Thames Guitar Comparison
Three Thames guitars, one piece and one player. Trying to see how different each guitar is.
Guitar one: 2009 Cedar/Indian rosewood
Guitar two: 2007 Cedar/Brazilian rosewood
Guitar three: 2010 Double top (spruce outside, cedar inside)/Brazilian rosewood
All have the same treble strings, Galli Carbons, but different basses.
Posted on February 17, 2010 in Uncategorized
I like the first one the best. The third one a little better than the second. The second one seemed a bit softer than the other two but similar in sound to the first. Third one was a little bit thinner sounding than the first. Just my opinion of course and my speakers are cheapo Cambridge Soundworks (not much bass).
The first one is mine!
I could hear little difference in the first two. It would have been good to have had a spruce top on the 2007 (a couple of years of age on it) for comparison. Like “Bobber”, to me the double-top had a different sound – he uses the word “thinner” – I might say “brighter” or maybe “cold”. I have heard double-tops categorically described as “tinny” sounding. I have played a few double-tops, but none I have been crazy for, and I generally like bright guitars. I’m not sure what it is that bothers me. And here again, given the limitations of the fidelity of the recording and internet, I prefer either of the first two.
Number 2!
Very full sounding with more richness and warmth in tone. The third does sound thinner.
Hi. Listening to the guitars I think the third is thinner in sound than the others? my Thames is like yours (cedar/indian rosewood), and 2009 too (#717). The first one is better. Have you ever had the chance to play a Thames with a tornavoz? Michael is experimenting with that.
I haven’t played one with a Tornavoz.
Are you sure yours in 717? Because mine is too!
As for me, I like better first or second; can’t hear real differences between them, and, if any, they may be based on the different basses.
The third one is clearly different from the others; I don’t really like its, say, “harsher” or “less sweet” sound. (I’m not sure that I have found the right words to describe it, having in mind that I am Spanish speaking).
That said, and having tried pretty many kinds of strings, I definitely prefer nylon (of course, I mean the trebbles); I find nylon sweetest and richest, mostly with a “cedar” top, that is supposed to be “brighter” than spruce.
Hi, Chris:
Those are nice guitar you’re playing there. I like them all. To be honest, I couldn’t hear much difference between the first and second guitars. The spruce-top sounds different, but since I haven’t played or listened to any double-top, I don’t know how much of the difference goes to the double top and how much to the spruce itself.
If you ever get to play a Thames guitar (or any other) with tornavoz, please record it and publish a video for us! I’ve been reading very much on tornavoces but don’t have a clear comparison point.
Thanks in advance.