chuckslide - Posted - 10/05/2022:  06:48:17

Hi, All,

I’m debating a new purchase/upgrade to one of the above or, at a slightly higher level, a Koa Clinesmith reso.
Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Chuck

hlpdobro - Posted - 10/05/2022:  07:46:34

In terms of fit, finish and construction these are all fine guitars and at the same "level" whatever that means to you.



The rest is darn subjective and really depends on your preference of tonal aspects and cosmetics.



The cosmetic differences are easier as prime Koa is highly figured and Todd offered many customizations.



The RS E & JS Standard are not offered with fancy cosmetics and I don't know what, if any, customization is available.



As far as the 2 Beards, different internal "technologies" as the RS E is "open body" and The JS Standard is "baffled".



Where is gets really subjective is how they will sound in your hands. I know how they sound in my hands which may not be relevant.



The last Clinesmith Koa that I played ( 2 years ago maybe) sounded (my terms) "silky sweet", typical for the way I hear Koa.



The RS E and JS Standard both had "big voices", nicely balanced, very articulate and contemporary. They were strung differently (phos/bronze on the RS E, 80/20 on the JS) so I played them as offered. FWIW, and you should take this with a grain of salt, I had a mild preference for the RS E but they were quite similar in-my-hands.



If you are on Facebook, I have a vid of Matt Leadbetter playing the RS E last week.



Both guitars attracted a lot of attention.



I think that's all the "help" I can offer.



hp

Edited by - hlpdobro on 10/05/2022 07:48:18

chuckslide - Posted - 10/05/2022:  10:04:45

Thanks, hlpdobro ! Your two cents’ worth is much appreciated. I also heard the demo I received of the Clinesmith koa similarly. And, I must admit, I was drawn to the seemingly bigger voices of the RS E and the JS Std. Without being too duplicative, I also kinda liked the RS E better than the JS Std initially, but after looking at the similarities in construction, thought I might be getting slightly more “bang for the buck” with the JS at the same price. But, again, I leaned toward the RS E. I’ll definitely check out the Matt Leadbetter video.

Thanks, again.
Chuck

P.S.: That Leadbetter demo you posted may have pushed me over the edge. That RS E sounds great - in Matt’s hands, of course. But, really nice tone and pop. Thanks!

hlpdobro - Posted - 10/05/2022:  10:20:06

You are more than welcome.

I also should add:

Full disclosure as I was working for Beard Guitars last week at IBMA!

In case there was any question/doubt at all.

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 10/05/2022:  14:23:26

I'm looking forward to at some point being able to play a Swift model and some Radio Standard models. But as I wrote here recently  in another thread, the closest Beard dealer to me is a fairly hefty drive, and they haven't brought in many upper level models in several years. 

That Clinesmith koa for sale - it's taking me a fair amount of willpower to keep the credit card in my wallet. But I would have to sell some guitars to be able to justify it.

I was talking to a friend yesterday who just spent 10 grand on a pair of really nice resos. 

A difference between us: I'm  married -  he isn't. 

Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 10/05/2022 14:24:36

wlgiii - Posted - 10/05/2022:  16:13:39

Hmmm.....what are you thinking of selling...???

hlpdobro - Posted - 10/05/2022:  20:29:15

- edit correction, the JS Standard had "nickel /bronze" strings, not labeled 80/20.

Lounge Primate - Posted - 10/06/2022:  07:35:14

Koa Clinesmith!

chuckslide - Posted - 10/07/2022:  06:53:22

Thanks to all for chiming in on this. An update, I’ve received my Radio Std E, and, at first try I was not as “blown away” by it as Matt Leadbetter was in the demo he uploaded. However, on the second morning, it is sounding fuller, brighter, and more impressive. However, I suspect the original D’Addario strings on it are aging, and the reso would benefit from replacement. Any preferences for strings from the Collective Reso Mind would be greatly appreciated.

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 10/07/2022:  09:05:47

Man - you move quickly!

Which strings? New ones. 

Though there are subtle differences in strings, like there can be subtle differences in auto tires, new and in good shape is better than worn  tread. 

String preference might be more of an individual choice in some ways than the guitars themselves. I use all different kinds of strings. It's sort of a poor man's version of getting to play a slightly different guitar. 

My favorite strings in the past several years have been the Black Diamond Ferrell Stowe set. But they can be difficult to find. 

D'Addario EJ42? These might be the most popular reso strings in the business. There is a reason for that - they're good sounding strings. The only caveat is that for some players the "shine" may go away fairly quickly. 

Do a search for strings in the archives, plenty of threads there to keep you busy reading for quite awhile.