Which OM's Tone do you Prefer? MT vs. BW!!!

[Blue in VT]

Howdy all!!!...

Thistle has asked me to post a couple of sound clips of my OM's for comparison.  So I'm posting three songs played on both the hog top and the Blackwood.  the tunes are two Mance Lipscomb songs..."spoonful" (in Drop D tuning) and "nightime is the right time"  the other is a Libba Cotten tune "Wilson Rag"  these are fairly crude recordings that I did on my mini disc player...there are a number of gaffs and goofs but I think you can get a good feel for the tone of each guitar.

Om-05MT songs:
http://media.putfile.com/Mary-Helen---spoonful
http://media.putfile.com/Mary-Helen---Wilson-Rag
http://media.putfile.com/Mary-Helen---Night-Time


Om-03BW Songs:
http://media.putfile.com/Sheila--spoonfull
http://media.putfile.com/Sheila---Wilson-Rag
http://media.putfile.com/Shelia--Night-time

Let me know what you think and which tone you prefer and why...



Blue

[saffron_boots]

Sheila sounds a little more complex and well-rounded. Mary-Helen is punchier in the midrange and seems to record better (clearer). Overall I suspect I'd prefer Sheila in person. I always had a thing for the Sheilas...

[hal537]

Nice playing Blue and thanks for putting these files up for us to listen to.  Personally I definitely go for Marie Helen.  Ijust think that the tone is fuller with more depth.  Whatever I just prefer it.

[sayheyjeff]

+1 Hal537!  My preference is to Mary Helen as it has a sound not unlike my L05MT would if I could play like that.  Sheila sounds good too.

thanks again,

jeff

[Mr_LV19E]

Good job Blue, I actually played them both at the same time for a kinda echoplex effect I like the hog top

[DrLeeDetroit]

I expected to prefer the BW, because the only Larrivee BWs I've ever played impressed the heck out of me. Hog-top guitars have also not been my favorite thing, historically. For this kind of playing, though, I thought the MT outshined the BW. The BW has sparklier trebles -- but I really liked the mids and bass on the MT better. Overall I thought the MT had more depth/character/complexity or whatever you might call it.

My wife preferred the BW, by the way, and I find that her ear is awfully good. {Although, she is a hammered dulcimer player and is thus going deaf bit by bit...}

I'm always surprised by these kinds of tests -- how different people can hear completely different things. So of course this is just my opinion.

--Lee

[thistle]

I can't get any of the clips to play!       

[Mr_LV19E]

Blue, I listened to the clips again and the MT sounds fuller to me. The BW sounds tighter. Now these are terms that I'm using that are from my head and I'm certainly no expert. My question is how long have you had each model and how much play has each gotten, IOW do you prefer one more than the other and thus play it more? Just curious. BTW both the guitars and you sound terrific.

[dotpitch]

I prefer Mary Helen for all 3 tunes. I think the hogtop has a punchier/boxier tone that pushes the mids, which works really well for bluesy and ragtime tunes. It also sounds like it might have just a little less sustain, which is another thing that works well for this style of music.

Having said that, if I, personally, had to chose between one or the other as an only guitar, I'd probably go with Sheila, tho it'd be a close call. Sheila sounds like she might be a bit more versatile, with a voice that'd work better (than Mary Helen) with folk and celtic tunes.

Great playing, btw! Did you pick those up by ear?

[Blue in VT]

Thanks for the kind words all...I really enjoyed making these recordingsand will try to do it more often....I've been playing regularly for about 2 1/2 years and things are starting to come a littl easier...Finally...

I personally like Mary Helen for Wilson Rag better and I think she has a nicer thump in Drop D tunning as in Spoonful.  I love Sheila for Night time is the right time...the fat bass and contrasting trebles just seem to work better to my ear...not that the MT sounds bad on that song just my preference.

These three songs I picked up from video lessons...the libba cotten tape by John Miller is great and the Mance tape by Ernie Hawkins is also quite good...I find that I learn best when I can see..hear...and read the music I'm trying to pick up.  It a bit cheaper than regular lessons which is nice too.

Thistle...drop me your email and I can send you them directly if you wish.



Blue

[Blue in VT]

Mr. LV19e

I realized that I didn't really answer your questions in my last post.  the MT I've had for a year and a half and it was pretty much my exclusive guitar for that time...the BW has only been in my possession for month or so..but I believe that it was built in 2004 so is actually the older of the two.  Lately I've been keeping the MT tuned in Drop D and the BW in standard.  I would say I play both a bout equally as I am learning a number of tunes in Drop D right now but all my "standards" are in Standard tuning.  I have also started doind some more strumming...something new to me...and I seem to prefer the BW for its richer sound when strummed.  Both are fantastic guitars though'

BTW the BW does need its action adjusted...it is a bit low for me that is why I seem to bottom out that Low E string when I really get after it...unfortunatly I think I'm going to need a new saddle when I get her into the shop...the current one is FWI...very nice...but worn down ans shimmed at this point.



Blue

[Mr_LV19E]

Thanks for the reply Blue, I think they both sound great, each has there own uniqueness. I'm looking forward to getting my MT tomorrow. I never tried anything in alternate tunings when I used to play 20 yrs ago, but I picked it back up about 6 months ago and after finding this forum and a thread on dropped D tuning I've been experimenting with a few things. Even went back to my old Led Zeppelin book and checked out some things there after listening to Denis play on his site,(I've been there a couple of times to listen and its always a pleasure).
After I retired I had to have something to keep me busy besides sex, drugs(heart meds) and rock-n-roll
Keep up the good work Blue,
Roger

[thistle]

Thanks for sending me those clips Blue - I really enjoyed them!

I preferred Mary Helen for the style of music - I think hog has just the right tone.

BUT I also thought Sheila was beautiful, and could really hear the rosewood-ish overtones going on - I would very likely prefer her for different styles.

Thanks again for doing it!

[bluesman67]

Blue,

I've been dying to give these a listen since you posted.  I had no sound for a couple weeks and finally got the sound drivers reloaded so I gave them a listen.  I liked Mary Helen for the 2 Lipscomb songs and I think I liked Sheila a little more for the ragtime song.  Thanks for posting, nice work w/ the songs.

[dberch]

Woo hoo!  Great playing Blue - had head bobbing and feet tapping!   I especially like the way you play "Night Time is the Right Time"  - fantastic.   

Give you one guess which guitar I like better ...

David

[Blue in VT]

 

Yeah David I thought you might come down in the MT camp....just a feeling I had...  

I really can't get enough of that hog top...she is just so sweet....and perfect for these blusey tunes...



Blue

[woodruff]

hey blue:

love the MT the best. much warmer and fuller....i got to keep the MT larrys in my sights....had no idea i'd like th tone over sitka, but sure is sweet!

[Blue in VT]

Woodruff and Bluseman...

Thanks for your kind words guys...I'm really in love with my MT...the BW is still trying to find her nitch...and I think I need to invest in a good set up with new saddle for her to reach her full potential...but she sure has her own distinctive voice.



Blue