Comparing the Currently Available Production Tenor Guitars

**Ed Goist** · Aug-05-2012, 12:55pm

At this year's Jim Richter Mandolin Camp held last week, one of the attendees who was local brought his Gold Tone TG-18 on the first day of the Camp just so I could get a chance to play it (Thanks Geoffrey!). I have to say, I was very impressed. The playability was very nice (a low profile, oval-shaped neck; large frets; and a radiused board), the factory set-up was excellent, the fit and finish was quite nice, and the larger body provided a very different tone than my Blueridge BR-40T.

This has caused me to wonder what the other production tenors available today are like...Aria, Lark in the Morning, Ozark, the Gold Tone TG-10, the other Blueridge tenors, and the recently discontinued Martin LMX tenor?

So, is there anyone out there who has played several of these different production tenors available today? If so, your thoughts and comparisons?

**Charles E.** · Aug-05-2012, 5:11pm

The only one of that group that I have had a chance to play was the Martin LMX. I had an instant dislike for it. It sounded like crap.

**Jayyj** · Aug-06-2012, 4:20pm

I've played several of the Martin and set them up for C and G tunings. I wouldn't be so hard on them as Charley: they're solidly made and sound on the good side of reasonable. It might not be my first choice, but holds up well against the similarly priced Aria. I hate the idea of a guitar made from what is essentially MDF, but they're surprisingly good for the materials that go into them, and have their own sound that you may or may not like.

There are two Ozarks. One of them is a 21" scale acoustic, the other a 23" scale electro acoustic. The little one is lovely, great value, easy to play and with a sound that I prefer to the Martin. I've fitted Headway pickups to a couple of these Ozarks for people who play in touring bands and they work great as a stage instrument. The bigger one comes from a different factory, doesn't seem as well made and I personally didn't like the look and feel of it. Both come with hard cases which is a nice touch.

The Aria is ok as well, a fairly big, deep body and 23" scale. I've only played one and it seemed nicely made, and would suit G tuning very well. Reminds me of a budget 0-18T more than any of the others.

The Fylde is the other commercially made tenor I have experience, and it's stunning, a really great guitar. It's designed for G tuning which is a shame for me as I prefer being in the higher register, but I'm sure Roger would made one specially for the C tuning if he was asked. Of course it's also over twice the price of the others I've mentioned, so one would expect better things of it... since you could buy a 30s Gibson or Martin for a similar amount that's probably a better comparison but really it's chalk and cheese: the Fylde is much louder and beefier with great definition, although lacking the sweetness and clarity of the Gibosn tenors I've played. If you were looking for a tenor to hold its own against other acoustic instruments the Fylde will do it better than anything else I can think of.

Those are the only ones that I have experience of.

**Jayyj** · Aug-06-2012, 4:22pm

Thinking about it I've played the Breedlove as well. Not in the same league as the Fylde and very expensive, but the slightly longer scale might suit G tuning well. Very well made, just didn't blow me away soundwise .

**Charles E.** · Aug-06-2012, 5:42pm

Jayyj, sorry, I did not intend to sound so harsh on the little Martin. I did not care for it but it did have a nice neck.

**Dolamon** · Aug-07-2012, 3:48am

I've played the Gold Tone and a Blue Ridge 40 and both were comfortable players but not overwhelming in sound. I almost always play in C tuning and found both instruments to be a bit on the light side of output. I took a chance on an Aria AT Sunburst and was overwhelmed with the sound and after a modest tweaking of the saddle (bone) was amazed at the playability up the neck. I got it as it reminded me of my first tenor (most likely Tonk Brothers but unlabled) from the mid 1930's which finally become unplayable (no truss rod and the neck bowed badly).

The Aria is a bit different from almost all the production instruments currently offered as it's built on an auditorium sized body (virtually an OM size) with a very comfortable neck / fretboard. I have it strung with the same gauge strings as it came with ... equal in size as Elixer Light Mandolin and have been delighted with the playability, volume and intonation. I've checked every string, on every fret with my chromatic tuner and ... they are all spot on. While not common in the US, Aria has a huge following in Europe and GB and seem to be a more known marque over there. What helped me spring for it was a review I found in Acoustic Magazine (GB) from last year http://issuu.com/oysterhouse/docs/acoustic_issue_49 This site is a bit difficult to navigate around in but the review is pretty much spot on and worth the effort.

As an Auditorium sized instrument which you can travel with - this is an amazing buy, for a reasonable price.

Definitely not my Grandfathers tenor ...

**Martin Jonas** · Aug-07-2012, 3:51am

Jayyj,

Thanks for the useful comparison. I have the small Ozark and am very happy with it, except that it's a bit flabby on the low G in GDAE tuning (unsurprisingly so, as it's voiced for CGDA). I hadn't been aware of the Fylde, and the photos together with your review are very tempting, but then I see on their web site that they have a list price of GBP1350. Ouch! I wouldn't mind trying one, but for now I'll probably stick with the Ozark.

Martin

**Handy Hummingbird** · Aug-07-2012, 9:10am

I've just posted regarding this on another thread, so apologies for repetition. The Lark In The Morning deluxe model is solid wood and sounds fantastic, a much thicker and rounded tone than the Ozark, Ashbury or Martin LXM models which all seem to lack in the mid to low range. It looks a bit garish, but is tonally a very strong and versatile guitar.

**1-2-many** · Aug-07-2012, 9:44am

I played a Gold Tone TG-10 and a TG-18 (?) at Woodys in Kent (NFI). The solid top sounded noticeably better as you would imagine, but I latter picked up a used TG-10 for $100, because the price was right. I tune mine GDAE and use D'Addario Octave mando strings.

**wistah** · Aug-07-2012, 12:34pm

Hi I'm new here. I played the Blueridge BR40T, BR60T, and a much older Martin tenor on the same day at the Fretted Instrument Workshop in Amherst, MA. I have also played the Goldtone TG-10 on a separate occasion.

The BR40T came the closest to the Martin in terms of sound and playability. I really liked it and almost bought it on the spot, despite the pain I would have received at home later from my spouse.

The sound of the BR60T didn't do much for me, with the laminated rosewood back and sides.

The Gold Tone sounded surprisingly nice to me given the all laminate construction and was far and away the best deal. I also like that it has a bolt on neck.

I am certain to buy the BR-40T or the TG-10 fairly soon. Unless I talk myself into an Octave. I'd love to find a local used one.

**Seonachan** · Aug-07-2012, 9:49pm

Wistah, that's a coincidence - I played those Blueridges and the Martin 0-18T at Fretted Instruments a couple months ago. I own a BR-40T (tuned GDAD) and like it a lot, but the Martin blew me away. Four figures (or even upper three figures) is just not in the cards for me though, so I'll stick to the Blueridge - though I'd love to add the Ozark with the shorter scale and keep it in CGDA.

**wistah** · Aug-08-2012, 6:02am

Originally Posted by Seonachan

I'd love to add the Ozark with the shorter scale and keep it in CGDA.

Yeah, that Martin was out of this world. Way to much coin for my piggy bank though. I played a TC Mandola the same day, was hoping to try out the TC Octave but they were out of stock. Lots of neat stuff in that shop.

Is the Ozark available in the States?

**PseudoCelt** · Aug-08-2012, 2:15pm

I own a Fylde tenor guitar and Jayyj's assessment of it is pretty accurate. I'm not much of a guitar player, but it's one of the best-sounding guitars (tenor or 6-string) I've played. From a UK perspective, the price compares favourably to other small-shop tenors such as the Fletcher TenorTone (over GBP1650 before VAT/duty), Breedlove (over GBP2000) and Buchanan (GBP1100). The price includes a Hiscox case.

I've also played both the Ozarks. The smaller, cheaper one is a lovely instrument while the larger one is less impressive.

Patrick

**Charles E.** · Aug-08-2012, 6:15pm

Originally Posted by Jayyj

Thinking about it I've played the Breedlove as well. Not in the same league as the Fylde and very expensive, but the slightly longer scale might suit G tuning well. Very well made, just didn't blow me away soundwise .

Here is a Breedlove on eBay at the moment. It looks to have a normal tenor scale length as opposed to the long scale of their other four string model.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Breedlove-Sa...item2ebb3556cc

And yes, it is expensive. It is very pretty though.