I know, I know...enough about the Rockbridges. But if Bill Collings and team hadn't won my heart with their stellar woodworking (they have), Rockbridge would be waiting in the wings. I mention this because these beautiful guitars are pretty dang hard to get without a significant wait. But I just noticed that Andrew Wright (http://guitarmatch.com) has a brand spanking new Braz/Adi dread for sale: http://guitarmatch.com/individualguitar-rkb2b.htm. While I have one just like it, GAS makes me take a second look...and a third look. Why am I looking? Would I actually buy another one? What rational person would do that? Ahhh, no rational person.
I can vouch for Andrew's integrity as a dealer. I got my Rockbridge D18 through him, and the experience was great. Someone really needs to buy this guitar. If I had the money, I'd be all over it. Braz that nice in a new guitar is pretty much unseen these days.
I like it a lot. It's really comfortable, and fits right in with the small innovations that Rockbridge has incorporated to set themselves apart from the masses. The string tension is lower than a standard-scale martin-style dread, but the guitar is still very loud. I don't know if you play fiddle tunes, but in Salt Creek there is a 5 fret hammer-on type stretch in the B section, and it's noticibly easier to do on the Rockbridge. All in all, I think it's a nice touch. And I don't have trouble going from standard scale length to the 25" scale either.
Rockbridge also uses a hybrid martin/gibson bracing pattern with partial scalloping on one side with full scalloping on the other to obtain a more balanced tone. I'm by no means a luthier, so you're better off calling them or checking out the website, but whatever they do seems to work really well. If you can't tell, I like my Rockbridge a lot. It just feels right to me. YMMV.
Originally posted by GuitarSteve: The string tension is lower...but the guitar is still very loud...a hybrid martin/gibson bracing pattern with partial scalloping...to obtain a more balanced tone.
So where do they fit in the tonal spectrum...from Martin's woody-bass to SCGC's mellowness...H&D somewhere in between...Collings' crystal clarity...Bourgeois' sterility...and dare I say it, Gibson's lifelessness. (Sorry, these are just my general opinions.)
'99 D1A / '07 CWMhAVarn / '07 D2HBaG / MT
Posts: 656 | Location: Georgia, US | Registered: March 04, 2004
OK.....realizing that this is all very subjective and very general, here goes:
Warmer and more open than Collings; with more of a blended sound that lacks the almost clinical (at times) Collings sparkle. More punch and clarity than newer Martins. Bigger sounding and more presence than most H&Ds I've played. As loud or louder than most guitars that I've played. Low price for what you are getting, when compared to all of the above. (Yeah it's not a tone comment, but it sure is relevant)
Now, I'd really like to get other people's impression of the Rockbridge tone. It's been said before, but it's sooo true: at this level, we're pretty much splitting hairs when talking about some of these guitars. I feel really good about my decision to get one, but that's just me. I know a bunch of people here own Rockbridges, so let's hear it. What do you all hear in your guitars??
I've tried a Rockbridge Brazilian D, great sounding guitar to be sure. I liked my D2H (EIR) better, but that's me. The Brazilian on the Rockbridge looked very nice and straight, but the sound coming out of it didn't seem to justify the cost, which led me to think a mahogany one might be a nice bet. The fit and finish was a bit more rustic than the typical Collings.
I absolutely agree that the fit and finish is better on a Collings. "Rustic" seems like a good word for my Rockbridge. As far as I know, they do everything by hand, which gives the guitar a different overall feel than the CNC factory precision of Collings. I don't think I've seen a guitar as well assembled as any given Collings, ever. I'm sure they're out there, but you're probably talking about something like a Ryan, Olson, or Traugott (sp??) at that point. The "super guitars" of the world.
Did anyone here buy this (or evaluate it)? It showed as sold and now it looks like it is available again. If so, I would be interested to hear the reveiew.
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