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Thread: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heiden

  1. #1
    Registered User Gary Alter's Avatar
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    Default Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heiden

    Michael Heiden shared a link with me recently to a series of Youtube videos from CBC titled 'Inside the Craft' which feature interviews with him and also John Reischman playing some tunes on both his 24 Loar and his Heiden Heritage. Some wonderful and insightful stuff well worth watching.

    The CBC YouTube site with all their Inside the Craft videos listed:
    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...8zuvNmicEjcj_v

    Michael talking about shaping the top:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZEG...8zuvNmicEjcj_v

    Michael doing his French polishing:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VOV...8zuvNmicEjcj_v

    JR comparing his 24 Loar to his Heiden:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U4Y...Ejcj_v&index=9

    There are also several other videos on the CBC YouTube page of JR playing some tunes on both mandolins.

    Enjoy!

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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    To me, the Loar sounded much more 'clean', 'bright' and 'clear' than the Heiden, (a difference that I personally prefer). Perhaps while sitting in the same room you couldn't hear a whole lot of tonal difference, but coming through the speakers of my computer, the difference was instantly noticeable.

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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeZito View Post
    To me, the Loar sounded much more 'clean', 'bright' and 'clear' than the Heiden, (a difference that I personally prefer). Perhaps while sitting in the same room you couldn't hear a whole lot of tonal difference, but coming through the speakers of my computer, the difference was instantly noticeable.
    I agree, the Gibson sounded cleaner/clearer---to me !

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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    It great to see the master at work. Love Michael's mandolins and John's playing. Big fat tone. Thanks for posting the videos.
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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    The Loar is drier sounding.

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    Registered User Denman John's Avatar
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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    Thanks for posting that!

    Both of those mandolins sounded great in John's hands. Top shelf right there.
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    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    I heard very,very little difference. Certainly nothing that could be termed ''better'' - both sounded superb,but, i suspect that Michael Heiden 'voiced' John's mandolin pretty much as close to his Loar as he could manage. Honestly - i'd be perfectly satisfied with both !,
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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    Greatly preferred the Heiden - by a long way.
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    Adrian Minarovic
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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    I preferred the Loar, on the 'a' string the Heiden is a bit more "airy" and Loar more "firm". That would make some difference in a band setting, IMO.
    Adrian

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    Natural Born Tar Heel Perilous Deep's Avatar
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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    What a worthwhile Canadian initiative. Thanks for posting these videos.

    I definitely hear what John says about the Heiden having a thicker, fatter tone, while the Gibson is a little clearer and crystalline sounding.
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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    Now there is a dilemma I wouldn't mind having, what mandolin do I play today, my Heiden or my Loar?
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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    Registered User Drew Streip's Avatar
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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    I love the fatness and the "zing" that the Heiden exhibits. I prefer that little extra bit of edginess to the tone, especially in his Mandolin Mondays entry playing "Yardbird Suite."

    As a side note, Michael Heiden should consider narrating books on tape. His voice is something else!

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    Registered User Hendrik Ahrend's Avatar
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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    While John's Loar sounds already comparatively "boomy" for a Loar (and, of course, partly due to John's right hand technique), the Heiden sounds even more so. I'm imagining that newer mandolins tend to lose some treble/harshness over the years, and I'm afraid I'd prefer the Loar even more then.

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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    Quote Originally Posted by almeriastrings View Post
    Greatly preferred the Heiden - by a long way.

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    Registered User Bad Monkey's Avatar
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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    camera mike>youtube video compression>computer speakers=/= "I can totally judge the tonal qualities of these two instruments".

    I don't know about you, but I'm not going to judge either one of those two mandolins on the basis of a youtube video.

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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    I can`t see a $50,000 difference, or what ever the price difference is....I wouldn`t kick either one out of bed...

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  27. #17
    Loarcutus of MandoBorg DataNick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    The top "E" string "rings" more to my ears on the Loar while the Heiden by comparison sounds somewhat "thin"... I wonder how old and "played in" the Heiden is, and how will the tone change with play/time.

    I would definitely love to own that Heiden, but on that video (listened with headphones) the Loar jumped out at me and I prefer it...totally subjective I understand.
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    Registered User Gary Alter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Michael Heiden videos / Reischman comparing his Loar to Heide

    For me, the goal of hearing these two superlative mandolins on the videos really isn't to decide which is best, the group of videos are really a tribute to the incredible instruments Michael Heiden is producing. As was previously mentioned any real comparison is difficult given the variables of recording equipment, computer and speaker limitations. Seeing as John's Loar is considered by many to be the holy grail of mandolins and also has almost 90 year of playing time, any contemporary instrument would have a hard time being on a level playing field with it. I love to listen to all the YouTube videos from our favorite builders as much as anyone but having an instrument in your hands opens up a whole other level of perception of tone that's just not possible when listening to a recording. When you think about it, it's pretty high praise when John Reischman's 'other mandolin' is a Heiden.

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