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June 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | I've always liked the Guitar Center version of the S771 Balladeer, and I was especially interested in trying out an LX version.
It seems every time I visit my local GC, I'm not getting the service I would expect. I always ask about getting an LX in their inventory, but they only seem to have the standard version. Whenever I asked, it was always "well, you can put some money down and we can order one for you to try, then if you don't like it, we can credit your account..."
Just seemed a little too tedious. You would think they would just have one in stock at all times.
Anyway, I thought "I wonder if Al could take care of this"...
I sent him an email, figuring that the GC model was out of his boundaries.
Though not a model he can stock, he was able to acquire a "sample" for a great price.
Al ordered it. When he received it, he described it using CAPS..."WOW, what a great looking and sounding guitar"....when AL uses caps in messages, you need to act.
I knew it had to be sweet, so I purchased it, and sure enough...what a cannon...great player, wonderful grain in the cedar...and all the LX appointments..
This is my first LX. You can see from my collection, I'm more of the old school collector...but this is a great edition.
Thanks again to Al for going through the trouble and finding me a diamond.
Ernie |
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March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Nice!! :D |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 629
Location: Houston, Texas | My spruce topped S771 is still my everyday guitar, the one I play for hours just piddling around and learning new stuff. I just love its playability and the cutaway. I've been envious of the cedar topped ones I've seen at GC, though. They have a really mellow balanced sound and I love the MOP rosette.
But when I play the 1537, WOW! But its just too nice of a guitar to use everyday like I do the S771, so I save it mainly for when I want to record. The resonance and sustain is just amazing.
So am I correct that you now have two cedar S771's, one LX and the other standard? It would be interesting to hear what you have to say about the two of them in a couple of weeks about the differences between them. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | every once in a while a nice used piece comes my way and I am able to hook it up to the right person.
Enjoy.
(did I just use a cap?) |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Did someone say, "When Al pops a cap, you need to duck..."? :D |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 349
Location: Snellville, GA | Originally posted by Joyful Noise:
I've been envious of the cedar topped ones I've seen at GC, though. They have a really mellow balanced sound and I love the MOP rosette. The cedar Balladeer rosette is Abalone. |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | Yes, now I have both versions..
I've been using John Pearse Bronze silks (light) on the standard version. I'm sure the LX has Daddario EXP phosphors on there.
I'll probably switch the LX to the Pearse in a couple of weeks. Then I will have an apples to apples comparison..
Couple of things I didn't realize about the LX was the bracing pattern is different. I thought it was just the scalloping, but it's a different pattern. The standard version has a modified A pattern. The LX is different.
Also, didn't realize the LX has the OP-pro preamp.
Initial differences are that the LX is obviously lighter. My standard version sounds great. I must have gone through 1/2 a dozen of these to find mine. Even with this, the LX is much louder. It has more bass and sustain. But I'll change strings at the same time to really evaluate.
First impressions are that the LX is a better guitar. I'm really interested to see how those graphite inserts help the infamous neck hump at the 12th fret. You can see that is starting to develop already on my standard version.
I don't have any experience adjusting the neck on an LX. I know the Kaman bar necks are very touchy. Just a small move on the wrench translates to major movement on the neck. I'll tread lightly if the LX needs a tweak.
Ernie |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 629
Location: Houston, Texas | Originally posted by TWA:
The cedar Balladeer rosette is Abalone. I stand corrected. Actually I knew that but my brain malfunctioned. |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 629
Location: Houston, Texas | Wow, you got the OP-Pro? I had thought that the LX versions of the S771 still came with the OP-30.
I've never used the silk and steel strings before, but if they have a lower tension then that might partly explain a difference in volume.
It'll be interesting to know how they sound with the same strings. |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | I'll let you know how they sound Rick..
Yeah, it might have been fitted with the OP-pro since it was a "sample model"...I thought the OP-30 was standard.
Not sure though...I don't know that much about the LX's...
Ernie |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | Oh yeah, Rick, these Pearse stings aren't silk and steel, they are actually bronze and silk..
They are pretty cool, but tough to find. I usually get them online at either juststrings.com or Strings and Beyond.
The set i've been using is the 510L.
It gives the feel and softer tension of the silk, but with the volume of the bronze.
It's a nice in-between. I really like them.
One thing though, the 510L's are called lights, but are actually gauged like an extra light phosphor set. They do sell a medium which I will probably try in the future.
Ernie |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | I wonder how the 510L's would sound on an old Martin 12 string? |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | Interesting you ask Bill...
I liked these strings so much, I asked Pearse to compile a 12 string set.
Currently they only offer 2 sets, light and medium, for 6 string.
They promised they will have a 12 string set available before the end of the year..
Ernie |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | Just confirmed through John Budny,
Current GCS771LX-C models come with OP-Pro and Scallaped X bracing.
Original runs were A braced with the OP-30.
Ernie |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | Sorry for all the confusion.
John just wrote me back, the preamps used in the current GCS771LX-C are OP-40. (he ran out to the warehouse to check)
The OP-Pro that came on mine was not stock, just a bonus that this particular sample had.
Ernie |
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Thanks Al, another great guitar !!
