Definitely distinct voices, my assumptions were way off for the first comparison but then I was able to identify them after! Both stunning sonic and visual masterpieces!! I’m loving this series of videos Michael, I hope you will continue to do them!! Eargasms one and all!!
Well I got two out of three. I must say though that I'm completely blown away by the 00 sound, I never would have expected the results. Thank you for giving us such a treat.
I got 1 and 3 wrong and I owned a Kostal OM. I’m on his list for an OO because I have an old shoulder but I’m not sad after listening to your video. Can’t go wrong with either
Not huge differences between the two but I’d have to say I prefer the warmth of the 00. I’m a bit biased though, I’ve always loved the 00 designs. Thanks again Michael for another very professional and high quality video. I always learn something new.
Great comparison again! I got all 3 correct but wasn't absolutely confident in rounds 2 and 3. The warmth of the 12 fret, both bass and treble came through strongly in the first round but was to me, less differentiated thereafter. Both stunning guitars with incredibly rich voices.
It's not fair. As soon as you spent time to listen to Vetiver, you instantly recognize your MD, specially in the mid - mid low range spectrum. BTW, if I remember well, Jason made a special order for one of his client: 2 guitars, with exact same wood, but one big, one small, no? What's really amazing, is how Jason is able to make his OO sounds so big, it's fantastic. And this sustain……………………
I think the main factor behind the differences in sound is not the size in this case. I think it is the bridge location. The 12th fret neck joint vs the 14th fret neck joint on the dread. This resulted in the dread having a tighter sound, less pronounced high notes, while the other smaller guitar bridge placement was closer to optimal which meant richer higher notes. So many other differences between the guitars, so we are comparing apples to cars in a way but to my ear this sounded like the main reason.
Wow, what a surprise, expecting the first to be ..... eh ...the other one. But, I guess, it depends on the piece you are playing. Both are great looking and sounding guitars of corse. Thanks for bringing these up.
You are definitely spoilt for choice, lol. For me, the 00 is preferable its focus and separation are probably why I like small-body guitars, as always, thanks for taking the time to do this. I always enjoy catching up with your channel
Bridge location can make a big difference, so neck joint at 12th or 14th fret contributed to the results. A 13th fret neck joint is probably best tonally. I preferred the Dreadnaught's mids and bass. The non-cutaway usually sounded bigger, but the bass was muffled. Very different tonalities on each instrument. I think for finger style, bigger soundboards are hard to activate due to the larger inertia, so picks/plectrums are better for them.
This is a fab little series of video's Michael, and of course more opportunities to hear your playing. Something I'd like to see and hear is how much - if any - difference there is (playing and tonality) between top flight factory made guitars e.g. Martin D45, Lowden etc., compared to boutique luthier built guitars. The closest I've come to owning anything of that calibre was a special by Jimmy Moon some years ago, which I stupidly part exchanged for a special edition Koa Taylor which I regret to this day. Although the Taylor was exquisite to play, the Moon was infinitely better sounding.
Some years ago Michael at the Nth American Guitar you suggested I try a Kostal 00 German/Wenge. It’s still a guitar I tell people about. I only wish I could have afforded it at the time.
Hi Michael at least to my ears the 00 sounds fuller and better note separation, and may dare say more articulate. I may be biased because I personally prefer small body guitars
Definitely more challenging. I was on buds, but I doubt I would have done better in life. Got tests 1 and 3 right, test 2 wrong. I even went back and checked 2, and knowing what the first guitar was, I still thought it wasn't (if you see what I mean - I'm trying hard to avoid spoilers). Th e 00 has an almost classical tone, but the MD doesn't really sound like a dread - much more like a 000 or 0000.
This was quite easy the MD just has more bottom end and less string separation. I prefer the larger instrument. I’d like to hear the Martin D45 you were playing compared with the Kostal MD. I suspect the Martin would have more bottom end, less clarity and balance.
@@MichaelWatts That really wasn’t my impression comparing the MD with the D45 recordings, but the conditions and pieces were different so far from conclusive. No matter how skilled the builder, smaller guitars bring advantages and limitations to the table and that was evident in these recordings. The modified dreadnought certainly had more low end, giving the impression of a warmer overall output. The smaller guitar projected better but also had the beginnings of what I think of as small-guitar boxiness! I find the luthier vs high end factory instrument comparison fascinating. The handful of very best guitars I’ve played have nearly all been ‘boutique’ instruments, bridging the gap between factory and sole luthiers. The one exception was a Martin OM Authentic which was simply incredible, but then these are akin to Martin boutique builds. Your comparison videos are great. So far I’ve been able to differentiate 100% which was a pleasant surprise given I was unable to reliably tell the difference between four classical guitars built as part of the Leonard’s project. Nobody else could either!
I thought both instruments sounded wonderful. But I prefer the modified dreadnought. I feel like you can hear a little bit more modulation in the notes. And that the sound of the reverb created by the modified dreadnought, is less predictable. Which seems to create a bit more nuance to the reverb. Also I prefer the bass notes of the modified dreadnought.
I got rounds 1 & 3 correct and was fairly confident. Not a fan of strumming and got that one wrong. Oddly, the smaller guitar seemed to have more separation in the strumming which I wouldn’t have expected?
Very different from your comparison of the other day with the carbon fiber guitar. On that one I was listening more to the trebles, their upper midrange. On this one I was listening more to the bottom end, to hear that typical 'dred' tone. On the CF comparison I got 3 for 3, today I only got 2 right! I'm very impressed with his 00, although that dred is no slouch at all! Where in AZ is he?
No spoilers allowed, so I can only say that on each occasion I thought "yes, that must be the XXX", then when the other instrument came on I went "oh wait, this sounds ..... so ..." until you the other registers came in. I didn't find this one all that difficult really, IMHO both behave exactly like one would predict from their size in these samples. It would become a lot more interesting if you could do a comparison where you also don't know which is which while recording. I wonder if Isaac from Cranmer guitars still has his parallel/x-braced twins at home, for instance.
Definitely distinct voices, my assumptions were way off for the first comparison but then I was able to identify them after!
Both stunning sonic and visual masterpieces!!
I’m loving this series of videos Michael, I hope you will continue to do them!!
Eargasms one and all!!
@@scottfishkind5335 Thank you Scott! There will be more I promise!
Great and creative method for comparing two guitars, blind listening followed by video of what we just heard.
Well I got two out of three. I must say though that I'm completely blown away by the 00 sound, I never would have expected the results. Thank you for giving us such a treat.
@@ellenrik thank you!
Both are drop dead gorgeous and very balanced, but the MD sounds so full and beautiful. Great playing as always.
@@stickman55100 thank you for listening!
The lower end-tone on the 12 fret, truly magical. Over all, they both are unicorns, each of a different color. Thank you for sharing. Cheers
Oh yeah, the sustaining bass had a life all its own so, it was an easy tell. Aced it. Lucky slob.
I got 1 and 3 wrong and I owned a Kostal OM. I’m on his list for an OO because I have an old shoulder but I’m not sad after listening to your video. Can’t go wrong with either
@@edwarddeason6074 congratulations Edward!
Didn’t get them right but I am enjoying this series a “mindful” break with the playing and visuals. Keep ‘em coming!
@@clairem1126 thank you!
I could hear some differences, but subtle. The main thing I was impressed by is the sustain and overtones on both guitars, which was unreal!
@@conceptofdreadnought I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!
Not huge differences between the two but I’d have to say I prefer the warmth of the 00. I’m a bit biased though, I’ve always loved the 00 designs. Thanks again Michael for another very professional and high quality video. I always learn something new.
@@Richard_Lush thank you for watching Richard!
Fascinating! I flunked every time..The 00 sounds big! Great challenge!
@@kinnjohn thanks for listening!
Cool vid. Thx.
Great comparison again! I got all 3 correct but wasn't absolutely confident in rounds 2 and 3. The warmth of the 12 fret, both bass and treble came through strongly in the first round but was to me, less differentiated thereafter. Both stunning guitars with incredibly rich voices.
@@anthonynicholls1813 Thank you Anthony!
It's not fair. As soon as you spent time to listen to Vetiver, you instantly recognize your MD, specially in the mid - mid low range spectrum. BTW, if I remember well, Jason made a special order for one of his client: 2 guitars, with exact same wood, but one big, one small, no?
What's really amazing, is how Jason is able to make his OO sounds so big, it's fantastic. And this sustain……………………
I did not expect that 00 to sound much more rounded, even deeper in sound than the dreadnought.
@@enigmabletchley6936 sometimes things can surprise us! Even guitars!
Both sound gorgeous. I guessed the 00 on each take. It sounds more immediate with more note separation. If I had a choice (if only) I’d pick the 00
Would love you to expose Tom Sands guitars ( also a Somogyi student ) too.
@@chrisosseweijer2798 You never know!
I think the main factor behind the differences in sound is not the size in this case. I think it is the bridge location. The 12th fret neck joint vs the 14th fret neck joint on the dread. This resulted in the dread having a tighter sound, less pronounced high notes, while the other smaller guitar bridge placement was closer to optimal which meant richer higher notes. So many other differences between the guitars, so we are comparing apples to cars in a way but to my ear this sounded like the main reason.
Shocked! Wrong on all 3!! That 00 is bold and powerful.........I love the cutaway on the dreadnought......both sound incredible
@@leelossi1257 this is how we learn!
Wow, what a surprise, expecting the first to be ..... eh ...the other one. But, I guess, it depends on the piece you are playing.
Both are great looking and sounding guitars of corse. Thanks for bringing these up.
@@chrisosseweijer2798 thank you Chris!
You are definitely spoilt for choice, lol. For me, the 00 is preferable its focus and separation are probably why I like small-body guitars, as always, thanks for taking the time to do this. I always enjoy catching up with your channel
@@jez6345789 thank you so much Jez!
Bridge location can make a big difference, so neck joint at 12th or 14th fret contributed to the results. A 13th fret neck joint is probably best tonally.
I preferred the Dreadnaught's mids and bass. The non-cutaway usually sounded bigger, but the bass was muffled. Very different tonalities on each instrument. I think for finger style, bigger soundboards are hard to activate due to the larger inertia, so picks/plectrums are better for them.
This is a fab little series of video's Michael, and of course more opportunities to hear your playing. Something I'd like to see and hear is how much - if any - difference there is (playing and tonality) between top flight factory made guitars e.g. Martin D45, Lowden etc., compared to boutique luthier built guitars. The closest I've come to owning anything of that calibre was a special by Jimmy Moon some years ago, which I stupidly part exchanged for a special edition Koa Taylor which I regret to this day. Although the Taylor was exquisite to play, the Moon was infinitely better sounding.
Some years ago Michael at the Nth American Guitar you suggested I try a Kostal 00 German/Wenge. It’s still a guitar I tell people about. I only wish I could have afforded it at the time.
Hi Michael at least to my ears the 00 sounds fuller and better note separation, and may dare say more articulate. I may be biased because I personally prefer small body guitars
@@bartholomewromero3383 personal bias is as good a reason as any!
Definitely more challenging. I was on buds, but I doubt I would have done better in life. Got tests 1 and 3 right, test 2 wrong. I even went back and checked 2, and knowing what the first guitar was, I still thought it wasn't (if you see what I mean - I'm trying hard to avoid spoilers). Th e 00 has an almost classical tone, but the MD doesn't really sound like a dread - much more like a 000 or 0000.
This was quite easy the MD just has more bottom end and less string separation. I prefer the larger instrument. I’d like to hear the Martin D45 you were playing compared with the Kostal MD. I suspect the Martin would have more bottom end, less clarity and balance.
@@nickpearsonuk well I didn’t film it but I can tell you that the MD has a much deeper voice than the D45
@@MichaelWatts That really wasn’t my impression comparing the MD with the D45 recordings, but the conditions and pieces were different so far from conclusive. No matter how skilled the builder, smaller guitars bring advantages and limitations to the table and that was evident in these recordings. The modified dreadnought certainly had more low end, giving the impression of a warmer overall output. The smaller guitar projected better but also had the beginnings of what I think of as small-guitar boxiness!
I find the luthier vs high end factory instrument comparison fascinating. The handful of very best guitars I’ve played have nearly all been ‘boutique’ instruments, bridging the gap between factory and sole luthiers. The one exception was a Martin OM Authentic which was simply incredible, but then these are akin to Martin boutique builds.
Your comparison videos are great. So far I’ve been able to differentiate 100% which was a pleasant surprise given I was unable to reliably tell the difference between four classical guitars built as part of the Leonard’s project. Nobody else could either!
I thought both instruments sounded wonderful. But I prefer the modified dreadnought. I feel like you can hear a little bit more modulation in the notes. And that the sound of the reverb created by the modified dreadnought, is less predictable. Which seems to create a bit more nuance to the reverb. Also I prefer the bass notes of the modified dreadnought.
@@aficionadolurecompany700 great stuff, thank you for listening! The MD is older and more heavily played too which doubtless has some impact
I got rounds 1 & 3 correct and was fairly confident. Not a fan of strumming and got that one wrong. Oddly, the smaller guitar seemed to have more separation in the strumming which I wouldn’t have expected?
@@phillipbancroft7945 good ears Phillip!
Aloha Micheal! Great sounding guitars. Wonder how a cutaway affect a smaller bodied guitar?
@@victorbeebe8372 Aloha Victor! Jason doesn’t offer his 00 with a cutaway but on others I’ve played the results can be varied
Maybe I have an unfair ear: I have 2 00s that sound great, like the one you played. The dreadnought is no slouch, but not a 00. Thanks
@@texhaines9957 thank you for listening!
Very different from your comparison of the other day with the carbon fiber guitar. On that one I was listening more to the trebles, their upper midrange. On this one I was listening more to the bottom end, to hear that typical 'dred' tone. On the CF comparison I got 3 for 3, today I only got 2 right!
I'm very impressed with his 00, although that dred is no slouch at all! Where in AZ is he?
@@PaisleyPatchouli thanks for listening! Jason is near Phoenix - have a look at his website for more info
No spoilers allowed, so I can only say that on each occasion I thought "yes, that must be the XXX", then when the other instrument came on I went "oh wait, this sounds ..... so ..." until you the other registers came in. I didn't find this one all that difficult really, IMHO both behave exactly like one would predict from their size in these samples.
It would become a lot more interesting if you could do a comparison where you also don't know which is which while recording. I wonder if Isaac from Cranmer guitars still has his parallel/x-braced twins at home, for instance.
Michael, I "thumbs up" your video but it's not showing up.
edit:
Ok it registered.
That Dreadnought doesn't sound like a Dreadnought to my ears
As DADGAD is your tuning of choice, Michael, could you show us some of your moves in it and tell us why you like it so much?
It does specifically when playing Martins 😂 same material with no cut out
@@RahulSharma_JaiMataDi that’s very true Rahul
I flunked this one.
I thought the Kostal 00 was the bigger guitar! 😅
@@paulboden7850 there you go!
Not trying to ask a prying question but how do you fund all of these insane guitars? just through youtube?
The only way I can tell is #2 has a lower pitched sound.
@@Acoustic_Music-h6x there is more bass there for sure
Got the first one right,2nd and third wrong…I’ll get my coat…
@@joelfildes5544 ha ha!
Size only matters if it's less than six inches....just sayin'. Like your stuff Michael just a bit of Saturday afternoon levity.
@@dietersdawgs thank you Dieter!
Isn't the tree, brazilian rosewood? So you're comparing Rosewood with mahogony? Doesn't that add another dynamic?
@@cugir321 The Tree is quilted mahogany
00.