A Gibson L5 vs a Heritage Golden Eagle and a Eagle Classic

[@jerryanderson9161]

I like the Eagle Classic.

[@guru6393]

That L-5 though... All 3 are gorgeous but that L-5 hits me right in my soul

[@jazzman1954]

Probably the only guy out there qualified to demonstrate these guitars. Beautiful playing.

[@shaft9000]

I played a late '70s L5 and a 2020s GoldenEagle yesterday @ Angelo Metz's place. SUBLIME. (got his PhD in Jazz Guitar @ USC, btw ;)

[@googo151]

YOU'RE A PHENOMENAL PLAYER AND I THANK YOU SIR, FOR YOUR FINE DEMOS. FROM NYC, THANKS AGAIN.

[@Jeb_binch]

L-5 sounds more classic, but the Heritage axes are just a touch brighter in a way that I think improves their articulation and musicality.

[@ejtonefan]

All three guitars had a wonderful jazz tone. The Gibson L-5 sounded the warmest of the three and would be outstanding for comping. The Heritage Golden Eagle sounded tight and punchy and would be great for soloing. The Heritage Classic sounded tight and punchy and a bit warmer than the Golden Eagle making it my favorite tonally of the three.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Thanks for weighing in, Mark!

[@leafcountry888]

demo timestamps L-5 2:12 golden eagle 5:39 eagle classic: 9:36

[@joephillips4082]

Even as a long-time Heritage Super Eagle player, I was prepared to like the L-5 the best. However, I liked the Golden Eagle best among the three. I instantly liked the tone better than the L-5 and the appearance appealed to me more. The Eagle Classic absolutely kills it as well, in both appearance and sound. These are three guitars anyone would be proud to own and play.

[@javsmith86]

Love the Golden Eagle '93 sound..

[@reedmak77]

They all sound wonderful! Mostly because of the color and finish, I'll have to go with the blondie 2018 Eagle Classic.

[@davidconnelly]

All three sound great. I would say they sound identical. Great playing. Thank you!

[@jduncan1000]

I've been partial to the L-5 for a long time. All of these guitars sound fantastic though!

[@joedenisco6033]

Rich, I think the L5 sounds like what an L5 should sound like, even with the thinner top (which was shocking). I think the Eagle classic comes close. The Golden Eagle sounds like an L5 through a cloud. Thank you for doing this. It proved to me that only an L5 is an L5.

[@heavenlyguitar5913]

All three are great. I noticed the second guitar seemed to have more volume and a slightly brighter tone but all three sound gorgeous. The third guitar seemed to have more bottom end. Rich’s playing is sweet. Rich you have a great touch on the guitar. Thank you for posting this.

[@girliedog]

Your playing is a joy to watch.

[@arthurhyde8428]

I have a 2018 exactly like the one you reviewed. I couldn't justify the price of an L5 also, I have had issues with Gibson quality. I couldn't talk the good folk at Heritage into a a floating pickup Golden Eage like the one you reviewed in the other video. In the end, though, I am super satisfied with the quality, finish, playability and tone of the Eagle Classic. My concerns over the pickup were not a big deal. I think it is about the best guitar value out there -- I love it.

[@lorenzopetrocca]

1 L5, 2 classic, 3 golden eagle

[@gusmartins1660]

You could make a broom sound great with your touch. Very nice. Love to have them all.

[@UnicoATX]

just stunning.. all three are gorgeous with you playing them! less dark, more dark- is the main thing difference I hear..

[@tomculhane6648]

Eagle Classic is nice. Would like it with fretboard inlays. All are beautiful.

[@krokobaldo]

I agree !!

[@L5player]

They're all beauties. I bought my L5 new in 1971, but it's a '68 model with the sharp Florentine cutaway, and the tone is as sweet as you might imagine. The finish is still as original, no checking, as it has spent 90% of its life in the case. Unfortunately, the original nitro pick guard material deteriorated badly, so I had to have many of the gold parts replaced at Gibson's shop in Nashville.

[@victormilianti5795]

They all sound beautiful! To me, you seem to take just a bit more time in phrasing when playing the L5, like it wants you to listen just a bit more. It has such a soul warming essence.

[@adamwatson6916]

The 70s gibson L5 solid body is also a fantastic guitar. I heard a 1975 L5 solid body which had the low output version of the Gibson super humbucker/tarback pickups designed by Bill Lawrence the neck was 5.1k and the bridge was 7.5k and they had a short ceramic magnet which is a weird pickup choice for a guitar like a L5s but they sounded fantastic and they nailed rhe mid 70s jimmy page tone .

[@Chiller11]

I like your solution. One of each

[@KlausPeterFriedl]

One for the Heritage! Simply love it.

[@3r1cratpool22]

i want one!!! 😑 i want to be able to not want to go back to my older too. i find that white knob is brighter than black knob too. thanks for sharing. wonderful guitar, super great tone

[@davekana8388]

God Bless the Child, all three have that wonderful archtop sound!

[@janviljoen7001]

Mr Severson is a true artist with a philosophical knack.

[@robertgreen3702]

Masterful playing....so beautiful.

[@daveyandell2017]

At the 2:12 mark you play a song. it is beautiful. What is the name of that sone?

[@otamardecarvalho]

All the models of three guitars (Gibson L5 and two Eagles) are beautiful.

[@bluzman00]

I’ve owned all three. The Golden Eagle was my favorite until I bought a Super Eagle. Heritage makes great guitars.

[@threeleafflutes]

They all sound fantastic. Each has its own voice. The heritage guitars, esp. the Classic seem to have more clarity of individual notes. The Gibson seems to have more depth. thanks

[@mwpv11]

I had that exact L5 and it was a great instrument. Unfortunately I had to sell it. Maybe another in my future but I do like they Heritage as well

[@peterbrooks539]

All nice sounding and looking guitars. I have a 1986 Golden Eagle natural finish with floating neck pickup that sounds and looks great. I thought the Eagle Classic was the best option money wise and would be my choice if starting out.

[@jamestonguet1737]

gorgeous tone for all three. Flame maple backs came from the violin tradition

[@daveanderson5680]

All 3 are gorgeous but I suppose the blonde Eagle Classic has the voice I like best...probably the Seth Lovers p/u’s

[@Landerdog]

All good. At a certain point, that all 3 surpass, it's up to the player. We shouldn't discount pick thickness, amplification, fingers, or technique. A great player can sound good on an Ibanez Artcore. These are beautiful and what a player would want.

[@4578a]

The last one sounds the best

[@scaramuzzoso11]

What PU's are installed on that Golden Eagle? Sounds marvelous!

[@stevebuckerfield3868]

The new Eagle is just sublime. Easily the best choice. And now we can buy them in London!!

[@omrizlikovitch9726]

Where in london? Im trying to find one to buy..

[@stevebuckerfield3868]

@@omrizlikovitch9726 Anderton’s Music - outskirts of the city stock Heritage models now. A Denmark st shop had a few but now disrupted by the refurbishment sadly. Happy shopping. Steve .

[@vicbarker5739]

i want to improve the pick ups on my inbanez looking for a smooth jazz sound can you suggest what i should be loking for

[@robertnewingham376]

I'm partial to the L5 because of the Wes Montgomery connection but if I were buying it would be the Eagle Classic. The sound difference is negligible but the price difference is astronomical.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

I fully agree! I like my Heritage archtops more than my Gibsons.

[@megagatvol]

All have a gorgeous tone…but I’ll have to go with the L5…

[@ronaskew]

Newer hollow body guitars seem to follow similar standards like making the tops and backs thicker. This results in less acoustic influence on the sound as the price for reducing feedback. I like the more resonant and complex sound only available on a hollow body with thinner tops and backs. If I wanted a sound influenced only by strings and pickups, I’d play a solid body.

[@daw162]

I can't say it's always the case, but I have had a golden eagle (it was a bit dull, but i didn't play a bunch of them - just ordered one from the factory at heritage around 2003 or so - maybe it wasn't a good one). I've since bought two used Eastman AR910CEs, and the design is different so it's hard to make a direct comparison, but one of them is absolutely alive acoustically. Loud, bold, resonant. I am not a 100% fan of any one brand, so that shouldn't be construed as saying all eastman's are great - I have no experience with the lower models, and two of their other guitars (a flat top and a les paul copy with varnish) that I bought used were pretty uninspiring, the latter having some stability issues. The 910s averaged $1350 each, so it was hard to resist trying them. I agree about the newer guitars being tighter, but don't know for sure why that is (if it's top thickness, wood sourcing, etc). I doubt most of the factory makers really give someone the time to go through, select and cater the top carve to the piece of wood used - they're probably just knocked out and sanded after a CNC or duplicarver setup. It seems better these days just to cycle through a few used guitars to find what you want. I lost a lot of money on the golden eagle when I let it go since I bought it new and it wasn't really a good player acoustically - it took a long time for elderly to sell it for me. A good learning experience, and one not to repeat.

[@genec8393]

@@daw162 I bought 2 GE at different times. The 2nd one was used and had a great sound. I traded a guitar in for the factory ordered GE and that guitar now is worth double the GE. I bought into the "Heritage" story. Bad investment.

[@ddw132]

First, you make all those guitars make great music. But, to choose, the L5 is my preference by a nose over the Second one (G Eagle?). By contrast the CEagle sounded darker overall. Maybe I’m swayed by your comment that the L5 top was thinner, however that’s exactly how they I perceived the tone and liveliness. To the eye the second was very beautiful but I’d find it hard to walk past the L5 for sentimental reasons.

[@gf12]

I've owned two of the three plus a Gibson ES-175 and the L-5 was a winner hands down. The dark tones gave me inner chills and the highs just sparkled. The ES-175 would have been number two. The lows weren't as deep as the L-5 but, everything else was sweet. The Golden Eagle was ok, but, something was missing. My high end guitars are gone now , but, I still l have the cherished memories. Gary Flagg Buffalo, N.Y.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Thanks so much for sharing this! It really is hard to beat the L5! I appreciate you watching and commenting, Gary!

[@gf12]

@@RichSeversonGuitar Hi Rich, I'm always enriched by your instructive and entertaining videos. Thanks to you I learned about the Quilter Micro Pro and now am loving my own w/cab for several years. I always appreciate your choice of material(music and gear), and of course superb playing, my favorite is the chord melodies. Looking forward to future videos. Regards, Gary Flagg Buffalo, N.Y.

[@j.m.b.1892]

Terrific sounds all three. What is the name of the first tune played on all three guitars?

[@russk1971]

The Heritage is my choice here. I will have to play the golden eagle and the eagle classic to see what feels better.

[@Esaw100]

Absolutely Fabulous Guitarist and Guitars!

[@Gitfidlpickr]

I have an L5 and I love it

[@snellyd]

i really like the way you demo all the guitars

[@bluesman97]

For my taste I like the Classic..

[@hkguitar1984]

Thank You for sharing your guitars with us. I've been a Practicing Guitarist since 1974, all of those Arch Tops are beautiful. I'd say the L-5 is my favorite if for no other reason I've wanted one since taking lessons back in '74 and seeing one at the store. The Heritage are (IMHO) every bit the equal of the L-5, to own any of those would count a Player as fortunate. I'm a New Subscriber, Thank You Rich

[@revelationsoundstudio]

The L5 IA the classic jazz sound if that is what you want. I prefer the more open sound of the Heritage.

[@sparnz8811]

Hi Rich. I cannot afford a Gibson L5 at this moment so as a Students I am appropriately considering the Ibanez GB10se or an Eastman AR503CE SB or AR803CE which doesn’t seem to be available! Please let me know what you think and advise me as there are other options. Thank you 🎉

[@ES175jazz]

They all sound good. If you want to sound like the older guys like wes get the L5. The heritages that I've played have had high tonges and would need some filing down on the last 5 frets or so. This was also true with a 95 es 175 that I had. But you should compare these guitars to maybe a D'angelico - new or even ibanez budget models. These newer lower budget guitars sound amazing and are about 1/10th the price of these pups and they have great fret work believe it or not.

[@jacobbrown1690]

get an epiphone broadway

[@ES175jazz]

@@jacobbrown1690 Epiphones are good too. lots of great choices for players these days!

[@genec8393]

So true. The top 5 frets.

[@Tonetwisters]

Always good to have a guitar that is better than you are! They are inspiring, and make you want to play them and grow into them ... that's after 61 years of playing ... And you are PLENTY worthy of an L-5 ... And the amp you are running through makes a big difference in tone, whatever it is. The L-5 sounded wonderful. But I think both Heritage guitars have a bit more dynamics and articulation ... just my nearly 76 year-old ears. And the Eagle is the prettiest. I don't think Gibson is making the L-5, here in 2023.

[@grantgre]

The L5 has a little more bass to it and it’s got a little more grit a little more attack. I don’t know I think it’s a little bit deeper than the heritage probably I looked on Reverb today and an L5 is going for anywhere from like eight grand to 15 grand.

[@grantgre]

The L5 is such a weird guitar because in it’s electric form The wood is pretty thick and it doesn’t resonate that well compared to a thinner cut of wood like in the purely acoustic L5 s on the other hand sometimes it has such a great electric sound. and even the older L fives from the 60s that had that weird bridge with the white saddles that Wes played has a totally different sound than the newer ones. I was always wondering if that saddle made the difference with Wes which is like a bell like note sound that when he plays single not lines if you try to play that on the newer ones you don’t quite get the same sound . yeah so it’s quite interesting. I played an L5 from the 60s that had that sound and it was all beat up and I should’ve bought it at the time because Mandolin had a whole bunch of them. Because it was all beat up. I didn’t buy it.

[@4gcole]

It sounds like the Golden Eagle has a quicker response than the L5 but I like the Eagle Classic :)

[@scaramuzzoso11]

Great video as usual, Rich. I think they all sound wonderful. Perhaps the GE has a little something more but they are absolutely all top notch! In what way does an ebony bridge sound different from a tune-o-matic? Should it warm up the tone?

[@500fatdog]

What a nice guy.....fair and impartial....of 3 great guitars...

[@wolfgang4078]

Why such a big headstock on the Heritage Guitars ?

[@donarmando916]

They just had to use a different headstock design and they decided to make an inward angle instead of an outward angle like the Gibsons. The advantage of this design is that the strings are running straigt over the nut to the tuners and therefor hold up tune better than the Gibson headstock where you often have intonation problems when bending strings. Well, string bending is not an issue on jazz guitars but it is on LP style guitars and Heritage uses one single design for all of their guitars. The Headstock needs to be a bit longer than the Gibson because there would otherwise be no space left where to put the Logo.

[@wolfgang4078]

@@donarmando916 Now I got used to it, but I think they are better solutions for a headstock shape, nicer ones. Anyhow, I enjoy my H 575, it´s a tool.....!

[@pnojazz]

Each sounds like a very capable instrument in the hands of a pro like you Rich!

[@mercury4metal]

The Gibson L5 has to be the best sounding of Jazz guitars. Even better than the Gibson 335, or 355.

[@sonijam]

#1 L5 #2 Eagle Classic #3 Golden Eagle

[@fepatton]

They all sound amazing, however I suspect you'd make a ratty old Kay sound great. I hope it's not wrong to want the L-5 because it's...the L-5! I just love them. Maybe someday. :-)

[@guntrenr]

Rich, I misplaced your email... Re: heritage 4 sale I’ll send email [e-mail]

[@ozotel]

I think that Gibson pickups produce more rounded sound in comparisson with Schaller’s. Schaller pickups are louder, but it lacks of midrange because the bottom end is too big. Eagle classic has ebony bridge, so it sounds a bit more different than first two guitars. Thinner top of L5, also is more responsive. Interesting fact: Gretsch archtop guitars from golden era also had thinner tops with the same result - they were more responsive. I think, that the main reason why companies start making thicker tops is feedback. Unfortunately, another side of coin is lack of responsiveness.

[@chrispile3878]

What spacers did you put under your pickup rings?

[@FloydManFloyd]

I find a white knob is a little brighter than a dark knob too rich.

[@stevepierce5108]

Superb Rich!!!

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ThePdxster]

I bought an Eagle Classic back in the early '90s. Well built but I still prefer the sound of the L-5. Considering many of the same guys that worked for Gibson stayed in Kalamazoo and went to work for Heritage, including the famed Gibson tap-tuner (can't recall his name) I always wondered if tap-tuning the top and swapping out the pickups for Classic '57s would give the Eagle Classic the same sound as an L-5 at roughly half the cost??

[@robbyclark6915]

That’s some awesome playing!

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Thanks

[@xDJxXxFRIJOLESx]

Do the Golden Eagle and Eagle Classic models have carved tops like the L-5 too?

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

YES!

[@xDJxXxFRIJOLESx]

Rich Severson Awesome! I should have known, they both sound killer

[@petedonaghyguitar]

I was fortunate enough to pick up one of the Epiphone Elitist Broadway guitars they made in Japan for a couple of years. I always thought they should have made a Wes Montgomery version in the Elitist factory. It would have been a steal at 2000$ compared the the 11,000$ Gibson wants now.

[@GoneSailingCA]

Thanks Rich, good information, do you have any opinions on a 1990 L5 CES, was that a good era for the L5? I’m not much of a player but thinking of buying one

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

I'd say its a good year

[@docpearson]

I have never listened to a more beautiful jazz sound in my life when I heard that 1978. L5 Gibson you just played. It’s like all your life you are looking for that sound and not really knowing what it will be until it’s there and all of a sudden music like an angelic Choir just came down from heaven. My heart was broken to see that it is has been sold. I have found in the past that sometimes you’ll find a great guitar but even been listening to another model of the same type it just doesn’t have that sound. I wonder if all the L5’s sound this beautiful. PS could you please please please tell me what pick ups were in that L5. You did not tell us on this video.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

They were the stock pickups for the time. The fellow I sold it to replaced them with some 60's model throbacks and says it even sounds better. Consider a Heritage Eagle

[@docpearson]

@@RichSeversonGuitar I like those pick ups. If I ever get in there at five I hope it sounds like that one. Thank you

[@docpearson]

@@RichSeversonGuitar I listened to your video over and over many times. I personally liked the L5. I think it smoked the heritage. But all things are subjective and other people may like the Heritage. That is why i wanted so so so so bad to know what pickups they were. Do you know what stock pickups they used.

[@wisnuadiputra4843]

3:37 Montgomery sound 😍

[@donarmando916]

Like em all but really the Heritages do hold up to the L5 and i think they are quite a bit less expensive.

[@James-hb6ee]

I think I liked the Golden Eagle the best. but feel free to send me whichever one you don't want! I liked the blonde looks of the Eagle Classic. What is the knob for on he upper horn of the Golden Eagle?

[@jazzthing7157]

Nice review, thank you very much! Bought a modified Eagle Classic in 2006 with 1 Seth Lover and block inlays. This is basically a Heritage version of the Gibson Wes Montgomery at half the price. Sounds and plays beautifully and I would take her to a deserted island. Acoustically very fresh and loud enough for practicing and a tonal beauty on the amp. Interesting side note: The guys at Heritage placed the tone and volume controls close to the rim. I prefer this over the Gibson placement on the Wes Montgomery, where the tone and volume control are located closer to the PUs. But how often do you really change the setting when playing such a guitar? I like it, because it leaves the top as unaffected as possible, even though this might have a slight "voodoo touch".

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Thanks for the comments, Jazzthing71! An Eagle Classic is a phenomenal guitar! And that is an interesting thought about the knobs. But it makes sense to keep that top as unaffected as possible.

[@tomasvanecek8626]

The L5 sound is just unmistakable. It is THE sound.. with flatwounds... yes.. Now - swapping pickups in hollow/semi guitar IS a big deal.. ever went fishing through the f-hole for a lost pot ? Gosh.. better get it right the first time... 😂 and never have to do it again... I´ve played a few Heritages, years ago, hoping to get me the Gibson sound... but it never happened. Same guys building them.. IDK, it just wasnt the same.

[@thelowmein9143]

Purely aesthetic, but I wish they’d jazz up (pun intended) the neck and headstock of that classic, maybe some inlays or the eagle design on the headstock.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Agreed but they are going for a more affordable instrument with still the same quality feel and tone Who knows they my bring back the Golden Eagle , that had glam.

[@billb1413]

I have a 90's Eagle Classic which I love (after swapping the neck pickup for a 57 PAF). A great guitar. But the L-5 has that extra something to the sound. Not that it's worth the extra $$, unless money's no object for you. All three sound great though!

[@steveb9325]

That's exactly why it's worth the extra money. Sound/tone playability. Know what you mean about dead presidents though.

[@dananthony6258]

I’m shallow. I’m a mush for the Gibson headstock . Always have been always will. It’s the same with fender guitars. You just know it’s going to do the thing it’s supposed to do.

[@Flat5Henry]

That Eagle Classic sure held its own up against that Golden Eagle and the L5, didn't it?

[@brucedies2641]

L5 for me.. but the others are equally as nice. Do you have the tab for the tune your playing ?..so nice man

[@lkgreenwell]

Love them all, but on first hearing I’d have to go with the Classic. Hairy price!

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

Is that a Quilter amp? It sounds wonderful..

[@raefblack7906]

sounds Golden

[@kenster865]

Just stumbled across your site here. I love what Heritage is doing in the archtop arena but I just hate the look/shape of the headstock. It doesn't look right to my eyes. I had a Heritage Super Eagle in the early 2000's and loved the way it played and sounded. The headstock just turned me off and I sold it. Probably was a big mistake. I've lusted after an L5 for years and finally have the dollars to get one. I'm 72 and need to make this decision soon as I may not have too many more years to go, just sayin' buddy. Guitar has been my whole life starting in 1961! Currently have an Asian built Epi archtop which I changed the floating pu out. It sounds and plays decently. I also picked up a used Gibson ES-175 in a cherry red finish. Regardless, I think the L5 is the cream de la cream. Of course, there's Benedetto's to consider as well. 😉

[@hermanbril2682]

LOVE the L5 btw....

[@jesterkatz223]

Heritage classic sounds best for my personal preference. More balanced. L5 was too dark. Golden eagle was nice but little bright.

[@thelowmein9143]

If I understand correctly the L5 had flat wounds while the other two did not, doesn’t that make a big difference?

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

They all had flats I believe

[@thelowmein9143]

@@RichSeversonGuitar Okay, I know that the Classic actually comes new with round so I wanted to make sure. Thanks for taking the time to answer my question.

[@MrBobrguitar]

The Heritage is a bit more balanced (bass to treble) . The L5 is is darker .the eagle classic was dark as well. Would that have to do with the weight?

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Or body depth

[@Trombonology]

I think our hearing tends to be engaged when our eyes are on the headstock. ... I love the sound of all three -- perhaps in large part because you play so well, Rich -- but the Eagle Classic comes closest to my ideal, which I realize is brighter than what seems to be commonly defined as "jazz tone."

[@shecky308]

Hi,is the L-5 for sale..?Let me know.

[@fruitcakedrifter1286]

Heritage! Rich does the enlarged headstock affect the bass sound?

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

It affects the sustain and so does the 17 degree head stock pitch which puts more pressure on the nut

[@hermanbril2682]

Please tell me what AMP you are using? TIA.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Quilter Micropro200 8"

[@hermanbril2682]

@@RichSeversonGuitar Thanks man!

[@reedmak77]

On the acoustic test the 2018 had a much bigger sound.