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Stonebridge guitars? [message #98845] Tue, 20 May 2008 07:39 Go to previous message
guitar.ottawa is currently offline  guitar.ottawa   CANADA
Messages: 7
Registered: May 2008
Junior Member
Note: is this an appropriate post for this section of the forum? I honestly
don't even know what the "general" area is (I only get IDEA.EMUEnsoniqPARIS,
whatever that is)... apologies if I should have posted to a different
area...

I went out last week to try a Larrivee acoustic at the local shop. The
salesguy asked me a few questions about what I was looking for,
pointed out a nice Larrivee LV-09E, but also invited me to try this
Stonebridge 23CR.

I didn't know much about Stonebridge, but he told me a bit about them,
and a later search on the web revealed a few things. Made in the Czech
Republic (well known for luthiers making other stringed instruments
like violins and cellos, but a relatively new comer to the world of
acoustic guitars). The 23CR is solid rosewood back/sides, a very nice
cedar top, ebony fingerboard, tusq saddle and nut. No electronics at
all, so you have to account for the addition of <whatever> if you're
going to compare it with the Larrive LV-09E.


First chord I strummed was stunning on the Stonebridge. Chimes like a
piano. Just unbelievable. In comparison, the Larrivee sounded muffled
(note that the Larrivee has a spruce top, which takes a bit longer to
open up than the Stonebridge's cedar top, if I recall?).


Since I know little about acoustic guitars, and also since I don't
have such good ears, I wanted to ask around and see what others know
about Stonebridge. I'm sure its resale value would be a lot less than
a Larrivee or a Taylor (can hardly find any on eBay or Craigslist).
But "investment value" aside, and just for the sake of its quality and
sound, any opinions out there?


I did find a few flaws with it: (1) When bending strings, the
Stonebridge goes out of tune (whereas the Larrive staid perfectly in
tune). Is there a nut-tweaking approach to solving this? (2) No
electronics at all, though many here would consider this an advantage,
i.e. get the guitar you want, then add the electronics you want; (3)
Very strong mids, which might be considered an advantage, I'm just not
sure... sometimes it sounded a little nasal, but I wasn't playing my
best, was in the middle of a showroom, and didn't spend much time.


Anyhow, if any of you out there have played a Stonebridge, I'd like to
hear your opinions.


For the record, the 23CR's cost is $1900, while the Larrivee LV-09E
was $2500. Once you add the electronics into the Stonebridge, you're
about at the same cost (or close enough) to a sure-valued Larrivee.


Any input much appreciated...
Dan

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