Have you ever wished you could do some A-B comparisons between guitars to to hear how they sound? Maybe you've wondered how a modern guitar compares to a vintage guitar? Or, you might be curious how a large guitar sounds compared to a smaller body? How different tonewoods sound?
Bryan Kimsey had these questions, and because he is both a luthier and a guitar player he decided to make some A-B recordings of himself playing various instruments. In these recordings, the guitars take turns playing the same tune - only you won't know which one starts first. You can learn more about some of these instruments on Bryan's website. Bryan is now doing guitar comparisons on YouTube. Click here to visit his channel.
Bryan has been kind enough to allow us to host these audio comparisons so we could share them with you. They are presented below and are grouped into several categories. The two guitars are listed for each tune, but are shown in a randomly selected order. Listen to each tune and see if you can figure out which guitar plays first and which plays second. To check your guess, click on the answer link provided. You might just be surprised!
TUNE | GUITARS | ORDER |
Comparisons between vintage and modern instruments | ||
Blackberry Blossom | 1941 Martin D-18 vs. Collings D1A | Answer |
Gold Rush | Collings CW vs. 1941 Martin D-18 | Answer |
Red Haired Boy | 1941 Martin D-18 vs. Modified 1975 Martin D-18 | Answer |
Dreadnought comparisons | ||
Alabama Jubilee | Martin D-18 GE vs. Modzilla D-28 | Answer |
Angelina Baker | Martin D-18 GE vs. Martin HD-28 | Answer |
Big Mon | Santa Cruz Tony Rice Pro vs. Martin D-18 GE | Answer |
Bill Cheatham | Collings Clarence White vs. Collings D1A | Answer |
Billy In The Lowground | Collings D1A Varnish vs. Martin D-18 Authentic | Answer |
Bury Me Beneath The Willow | Merrill C-28 vs. Collings CW | Answer |
Cattle in the Cane | Modified 1974 Martin D-18 vs. Martin D-28 GE | Answer |
I Am A Pilgrim | Martin D-18 GE vs. Martin D-28 GE | Answer |
Remington Ride | Collings D1A vs. Martin D-18 GE (personal) | Answer |
St. Anne's Reel | Modzilla D-28 vs. Collings CW | Answer |
Turkey In The Straw | Modzilla D-28 vs. Huss & Dalton Honduran RW | Answer |
Whiskey Before Breakfast | Santa Cruz TR vs. Modzilla D-28 | Answer |
Comparisons between a dreadnought and a smaller body guitar | ||
Cuckoo's Nest | Proulx OM/D Englemann/Walnut vs. Martin D-18 GE | Answer |
Jigs | Proulx OM/D vs. Martin D-18 V | Answer |
Panhandle Rag | Proulx OM/D vs. Collings CW | Answer |
Salt Creek #2 | Martin OM-18 V vs. Martin D-18 GE | Answer |
Smaller body guitar comparisons | ||
Amazing Grace | Proulx OM/D - Ad/SE Asian RW vs. Proulx OM/D - Cedar/Mah | Answer |
Salt Creek #1 | Proulx OM/D Englemann/Walnut vs. Martin OM-18 V | Answer |