cutrofiano
Member
I have bought a second F-150RCE (GAD) (too low priced to let go...) and I share the comparison with you.
Here comes No. 71153 (2013):
And here comes No. 72820 (2014):
This is what an expert says about the Sitka spruce top:
[...] They are pretty much equal from an acoustic quality standpoint.
They look equally well cut, judging from the silking across both.
The second one is probably more expensive, but it does have some colour issues.
The first one is cleaner but with some wavy grain and some wider grain in the middle (of each half). I suspect the first one, with the wider grain, sounds nicer.
If I had to grade them, I would put the first one at AA, and the second at AA+, but I know guitar makers who would prefer the first one, because they don’t like such tight grain (in the second).
[...]
Sound wise I cannot compare them yet concludingly because the new one has (new) D'Addaraios EJ16-3D put on while my old one has my preferred Earnie Ball Earthwood (medium light).
On both guitars I have exchanged Nubone saddle, nut & pins for reall bone.
As far as that goes the 2013 guitar with the wider grain and the Earnie Balls sounds better (more balanced, more bass).
But that's what I like the Earnie Balls for so let's see after I have put them on the 2014 as well...
The 2014s is some 100 gr. (3,5 oz.) heavier, which would be typical for the tighter grain but I suppose that may also result from a different grade of drying.
Cheers,
Moritz
Here comes No. 71153 (2013):
And here comes No. 72820 (2014):
This is what an expert says about the Sitka spruce top:
[...] They are pretty much equal from an acoustic quality standpoint.
They look equally well cut, judging from the silking across both.
The second one is probably more expensive, but it does have some colour issues.
The first one is cleaner but with some wavy grain and some wider grain in the middle (of each half). I suspect the first one, with the wider grain, sounds nicer.
If I had to grade them, I would put the first one at AA, and the second at AA+, but I know guitar makers who would prefer the first one, because they don’t like such tight grain (in the second).
[...]
Sound wise I cannot compare them yet concludingly because the new one has (new) D'Addaraios EJ16-3D put on while my old one has my preferred Earnie Ball Earthwood (medium light).
On both guitars I have exchanged Nubone saddle, nut & pins for reall bone.
As far as that goes the 2013 guitar with the wider grain and the Earnie Balls sounds better (more balanced, more bass).
But that's what I like the Earnie Balls for so let's see after I have put them on the 2014 as well...
The 2014s is some 100 gr. (3,5 oz.) heavier, which would be typical for the tighter grain but I suppose that may also result from a different grade of drying.
Cheers,
Moritz
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