would not meditate on it too much longer.
At a retail of $1066, and down to $300 sans case, 30-day
return, and free-shipping (if ordered on-line), they are going fast.
I heard about this deal at 4:00 yesterday afternoon; I placed
the order at 9:05 this morning. Sam Ash (Brooklyn) had three left
then and I got one of these.
The shipping was only $10 w/o the weight of the case, so I
didn't mess with ordering it on-line.
The reviews on this guitar were always very good.
At 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, I was not in the market for a guitar.
At 4:30 p.m., I was trying desperately to find one.
Five minutes after Sam Ash opened this a.m., I had placed my
order.
I am entertained by all the angst suffered by the more
discriminating guitar buyer on this group.
Much can be said for a guitar-picker with no taste. :o)
Cheers -- Ken Cashion
--------------------------------------------------------------
Frank Wiewandt
general. How versatile are these things? Could one be used as a substitute
for, say, an amplified, pick-up'd (not mic'd) dred? I suppose the sound
would be different, but in what way? More like an electric than an acoustic?
I guess what I'm getting at is, in a normally acoustic, but plug-n-play
scenario, what would be the downside of a jazz box vs a straight acoustic,
assuming either would be run through an amp or house pa? Also, would an
acoustic amp be OK with a Jazz box?
Just a curious fellow,
Frank Wiewandt
Jeff Sherman
>
> Checkin' out the De Armond specials got me thinkin' about jazz boxs in
> general. How versatile are these things? Could one be used as a substitute
> for, say, an amplified, pick-up'd (not mic'd) dred? I suppose the sound
> would be different, but in what way? More like an electric than an acoustic?
Hey Frank:
Howdy.
I was asking Harvey and a some players that exact same question at EC4.
If you want a loud acoustic for an ensemble then why wouldn't you go
with an archtop over a dread or jumbo? Basically, I was asking why
don't grassers use archtops? They were saying archtops are loud 'in a
different way' but I wasn't getting that at all. But when Harvey said
they 'cut' the way a mandolin cuts, then it started to make sense a
little, I guess. I was thinking about how even with that little body a
mando can still jump right out of the mix over a banjo or anything.
I guess there's a conceptual difference between 'cut' and volume but I
don't really understand it.
Jeff
John Sorell
They have 20 more on back order, due in next week. One of them is mine
<G> I went for the $80 gig bag, marked down to $60. We'll just keep this
our little secret. I wouldn't want anyone else to know I bought
something other than a boutique guitar. I have my snotty reputation to
protect.
Yours in cheap taste,
John
Ken Cashion
wrote:
>Ken,
>
>They have 20 more on back order, due in next week. One of them is mine
><G> I went for the $80 gig bag, marked down to $60. We'll just keep this
>our little secret. I wouldn't want anyone else to know I bought
>something other than a boutique guitar. I have my snotty reputation to
>protect.
>
>Yours in cheap taste,
Dear Cheapo...
I found a nice hard case that will fit the Catalina but I
would doubt it would fit the X-155 because of the X-155's greater
depth. I might spring for a decent hard case for the X-155 and just
let the Catalina rattle around in it when I need to thrash that guitar
around around in the trunk of a car and what-not.
A bag might be had for the Cat in the long run.
I can understand you getting a bag for your new X-155 rather
than case...this will show a certain disdain for cruddy, plebeian
equipment...and it helps maintain your reputation for quality guitars.
:o)
I wonder what strings will be put on the X-155...more
medium-light, round nickels, maybe?
I like to use as few makes and gauges of strings as possible
so I can "stock" them here in lovely Picayune, MS.
Ken Cashion
I can contribute a little here.
First off, when I first concerned about with being heard, I
played only with beginner banjo players. These guys have not overcome
their shyness..there really are such banjo players; however, once they
learn how to play, they will play everything louder and louder and
faster and faster until everyone is making mistakes.
At this point, the banjo player feels that his mission in life
has once again been attained.
I got tired of not being heard at outdoor festivals and
switched to mandolins. It is not big but "cuts" through the other
noise and I get to play in the "holes," or rather, the upbeats when
most every one else should be quiet trying to figure out the next
chord.
I played an arch top in a band and this was nice choppy
rhythm...and for this, it was hard to beat. I switched to a wonderful
flat-top and with a long sustain.
Then, however, I was starting to get a little muddy on the
open strings when the sustain would over-ride the following note.
Therefore, I went back to the loud, but short-lived notes of
the arch-top. I had a floating DeArmond on it and could be heard with
most other band members.
I think the sustain of a flat top can get in the way when a
lot of individual notes are sounded...and lots of these notes in jazz
are not necessarily those that would sound OK in "country" music if
there was a long sustain.
(I don't know what all I have just said but it seemed correct
as it headed to the keyboard.)
John Sorell
Ken Cashion wrote:
>
> Dear Cheapo...
> I found a nice hard case that will fit the Catalina but I
> would doubt it would fit the X-155 because of the X-155's greater
> depth. I might spring for a decent hard case for the X-155 and just
> let the Catalina rattle around in it when I need to thrash that guitar
> around around in the trunk of a car and what-not.
> A bag might be had for the Cat in the long run.
> I can understand you getting a bag for your new X-155 rather
> than case...this will show a certain disdain for cruddy, plebeian
> equipment...and it helps maintain your reputation for quality guitars.
> :o)
Yeah, I like that. I ordered a cheap Macaferri knockoff a few weeks ago.
If I keep up this pedestrian behavior, I might as well move into a
double-wide, start watching Roseanne, and join a bowling league. I'm
going to Healdsburg next month to get my self-respect back.
> I wonder what strings will be put on the X-155...more
> medium-light, round nickels, maybe?
> I like to use as few makes and gauges of strings as possible
> so I can "stock" them here in lovely Picayune, MS.
This will be my first electric guitar and I don't know from strings. I
lurk on rmmgj and pashion about what kind of strings they use is about
the same as this ng. John said the strings on his were pretty cheesy.
I've always wondered what flat wounds were all about. I imagine that
will be my first replacement.
...Cheapo
Frank Wiewandt
> I was asking Harvey and a some players that exact same question at EC4.
> If you want a loud acoustic for an ensemble then why wouldn't you go
> with an archtop over a dread or jumbo? Basically, I was asking why
> don't grassers use archtops? They were saying archtops are loud 'in a
> different way' but I wasn't getting that at all. But when Harvey said
> they 'cut' the way a mandolin cuts, then it started to make sense a
> little, I guess.
Hmmmm, is that a good thing or a bad thing? Does cut mean stand out? In a
good way? I guess I'm a little surprised by this answer. I suppose a good
jazz box might have less "cut" than, say, a hollow bodied electric like an
es-335 or such, but more than a normal acoustic. Still, I wonder if that's
neccessarily a bad thing. At least for a non-grasser like me. ;-) Probably
wouldn't work well for pure "folk" venues though.
> I guess there's a conceptual difference between 'cut' and volume but I
> don't really understand it.
Me either! I always thought that it might be a more articulate rather than
blended or full sorta sound.
BTW - How's the "cut" with your new Taylor? Ha!
Later,
Frank Wiewandt
John Zyla
1 and 15/16 inches . Great price. No case included at that price
though. I found cases doe around a hundred bucks at other vendors.
It has been my experience that when Sam Ash does this they sell out
fast once the word gets out.
Cheers,
John ZYla
On Thu, 12 Jul 2001 11:37:02 -0600, John Sorell <jso...@infi.net>
wrote:
>John,
John Zyla
free.
jz
On Thu, 12 Jul 2001 18:56:04 GMT, kcas...@datasync.com (Ken Cashion)
wrote:
John Zyla
wounds, D'Addario chrome flats, and Maxima gold flats as well as
LaBellas. We'll see which ones make it sing ...
jz
On Thu, 12 Jul 2001 20:44:01 GMT, kcas...@datasync.com (Ken Cashion)
wrote:
>On Thu, 12 Jul 2001 14:28:12 -0600, John Sorell <jso...@infi.net>
John Zyla
brightness. If you want to do blues or rock, get woundwounds or
groundwounds. The guitar seems to cry out for flatwound .......
One note: the strings supplied with the guitar must be stainless cause
they were already noticeably eating (grooving) frets where I did some
bends. I would stay away from stainless with this guitar - it seems
not to have the hardest fret alloy .....
jz
On Thu, 12 Jul 2001 15:07:26 -0600, John Sorell <jso...@infi.net>
wrote:
>
>
Frank Hudson
60's Guild electric design). Apparently Fender is closing down the
DeArmond line altogether. Like you I was impressed with the fret work
for the price, very pleased with the pickups, and liked the sound and
look just fine.
Also like you, I thought the refugee-from-Radio-Shack tone and volume
knobs didn't look right. They are copies of what Guild used to put on
electrics, but that doesn't make them look any better.
Sounds like a great deal. I have an Epiphone Joe Pass for when I want to
make this kind of noise, but I wouldn't be surprised if the DeArmond
sounds better.
I currently string my Epiphone with .12 high wound G round wound
strings. I tried flat wounds but couldn't get used to the sound, though
they are traditional for jazz guitar. What I'd really like is for Elixir
to make a wound G nickel set--I'd get that smooth string feel and sound
and lack of string noise without the complete dead bass of the flat
wounds.
-Frank Hudson
remove the "x" when replying
Web page with sound samples and the "So You Want to Buy A Guitar FAQ":
http://www.users.uswest.net/~fhudson/
Ken Cashion
>One note. if you order form the website phone number, shipping is
>free.
True, but my computer is vintage like most of my guitars and
this computer won't speakie de Java....so I ordered by phone.
Ken Cashion
>I am trying a couple of sets of strings, Thomastic Infeld ground
>wounds, D'Addario chrome flats, and Maxima gold flats as well as
>LaBellas. We'll see which ones make it sing ...
Good for you. Try them out and let us know and save us some
time and money.
I will not be playing jazz but rather standard chords in music
from 1900-1930..."She's Funny That Way" and the like. I will want it
to sound pretty nice played strickly as an acoustic. Somehow, I do
not expect flats to be the best for me.
It will accompany voice.
I have round, nickel medium-lights on a Catalina and floating
DeArmond and like the way they sound but I will put on the X-155
whatever makes it the happiest.
Keep us posted on your string tests.
John Zyla
strictly played acoustic. It's meant to be electric. in fact, when I
play mine acoustic, the only reason I like it is I can practice and
hear myself, but the tione is definitely nothing to brag about ...by
any stretch of the imagination
By the way ...the Maxima Gold flats suck. lol.
Next I will try the D'Aaddario chromes, they at least have a good name
in that area ....
On Fri, 13 Jul 2001 02:57:01 GMT, kcas...@datasync.com (Ken Cashion)
wrote:
>On Thu, 12 Jul 2001 23:26:19 GMT, zy...@joymail.com (John Zyla) wrote:
juvenal
"John Zyla" wrote...
> Well, I dare say the x-155 is not gonna be very nice sounding when
> strictly played acoustic.
name
> in that area ....
Generally speaking, carved top archtops sound better played
acoustically than do laminated top archtops, but laminated guitars
feedback less onstage, and sound close enough when amplified.
I love Chromes on my archtops. Jazzers usually prefer heavier sets:
.013's are mediums.
The "ideal" tone for these types of guitars is as well exemplified by
Kenny Burrell as anybody ("Kenny Burrell: That's the sound I want." -
Jimi Hendrix). Kenny plays a Super 400 through a Fender Twin. Check
out Midnight Blue, or Soulero to hear some classic archtop tone.
Timothy Juvenal
Ken Cashion
>Well, I dare say the x-155 is not gonna be very nice sounding when
>strictly played acoustic. It's meant to be electric. in fact, when I
>play mine acoustic, the only reason I like it is I can practice and
>hear myself, but the tione is definitely nothing to brag about ...by
>any stretch of the imagination
(I should have typed "1939" rather than "1930"...different
subject.)
Yes, I understand about the non-amplified sound of the guitar.
The Catalina I have is laminated maple and it sounds
sufficiently good non-amplified for me to hear if I am playing
properly. I would not play for others without it being amplified.
If the X-155 sounds as good as the Catalina without
amplification, I will be satisfied...and I expect it to sound better
because of the larger volume box.
The X-155 will be my third arch top and I have played on quite
a few others, some rather expensive. They do what they were designed
to do real good, but they aren't expected to play like a flat and visa
versa, and I am glad.
John Zyla
Electric Guitar Chromes Flat Wound Extra Light, .010 - .048 . . won
out hands down - no competition on this guitar. THe wound G string is
beautiful.
Other strings I tested were:
D'Angelico Electric Guitar Nickel Rollerwound Tens, .010 - .046
these were ok, but nothing special. A bit stiff imho on the wound
strings
Thomastik-Infeld Electric Guitar Steel/Nickel Round Wound with Silk
Inlay Medium Light, .010 - .048
Maxima Electric Guitar Gold Flatwound, .010 - .048
These were horrible in my humble opinion. The flat winding was rough,
the feel was terrible, and sound was nothing to brag about by any
means.
Strings I want to test:
La Bella Electric Guitar Stainless Steel
Roundwound Extra Light, .009 - .042
D'Aquisto Electric Guitar Jazz Sleek
Finish Stainless Steel Flat Wound, .011 - .048
Fender Electric Guitar Stainless Steel
Flatwound Light Ball End, .011 - .050
Pyramid Electric Guitar Pure Nickel Flat
Wound Gold 6 String, .010 - .0465
Thomastik-Infeld Electric Guitar
Steel/Nickel Flat Wound Extra Light, .010 - .044
If anyone has used any of these sets I would appreciate any opinions
you could offer.
Cheers!
John Zyla
John Zyla
assume it's sold out.
Frank Hudson
low E was completely and utterly dead. Recently I noted that at least
one maker has a set with a round wound low E and flat wound rest of the
set.
I'm thinking of trying another set of flat wound strings and slapping on
a round wound E to see if that warms me up to flats.
John Zyla
fact I love 'em so far. we'll see how they last ....
John
On Wed, 18 Jul 2001 17:05:30 -0500, Frank Hudson <fhu...@xuswest.net>
wrote:
Frank Hudson
> Fwiw, the D'Addario Chrome flats don't seem to have that problem. In
> fact I love 'em so far. we'll see how they last ....
>
Patrick Dorn
Musicians Friend.. Delivery date is 8/25.. Check out the jazz guitar
newsgroup.. Some very positive reviews and comments. The only negative
messages are the fact.. It's hard to get one now. They are back ordered.
John Zyla wrote:
> Just recieved a DeArmond X-155 archtop. Although this is an electric,
> it is a hollow body archtop, so I hope this is on topic enough for me
> to post my initial review.
>
> The finish is pretty much pristeen, it came with no scratches, and was
> well protected during shipment. I ordered without a case since the
> vendor did not stock a case. I will have to order a case separately.
>
> The tuning keys are generic Gotoh type, chrome, and seem to be
> adequate.
>
> The guitar is made in Korea.
>
> The body is laminated maple, mine is all black. The neck is set.
> Fretwork seems perfect, very level. The strings on the guitar as
> shipped leave something to be desired on a jazz box like this, so I
> will be replacing with more suitable strings.
>
> The nut is plastic, and as with all of my guitars, the first thing I
> am doing is fashioning a bone nut. I decided against carbon for
> aesthetic reasons.
>
> The bridge and saddle are rosewood, well made, but not very well
> compensated, just about like an uncompensated acoustic guitar. Next on
> my list (after the nut) is to do some work on the saddle. I had
> considered putting a tunomatic on it, but I think I will just graft a
> carbon fiber saddle to the bridge assy. and intonate that surface. I
> find this material gives a very nice tone.
>
> The binding on the body and neck is flawless, the binding around the
> f-holes seems to be painted, but I am not sure of this. I will
> investigate further.
>
> The wiring harness adhesive clips inside had fallen off during
> shipment, so I had to push them back on against the wood.
>
> The neck feel is very nice, I compare it to an ES 335. Fret ends are
> smooth.
>
> The tailpiece is very stout, well made.
>
> The control knobs are kind of cheezy looking but adequate. I had
> considered replacing them, but I am rethinking this - the cheezy look
> is kind of retro-style, and they might grow on me. I will wait on this
> decision.
>
> Inlay work is very nice, no gaps I could discern.
>
> Overall the feel is nice, this feels like a nice jazz box when you
> hold it.
>
> Playability: as I mentioned, the neck is quite nice, as is fretwork. I
> think I will really like this axe. Unplugged, I am amazed at the
> volume of the guitar. Since it is completely hollow, with no center
> board (a-la Epiphone DOT), it has a nice jazzy tone, if only a little
> brittle - of course it IS a laminate guitar.
>
> Plugged in I am very impressed. The alnico pickups give a very nice
> jazzy tone, I am anxious to hear the guitar with proper jazz strings.
> I am considering replacing the neck pickup with a Bendetto floating
> pickup, just for kicks.
>
> cheers,
>
> John Zyla