Played new Greg Bennet Samick archtop
Greg D
from the Greg Bennet series. Can't recall the model, but it was a 17"
box 3-4" deep, sharp cutaway, dual humbucks, strung with thick rounds,
selling for $649.
First off, it played wonderfully and sounded excellent and looked
gorgeous. The only problem was feedback, even at low store demo volume.
The guy really wanted to sell it to me, so he adjusted the amp in an
attempt to get rid of the FB. Then he had me switch amps and he adjusted
more, until finally I just turned the bass way down. Great guitar as
long as you are a mile from the amp. Should easily overtake Epi for good
low enders.
Greg
Thom_j.
sorry couldnt let it go, my bad.. :0}
"Greg D" <oas...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:3D0C020D...@cox.net...
Jack A. Zucker
I didn't care for the Bennett jazz axe at all though I like the
semi-hollow...
--
web: http://www.jackzucker.com
"Greg D" <oas...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:3D0C020D...@cox.net...
Greg D
> Funny,
>
> I didn't care for the Bennett jazz axe at all though I like the
> semi-hollow...
There were several models - one with a sharp cutaway, another with a rounded
cutaway - all Greg Bennet models according to the music store guy.
I thought the sharp cutaway sounded better than the other one. Don't know why,
they should be about the same guitar. But that feedback thing at low volume
with the music store guy doing everything he could to remove the fb, I'd be
skiddish.
Greg
Steve Modica
keep the entry point costs down you can bet they are using the crappiest
POS pickups they can find.
However, I have to say I bought my epiphone zypher regent (front pickup
only) and it was only $400 (I saw another on ebay for $300 just last
week) and I got a bartolini put in it and those nylon bridge saddles so
the final cost was about $750.
Steve
Jack A. Zucker
best a pickup amplifies what's there. The tone of the Samick/Bennett archtop
was thin and nasally acoustically so I doubt better pickups would do much
for it.
Even my Pat Metheny and my George Benson which are both very "small"
acoustically have a nice acoustic tone and therefore a nice electric tone. I
think pickups are more like athletic shoes. A good pair will compliment your
achievements but contrary to the PR hype, they will not turn you into Jordan
or Benson.
--
web: http://www.jackzucker.com
"Steve Modica" <smo...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:3D0CA551...@attbi.com...
Thom_j.
solid bodies? If it makes a "diff" in solid bodies, then why not
in archtops? thom_j.
VitoPiper
Greg D
> I'll bet with some good pickups it would be ok. When they are trying to
> keep the entry point costs down you can bet they are using the crappiest
> POS pickups they can find.
Actually, these pups were way better than the stock pups my 1998 Epi Joe Pass
came with. I didn't see any reason to swap them out tone-wise.
>
>
> However, I have to say I bought my epiphone zypher regent (front pickup
> only) and it was only $400 (I saw another on ebay for $300 just last
> week) and I got a bartolini put in it and those nylon bridge saddles so
> the final cost was about $750.
The Epi's and Samick's are different. At one time, SAmick was making most, if
not all Epis. I don't think that is true today. These Greg Bennett SAmicks are
a different breed of cheap guitar. I saw the entire catalog. Quite impressive.
Still, with SD '59 PAF's, my Epi Joe Pass sounds like the kind of jazz guitar
I envision.
Greg
Greg D
> Sometimes folks believe too much hype when it comes to pickups. IMHO, at
> best a pickup amplifies what's there. The tone of the Samick/Bennett archtop
> was thin and nasally acoustically so I doubt better pickups would do much
> for it.
>
> Even my Pat Metheny and my George Benson which are both very "small"
> acoustically have a nice acoustic tone and therefore a nice electric tone. I
This is where we differ a little.
My Joe Pass has about the worst acoustic tone - it's plenty loud, but I don't
like the tone. Amplifed? Ah, that's a different matter. My JP has held it's own
in amplified tone against H575's and other mid-line archtops in the $1,000 -
$1,800 range. In some cases, my JP outshown others amplified and at other times
sounded as good. Never hit one that made my JP sound like a dog amplified.
I remember when my first criterion when looking for an archtop - even in the
cheap realm - was that it had to sound good acoustically. I found some that did
put off a pleasing acoustic tone - a 1956 Silvertone and a 60'ish Gretsch come
to mind immediately, but they couldn't beat the amplified tone of my JP. Hence,
they are gone and the JP remains.
Like you, I'd probably still be more inclined to sink $$ into an archtop that
sounded good acoustically than one that didn't as at least 1/2 of the equation
has been met. But I never practice acoustically. I am always amplified as it
helps me to hear my mistakes - even when I play my flattop.
>
> think pickups are more like athletic shoes. A good pair will compliment your
> achievements but contrary to the PR hype, they will not turn you into Jordan
> or Benson.
From my own experience, I can sadly agree 100%.
Greg
Greg D
> Samick makes the Epi too.
Not all of them... not anymore.
GReg
Elrod
> the final cost was about $750.
>
> Steve
OOO!
Where'd you find nylon saddles, please?
I bought one of the Samicks so described (sharp cutaway L-5 lookin').
The stock pu's are "Duncan Designed," but I put a Gibson BurstBucker in
the neck position and it sounds better and holds together when you roll off
the volume at the guitar pot. The stock PU was OK, but got thin when rolled
off.
I have had NO feedback problems with a Jazz amp like a Polytone, or through
the PA at a couple of local clubs.
I think Fender amps have strange EQ stacks, trying to make up for plank
guitars, so feedback like hell with an archtop, generally.
I would like info on where to get nylon saddles, if you please.
Tks.
Greg clayton
I need sets and have been unable to find them.
greg
"Elrod" <fl...@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:AXwP8.691$825.52...@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com...
Nazodesu
<gregc...@videotron.ca> wrote:
> NYLON ? please , who makes/sells them ?
> I need sets and have been unable to find them.
Why would you want them, just curious. I took them off my guitars
years ago and put them in a shoe box somewhere.
Elrod
"Nazodesu" <mus...@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:180620021618380272%mus...@adelphia.net...
BREZ9091
Greg clayton
greg