Hey Mike, nice trio there ! Love the stromberg, and i loved the meat on the dry mids very punchy from the emperor, i d bet that guitar might cut a loy in a big band. The super 400 didn t move me much this time, a bit in the same tonal response as the Stromberg but less wide
I love the Stromberg ( especially because of the cutaway - which can't really make much difference to the overall sound -or maybe it does ) but I would still opt for the Super 400. I love it. The Epiphone sounds like it would be great pounding out a backing rhythm to a Django tune or so but as ya say, It sounded the least of the trio. ( all very beautiful guitars and maybe just one change of strings away from someones perfect guitar. ) Thanks for posting and letting us hear them all.
I happen to like the Stormberg the best, but I also think the strings on the Epi are pretty old. The S400 had some notes sound kind of tubby. Of course, who the heck knows what they'd sound like with a pickup, through a good amp.....which is how you'd use them 90+% of the time.
Absolutely lovely sound. Stromberg Gibson Epiphone in that order for me. Stromberg sounds thicker and warmer while still being precise and able to cut. What do you personally look for in the sound of an archtop?
Each guitar has very different tonal characteristics. The Stromberg was the brightest and most balanced. The Epiphone projected the most, at least as far as the mic was concerned. Any guitar is a good investment if you love playing it. 😎
My Epiphone benefited greatly from lower tension Monel strings. No it doesn't sound as pretty on an open chord but you have to remember that it was designed to project staccato four-to-the-bar chords, and excels at that task.
Stromberg: fullest, richest overall sound. Emperor: second in overall fullness, though I suspect the strings could use renewal. The Gibson was least in in total impression. Lowest volume overall, and tilted more toward hi mids and treble than the other two.
I liked the Epi best, contrary to popular opinion. To me Sto was harsh and Gib not full enough. Having said that I d prefer a 61 D Angelico New Yorker to all these pretty wonderful guitars :)))
The Stromberg’ has the best Balanced tone. The Gibson was next in line. The big Epiphone’ definitely didn’t compare as well- were the strings old on the Emperor ? They sounded old to me! --I’ve found the smaller mid/low end Epiphone guitars tend to be awesome tone machines.
I also wondered about the age of the strings when I first heard the Epi. Sounded like dead strings. But Mike seemed to imply they were the same - so I assume he meant the same age and wear as well as brand and sizes.
@@rhmayer1 -yeah I listened again and the strings on the emperor were Flat out of tune? Something funky going on. I’m a luthier for 40+ years with good ear and know when it’s a string issue? Possibly the Bridge was out of place? No way a perfectly tuned and dialed 40s Epiphone is gonna sound like that
I was surprised myself as I said in the video. Just sounded flat. I think the culprit was the bridge base and saddle. I wish I could send you a photo of what was on it. It’s a very light wood. Anyway, she sounds better now but I am selling her this week so….
My impressions of the guitars listening to the video are in line with your explanations of what you heard in person. The Emperor sounds muffled. That's not an experience I've ever had with a vintage Epiphone archtop.
On my STROM G-5 it’s under the nut which slides out when strings are loose. I assume for the Master it’s the same although I haven’t had to adjust it yet so do t know for sure, but I assume it’s there. :)
listened to this video again. The Emperor strings were Flat/out of tune. Not sure what’s up with those strings but they sounded bad. that Emperor has something going on. Bridge out of place?
Yep , I had just changed strings before the vid so she slipped. The other thing I discovered was the bridge was not rosewood but pear wood I guess. I swapped a rosewood base and saddle since and much better!
@@Mikesarchangels 👍. Good deal. I’ve been a luthier for 40+ years. I’ve occasionally had a bad batch/ set of new strings a few times over the years. Arch tops are more tricky to get perfectly Dialed!!! Much like a Violin. Every little thing can make s difference. The seating of the Bridge Base. Saddle and nut slots. I have 3 EPIs. 40s Broadway,Ritz and 53’ Zenith Everyone when I got them needed to be dialed in. I carved out custom Brazilian one piece bridges for the Ritz and the Zenith. Tricky to do right, but bumped up the Tonal response. All them Boxes you got there are sweet!
Cmon brother. Sounds like folk music. Play some proper chords. Swing or jazz. No disrespect. But you can’t appreciate what these guitars are or what they were meant for unless you play them proper.
I'd say the Berg would be better for snappy gypsy work, brighter with faster response and even the Epi with it's short sustain as in so many gypsy standards. The 400 doesn't have that tubby tone that so many have been accused of, bright for a 400 and best for standards in spite of Birlei's proclivity for them.
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Beautiful ! Incidentally. Hank Garland played a Stromberg on his version of Irving Berlin's , "Always."
Gibson then Stromberg then Emperor in nthat order for me. Thank you for a nice video.
Hey Mike, nice trio there ! Love the stromberg, and i loved the meat on the dry mids very punchy from the emperor, i d bet that guitar might cut a loy in a big band. The super 400 didn t move me much this time, a bit in the same tonal response as the Stromberg but less wide
I absolutely love your archtop videos. ❤️👍
Thanks Vincent! I am glad someone likes them!
I love the Stromberg ( especially because of the cutaway - which can't really make much difference to the overall sound -or maybe it does ) but I would still opt for the Super 400. I love it. The Epiphone sounds like it would be great pounding out a backing rhythm to a Django tune or so but as ya say, It sounded the least of the trio. ( all very beautiful guitars and maybe just one change of strings away from someones perfect guitar. ) Thanks for posting and letting us hear them all.
I happen to like the Stormberg the best, but I also think the strings on the Epi are pretty old. The S400 had some notes sound kind of tubby. Of course, who the heck knows what they'd sound like with a pickup, through a good amp.....which is how you'd use them 90+% of the time.
Absolutely lovely sound. Stromberg Gibson Epiphone in that order for me.
Stromberg sounds thicker and warmer while still being precise and able to cut.
What do you personally look for in the sound of an archtop?
Each guitar has very different tonal characteristics. The Stromberg was the brightest and most balanced. The Epiphone projected the most, at least as far as the mic was concerned. Any guitar is a good investment if you love playing it. 😎
My Epiphone benefited greatly from lower tension Monel strings. No it doesn't sound as pretty on an open chord but you have to remember that it was designed to project staccato four-to-the-bar chords, and excels at that task.
I think it's really hard to tell from these sort of things, but I liked the Super 400 the best.
Magnifique la Stromberg 400 ! Esthétique et son incroyable j'adore ....
Stromberg: fullest, richest overall sound. Emperor: second in overall fullness, though I suspect the strings could use renewal. The Gibson was least in in total impression. Lowest volume overall, and tilted more toward hi mids and treble than the other two.
Totally agree!
Hi Mike... Thank-U for archtops and playing the sound and looking
Different string on the Epi can have a positive effect.
I liked the Epi best, contrary to popular opinion. To me Sto was harsh and Gib not full enough. Having said that I d prefer a 61 D Angelico New Yorker to all these pretty wonderful guitars :)))
The Stromberg’ has the best Balanced tone. The Gibson was next in line. The big Epiphone’ definitely didn’t compare as well- were the strings old on the Emperor ? They sounded old to me! --I’ve found the smaller mid/low end Epiphone guitars tend to be awesome tone machines.
I also wondered about the age of the strings when I first heard the Epi. Sounded like dead strings. But Mike seemed to imply they were the same - so I assume he meant the same age and wear as well as brand and sizes.
@@rhmayer1 -yeah I listened again and the strings on the emperor were Flat out of tune? Something funky going on. I’m a luthier for 40+ years with good ear and know when it’s a string issue? Possibly the Bridge was out of place? No way a perfectly tuned and dialed 40s Epiphone is gonna sound like that
I was surprised myself as I said in the video. Just sounded flat. I think the culprit was the bridge base and saddle. I wish I could send you a photo of what was on it. It’s a very light wood. Anyway, she sounds better now but I am selling her this week so….
@@Mikesarchangels She's a beaut and gonna make the buyer very happy! Especially after a little TLC for the bridge and saddle.
Well worth the investment. For me, its the Stromberg, Gibson and Epiphone 1, 2, 3.
My impressions of the guitars listening to the video are in line with your explanations of what you heard in person. The Emperor sounds muffled. That's not an experience I've ever had with a vintage Epiphone archtop.
Yep, I played a prewar Emporer at Mandolin 20 years ago and super tone all through the register. $4400 more than I had at the time.
Stromberg has more resonance and range,the Gibson is bassier but a little muffled in comparison and the Epiphone was flat..
The Sound wins
Love this one Mike 💛🎸
Thank you! I wish I had been able to buy Hanks! :)
@@Mikesarchangels we would loved it too !!
Where are the jazz licks?
On the next video. As I mentioned this was just an open chord tone test primarily.
@@Mikesarchangels yup don’t forget the D13b9b5
How is the truss rod adjusted on the Stromberg Master?
On my STROM G-5 it’s under the nut which slides out when strings are loose. I assume for the Master it’s the same although I haven’t had to adjust it yet so do t know for sure, but I assume it’s there. :)
The Stromberg wins
Super 400 is my choice. Epi is out of its league in this comparison.
listened to this video again. The Emperor strings were Flat/out of tune. Not sure what’s up with those strings but they sounded bad. that Emperor has something going on. Bridge out of place?
Yep , I had just changed strings before the vid so she slipped. The other thing I discovered was the bridge was not rosewood but pear wood I guess. I swapped a rosewood base and saddle since and much better!
@@Mikesarchangels 👍. Good deal. I’ve been a luthier for 40+ years. I’ve occasionally had a bad batch/ set of new strings a few times over the years. Arch tops are more tricky to get perfectly Dialed!!! Much like a Violin. Every little thing can make s difference. The seating of the Bridge Base. Saddle and nut slots. I have 3 EPIs. 40s Broadway,Ritz and 53’ Zenith Everyone when I got them needed to be dialed in. I carved out custom Brazilian one piece bridges for the Ritz and the Zenith. Tricky to do right, but bumped up the Tonal response. All them Boxes you got there are sweet!
The Stromberg has a better sound.
Hugh fan of Epiphone Archtops / Jazz Body, but, that model way out of range compared to either of the other (2) .
Cmon brother. Sounds like folk music. Play some proper chords. Swing or jazz. No disrespect. But you can’t appreciate what these guitars are or what they were meant for unless you play them proper.
Check the other videos for jazz chord melodies I play on this guitar. Can’t cover everything in one video.
Put them up against a NYer...
I'd say the Berg would be better for snappy gypsy work, brighter with faster response and even the Epi with it's short sustain as in so many gypsy standards. The 400 doesn't have that tubby tone that so many have been accused of, bright for a 400 and best for standards in spite of Birlei's proclivity for them.
yes NYer on the way.
ruclips.net/video/ZnJVbVcWsTM/видео.html