All gorgeous: The playing, the sound, the guitars, the pickups, and especially the socks. If I had socks like that, I too could play like Wes Montgomery.
What's revealing is how good all the archtops sound good with whatever Charlie Christian pick-up they are equipped with. It's a win-win for old school jazz guitarists to get great tone.
beautiful work on every one of the guitars..I have a couple of Pete's pickups or different types including the CC.. He is outstanding..My fave? I really live the way the notes seems to pop out of the 175..They are highly prized and it is no surprise.. Still, every one of the instruments has a great sound..Thanks for sharing your gift Shally
@@FredArchtop thank you for listening. The Über funk orchestra is more of a project. I arrange the tunes and write the charts, and hire reading musicians to play the gig. The band that you’re hearing is on it’s second gig, so I’m glad how it turned out. The arch top was made in Regina, Sk. Can. by Peter Allen Sawchyn in 1994. It does have a Benedetto floating pickup, but I’ve always really liked the CC sound. I’ve been considering replacing the Benedetto with a CC floating for quite sometime now. Your channel has inspired me to go for it. Happy New Year.
@@KristopherCraig Good music all around, either with your band or as a solo guitar. I've tried personally several replacement CC over the time, like the CC-UK, Lollar-P90 format or the Pete Biltoft. The CC-UK is the more trustful with it's original format but the Pete Biltoft is a very good alternative. All the best for the new ear.
I like the ES175 sound the best. I have tried very diligently to achieve this amplified sound but alas, I have not been able to understand how to generate this warm mystical aural sound. It must orginate in the hands only of those players that have a certain DNA..
Use the bridge pick up, put the tone knob on 0 and open up gently the PU. Stop opening when you hear some trebles are coming. This usually happens around 3/3.5 with the tone knob. The sweet spot is there. Then you can do minimum ajustment with your amp. Hope this helps.
Fred, 1st let me say you can make anything sound great. I love the sharp attack of of the CC pickups. The “tight” sound of the Gibsons are extra good. The L5 was my favorite. You are a fantastic player. I really enjoy your videos. Keep it up my friend!
Thank you my friend. Wise choice Joey, the L5C is a fantastic instrument. But you know more than me the real musicality of these L5s. They are the pinnacle of jazz guitar.
You’re a combination of an excellent journalist, scientist, engineer and musician. The older instruments are better sounding but your artistry is not instrument-independent. It is so nice to hear the comparisons of such wonderful historic instruments on a tune that is meant so much to me for such a long time. Having “stolen moments” as a “pedal” reference point underscores the benefits of what you are trying to do. Thank you very much.
Thanks Jon. This is a tricky video to produce, with all the different takes that must be synchronized. Music-wise you have to think of a progression where all the guitars carry the torch logically. But it's also a good musical exercise. Cheers.
In my view, CC pickup is so versatile and can pull so many different tonal qualities, that some players get slapped on the wrist by it (CC and Dynasonic tend to emphasise bad articulation and fretting inaccuracies, where humbuckers just punch through). You, sir have impeccable tone and control in every instance.
Thank you Barabyk. I totally agree when you say that CC pick ups, and more generally single coil PU are unforgiving. They amplify everything, being good or bad in your playing...Best and take care.
my favorite axe is the L5C w, CC. I own a vintage early 70s 175 gutted and fitted with a vintage DeArmond. I have a custom made prototype DeVoe archtop [out of Florida] and an acoustic venetian cutaway custom archtop by Roberts out of California [similar to a Benedetto Venezia]
Excellent playing AND excellent job on the editing - for sure a lot of time and patience making those splices with the time kept perfect. Really liked your lines and the wonderful tone. Can't pick a favorite box - you made them all sing.
Незаметно время уплывает и уносит в даль былого шик, вот сегодня старая гитара, вроде словно новая звучит, хоть по виду видно что старуха, и сегодня мода уж не та, всё же звуки на её аккордах, вызывают радость бытия
I was looking for some pickup demos since I want to mod the Ibanez AG85 I bought months ago. I was checking the CC pickup demos around here and wow. Amazing playing Fred! Sweet and wonderful sound :) I hope I can find an affordable CC floating style pickup soon. Thanks for sharing :D
Barney Kessel seemed to prefer the CC pickup. My own view is that a humbucker is always better and that tone comes down to what your guitar is going into and of course fingers.
You play beautifully, which of those guitars is your personal favorite? Mine is the ES 150 , I have a 46 L7 but no PU , wondering if a McCarty Pick guard PU would work on it ?
Just my opinion but I think the ES-150 has the most personality, or to put it another way, has the most dynamic range and expressiveness. I also really like the sound of the DS-250, very open sounding, and the monels seem to have really nice overtones.
Hi MG. I agree with you. The ES-150 is probably the most dynamic jazz guitar ever made by Gibson. It's funny to think they reached the pinnacle of jazz guitar with their first model ever released. And Daniel Slaman is paying his due to these prewar Charlie Christian guitars. This DS-250 is now very opened and the Monel strings fit very well with it. Cheers.
Makes me wish I had money. Damn, trying to get away from watching frustrating news programs, get into watching guitars n thinking about replacing pickups n stuff. Then I remember nothing good to buy is sold in Australia, and the low Aus dollar means double the price... and 3 months wait for it to turn up; my guitar tech sits on every job, like installing pickups, for 6 months ....... uugghhhh.... it's all in the fingers and the ears Mark.. lol, documentary time.
Question. Where did you buy the pickguards for this Pete Biltoft CC-Ryder pickup ? I am looking for this pickup since there was only the one which was fixed with bolts in the carved or laminated top Pete Biltoft manufactures a floating pickup what for me is interesting. Only the pickguard has to be changed but at your guitars I see a pickguard with a nice white binding( layer) so am wondering where they come from.
The pickguard was already there when I bought the guitar (L5C). But I've bought multiple other Gibson historical pickguards @archtop.com. Hope this helps.
Hello! Q1: where can I find the audio track? Is it your song? Q2: how do you get this mellow dark jazz tone? Is it the guitar's pickup or EQ settings? Many archtop guitars videos have a brighter and more acoustic sound than yours, but I'm looking to get a dark tone like yours. Thanks!
Hi Swann. R1: it's not my tune. It's a composition of Oliver Nelson, great sax and arranger from the 60's. You can grab the track by using UA-cam/mp3 converters available on the Internet. R2: archtop tone depends on the structure of the body (width, depths), the strings (flatwounds give a darker tone) and pick up set up (tone knob under 3/10 usually). In general, teh larger the body and the depth of the guitar, the darker the tone. Hope this helps.
Really like the sound of es150 the most, besides having an original pickup do you think not having a cutaway contribute something to the roundness of the sound?
Thanks. As far as I know, a cutaway hasn't much influence on the tone. As for the prewar ES150, roundness is probably generated by the magic combo: carved top and X bracing. Best.
@@wckoek Yes there is. The ES-250 model has adjusted pole pieces, i.e. each pole pieces height optimized (roughly for a 12-54 gauge string set). Original ES-150 has a bar instead of individualized pole pieces.
@@FredArchtop So, in terms of sound, do you think the ES-250 ones are more suited to modern playing and strings, or if one sounded better than the other? There is a notched version on the UK site as well.
@@wckoek The pole piece version should be more balanced. Check also the resistance of each version of the mic'. The pole piece might have a stronger output. In any case you can't go wrong. They are great mic's.
Thanks. I'm more into flats than rounds for a smooth electric tone, though I know the flats came quite lately in the course of jazz guitar. Potatoe/potatoe...Cheers.
The pickups sound so mellow. But then so does the music. An amazing collection of vintage Gibsons there ... All very nice !
Thank you PJ. Best and take care.
All gorgeous: The playing, the sound, the guitars, the pickups, and especially the socks.
If I had socks like that, I too could play like Wes Montgomery.
Pete Biltoft is the man for a masterful sounding floating CC pickup. (That is quintessential info that every archtop jazz guitarist needs to know)!😇
Your playing is absolutly incredible. Love it so much. Coltrane on guitar! So inspiring !
Oliver Nelson
@@murrayatuptown353 Yep the original tune is Nelson, but I meant the playing and articulations remind me Coltrane's way
@@acwatercolors I think both musicians appreciated each other.
What's revealing is how good all the archtops sound good with whatever Charlie Christian pick-up they are equipped with. It's a win-win for old school jazz guitarists to get great tone.
I came on this by accident and oh wow. This guy is incrediable not sure if I spelled that right. What a great artist. Thanks so much. 5 stars or more.
Nice socks. They go with everything! Great tone on all of the guitars.
Thanks Gene. Socks are important Indeed.
beautiful work on every one of the guitars..I have a couple of Pete's pickups or different types including the CC.. He is outstanding..My fave? I really live the way the notes seems to pop out of the 175..They are highly prized and it is no surprise.. Still, every one of the instruments has a great sound..Thanks for sharing your gift
Shally
Amazing you could refinish the body on this guitar - while playing - and not miss a note!
Genial! Nice transition from low to high register. Im "borrowing" some of the jazz line at the on my solo. Keep up the great work.
They all sound great, but I think the original 1938 has the sweetest sound. At least to my ear. Thanks for all the great videos.
Thanks Chris. The 1938 is my favorite archtop. I went to see your channel. Nice funky music. Nice Benedetto also! Cheers and happy new year to come.
@@FredArchtop thank you for listening. The Über funk orchestra is more of a project. I arrange the tunes and write the charts, and hire reading musicians to play the gig. The band that you’re hearing is on it’s second gig, so I’m glad how it turned out.
The arch top was made in Regina, Sk. Can. by Peter Allen Sawchyn in 1994. It does have a Benedetto floating pickup, but I’ve always really liked the CC sound. I’ve been considering replacing the Benedetto with a CC floating for quite sometime now. Your channel has inspired me to go for it. Happy New Year.
@@KristopherCraig Good music all around, either with your band or as a solo guitar. I've tried personally several replacement CC over the time, like the CC-UK, Lollar-P90 format or the Pete Biltoft. The CC-UK is the more trustful with it's original format but the Pete Biltoft is a very good alternative. All the best for the new ear.
Beautiful playing
Thank you.
I like the ES175 sound the best. I have tried very diligently to achieve this amplified sound but alas, I have not been able to understand how to generate this warm mystical aural sound. It must orginate in the hands only of those players that have a certain DNA..
Use the bridge pick up, put the tone knob on 0 and open up gently the PU. Stop opening when you hear some trebles are coming. This usually happens around 3/3.5 with the tone knob. The sweet spot is there. Then you can do minimum ajustment with your amp. Hope this helps.
Fred, 1st let me say you can make anything sound great. I love the sharp attack of of the CC pickups. The “tight” sound of the Gibsons are extra good. The L5 was my favorite.
You are a fantastic player. I really enjoy your videos. Keep it up my friend!
Thank you my friend. Wise choice Joey, the L5C is a fantastic instrument. But you know more than me the real musicality of these L5s. They are the pinnacle of jazz guitar.
You’re a combination of an excellent journalist, scientist, engineer and musician. The older instruments are better sounding but your artistry is not instrument-independent. It is so nice to hear the comparisons of such wonderful historic instruments on a tune that is meant so much to me for such a long time. Having “stolen moments” as a “pedal” reference point underscores the benefits of what you are trying to do. Thank you very much.
Thanks Jon. This is a tricky video to produce, with all the different takes that must be synchronized. Music-wise you have to think of a progression where all the guitars carry the torch logically. But it's also a good musical exercise. Cheers.
being a Gibson fan myself....thanks for posting.....just great
In my view, CC pickup is so versatile and can pull so many different tonal qualities, that some players get slapped on the wrist by it (CC and Dynasonic tend to emphasise bad articulation and fretting inaccuracies, where humbuckers just punch through). You, sir have impeccable tone and control in every instance.
Thank you Barabyk. I totally agree when you say that CC pick ups, and more generally single coil PU are unforgiving. They amplify everything, being good or bad in your playing...Best and take care.
Very nice playing, and incredibly smooth.
Love the video😁👍
my favorite axe is the L5C w, CC. I own a vintage early 70s 175 gutted and fitted with a vintage DeArmond. I have a custom made prototype DeVoe archtop [out of Florida] and an acoustic venetian cutaway custom archtop by Roberts out of California [similar to a Benedetto Venezia]
I think I like every guitar you are playing. So all down to you as a good player!
Thanks Fred 🙏
What amazing tones! Great playing too. I subscribed
Excellent playing AND excellent job on the editing - for sure a lot of time and patience making those splices with the time kept perfect. Really liked your lines and the wonderful tone. Can't pick a favorite box - you made them all sing.
Thanks Robert. I've done a couple of others videos where I am comparing two or more guitars. Best and take care.
Beautiful sounding pickups.
It's something I could listen to "forever"
Fantastic sound these pickups! Your playing is amazing
Thank you, i loved it!!!!😊🖐
Незаметно время уплывает и уносит в даль былого шик, вот сегодня старая гитара, вроде словно новая звучит, хоть по виду видно что старуха, и сегодня мода уж не та, всё же звуки на её аккордах, вызывают радость бытия
I was looking for some pickup demos since I want to mod the Ibanez AG85 I bought months ago. I was checking the CC pickup demos around here and wow. Amazing playing Fred! Sweet and wonderful sound :) I hope I can find an affordable CC floating style pickup soon. Thanks for sharing :D
Thanks for the advice
MASTERFUL! BRILLIANT! GENIUS!
All guitars have excellent sound.
Wonderful ! Arsene Lupin don't steal as fine. These mics sounds so tender !
Thanks David. These are the mics I prefer for a true vintage sound. Best.
This is the sound that I want my archtop to have
This is beautiful
Thanks Alberto !
Barney Kessel seemed to prefer the CC pickup. My own view is that a humbucker is always better and that tone comes down to what your guitar is going into and of course fingers.
Outstanding playing. Jealous. Could listen for hours.
Tasty! Nice playing.
Thanks Shaun.
Sweeeet!
Nailed it . As always. Lovely playing
The blond sounded spectacular
Agree, it is a very good tone.
Those Pete Biltoft CC pickups sound great! Would the floating Biltoft pickup sounds as good on an all laminate archtop?
That 38 ES 150 has something special!
Cannot agree more !
You play beautifully, which of those guitars is your personal favorite?
Mine is the ES 150 , I have a 46 L7 but no PU , wondering if a McCarty
Pick guard PU would work on it ?
@@justinbeech2681 The ES-150 for sure. Best bebop jazz guitar ever made.
sicK mood.. and playing follow mood, Cool stuff already was completed! Thanks for upload🔥 +socks power yeaha
Thanks John. I agree that socks are super important! Cheers.
Great tone
Just my opinion but I think the ES-150 has the most personality, or to put it another way, has the most dynamic range and expressiveness. I also really like the sound of the DS-250, very open sounding, and the monels seem to have really nice overtones.
Hi MG. I agree with you. The ES-150 is probably the most dynamic jazz guitar ever made by Gibson. It's funny to think they reached the pinnacle of jazz guitar with their first model ever released. And Daniel Slaman is paying his due to these prewar Charlie Christian guitars. This DS-250 is now very opened and the Monel strings fit very well with it. Cheers.
I like the socks.
Makes me wish I had money. Damn, trying to get away from watching frustrating news programs, get into watching guitars n thinking about replacing pickups n stuff. Then I remember nothing good to buy is sold in Australia, and the low Aus dollar means double the price... and 3 months wait for it to turn up; my guitar tech sits on every job, like installing pickups, for 6 months ....... uugghhhh.... it's all in the fingers and the ears Mark.. lol, documentary time.
It was seamless!
esos pick ups suenan demasiado bien
Гитары я разные вижу и слышу как класно звучат, и музыка ровная льётся, но главное главное в ней музыкант
Question. Where did you buy the pickguards for this Pete Biltoft CC-Ryder pickup ?
I am looking for this pickup since there was only the one which was fixed with bolts in the carved or laminated top
Pete Biltoft manufactures a floating pickup what for me is interesting. Only the pickguard has to be changed but at your guitars I see a pickguard with a nice white binding( layer) so am wondering where they come from.
The pickguard was already there when I bought the guitar (L5C). But I've bought multiple other Gibson historical pickguards @archtop.com. Hope this helps.
do you know what what size vol/tone pots and cap were used? sounds sweet
Cool Video!! Do you know if it‘s possible to use these Pickups as floating ones?
Sure you can! Look at my video here ua-cam.com/video/migCnthIb9Y/v-deo.html where I am demoing a floating PU made by Pete Biltoft. Best and take care.
Beautiful all the way around!
Q: how did you install that CC pickup in the L-5 without the bolts/screws showing?
Thank you!
L5 pickup is a floating pickup. It doesn't go through the to which would be a real pain. It's just attached to the pickguard. Cheers.
interesting / thanks !
Fred, what amplifier are you using?
Everything sounds amazing, my favorites are L5 and ES 175.
Fender Deluxe Reissue '65. Be safe and take care.
Beatifull sounds.. thank you. Who build your Charlie Christian pickup? Or Is It an original One? Thanks
Hello! Q1: where can I find the audio track? Is it your song? Q2: how do you get this mellow dark jazz tone? Is it the guitar's pickup or EQ settings? Many archtop guitars videos have a brighter and more acoustic sound than yours, but I'm looking to get a dark tone like yours. Thanks!
Hi Swann. R1: it's not my tune. It's a composition of Oliver Nelson, great sax and arranger from the 60's. You can grab the track by using UA-cam/mp3 converters available on the Internet. R2: archtop tone depends on the structure of the body (width, depths), the strings (flatwounds give a darker tone) and pick up set up (tone knob under 3/10 usually). In general, teh larger the body and the depth of the guitar, the darker the tone. Hope this helps.
Really like the sound of es150 the most, besides having an original pickup do you think not having a cutaway contribute something to the roundness of the sound?
Thanks. As far as I know, a cutaway hasn't much influence on the tone. As for the prewar ES150, roundness is probably generated by the magic combo: carved top and X bracing. Best.
@@FredArchtop thanks a lot 👍
# 1 is the better, but the player didn´t make a single solo on it, just played the theme and solo on chords. I wanted to hear that guitar more.
Also the Slaman sounds great too
He is a real master. This guy has dedicated his life to building trustfull prewar guitars.
Excellent sounding and very cool playing. Difficult to figure which sounds the best... Perhaps the es-150 has more pop and thunk.
Obviously, the original ES-150 sounded the best, out of the reproductions which one is your favourite?
All great guitars but the Slaman has something special. Cheers.
@@FredArchtop Is there a difference between the ES-250 style pickup with pole pieces than the ES-150 ones?
@@wckoek Yes there is. The ES-250 model has adjusted pole pieces, i.e. each pole pieces height optimized (roughly for a 12-54 gauge string set). Original ES-150 has a bar instead of individualized pole pieces.
@@FredArchtop So, in terms of sound, do you think the ES-250 ones are more suited to modern playing and strings, or if one sounded better than the other?
There is a notched version on the UK site as well.
@@wckoek The pole piece version should be more balanced. Check also the resistance of each version of the mic'. The pole piece might have a stronger output. In any case you can't go wrong. They are great mic's.
Custom shop socks.
Great playing though isn't is sacrilege to be playing flats on some of these guitars!?
Thanks. I'm more into flats than rounds for a smooth electric tone, though I know the flats came quite lately in the course of jazz guitar. Potatoe/potatoe...Cheers.