Old Wave F4 vs teens or twenties F4

[red7flag]

I am considering having Bill built me an teens or twenty replica of a Gibby F4. Was wondering the sound difference between the two? Have any of you heard one of his F4s? Is the playability different? Any insights would be appreciated.

[mandroid]

off hand, I'd say, , you can talk to Bill and have the neck shaped precisely to meet your needs ,
and there may be a fine tuning the build as it is in progress to get the sound you wish, If you can put it Sound color, into words.

Played any F4s to model the desired sound after?

[red7flag]

Mandroid, Yours is an astute question. I am not sure I have a particular F4 in mind. I have played a number of teens and twenties that I really enjoyed and only a few (not properly set up) that I did not. So for me the idea is sort of a composite of that sound and the look. I have a picture in my head that looks like a 20's (while I would love the double flower pot, the truss rod and cover in the modern instrument is more valuable), red finish, Bill's wave symbol on the top of the head stock. Was just thinking that having two graphics on the headstock would be too much. I guess the question I have is how close in tone, realizing the difference in age, does Bill's F4s come the F4s that you have played?

[mandroid]

Me I'm Way out of the loop , In TN you have access to more players and Instruments than I ,
within spittin' distance of the western Sea {it spits better}

I just have a paddle head A4 [it came out here when bought by someone after surviving WW1..]

my recurring observation is speaking of a musical sound by making up words to type, is a weak substitute .

Bill-himself would be the person to call and discuss your needs, perhaps you have a borrowed Instrument for a phone sample to play , or clearer transmission, a recording to send back and forth ,


in the meantime , Previous Old Wave F4 buyers , do speak up. for Tony's sake.

{maybe Bill can supply a list of people who he has shipped instruments to and you can ask them ..
An active Query , if the passive thing, here, doesn't get replied to}

[Bob DeVellis]

Based on my limited experience with three oval hole Gibsons (1913 to 1924) and one oval hole Old Wave, I'd say they do sound different. Bill has captured the vibe but I don't think he's totally trying to copy their voice. I think both are great. My Old Wave was louder than any of my Gibsons. My F-4 has a warmer tone, but that may be a result of its age. It's hard to say which is better. Both are excellent voices in my opinion. It really comes down to what you prefer.

[JEStanek]

Thread moved at the request of the OP.

Jamie

[Jim Garber]

I have been living with two of Bill's oval hole wonders for a number of months. One is an F4 and one is what he called an F3 -- really a three point based on a Gibson. I would say in general that Bill's are not necessarily a true vintage Gibson oval hole sound. The F4 is nice a cutting treble sweet midrange -- almost F5 tone blended in with the feel of an oval hole that his are noted for. The F3 has more emphasis on the bass and midrange. I think I will take them out some more and compare with my Gibsons and report back.

[red7flag]

As wonderful as the Old Wave instruments are, I think I am leaning toward just shopping til I find that right F4 at the right price.

[Jack Roberts]

Either way, can't lose. There would be more risk on the vintage F4 having "issues", though.

I canceled a multi-year wait listing for a custom build F4 when I found the real McCoy with no issues, and I think the builder (not Bill) was glad to not have to build an F4 replica, as they aren't that easy to do right. F4/F5 hybrids may be more popular for new instruments.

Every Old Wave I've had the pleasure of playing has been a winner. Bill knows how to make ovals as well as anyone, maybe better.

[Pete Martin]

Every Old Wave I've had the pleasure of playing has been a winner. Bill knows how to make ovals as well as anyone, maybe better.

+1

[red7flag]

I have had the pleasure of playing a number of Old Waves over the years and have been very impressed. I have never played his F4 replicas. I just decided that if what I want is an F4, why not get an F4, instead of trying to have one built. Now back to that awful :) grind of having to weed through all those F4s to find that right one.