darrin_h2000
Banned
Im curious if not having the hole in the spot that normal guitars have it changes the placement . I have an exelent sounding guitar with F holes, and even though It has pickups I would like to use th L5 for accoustic work.
H
Harvey Gerst
New member
If you're talking about an old Gibson L5, yes, the placement would be a little different. The radiation patterns on an arched top are very different than a dreadnaught. The high end is straight out from the body. Very like a loudspeaker; highs in the center, warmer more mellow sound as you move towards the edges. It's pretty hard to mic an L5 badly as long as you pay a little attention to what you're doing. Great guitar.darrin_h2000 said:
darrin_h2000
Banned
Thanks, Ive been putting a 603s on the 12th fret angled towards the headstock like I typically would a regular guitar and It occured to me that It may be different. Any suggestions that may give me a better sound?
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Harvey Gerst
New member
Is this jazz chordings you're using it for? The Gibson L-5 was originally designed to cut thru as a rhythm instrument in a big band - without amplification. Put a little distance between the guitar and the mic and the sound will come alive. Close miking with a cardioid is okay, but different spots will produce different sounds.darrin_h2000 said:
I'd also go with flatwound strings or half rounds. There use to be a German company that made a brand called "Chrome Nickle 50s" flatwound strings - they really made an L-5 shine.
darrin_h2000
Banned
My choice has been elixers for the same reason the flatwounds were a good choice for the Jazzboxes. Because I only like string talk on electrics, but technically the L5 is electric because It has the Les Paul electronics.
I love the tone so much Im getting rid of my usual Accoustic. And I may save for a Yamaha Compass series or something that good.
I use the C1 for distance micing and I will evaluate where the Mxl603s goes on the headstock.
I love the tone so much Im getting rid of my usual Accoustic. And I may save for a Yamaha Compass series or something that good.
I use the C1 for distance micing and I will evaluate where the Mxl603s goes on the headstock.
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petimar
New member
F hole instrument recording
Don't know if this helps, but I'll suggest it. I record F5 style mandolin, arch top f hole instrument. This individual instrument has a more arch top guitar like sound than any other F hole mando I've recorded. For soloing, the best thing I've found is a Royer R121 ribbon mic about 1 foot out from the neck and body meeting, pointed at the f holes. I also use a KM184 or a ADK a51 tube mic as a room mic. For the percisive rhythm playing, I use only the Royer about 3 feet in front of the f holes, pointed at the headstock. Plenty of percussion, but still gets the woody sound.
The Gibson F5 and L5 were both designed by Gibsons Lloyd Loar, and have very some similar sound characteristics. Try some of those and see if you have any luck.
Pete
Don't know if this helps, but I'll suggest it. I record F5 style mandolin, arch top f hole instrument. This individual instrument has a more arch top guitar like sound than any other F hole mando I've recorded. For soloing, the best thing I've found is a Royer R121 ribbon mic about 1 foot out from the neck and body meeting, pointed at the f holes. I also use a KM184 or a ADK a51 tube mic as a room mic. For the percisive rhythm playing, I use only the Royer about 3 feet in front of the f holes, pointed at the headstock. Plenty of percussion, but still gets the woody sound.
The Gibson F5 and L5 were both designed by Gibsons Lloyd Loar, and have very some similar sound characteristics. Try some of those and see if you have any luck.
Pete
philboyd studge
New member
Damn, it was a pretty good night till I read this thread. My 1945 L-5 was stolen and it's still missed more than any ex wife or dead pet.
Oh yeah, I forgot, as has already been stated, move the mic back a bit and let it ring.
Oh yeah, I forgot, as has already been stated, move the mic back a bit and let it ring.