EuroAussie Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Sooh ... some of you might recall Ive been on the look out for the elusive Dove or maple Hummingbird in Euroland, which is prectically mission impossible. I really wanted to add a maple Gibson dread to my gigging rotation, as I am really fond of the maple sound plugged in, and the J-150 has pretty much been my work horse for the last couple of years. I do utterly love the tone of the J-150 and could easily stay with it but i wanted a bit of diversity and the raw power of a dreadnought. So, the right moment has arrived. I found a Dove on ebay. It was priced at 1500 euros which for a Dove is a steal ... it was based in Spain which means no duty and 50euros postage and its 10 years old which for me is a must have with maple as it needs to time to break in and get that maple surup tone out. So, circumstances have aligned and i took the jump. Arrived a couple od days ago. Firstly, it looks essentially brand new, very few scratches on the guard, no dings, but clearly played in as it has a very open, loose sound. Had to make some adjustments, tighten the rod as there was too much relief, and also changed the LR Baggs element pup to Matrix Infinity and got her back this afternoon. Tone ... superb. I was A/BCing it between the maple J-150 and the Hummingbird. No question of the maple characteristics, very fundamental, clear as a bell, but still with shitload of sustain and soft overtone. The biggest difference between the J-150 and the Dove I find is that the Dove just has so much more horsepower under the hood. The super jumbo is very, very balnced, has a superb tone and because if the balance is very easy to play and highly forgiving. However, like Jinder expressed the Dove rewards a bit of finnesse and techinque. It really offers 300 horsepower for anyone that want to access it, but can also purr like a kitten. It is very clear, rich and has a presnece and definition that i could not get from the very lovelly, but darker and sometimes muddier Hummingbird, when plugging in. I think I hit a home run with this, love the power and the versatility this guitar gives me. I even like the tuners, go figure. Here's a couple pics and a video to show you how it sounds plugged in. But its also to demonstrate how I use the Boss VE-8. In this case the guitar has some 'acoustic resonance' applied and a chorus on the lead notes. You can see the looper and how it can be used, and also the vocals have some processing and also a subtle octave up harmony to give a bit of a high end vocal shimmer. This was just a very quick run on the fly, but i think you get the idea. Happy chappy, finally my Dove has landed after much, much searching.. EA ps: most representative through headphones. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0v2u1cB2GY&feature=youtu.be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Really, really perfect looking all round guitar. Looks identical to one George Strait used in his one and only movie. His main, one and only. Maple syrup? Can be strong, can be sweet. No other taste/sound like it. CONGRATS !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Hey Happy New Gibby Day! And you have a wall of fine ones as is. Great recording - great acoustic tone you are getting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jalex Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 nice score on the Dove and the not a bad collection on the wall either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 She's a beauty, and sounds great! Good score, Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Nice one dude 👍🏻 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Congrats, A real beauty. Great recording as well..enjoy the new Dove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Excellent - what an addition to the already rich'n'broad herd. It sounds amazing, , , and yes, there is a lot of horsepower inside that maple box. I think it's heard it the clip, which also illustrates the phenomenon I keep calling deep projection (are you listening burst). The H-Bird would never send like this. We got the same guitars again, EA - my ex. being 10 years older having golden tuners and orange label. Been playing it a lot the last 5 days and deepened the high E and B string nut-sluts yesterday. That D-minor7 must be smooth and easy. I think it's close to bulls eye. Have sanded my neck down. Severely. It was way too fat. How's yours ? , , , and did you switch on the auto-tuner for the test. Here's mine - in all its innocent glory 1996 ~ Maple syrup? You'll find out when you meet and play one live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Nice get, Mark! The natural top/cherry back & sides is the iconic Dove appearance. And Doves have that clean, clear and strong tone........solid, punchy bottom with balanced highs. Great rhythm guitar! Congrats on finding the one you were hunting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 You know I'm a Dove lover...absolute beauty you have there EA! Welcome to the world of Dove fascination, it's a deep pool of guitar joy to dive into ☺️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Aww, man. . . congratulations. Glad to hear someone has had a successful search- my non-red HB Maple safari is looking to be a long one, almost half a year, now. Your description and thoughts on the tone of the Dove brought a smile, and the immediacy of the response can clearly be heard. Yes, the audacious bridge might take some getting used to, but it’s not seen by the operator when he’s too busy enjoying. Would love to hear it un-processed into a condenser mic. Congrats & enjoy. I think it's heard it the clip, which also illustrates the phenomenon I keep calling deep projection (are you listening burst). The H-Bird would never send like this. Yes, 'fraid so. (Even a maple HB, I reckon) Have sanded my neck down. Severely. It was way too fat. ? Did this require some sort of finish to seal things up? E-minor7 = the hardest person to quote. Maybe instead of formatting each line, wouldn't it be possible to select the entire reply & choose your attributes? Thx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneS Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Congrats, Mark--how awesome to have a collection that represents your chosen palette. I would love to stroll in and listen for all the nuances first hand, but then--I might keel over from jealousy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwalker201 Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Beautiful Dove Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabarone Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 That's a real beauty...congratulations and here's to many, many hours of playing enjoyment... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 I've just spent a fruitful hour playing my Dove and SJ200, inspired by your new purchase and your SJ150, EA, getting a handle on how the comparisons go down and the differences we're both hearing. I really think there's nothing that compares to a great Maple Gibson to my ears. Big, broad strokes from a brush absolutely laden with syrup to the point of it oozing off. I'm aglow with it...we're lucky to own these great instruments, aren't we? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatbaroque Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Well done EA it's a good'un. You have all the major food groups covered.I've never been to Prague or played a Dove.Sounds like a plan sometime! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Congratulations and welcome to the dedicated group of Dove owners. She's a good looker and will continue to surprise you for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 Would love to hear it un-processed into a condenser mic. Yes - would generally like to hear more from this flier. Remember the dove on the EA-porch - it didn't land there in vain. Did this require some sort of finish to seal things up? No and the thing is still goin' on. Sanded a bit more yesterday - it's like a (very fine nuanced) work in progress. Maybe I'll give it a thin coating when it's ready. No sure - have the feeling weather here is that hard on the instruments, , , especially not necks. E-minor7 = the hardest person to quote. Maybe instead of formatting each line, wouldn't it be possible to select the entire reply & choose your attributes? Thx. Good 62burst - Afraid I cannot change the style of lay-out. Quote on patiently, please. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted July 5, 2017 Author Share Posted July 5, 2017 Thank you folks ... I was just having a noodle with her this morning and basically wrote a song. This is a great sign when a guitar can bring out creative ispiration from you, this one clearly does. Others dont, but are great for playing other peoples music or play a role in a band. I will do another video tomorrow unplugged to give you a bit more of the natural tone of this mighty fine and fierce Bird. Em7 - the neck feels absolutely fine, have no issue with it. And what do you mean automatic tuner ... you have one ? Jinder - yep, we are lucky to have both and I look forward to rotating these two wonderful specimens in the coming gigs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 Have you any model left to get Aussie ? Or is that the sticker book full ? And now you've blabbed about it we're all gonna have to hear this song !! I've been trying to write a song for about 20 years now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-minor7 Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 I will do another video tomorrow unplugged to give you a bit more of the natural tone of this mighty fine and fierce Bird. Em7 - the neck feels absolutely fine, have no issue with it. And what do you mean automatic tuner ... you have one ? Nope for no - and if your test was done without, you've come a long way with staying in pitch. It was meant as an indirect compliment. My neck was chunkier before the dramatic sanding and is 1 mm. narrower than most contemporary Gibsons. Besides it differs from yours by not having the double-stripes - (a detail we mustn't forget). Look forward to the square comparison tomorrow. Hope you can and will elaborate a bit on the 2 basic natures of projection. A highly intriguing topic, if you ask me. I A/B'ed the Dove and the '12 Birds a lot back'n'forth the last couple of days. Now the 1 Bird is louder than the other, , , but the pigeon is a whole other and bigger guitar. Songwriting ?! - a fantastic door to open, , , actually from step 1. Feel free ~ be a painter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quake Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 EA, Congrats on the dove and all the mapley goodness! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bozz Posted July 5, 2017 Share Posted July 5, 2017 Great deal on a great guitar. That thing sounds nice. Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 EA, as I said earlier - that guitar could be a movie star. Or at least a Stunt Double! But, I was so busy ogling the Dove, I almost didn't notice - the left wing nut on the yoke of your Hercules stand (right wing nut depending on your perspective) seems to need some Viagra. Or maybe just some WD40 or some duct tape? But since that style actually hangs the guitar by the neck, as opposed to those stands that support it on the lower bout while just allowing the neck to lean in a cradle - I thought i'd mention it. Might be it does pop up into position most of the time, or this was the first time it didn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuroAussie Posted July 6, 2017 Author Share Posted July 6, 2017 EA, as I said earlier - that guitar could be a movie star. Or at least a Stunt Double! But, I was so busy ogling the Dove, I almost didn't notice - the left wing nut on the yoke of your Hercules stand (right wing nut depending on your perspective) seems to need some Viagra. Or maybe just some WD40 or some duct tape? But since that style actually hangs the guitar by the neck, as opposed to those stands that support it on the lower bout while just allowing the neck to lean in a cradle - I thought i'd mention it. Might be it does pop up into position most of the time, or this was the first time it didn't. Good spottin' ! Infact, the right one is broken, and i have no idea how to get it up again .... if you know some guitar stand viagra or what kind of stimulation the stand needs to shine again feel free to drop me a line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.