Firstly, thank you for your videos, they are both entertaining and informative. I'm glad to see that the Orangewood delivers a good guitar for entry level guitar for new players and for those that need and want a campfire guitar. I wish they were around back in the '70's when I first picked up a guitar. I do wonder however just how well these guitars will endure over time. The $200 Orangewood,not so much but more their top of the line acoustics. The H+D was predictably fantastic.
I agree, I too wish they were around back in the day. They are a good value but the entry level guitars aren't going to be nearly up to H&D standards, as one would expect. The Florence is a very stiff guitar. Especially next to the H&D which is feather light and resonates always too much sometimes. It can be a little hard to tune because of all the overtones produced when you strike a single string.
That Orange guitar has a sound that I refer to as "boxy". A lot of cheap guitars sound that way, like the Roy Rogers guitars we got as kids with the "deluxe neck chord". Really good video. I just subscribed
Thanks. I agree, 'boxy' is a good description. The difference in volume between these two guitars is very apparent too. I thought about leveling out the volume in post, but then it seemed like cheating. What the mics hear is what they hear.
I was unfamiliar with those so I looked them up. I like the 12 fret guitars so they look interesting. Without playing one, I would guess they are a step up from the Florence.
We use the same strings. I was turned on to them a few years ago by Scott Grove and have used them ever since. They stay fresh for soooooo long so are worth the extra cost. A friend of mine had an old Eko parlour style guitar. There's a pic inside Living in the Past (IIRC) of Ian Anderson using one. This style of guitar is great for Tull. For strumming I like Jim Dunlop 0.46... they have a lovely 'rasp'. I also, like SRV, use the side of the pick not the point.That Huss & Dalton sounds a bit more 'alive' and balanced. I don't think it's worth 10 times as much, just based on the sound.
I use Elixirs on all my guitars, acoustic, electric, and my bass. Like you say, they last soooo much longer. As a solo fingerstyle player, I also appreciate they don't squeak as much. I'm not sure what year Ian bought his Martin 00-21 New Yorker, but that was his main guitar from TAAB forward. It's barely bigger than a parlor body. Now he plays those custom TINY bodies that sound great. He says the smaller the body the better. I always thought Ian had the best acoustic sound ever recorded. I've spent years trying to replicate it and always fall short. I've searched for how the acoustic was recorded back then and can't find any info. The H&D is clearly a better sounding guitar but that cost factor is always nebulous, isn't it? Like expensive wine, is a $100 bottle 10x better than a $10 bottle. Don't think so.
@@snoozedoctor I once made a staff member in a supermarket laugh when she walked pas as I was browsing the wine. I picked up one and said "Oooh! £6.99, that's a good year!" I think Ian has a point about small guitars. When I picked up my firend's Eco I thought it sounded hollow and a bit cheap (being more used to dreadnaughts) but the minute you use it to accompany singing with a picked style, it all makes sense. Still, I wish I could afford a J200. Since I first played one the glorious sound and feel haunts me whenever I pick up a different guitar.
@@chroniclesofbap6170 The J200 is a classic. Just look at all the artists that play one. The old vintage Gibsons, L-00 type, have a wonderful dry, clean sound, ideal for acoustic blues.
@@snoozedoctor like you I love Ian’s guitar playing. I can’t pick a favorite album for his playing between Thick as a Brick, Passion Play and Minstrel in the Gallery. It is the reason I bought a classical guitar 45 years ago.
@@artrogers3985 When I watch live footage of him playing, as with about any great musician, the playing is effortless and almost second nature. That leaves room for the vocal phrasing and crowd interaction (entertaining). I'm too busy concentrating on what strings to play. There's no amount of practice that would make his material second nature for me.
Great video demo. Thanks. To answer your question and this is only my opinion, for a professional musician who works a lot in the studio, yes the more expensive guitar is very much worth the extra $1800. For the person who loves playing just for the fun of it, get the Orangewood. Unless you’re very wealthy of course. Then, do what you want. I have an Orangewood Oliver and I was shocked by the quality for such little money. Again, thanks for your videos @snoozedoctor
Thanks Art. I concur, the Orangewoods are an amazing value. In defense of high quality instruments, I think anyone who composes will tell you that a great deal of inspiration can come from a fine instrument. When I unpacked and first strummed the Florence, I didn't feel compelled to write anything. Last week, when I picked up the Huss and Dalton I composed the instrumental "Filbert Goes to Town" that I posted. Although, I've owned several really fine instruments for a long time and I'm glad I bought them when I did. After I posted this, I wondered what my Huss and Dalton was going for and it's pushing 4K now.
Picks: Pat Metheny uses a 48mm nylon Fender pick turned on its side. He pick with a blunt corner. Gees it has a nice tone and feel to me -- especially for strumming. For fast passages it's possible to choke down on the pick to make it a bit more ridged. Your H & D is lovely and reminds me a bit of my cedar top/rosewood Lowden.
Yeah, Pat has a unique right hand! That pick is huge. I played on a large one like that for years but somewhere switched back to a smaller one. I'm thinking of going back. Lowdens are sweet!
7:55 what song is this? would love to learn it! Also, thank you for the information. learned about phrases styles. your style is different from other guitarists I listen to this video was a treat
Thanks! The chord progression at that place is something I wrote for a Bossa Nova tune. It starts at the 2 minute mark with the trumpet solo outro. czcams.com/video/HYB1YhE1Msg/video.html
H&D guitars are a small operation and all their guitars are expensive. I love Rhett Shull's YT channel and he recently bought a H&D dreadnaught that he made a video on. Called it the best acoustic he ever played. That prices H&D out of the main market and I agree, 10x better? Nope.
I have three martins.a lawrence juber a 38,28.and a 57 0-15.all the orangwood guitars I've played we're not bad at all.i sanded the neck of a Florence into a very soft v and put martin med lights on it.i love it.12 frets,less tension but 14 is better in my opinion.nice cheap guitar,the case is nice to.i'm doing one for my granddaughter.it gets a ding,no big deal.built well with a cnc machine so they come out uniform and straight.
I think they are perfect beginner guitars because with a minimum amount of setup, they play nicely. And like you say, not so much worry if you ding. How do you like the Juber model?
Great Video! I certainly agree about the picks, I use .50 tortex flex for my Orangewood Florence while strumming. The Huss and Dalton certainly takes the cake on sound quality in my opinion, but the Orangewood is great for the asking price.
The Orangewoods are a great value. Generally, the guitars I've played in their price range are almost unplayable. If you've watched my other video about putting the Orangewood Mason on the PLEK machine, you may have seen the imperfections in the neck. I'm not sure how that would compare to a similar priced guitar. My guess, not too much. I hadn't used a really thin pick in decades really. I got the tip from a big recording engineer out in LA. I was telling him I couldn't get a really even, sweet strumming tone like the Eagles got on their records and he immediately asked, "how thick is your pick?" I told him, wow, that and the fact I suck at strumming explains it! haha.
I would prefer the less low end sound of the Florence in a parlor size. If I wanted that much low end and openness from a parlor, I would just use an OM size guitar and save all that money. I like all that squatty narrow midrange honk in a parlor the H&D is big and clear. It`s fabulous just not sounding like a parlor.
It's a unique guitar, the H&D that is. It's the loudest guitar I own and is only 2nd to my dreadnought in bass and low mids. It doesn't sound good strummed, IMO. Many people would want a parlor to strum and fingerpick because they typically do both so well.
It's an amazing guitar. It has a great story too. I bought it new but after a few years I traded it in to buy a different guitar. Almost 10 years later one of my best friends (an also a guitar player) asks me "did you use to own a Huss and Dalton." I said yes and then he proceeds to tell me he just bought it and found a repair tag in the case with my name on it! I about dropped over. I asked him if he would sell it back to me and he did.
The Huss and dalton might seem a lot but , if your really interested in the subtle overtones which come with a handcrafted instrument it’s well worth the money , but I would no way denigrate the orange wood , it would make a great starting out guitar
Totally agree with you. The Orangewood is a great beginner guitar. I'm sitting here playing the H&D right now and it sounds so good it inspires one to compose. I think that's something a better instrument can do for you, whether it be a guitar, piano, violin, or whatever. Cheers!
@@peterpulpitpounder There's an interesting story behind this guitar. I bought it new and for some reason or other, sold it a few years later. Soon I regretted that. A few years later one of my good friends, who is a killer guitar player, called me and asked, "did you once own a Huss and Dalton?" I said, yeah! He says, " I just bought this in a music store and a work order was in the case with your name on it! Want it back?" And so I purchased it again and don't plan to let go of it! What are the chances?
I don’t know that the Huss and Dalton is 10x worth the orangewood. Like any guitar, there are diminishing returns to the quality you get. But there is no question that it is better by a long shot. But it’s impressive that you can get that orangewood for a steal of a price.
Yeah, the Orangewoods are good value. I'd love to try one of their solid wood back and sides. The laminate construction always dampens the tone. It's just so stiff. You can tell the Huss and Dalton has tons more volume. It's an incredibly light guitar, much lighter than the Orangewood and it's also louder than even my dreadnought. Loudest acoustic I own.
Comparing a Lexus with a Dodge Dart was an extreme comparison. The H & D'd body was larger and fret board different. Was the sound 50 times better, no. I ordered the Florence on a sale, will see how it behaves with different strings, not expecting a miracle but I have heard the Orangewood outfit turns out a decent product. And finally, this is a couch guitar not one to take to the stage.
True, the H&D is a 00 body size. So slightly larger. It’s also a 12 fret versus a 14 fret. Let me know when you get the Florence and tell me what you think. It’s a real value any way you cut it.
I love your videos (especially all the Tull songs, and now this review). Thank you. Just wondering if you could please possibly tell me how much the Orangewood weighs? I'm looking for a lightweight guitar under 13" lower bout for bicycle travelling.
Hi John. Thanks so much! The 2 Orangewoods that I own have laminated back and sides. That tends to make them on the heavy side for the body size. I have the Florence Parlor guitar and it's surprising heavy. sounds stiff too. Have you considered a composite guitar for traveling. I have a Rainsong Parlor, it's carbon composite, quite light, sounds good and will withstand the elements. Rainsongs are on the pricier end, but there are other cheaper alternatives. Whatever guitar you choose, I would recommend a truss rod to adjust the neck.
@@snoozedoctor thanks for your reply. I actually have been travelling with my Journey OF-660 carbon fiber for 4 years, but I have decided it is too heavy (everything else about it is perfect). I just spent a month trying to lighten it - I replaced the tuning knobs with 3D printed ones, I replaced the heavy neck bolt with a 3D printed one, I sanded off most of the finish and removed various bits and pieces. In the end I reduced the weight from 5 1/2 to 4 1/2 pounds but that is still a pound and a half heavier than a Baby Taylor for example. I have also read that other composite guitars are surprisingly heavy, and I definitely want to have a removable neck. I could do a conversion of a timber guitar but not composite I don't think.
@@goog646 wow, you have done some serious work on that guitar. You are way beyond my knowledge base. My Rainsong parlor is really, really light, but they're not cheap. It's sound is bright, but not unpleasant. czcams.com/video/TRja43_V8Wk/video.html
The Huss and Dalton body seems to be a bit bigger compared to the Orangewood. So that could be the difference in the bass response. But the Huss and Dalton sounds better
Your comment made me curious, because I hadn't actually measured them before. The H&D is one inch wider at the lower bout and 1/2 inch wider at the upper bout. It's an amazingly resonate guitar. You can feel it vibrate right through your chest, unlike the Orangewood.
I've played some expensive guitars that sound like crap, and inexpensive ones that sound great. I've occasionally bought a guitar from eBay or Reverb that I thought would sound good and I've not kept one of them. It's all in what you hear from the instrument.
The Orangewood sounds like a toy compared with the Huss & Dalton and yes, it is worth 10 times more. What about the Recording King parlour? Have you checked that out?
That tune is called "Wheels". It's a quite old melody, probably from late "50s, but was popularized by Chet Atkins arrangement. What I'm playing is based on a version Leo Kottke did.
The huss and dalton to my ears was more mellower. The orange was brighter both were good. With some eq I'm sure you would could get them sounding similar. I'm looking for a nice cheap parlour at the moment, looking at the Vintage Paul Brett Statesboro or the Eko? Have you come across these? Around £100 so excellent value, got any other suggestions. Cheers.
The Huss and Dalton is a fabulous guitar. Look for a solid top. Laminated sides and backs are common in budget guitars. To my ear, that results in a bright, compressed sound with not much in the way of overtones. Not sure what your budget limit is, but I've watched a number of YT videos on the budget side of things and, while it's hard not being in the room with them, the ones that stood out to me were the Fender CP 60S and the James Neligan. There are a host of them out there though. It's really hard to judge by a YT video though as you can kill the sound by the mic/mic technique, and interface. In general, I would prefer solid side and back, 12 fret, and wood type not all that important. Play before buying if you possibly can. Cheers!
@@snoozedoctor Thanks for the reply, and your right about try before you buy. I have looked at the fender the get a lot of good reviews. I have looked at Tanglewood since and the semm pretty good to, theres a couple on Ebay at mo, they have 4 band eq as well . So thanks again.
The Huss is a marvel of a guitar. I love it. It's a little cannon but has such a mellow tone. Super light construction. It feels like paper when you pick it up.
The neck width and radius will depend on the maker. I believe the nut is 44.5 mm on the H&D and 44 on the Orangewood. For fingerstyle I prefer the wider spacing but for strumming a narrower nut. Playing classical pieces on narrower string spacing is super difficult. But on wider spacings I can't use my thumb to fret bass strings. Tradeoffs. I have small hands so the narrower radius necks work better for me. The fingerboard wood on the Orangewoods is ovangkol and ebony on my dreadnaught. The ovangkol is not as smooth, IMO. I have 2 12 fret guitars and I do believe the popular belief they result in more sparkle in the high register.
Washburn, Orangewood, and other similar brands have their bridge backwards!(imo) Esthetically,Bridge wings should be facing forward like Taylor,or Alvarez! Also,why are you comparing these 2 brands? Should be compared to something similar in cost, not extreme opposites!
The bridges on Orangewoods have sharp corners facing up that are extremely annoying when strumming. I’m going to just take a file to them. I compared these 2 because it’s what I have and I wanted to show that quality materials and build might be worth it, albeit at expense
Nice video. Although only at the end do you mention the Huss is a 12-fret and the Orangewood a 14-fret, which makes all the difference to the fullness of sound. Kinda apples and oranges.
Gracias! I think the PRS p20, though I've never played one, is going to be a better guitar. Maybe it's a little unfair in my comparison that I'm using the Huss and Dalton that is technically a 00 body that is very slightly larger than a 'parlor' body. I still consider it a parlor guitar though.
90% of us small-guitar players are non-professionals and have small hands. We're far less interested in subtle tonal differences than in playability--action, nut-width, fretboard radius, etc. Many parlors have wide, flat necks, and only 12 frets to the body.
The 12 fret guitars I've played seem to ring out more in the high end. You can see the neck on the Huss and Dalton is quite wide and a bit difficult for me to fret the low E string with my thumb, something I often do. The wider spacing at the saddle gives me better spacing for fingerpicking, but for strumming I prefer a thinner neck for sure. Thanks for your comment!
I agree. The Huss and Dalton took a strange path back to me. I sold it, and immediately regretted it. Years later, one of my best friends, incredible guitar player, asked me if I once owned a H&D. I said, how did you know. Well, he had bought it and there was a repair tag in the case with my name on it. So, he offered to sell it back to me and that's how it returned.
The Orangewood sounds like a toy guitar. No personality to the sound. The Russ and Dalton has a full rich sound. Thanks for the demo. Definitely worth the extra cost.
"hey guys, did you know a $6,000 guitar is slightly better than a $300 one? This is a useful comparison because the $6000 one is probably multiple months salary while the $300 is still very affordable"
It is sad that these higher end guitars have become so much more expensive. In the 20 years since I purchased this the price for the Huss and Dalton has tripled. That's kinda ridiculous. You can choose from plenty of good sounding, and playing guitars for under 500 dollars. The Orangewood wouldn't be my choice in that range. I recently played a baby Taylor that a friend got for $100 used and it sounds much better to me.
trying to play rhythm strumming on a parlor is like driving a U-haul down a slippery mountain road. you CAN do it, but a U-haul isn't the best vehicle for that.... almost all strumming - dreadnought fingerstyle + some strumming - folk or concert size almost all fingerstyle - parlor do a lot of strumming on a parlor and it vibrates way too much. it sounds extremely muddy, and it just don't have the bassy sound like the bigger guitars do.
For the most part, totally agree. Don't care too much for strumming parlors. they tend to sound better as you capo up the neck, gets rid of some of that muddiness. but you'll never get that sweet acoustic strumming sound like the Eagles did.
that was the outro to a Bossa nova piece I composed a few years back. Was in a silly mood one day and I thought, why not? The trumpet solo with this chord progression is at 2:00 czcams.com/video/HYB1YhE1Msg/video.html
For sure, but I thought it was useful to hear the extreme difference between a laminated, stiff guitar and a superbly crafted instrument. The Huss and Dalton is a larger body but probably weighs 25% less.
Comparing the Florence to a Nylon String Huss and Dalton? You realize they are two totally different kinds of guitars, right. The Huss is a Classical guitar, not a Parlor. Not a valid comparison.
@@snoozedoctor The strings on the Huss sound plasticky, like nylon strings. And the shape of the body is also like a classical, rather than a long-bodied, thin-waisted Parlor. A Parlor guitar is not just a small-bodied guitar, any more than a Jumbo is any thick-bodied acoustic. They are very specifically-shaped instruments. Huss and Dalton do not even list a Parlor Guitar model in their current inventory on their website. A Parlor guitar has an elongated body with a lower bout of 13.6" or less. None of the Huss and Dalton models fit these specs. It s not a valid comparison. You should compare the Florence to something like a Recoding King RP-05, or RP-07, a Fender Paramount, or the Gretch Jim Dandy. These are real Parlor guitars.
@@JoelBrothers The Huss and Dalton is a 00 model of their lineup. It does have a slightly larger body than the Florence. The body of the H and D is a half inch longer than the Florence. They are identical at the upper bout, 9.5 inches and the H and D is 14 in. at the lower bout compared to 13 in for the Florence. I know that some people are purists about the size of a Martin 0 concert being the standard for a parlor but I think it's become a general term for a smaller body than a typical guitar. I'm intrigued by the guitars you mentioned though. I've watched a number of videos comparing them. Have you played any of those you listed? I'm not sure the Florence is the best of its price range.
@@snoozedoctor I have a Recording King RP-05 that I love. All solid wood and bone. No laminate or plastic. It has the old nostalgic sound typical of a 1930s Gibson Parlor guitar, like Jimmy Rogers, Malvina Reynolds, etc... I’m curious how the Florence would stack up against it.
@@JoelBrothers If I were a betting man I'd lay money on your guitar. I'm just not that impressed with the Florence. I had higher hopes given that the Mason Live I bought from them is really a decent instrument. Especially for the price.
Firstly, thank you for your videos, they are both entertaining and informative. I'm glad to see that the Orangewood delivers a good guitar for entry level guitar for new players and for those that need and want a campfire guitar. I wish they were around back in the '70's when I first picked up a guitar. I do wonder however just how well these guitars will endure over time. The $200 Orangewood,not so much but more their top of the line acoustics. The H+D was predictably fantastic.
I agree, I too wish they were around back in the day. They are a good value but the entry level guitars aren't going to be nearly up to H&D standards, as one would expect. The Florence is a very stiff guitar. Especially next to the H&D which is feather light and resonates always too much sometimes. It can be a little hard to tune because of all the overtones produced when you strike a single string.
That Orange guitar has a sound that I refer to as "boxy". A lot of cheap guitars sound that way, like the Roy Rogers guitars we got as kids with the "deluxe neck chord". Really good video. I just subscribed
Thanks. I agree, 'boxy' is a good description. The difference in volume between these two guitars is very apparent too. I thought about leveling out the volume in post, but then it seemed like cheating. What the mics hear is what they hear.
Very informative - thanks. I have an Alvarez AP70 and an AP66. Very pleased with both.
I was unfamiliar with those so I looked them up. I like the 12 fret guitars so they look interesting. Without playing one, I would guess they are a step up from the Florence.
We use the same strings. I was turned on to them a few years ago by Scott Grove and have used them ever since. They stay fresh for soooooo long so are worth the extra cost.
A friend of mine had an old Eko parlour style guitar. There's a pic inside Living in the Past (IIRC) of Ian Anderson using one. This style of guitar is great for Tull.
For strumming I like Jim Dunlop 0.46... they have a lovely 'rasp'. I also, like SRV, use the side of the pick not the point.That Huss & Dalton sounds a bit more 'alive' and balanced. I don't think it's worth 10 times as much, just based on the sound.
I use Elixirs on all my guitars, acoustic, electric, and my bass. Like you say, they last soooo much longer. As a solo fingerstyle player, I also appreciate they don't squeak as much. I'm not sure what year Ian bought his Martin 00-21 New Yorker, but that was his main guitar from TAAB forward. It's barely bigger than a parlor body. Now he plays those custom TINY bodies that sound great. He says the smaller the body the better. I always thought Ian had the best acoustic sound ever recorded. I've spent years trying to replicate it and always fall short. I've searched for how the acoustic was recorded back then and can't find any info. The H&D is clearly a better sounding guitar but that cost factor is always nebulous, isn't it? Like expensive wine, is a $100 bottle 10x better than a $10 bottle. Don't think so.
@@snoozedoctor I once made a staff member in a supermarket laugh when she walked pas as I was browsing the wine. I picked up one and said "Oooh! £6.99, that's a good year!"
I think Ian has a point about small guitars. When I picked up my firend's Eco I thought it sounded hollow and a bit cheap (being more used to dreadnaughts) but the minute you use it to accompany singing with a picked style, it all makes sense.
Still, I wish I could afford a J200. Since I first played one the glorious sound and feel haunts me whenever I pick up a different guitar.
@@chroniclesofbap6170 The J200 is a classic. Just look at all the artists that play one. The old vintage Gibsons, L-00 type, have a wonderful dry, clean sound, ideal for acoustic blues.
@@snoozedoctor like you I love Ian’s guitar playing. I can’t pick a favorite album for his playing between Thick as a Brick, Passion Play and Minstrel in the Gallery. It is the reason I bought a classical guitar 45 years ago.
@@artrogers3985 When I watch live footage of him playing, as with about any great musician, the playing is effortless and almost second nature. That leaves room for the vocal phrasing and crowd interaction (entertaining). I'm too busy concentrating on what strings to play. There's no amount of practice that would make his material second nature for me.
Great video demo. Thanks. To answer your question and this is only my opinion, for a professional musician who works a lot in the studio, yes the more expensive guitar is very much worth the extra $1800. For the person who loves playing just for the fun of it, get the Orangewood. Unless you’re very wealthy of course. Then, do what you want. I have an Orangewood Oliver and I was shocked by the quality for such little money. Again, thanks for your videos @snoozedoctor
Thanks Art. I concur, the Orangewoods are an amazing value. In defense of high quality instruments, I think anyone who composes will tell you that a great deal of inspiration can come from a fine instrument. When I unpacked and first strummed the Florence, I didn't feel compelled to write anything. Last week, when I picked up the Huss and Dalton I composed the instrumental "Filbert Goes to Town" that I posted. Although, I've owned several really fine instruments for a long time and I'm glad I bought them when I did. After I posted this, I wondered what my Huss and Dalton was going for and it's pushing 4K now.
@@snoozedoctor 4K? Yikes!!!! I’ll check out Filbert later today or tomorrow. I didn’t know you composed.
Picks: Pat Metheny uses a 48mm nylon Fender pick turned on its side. He pick with a blunt corner. Gees it has a nice tone and feel to me -- especially for strumming. For fast passages it's possible to choke down on the pick to make it a bit more ridged. Your H & D is lovely and reminds me a bit of my cedar top/rosewood Lowden.
Yeah, Pat has a unique right hand! That pick is huge. I played on a large one like that for years but somewhere switched back to a smaller one. I'm thinking of going back. Lowdens are sweet!
H+D sounds fantastic with your thumb nail!
It does! It's a little cannon. Loudest guitar I own, even louder than my dreadnought.
Thank you, I've learned about the picks things I did't know about.
Thanks for listening and commenting! Glad it helped.
7:55 what song is this? would love to learn it! Also, thank you for the information. learned about phrases styles. your style is different from other guitarists I listen to this video was a treat
Thanks! The chord progression at that place is something I wrote for a Bossa Nova tune. It starts at the 2 minute mark with the trumpet solo outro. czcams.com/video/HYB1YhE1Msg/video.html
The huss & Dalton is definitely the superior sounding guitar but you can't a better guitar for the price of the Florence. Good review man!👌
Indeed, the Orangewoods are a terrific bargain!
I like the Orangewood as a workingman's hero
They are an incredible value!
The difference is evident...10 times? hard to tell. I personally would not spend all this money for a parlor
H&D guitars are a small operation and all their guitars are expensive. I love Rhett Shull's YT channel and he recently bought a H&D dreadnaught that he made a video on. Called it the best acoustic he ever played. That prices H&D out of the main market and I agree, 10x better? Nope.
I would agree the Huss and Dalton is worth every penny...you can tell there’s a wonderfully rich resonance therein 😎💫✨
It's an amazing instrument! Vibrates right through your chest when you play it.
I have three martins.a lawrence juber a 38,28.and a 57 0-15.all the orangwood guitars I've played we're not bad at all.i sanded the neck of a Florence into a very soft v and put martin med lights on it.i love it.12 frets,less tension but 14 is better in my opinion.nice cheap guitar,the case is nice to.i'm doing one for my granddaughter.it gets a ding,no big deal.built well with a cnc machine so they come out uniform and straight.
I think they are perfect beginner guitars because with a minimum amount of setup, they play nicely. And like you say, not so much worry if you ding. How do you like the Juber model?
I love these videos. Learning so much. I actually liked the Huss and Dalton better (w/ pair of vintage Klipsch Heresy speakers and Class D amp).
It's a bit hard to appreciate, but the H and D is LOUD. It's the loudest acoustic I own, of all body shapes. It's a fantastic guitar.
Great Video! I certainly agree about the picks, I use .50 tortex flex for my Orangewood Florence while strumming. The Huss and Dalton certainly takes the cake on sound quality in my opinion, but the Orangewood is great for the asking price.
The Orangewoods are a great value. Generally, the guitars I've played in their price range are almost unplayable. If you've watched my other video about putting the Orangewood Mason on the PLEK machine, you may have seen the imperfections in the neck. I'm not sure how that would compare to a similar priced guitar. My guess, not too much. I hadn't used a really thin pick in decades really. I got the tip from a big recording engineer out in LA. I was telling him I couldn't get a really even, sweet strumming tone like the Eagles got on their records and he immediately asked, "how thick is your pick?" I told him, wow, that and the fact I suck at strumming explains it! haha.
I would prefer the less low end sound of the Florence in a parlor size. If I wanted that much low end and openness from a parlor, I would just use an OM size guitar and save all that money. I like all that squatty narrow midrange honk in a parlor the H&D is big and clear. It`s fabulous just not sounding like a parlor.
It's a unique guitar, the H&D that is. It's the loudest guitar I own and is only 2nd to my dreadnought in bass and low mids. It doesn't sound good strummed, IMO. Many people would want a parlor to strum and fingerpick because they typically do both so well.
Wow! That Huss and Dalton sounds amazing for a parlor guitar. So full and round. Makes me wish I had deeper pockets. lol
It's an amazing guitar. It has a great story too. I bought it new but after a few years I traded it in to buy a different guitar. Almost 10 years later one of my best friends (an also a guitar player) asks me "did you use to own a Huss and Dalton." I said yes and then he proceeds to tell me he just bought it and found a repair tag in the case with my name on it! I about dropped over. I asked him if he would sell it back to me and he did.
The Huss and dalton might seem a lot but , if your really interested in the subtle overtones which come with a handcrafted instrument it’s well worth the money , but I would no way denigrate the orange wood , it would make a great starting out guitar
Totally agree with you. The Orangewood is a great beginner guitar. I'm sitting here playing the H&D right now and it sounds so good it inspires one to compose. I think that's something a better instrument can do for you, whether it be a guitar, piano, violin, or whatever. Cheers!
The Huss & Dalton blows the Orange"junk" out of the water. :) Nice playing!
Totally agree!
@@snoozedoctor Wish I owned that Huss &Dalton guitar! I'm jealous. :)
@@peterpulpitpounder There's an interesting story behind this guitar. I bought it new and for some reason or other, sold it a few years later. Soon I regretted that. A few years later one of my good friends, who is a killer guitar player, called me and asked, "did you once own a Huss and Dalton?" I said, yeah! He says, " I just bought this in a music store and a work order was in the case with your name on it! Want it back?"
And so I purchased it again and don't plan to let go of it! What are the chances?
@@snoozedoctor That is one great story. :)
I don’t know that the Huss and Dalton is 10x worth the orangewood. Like any guitar, there are diminishing returns to the quality you get. But there is no question that it is better by a long shot. But it’s impressive that you can get that orangewood for a steal of a price.
Yeah, the Orangewoods are good value. I'd love to try one of their solid wood back and sides. The laminate construction always dampens the tone. It's just so stiff. You can tell the Huss and Dalton has tons more volume. It's an incredibly light guitar, much lighter than the Orangewood and it's also louder than even my dreadnought. Loudest acoustic I own.
Comparing a Lexus with a Dodge Dart was an extreme comparison. The H & D'd body was larger and fret board different. Was the sound 50 times better, no. I ordered the Florence on a sale, will see how it behaves with different strings, not expecting a miracle but I have heard the Orangewood outfit turns out a decent product. And finally, this is a couch guitar not one to take to the stage.
True, the H&D is a 00 body size. So slightly larger. It’s also a 12 fret versus a 14 fret. Let me know when you get the Florence and tell me what you think. It’s a real value any way you cut it.
I love your videos (especially all the Tull songs, and now this review). Thank you. Just wondering if you could please possibly tell me how much the Orangewood weighs? I'm looking for a lightweight guitar under 13" lower bout for bicycle travelling.
Hi John. Thanks so much! The 2 Orangewoods that I own have laminated back and sides. That tends to make them on the heavy side for the body size. I have the Florence Parlor guitar and it's surprising heavy. sounds stiff too. Have you considered a composite guitar for traveling. I have a Rainsong Parlor, it's carbon composite, quite light, sounds good and will withstand the elements. Rainsongs are on the pricier end, but there are other cheaper alternatives. Whatever guitar you choose, I would recommend a truss rod to adjust the neck.
@@snoozedoctor thanks for your reply. I actually have been travelling with my Journey OF-660 carbon fiber for 4 years, but I have decided it is too heavy (everything else about it is perfect). I just spent a month trying to lighten it - I replaced the tuning knobs with 3D printed ones, I replaced the heavy neck bolt with a 3D printed one, I sanded off most of the finish and removed various bits and pieces. In the end I reduced the weight from 5 1/2 to 4 1/2 pounds but that is still a pound and a half heavier than a Baby Taylor for example. I have also read that other composite guitars are surprisingly heavy, and I definitely want to have a removable neck. I could do a conversion of a timber guitar but not composite I don't think.
@@goog646 wow, you have done some serious work on that guitar. You are way beyond my knowledge base. My Rainsong parlor is really, really light, but they're not cheap. It's sound is bright, but not unpleasant.
czcams.com/video/TRja43_V8Wk/video.html
The Huss and Dalton body seems to be a bit bigger compared to the Orangewood. So that could be the difference in the bass response. But the Huss and Dalton sounds better
Your comment made me curious, because I hadn't actually measured them before. The H&D is one inch wider at the lower bout and 1/2 inch wider at the upper bout. It's an amazingly resonate guitar. You can feel it vibrate right through your chest, unlike the Orangewood.
Orangewood ok in a pinch. Huss and Dalton a serious instrument.
Agree. Cheers!
Yes, HD is worth the 10x price. But, if you can't afford HD, the OW is a good option. Nice comparison.
Thanks. Yeah the HD is special. I would like to try one of the OWs with a solid body.
Personally i would prefer the Florence for sound. I don't really care about brand,its about the sound for me.
I've played some expensive guitars that sound like crap, and inexpensive ones that sound great. I've occasionally bought a guitar from eBay or Reverb that I thought would sound good and I've not kept one of them. It's all in what you hear from the instrument.
nicely done!
thanks for listening and commenting!
The Orangewood has a boxier sound that I associate with blues, so it would probably pair well with a slide, but the H&D is just fantastic.
that's a perfect description of the Orangewood's sound, boxy.
The Orangewood sounds like a toy compared with the Huss & Dalton and yes, it is worth 10 times more. What about the Recording King parlour? Have you checked that out?
No, but I'm intrigued by that guitar! I might have to purchase one for a review!
Great comparison! What song are you playing at 8:38?
That tune is called "Wheels". It's a quite old melody, probably from late "50s, but was popularized by Chet Atkins arrangement. What I'm playing is based on a version Leo Kottke did.
@@snoozedoctor I’ll check it out. Thanks!
Great video!
Thanks!
The huss and dalton to my ears was more mellower. The orange was brighter both were good. With some eq I'm sure you would could get them sounding similar. I'm looking for a nice cheap parlour at the moment, looking at the Vintage Paul Brett Statesboro or the Eko? Have you come across these? Around £100 so excellent value, got any other suggestions. Cheers.
The Huss and Dalton is a fabulous guitar. Look for a solid top. Laminated sides and backs are common in budget guitars. To my ear, that results in a bright, compressed sound with not much in the way of overtones. Not sure what your budget limit is, but I've watched a number of YT videos on the budget side of things and, while it's hard not being in the room with them, the ones that stood out to me were the Fender CP 60S and the James Neligan. There are a host of them out there though. It's really hard to judge by a YT video though as you can kill the sound by the mic/mic technique, and interface. In general, I would prefer solid side and back, 12 fret, and wood type not all that important. Play before buying if you possibly can. Cheers!
@@snoozedoctor Thanks for the reply, and your right about try before you buy. I have looked at the fender the get a lot of good reviews. I have looked at Tanglewood since and the semm pretty good to, theres a couple on Ebay at mo, they have 4 band eq as well . So thanks again.
I vastly prefer the Huss & Dalton. I don't have a scientific or technical explanation, but it sounds a helluva lot better to me.
The Huss is a marvel of a guitar. I love it. It's a little cannon but has such a mellow tone. Super light construction. It feels like paper when you pick it up.
try the gretsch jim dandy
BOA and Jim Dandy were a great band.
@@snoozedoctor guitar* :)
Please give some info on fingerboard and neck width and radius in comparison to a regular dreadnaught.
Let me go measure. With you in a minute.
The neck width and radius will depend on the maker. I believe the nut is 44.5 mm on the H&D and 44 on the Orangewood. For fingerstyle I prefer the wider spacing but for strumming a narrower nut. Playing classical pieces on narrower string spacing is super difficult. But on wider spacings I can't use my thumb to fret bass strings. Tradeoffs. I have small hands so the narrower radius necks work better for me. The fingerboard wood on the Orangewoods is ovangkol and ebony on my dreadnaught. The ovangkol is not as smooth, IMO. I have 2 12 fret guitars and I do believe the popular belief they result in more sparkle in the high register.
The whole rational for fanned fret guitars, (multiple scale length) is just that. More sparkle in the highs.
Washburn, Orangewood, and other similar brands have their bridge backwards!(imo)
Esthetically,Bridge wings
should be facing forward like Taylor,or Alvarez!
Also,why are you comparing these 2 brands?
Should be compared to something similar in cost,
not extreme opposites!
The bridges on Orangewoods have sharp corners facing up that are extremely annoying when strumming. I’m going to just take a file to them.
I compared these 2 because it’s what I have and I wanted to show that quality materials and build might be worth it, albeit at expense
I'm indeed thinking of purchasing a parlor guitar. I said guitar, not an object with guitar strings manufactured in China by Wildwood.
You should! They are really fun guitars!
Nice video. Although only at the end do you mention the Huss is a 12-fret and the Orangewood a 14-fret, which makes all the difference to the fullness of sound. Kinda apples and oranges.
I do like the 12 frets. I have the Huss and Dalton and a Waterloo. Excellent treble.
muy linda la interpretacion .. buenas canciones.. queria saber que opinas de la PRS p20 e parlor.. tengo la color tobacco.. y el fishman..
Gracias! I think the PRS p20, though I've never played one, is going to be a better guitar. Maybe it's a little unfair in my comparison that I'm using the Huss and Dalton that is technically a 00 body that is very slightly larger than a 'parlor' body. I still consider it a parlor guitar though.
90% of us small-guitar players are non-professionals and have small hands. We're far less interested in subtle tonal differences than in playability--action, nut-width, fretboard radius, etc. Many parlors have wide, flat necks, and only 12 frets to the body.
The 12 fret guitars I've played seem to ring out more in the high end. You can see the neck on the Huss and Dalton is quite wide and a bit difficult for me to fret the low E string with my thumb, something I often do. The wider spacing at the saddle gives me better spacing for fingerpicking, but for strumming I prefer a thinner neck for sure. Thanks for your comment!
There's no contest, but not everyone is rich!
I agree. The Huss and Dalton took a strange path back to me. I sold it, and immediately regretted it. Years later, one of my best friends, incredible guitar player, asked me if I once owned a H&D. I said, how did you know. Well, he had bought it and there was a repair tag in the case with my name on it. So, he offered to sell it back to me and that's how it returned.
With a parlor guitar, does that change where you normally use a capo on a dreadnought?
No, same pitch and tuning, just a slightly shorter scale. So capo, say on third fret, will act just the same.
@@snoozedoctor Thank you.
The Orangewood sounds like a toy guitar. No personality to the sound. The Russ and Dalton has a full rich sound. Thanks for the demo. Definitely worth the extra cost.
Totally agree. That’s a perfect description of the Orangewood.
"hey guys, did you know a $6,000 guitar is slightly better than a $300 one? This is a useful comparison because the $6000 one is probably multiple months salary while the $300 is still very affordable"
It is sad that these higher end guitars have become so much more expensive. In the 20 years since I purchased this the price for the Huss and Dalton has tripled. That's kinda ridiculous. You can choose from plenty of good sounding, and playing guitars for under 500 dollars. The Orangewood wouldn't be my choice in that range. I recently played a baby Taylor that a friend got for $100 used and it sounds much better to me.
trying to play rhythm strumming on a parlor is like driving a U-haul down a slippery mountain road. you CAN do it, but a U-haul isn't the best vehicle for that....
almost all strumming - dreadnought
fingerstyle + some strumming - folk or concert size
almost all fingerstyle - parlor
do a lot of strumming on a parlor and it vibrates way too much. it sounds extremely muddy, and it just don't have the bassy sound like the bigger guitars do.
For the most part, totally agree. Don't care too much for strumming parlors. they tend to sound better as you capo up the neck, gets rid of some of that muddiness. but you'll never get that sweet acoustic strumming sound like the Eagles did.
I don't see how you can compare a 12 fret to a 14fret.
It is a little bit apples to oranges. The Huss and Dalton is a 00 body, so a little bit larger than the Florence. 12 frets have such a ringing treble!
What was that jazz tune you played around 7:30
that was the outro to a Bossa nova piece I composed a few years back. Was in a silly mood one day and I thought, why not? The trumpet solo with this chord progression is at 2:00
czcams.com/video/HYB1YhE1Msg/video.html
Strange comparison for sure...two totally different guitars.
For sure, but I thought it was useful to hear the extreme difference between a laminated, stiff guitar and a superbly crafted instrument. The Huss and Dalton is a larger body but probably weighs 25% less.
definitely seems like a 200$ vs 1000$ guitar.
or 100 vs 800...
that it does!
Very happy 😍💋 💝💖♥️❤️
i owned orangewoods there junk
Comparing the Florence to a Nylon String Huss and Dalton? You realize they are two totally different kinds of guitars, right. The Huss is a Classical guitar, not a Parlor. Not a valid comparison.
Nope. Huss and Dalton is steel string too. Has a mellow tone though and almost sounds like a cross between.
@@snoozedoctor The strings on the Huss sound plasticky, like nylon strings. And the shape of the body is also like a classical, rather than a long-bodied, thin-waisted Parlor. A Parlor guitar is not just a small-bodied guitar, any more than a Jumbo is any thick-bodied acoustic. They are very specifically-shaped instruments. Huss and Dalton do not even list a Parlor Guitar model in their current inventory on their website. A Parlor guitar has an elongated body with a lower bout of 13.6" or less. None of the Huss and Dalton models fit these specs. It s not a valid comparison.
You should compare the Florence to something like a Recoding King RP-05, or RP-07, a Fender Paramount, or the Gretch Jim Dandy. These are real Parlor guitars.
@@JoelBrothers The Huss and Dalton is a 00 model of their lineup. It does have a slightly larger body than the Florence. The body of the H and D is a half inch longer than the Florence. They are identical at the upper bout, 9.5 inches and the H and D is 14 in. at the lower bout compared to 13 in for the Florence. I know that some people are purists about the size of a Martin 0 concert being the standard for a parlor but I think it's become a general term for a smaller body than a typical guitar. I'm intrigued by the guitars you mentioned though. I've watched a number of videos comparing them. Have you played any of those you listed? I'm not sure the Florence is the best of its price range.
@@snoozedoctor I have a Recording King RP-05 that I love. All solid wood and bone. No laminate or plastic. It has the old nostalgic sound typical of a 1930s Gibson Parlor guitar, like Jimmy Rogers, Malvina Reynolds, etc... I’m curious how the Florence would stack up against it.
@@JoelBrothers If I were a betting man I'd lay money on your guitar. I'm just not that impressed with the Florence. I had higher hopes given that the Mason Live I bought from them is really a decent instrument. Especially for the price.