Eastman Archtop and SWR California blonde

[n***@hotmail.com]

All,

I play fingerstyle Jazz.
I'm trying to get a good sound out of my Eastman Archtop (AR810-CE)
through a SWR California blonde amplifier and I can't seem to get the
right tone.
Is anybody out there using this combination?
Any recommendations for tone controls, etc.?
Is there any effects unit that I could plug into the signal path to
enhance the sound?

Thanks in advance,

--Jonathan

[Pt]

Post by n***@hotmail.com
All,
I play fingerstyle Jazz.
I'm trying to get a good sound out of my Eastman Archtop (AR810-CE)
through a SWR California blonde amplifier and I can't seem to get the
right tone.
Is anybody out there using this combination?
Any recommendations for tone controls, etc.?
Is there any effects unit that I could plug into the signal path to
enhance the sound?
Thanks in advance,
--Jonathan

Possibly a tube preamp but as it is you are running an electric guitar
through an amp designed for acoustic guitars with piezo pickups.
A good tube amp would make a world of difference.

Pt

[oasysco]

Jonathan,

I'd think that combination would be a bright. Do you get the same tone
if you turn off the tweeter, which I believe you cna do with that amp?

I have a Fender Acoustasonic JR amp for flattops that my 175 sounds
great through, but my 335 sounds really bright.

I also have another tube amp through both of my gutiars sounds really
bright. Adn then I have yet another tube amp thorugh which they both
sound much better.

Greg

[n***@hotmail.com]

Greg,

Thanks for the response!
I have tried turning the tweeter off, but I can't seem to tell the
difference in sound
(which brings up an interesting question...how would I even know if the
tweeter was working)?

To be more specific, the sound is kind of sterile to my ears...the
Eastman has a much warmer sound when I play it through my Twin Reverb.
Unfortunately, I play two guitars at the same gig (the Eastman and an
electric Takamine classical), and I only want to have to lug around one
amp.

I am also having a problem with noise.
I am getting an audible hum with the Eastman when I am not playing that
goes away when I touch the strings.
This does not happen with the Takamine classical.
Any ideas? Do I need to get a noise gate or something?

I would also experiment with some chorus effects.
Also, can anyone recommend a subtle, good sounding chorus unit to add
to the signal path.

Thanks,

--JB

Thanks,
Jonathan

[RickH]

Post by n***@hotmail.com
Greg,
Thanks for the response!
I have tried turning the tweeter off, but I can't seem to tell the
difference in sound
(which brings up an interesting question...how would I even know if the
tweeter was working)?
To be more specific, the sound is kind of sterile to my ears...the
Eastman has a much warmer sound when I play it through my Twin Reverb.
Unfortunately, I play two guitars at the same gig (the Eastman and an
electric Takamine classical), and I only want to have to lug around one
amp.
I am also having a problem with noise.
I am getting an audible hum with the Eastman when I am not playing that
goes away when I touch the strings.
This does not happen with the Takamine classical.
Any ideas? Do I need to get a noise gate or something?
I would also experiment with some chorus effects.
Also, can anyone recommend a subtle, good sounding chorus unit to add
to the signal path.
Thanks,
--JB
Thanks,
Jonathan

Roland JC120's work for acoustic or electric and have a nice chorus,
they work good for keyboard or midi backing too. I heard a new one at
my sons piano school, had no hiss at all. It's still my favorite
acoustic amp.

[Steven Rosenberg]

"Roland JC120" and "no hiss" are generally not phrases that occur in
the same sentence.

[Pt]

Post by Steven Rosenberg
"Roland JC120" and "no hiss" are generally not phrases that occur in
the same sentence.

I agree.
The JC120 is a great amp but it is hissy.

Pt

[RickH]

Post by Pt

Post by Steven Rosenberg
"Roland JC120" and "no hiss" are generally not phrases that occur in
the same sentence.

I agree.
The JC120 is a great amp but it is hissy.
Pt

I know, I owned a hissy one 12 years ago. This one I heard was current
production and unless you cranked the treble did not hiss nearly as
much as my old one. JC120's need a good speaker break-in period too,
before they sound warmer too.

[Stan Fong]

Post by n***@hotmail.com
Greg,
Thanks for the response!
I have tried turning the tweeter off, but I can't seem to tell the
difference in sound
(which brings up an interesting question...how would I even know if the
tweeter was working)?
To be more specific, the sound is kind of sterile to my ears...the
Eastman has a much warmer sound when I play it through my Twin Reverb.
Unfortunately, I play two guitars at the same gig (the Eastman and an
electric Takamine classical), and I only want to have to lug around one
amp.
I am also having a problem with noise.
I am getting an audible hum with the Eastman when I am not playing that
goes away when I touch the strings.
This does not happen with the Takamine classical.
Any ideas? Do I need to get a noise gate or something?
I would also experiment with some chorus effects.
Also, can anyone recommend a subtle, good sounding chorus unit to add
to the signal path.
Thanks,
--JB
Thanks,
Jonathan

If you can afford it, a Clarus/RE10ER will work well with both the Takamine
and Eastman.
Stan

[Steven Rosenberg]

Especially with an acoustic, the Clarus is probably a much better
choice than the JC120. You might want to check out an Ultrasound --
they are made for acoustics, but John Pizzarelli gets a very good sound
out of his Moll archtop with it.

[n***@hotmail.com]

Stan,

After searching many newsgroup threads, it would appear that a lot of
Eastman Archtop owners are quite happy with the Clarus/Raezer's Edge
combination.
I am intrigued enough to investigate.
Thanks for the input!

--Jonathan

[Stan Fong]

Post by n***@hotmail.com
Stan,
After searching many newsgroup threads, it would appear that a lot of
Eastman Archtop owners are quite happy with the Clarus/Raezer's Edge
combination.
I am intrigued enough to investigate.
Thanks for the input!
--Jonathan

Jonathan,

Not only will you like the Eastman thru this setup, you'll love the way the
Takamine sounds thru it. I have both Eastman and Takamine Nylon string. The
impressive thing for about the Clarus/RE was the nylon string sounded just
like a nylon string only louder. I have the S12ER now but kind of wish I had
a S10ER. The 12ER can get pretty bassy and needs to be raised off the
ground. I haven't tried the S10ER but the impression I got here was the
S10ER was not as bassy as the S12ER. Some people like a lot of bottom. Try
them all a see what you like best. Everyone has their own preference. IMO,
the having a tweeter really helps when you're playing a nylon string.

Stan

[Steven Rosenberg]

I wonder how the Clarus combo amps sound with guitar. Can't remember if
the speaker is downfiring, but it would sure be nice to have a combo
instead of two pieces.

[j***@isu.edu]

I don't have an AI combo, but I have a Clarus and an AI extension cab,
which is probably pretty close. I also have a Raezer's Edge twin 8
tower for comparison.

Compared to the RE T8-T, the AI cab gives a more "hi-fi" sound that is
flatter across the frequency spectrum. The AI cab also disperses the
sound better which helps in certain rooms. The RE cab is much more
efficient and punchy, and has a stronger midrange. The RE cab is also
very focused and directional which can make it hard to place in certain
rooms so that both the audience and my bandmates can hear me. I try to
place the RE cab farther back behind the band if possible.

I like the AI cab for duos with upright bass. In a small room we can
both plug into my rig and it works great. When I play bigger rooms, or
quartet with drums and a horn, I need the punch of the RE cab.

[Dave Stephens]

Post by j***@isu.edu
I don't have an AI combo, but I have a Clarus and an AI extension cab,
which is probably pretty close. I also have a Raezer's Edge twin 8
tower for comparison.
Compared to the RE T8-T, the AI cab gives a more "hi-fi" sound that is
flatter across the frequency spectrum. The AI cab also disperses the
sound better which helps in certain rooms. The RE cab is much more
efficient and punchy, and has a stronger midrange. The RE cab is also
very focused and directional which can make it hard to place in certain
rooms so that both the audience and my bandmates can hear me. I try to
place the RE cab farther back behind the band if possible.
I like the AI cab for duos with upright bass. In a small room we can
both plug into my rig and it works great. When I play bigger rooms, or
quartet with drums and a horn, I need the punch of the RE cab.

I concur 100% with this. I'd just at that the RE Extended Range cabs,
particularly the S10-ER has much of the accuracy of the AI cab and combos
with a richer midrange. The highs on the RE ER cabs are crystilline and
beautiful where the AI is a touch "dry." The S10-ER/Clarus setup is my
absolute favorite, but the little Coda prototype (I've got a one-off that
attempts a more "guitarish" tonal balance) is what I take to rehearsals.
Last night I had a trumpet, a flugel, my Heritage Golden Eagle and the Coda
R.

For gigs I'll take a Clarus SL-R or C-2R and two S10-ERs (this is likely a
temporary condition that I have two of the great cabs on hand, but I'm
making the most of it while it lasts) or one S10-ER and a NY8, so I can aim
one at the horns and the other into the hall.

Dave

[o***@hotmail.com]

"I am getting an audible hum with the Eastman when I am not playing
that
goes away when I touch the strings. "
===========
The hum sounds like a minor Ground problem, see a tech, or reverse your
polarity and turn your AC plug upside down in the wall socket, IF you
can, or maybe there's a ground probl;em with your extension cord??

Bg

[steinbergerstyler]

FWIW the Eastman is a pretty bright, acoustic sounding instrument to
begin with - what type of sound are you looking for? The SWR is an
acoustic guitar amp - not designed for electric guitars. Get a smaller
tube combo or a polytone, that should help.

Post by n***@hotmail.com
All,
I play fingerstyle Jazz.
I'm trying to get a good sound out of my Eastman Archtop (AR810-CE)
through a SWR California blonde amplifier and I can't seem to get the
right tone.
Is anybody out there using this combination?
Any recommendations for tone controls, etc.?
Is there any effects unit that I could plug into the signal path to
enhance the sound?
Thanks in advance,
--Jonathan

[j***@aol.com]

play fingerstyle Jazz.
I'm trying to get a good sound out of my Eastman Archtop (AR810-CE)
through a SWR California blonde amplifier and I can't seem to get the
right tone.
Is anybody out there using this combination?
------------------------------------

I use something similar, a Trace Elliot acoustic amp with some of the
same feedback reduction devices, and an archtop guitar, either a
Gibson, or DeArmond or Washburn or Jay Turser.

I set bass tone to about 10:00 and high trim to about 11, and there's a
6dB notch filter I set at about 400hz, an active feedback frequency in
my case.

I sweeten the sound up a little with a Crate Compressor/Limiter, but
most of what it does is equalization.

My amp has an eq preset that I like for archtops, but the sound without
it or the compressor is still ok to me.

I tried one of the calif blondes, and a crate and a couple of others,
and they sound about the same as my amp, I think. They're very pretty
to look at, too.

I do my videos by taking the sound out of the back of the amp and
putting it into a line mixer set flat. It's not the best sound I've
ever heard, but it's consistent and is ok for me. What's on the videos
is the same as my live sound.

I just played the Eastman John Pisano last week - that's about an ideal
guitar for me - I really loved the look and feel, and the sound was not
too bad. Pricetag was, though.

You can hear my acoustic amp with different guitars at

jazzclif.zippyvideos.com

I can't guarantee you won't hate it, but I'm pretty satisfied with the
sound for solo fingerstyle, and it wasn't much of an investment at all.

Clif Kuplen

[Derek]

I just got back from lunch, and played both an Eastman 810 and 905.
The 16" was noticably brighter than the 17". Played them both thru a
Genz Benz acoustic amp (tube?) with the settings pretty much flat. I
really liked the balance and warmth of the 17". I haven't played a
guitar without fretboard markers since classical guitar 20 years ago.
Kinda threw me off. Really nice guitar, amazing price relatively
speaking.

[kagejs]

Clif,

What kind of feedback-reduction products do you use?

Josh

[j***@aol.com]

What kind of feedback-reduction products do you use?
--------------------------------

I do a couple of things. First, I tilt the pickup away from the bass
strings. next, on my amp, there's a node switcher so you can get
yourself close to one, and the 6dB notch filter. If you turn up till
you get feedback and rotate the filter, you'll find the best reduction
spot wherever it reduces - my spot was near 400Hz.

Finally, the compressor contributes to feedback control by
re-equalizing, making the overtones more consistent in volume so
there's no 'hot spot' in the guitar. I set it up at about 2:1 with the
same attack and taper as the guitar without it so it affects the sound
but not really the envelope.

But mainly, I'm playing laminated maple top guitars with routed
pickups, and they don't feed back very much at all.

Clif

[RickH]

Post by n***@hotmail.com
All,
I play fingerstyle Jazz.
I'm trying to get a good sound out of my Eastman Archtop (AR810-CE)
through a SWR California blonde amplifier and I can't seem to get the
right tone.
Is anybody out there using this combination?
Any recommendations for tone controls, etc.?
Is there any effects unit that I could plug into the signal path to
enhance the sound?
Thanks in advance,
--Jonathan

I use a Crate acoustic amp for a practice amp every day. As Pt said a
small tube pre-amp will help, the ART tube mic preamp is available new
for around $49 from MCM electronics. What kind of sound are you going
for? What dont you like about what you're hearing now? Please be more
specific. I liked that SWR a lot when I tried it out myself, it has a
nice low end which a lot of acoustic amps lack.

[n***@hotmail.com]

Rick,

I'm looking for a sweeter, darker sound.
The Eastman through the California Blonde sounds a little sterile to me
(not as nice as through my Fender Twin).
Unfortunately, for logistical reasons (as I explained in a previous
post), the CB is the amp I need to bring to the gig.

Have you heard the ART preamp? How does it sound?

Thanks,
Jonathan

[RickH]

Post by n***@hotmail.com
Rick,
I'm looking for a sweeter, darker sound.
The Eastman through the California Blonde sounds a little sterile to me
(not as nice as through my Fender Twin).
Unfortunately, for logistical reasons (as I explained in a previous
post), the CB is the amp I need to bring to the gig.
Have you heard the ART preamp? How does it sound?
Thanks,
Jonathan

I have an ART preamp that I use on a vocal mic, its pretty neutral so I
dont think it will darken the sound at all but it is useful in "warming
up" that ear-splitting harshness of a flattop piezo. For 50 bucks more
they have another ART tube pre-amp that has different frequency curves
for guitar, mic, sax, flute, etc. that one is available from MCM too,
but I dont think that will help either.

Because it sounds like you are looking for that slightly "hairy" tone
of a jazz guitar very lightly overdriving it's amp, you wont get that
with a tone rolloff and acoustic amps wont do that either. Maybe a
very slight touch of analog overdrive from a pedal might help. I have
something called the "Route 66" pedal made by Visual Sound, its an
analog pedal that combines a compressor with an overdrive, it can be
set subtle and might add some fatness to that Eastman. Although I
eschew effects, acoustic amps are sterile by design and would probably
justify using an effect with electric.

[t***@hotmail.com]

check out the rc booster, works very well and is very quiet . I use
them with a Clarus /RE cabinet , and various guitars from ranging from
Strats to L-5s
http://www.prosoundcommunications.com/english/xotic/effects/rc_booster/
Skip

[b***@earthlink.net]

One of those Boss 7 band grahic EQs would be perfect. My Eastman is
real bright. I mellowed by using a Boss EQ and putiing Flats on it.