They all sound great, each with a different character as you said. Overall I prefer them in the order that you played them - CS, M, and SJ. To me the CS has a consistent depth and clarity throughout the examples that the other two almost reach, but not quite. The harmonics on the SJ were very nice. The M in alternate tunings stood out. Tough to choose if I was put in the position where I could only keep one. Almost purchased a Beneteau baritone on-line. Never played any of his guitars, but the recorded examples I have heard have all been excellent. You do great work with yours !
Mark Demo thank you very much for the input! They all have varying specs so it’s not as much a “shootout” video as much as it is just observing the differences. The CS is overall my favorite too, sonically it’s depth and balance are superb but it’s the least playable as I didn’t custom order it and it has thinner spacings. The M and SJ have wider necks and bridge spacings which make fingerstyle-playing a breeze for me.
voyotaab132 congratulations! That model was the one that got me hooked on Marc’s guitars. Not sure how he manages to get so much clarity but such full bass at the same time. Enjoy it in good health.
The overall range of the Walnut Jumbo makes it the best guitar of the three. It has strong lower range, as far as I can hear the strongest mid range just about possible, and the lack of natural hi tone allows the harmonics to stand on their own. just about a perfectly voiced piece that one.
The goal was to get natural low-end from the jumbo body shape, obtain our midrange tones from the walnut, and have our trebles sound nice and resonant from the Italian spruce. It all worked out perfectly, I think :) I have heard many rosewood jumbos not have clear mids, which can be problematic, and I've heard many walnut OMs not have enough low end, which can be unsatisfying as a player...this was meant to be a middle-ground for everything to stand equally...still feel extremely lucky to own this guitar.
R.D. King thanks brotha! For me it’s between the SJ and the CS, tonewise. The CS is the most versatile. Admittedly the Model M is the most comfortable and the first guitar I ever played that was like “woah, where are all these new tunes coming from all of a sudden..” because how easy it is to play and the responsiveness.
Great video with lots to consider... its great to hear these types of comparisons - they really do provide valuable sound bites for those of us looking towards a new guitar build. Love the arrangements. Really like the M - Ebony - how do you think the Ebony would compare to ancient bog oak? Are they within the same area on the tonewood chart?
Pete - I currently have an MJ (which is the 16" wide version of his SJ) on order with Alpine and African Blackwood. I can't wait for it to be done. Ought to be Late January.
All 3 are beautiful sounding guitars. I never thought a jumbo could sound so good and its so perfectly voiced. I think I most definitely want the jumbo but because of my playing ability I'm a little intimidated by it's overall dimensions but wouldn't want to settle on something else just because. How do you decide!
Marc's jumbos are very special, but I hear you about the dimensions. Don Ross plays his SJ on the left leg so it doesn't bother his right shoulder, but he's played only Beneteau SJs for about 20 years! Something to consider
Hey Justin. So I decided on the Beneteau SJ in ABW with Euro Spruce top, fanfret, Florentine cutaway, snakewood trim, beveled front and back and the signature Dustin Furlow rosette. I got to have this rosette! Basically my guitar will look exactly like your mini jumbo only larger. Your playing and your mini totally inspired me!
Marc would agree with you! All-around it is my very favorite, as well. It records very well due to the clear midrange and balanced bass. The trebles have air and character too which I like alot. Rosewood guitars just have a shimmer which is nice for certain tunes but Walnut is much more versatile.
@@DustinFurlow Of course they all sound amazing! Also thanks for breaking this up into smaller clips with each style. So much easier to really hear the differences. Of course your playing is, as always, stellar!!
Depends on what tone you want for your album and the song. Walnut is warmest, Ebony the brightest and clearest glassy tone and the African Blackwood is in between.
Hi, Dustin. Just saw your post on AGF. I like the depth of the Blackwood one most. :) They are all amazing guitars! By the way, what kind of strings have you tried on Beneteau’s , other than D'Addario Phosphor Bronze? What strings would you recommend? Thanks :)
K L I actually also like Elixir Nanoweb phosphor bronze on the Jumbo. Adds so crispness to the top end that can get lost after a week or two on that big of a guitar
They all sounded wonderful ~ because of the wonderful builder, , if I were to choose I’d go with the African Blackwood, , I personally love their defined focused bass response and the way the notes play nice with each other.
I agree. I sold that particular one in this video, but have a commission with Marc due this winter of an Italian/ABW CS model just like this but with a wider nut, pinless bridge, sharp cutaway and few other mods. The tone is perfect, in my opinion.
I think you nailed it. The SJ can sound very “sweet” though when capo’d I think because the alpine soundboard. If I had to get stranded on an island with one it would be the SJ.
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My absolute favourite would be the Super Jumbo with Walnut Back and Sides. Very detailed and balanced.
Love Marc's work. Clear and powerful tone
They all sound great, each with a different character as you said.
Overall I prefer them in the order that you played them - CS, M, and SJ.
To me the CS has a consistent depth and clarity throughout the examples that the other two almost reach, but not quite.
The harmonics on the SJ were very nice. The M in alternate tunings stood out.
Tough to choose if I was put in the position where I could only keep one.
Almost purchased a Beneteau baritone on-line. Never played any of his guitars, but the recorded examples I have heard have all been excellent.
You do great work with yours !
Mark Demo thank you very much for the input! They all have varying specs so it’s not as much a “shootout” video as much as it is just observing the differences. The CS is overall my favorite too, sonically it’s depth and balance are superb but it’s the least playable as I didn’t custom order it and it has thinner spacings. The M and SJ have wider necks and bridge spacings which make fingerstyle-playing a breeze for me.
I just got my first Beneteau M model. Fantastic guitar!!
voyotaab132 congratulations! That model was the one that got me hooked on Marc’s guitars. Not sure how he manages to get so much clarity but such full bass at the same time. Enjoy it in good health.
When I hear any part of Abigail's lullaby...i feel like I'm floating! Hard to pick which wood combos compliment each song I'm sure brother!
Anything Marc touches is gold, in my opinion. Am just lucky enough to have sampled more than 1!
Dustin is an amazing player
Jumbo is outstanding
The overall range of the Walnut Jumbo makes it the best guitar of the three. It has strong lower range, as far as I can hear the strongest mid range just about possible, and the lack of natural hi tone allows the harmonics to stand on their own. just about a perfectly voiced piece that one.
The goal was to get natural low-end from the jumbo body shape, obtain our midrange tones from the walnut, and have our trebles sound nice and resonant from the Italian spruce. It all worked out perfectly, I think :) I have heard many rosewood jumbos not have clear mids, which can be problematic, and I've heard many walnut OMs not have enough low end, which can be unsatisfying as a player...this was meant to be a middle-ground for everything to stand equally...still feel extremely lucky to own this guitar.
hard to pick a favourite - they all shone at different times. might have to go with the SJ though.
Robin Muir this is the one I kept :)
@@DustinFurlow Good choice - its got a nice warm tone.
Very cool experiment.. I think the Super Jumbo is my favorite but they all sound great!
R.D. King thanks brotha! For me it’s between the SJ and the CS, tonewise. The CS is the most versatile. Admittedly the Model M is the most comfortable and the first guitar I ever played that was like “woah, where are all these new tunes coming from all of a sudden..” because how easy it is to play and the responsiveness.
@@DustinFurlow I love that, no question that different guitars result in different tunes!
Great video with lots to consider... its great to hear these types of comparisons - they really do provide valuable sound bites for those of us looking towards a new guitar build. Love the arrangements. Really like the M - Ebony - how do you think the Ebony would compare to ancient bog oak? Are they within the same area on the tonewood chart?
Ive yet to play an oak guitar so I can't speak on that, Kevin. Looking forward to that day though.
Cheers Dustin... would love to hear your thought once you get the opportunity... 👍
man, i'd love to hear a super jumbo in alpine/euro spruce with African Blackwood back and sides...
Pete - I currently have an MJ (which is the 16" wide version of his SJ) on order with Alpine and African Blackwood. I can't wait for it to be done. Ought to be Late January.
All 3 are beautiful sounding guitars. I never thought a jumbo could sound so good and its so perfectly voiced. I think I most definitely want the jumbo but because of my playing ability I'm a little intimidated by it's overall dimensions but wouldn't want to settle on something else just because. How do you decide!
Marc's jumbos are very special, but I hear you about the dimensions. Don Ross plays his SJ on the left leg so it doesn't bother his right shoulder, but he's played only Beneteau SJs for about 20 years! Something to consider
Hey Justin. So I decided on the Beneteau SJ in ABW with Euro Spruce top, fanfret, Florentine cutaway, snakewood trim, beveled front and back and the signature Dustin Furlow rosette. I got to have this rosette! Basically my guitar will look exactly like your mini jumbo only larger. Your playing and your mini totally inspired me!
Over all I like the walnut the most. I think it is underrated as a tonewood!
Marc would agree with you! All-around it is my very favorite, as well. It records very well due to the clear midrange and balanced bass. The trebles have air and character too which I like alot. Rosewood guitars just have a shimmer which is nice for certain tunes but Walnut is much more versatile.
The Concert Standard stood out for me.
Very balanced, focused sound from that one.
@@DustinFurlow Of course they all sound amazing! Also thanks for breaking this up into smaller clips with each style. So much easier to really hear the differences. Of course your playing is, as always, stellar!!
Wonderful
Ana Gastarova thank you for listening Ana.
Depends on what tone you want for your album and the song. Walnut is warmest, Ebony the brightest and clearest glassy tone and the African Blackwood is in between.
Tim L I agree with these observations.
Blackwood is sweet.
Its for sale currently on Reverb.
Hi, Dustin. Just saw your post on AGF. I like the depth of the Blackwood one most. :) They are all amazing guitars!
By the way, what kind of strings have you tried on Beneteau’s , other than D'Addario Phosphor Bronze? What strings would you recommend?
Thanks :)
K L I actually also like Elixir Nanoweb phosphor bronze on the Jumbo. Adds so crispness to the top end that can get lost after a week or two on that big of a guitar
Hi Dustin, Thanks for your reply!
What string gauge do you use on your Beneteau Jumbo? It has a GOOD amount of volume!
K L i just use light gauge with a 0.13 medium for the top e string.
I like the ebony best, then blackwood and walnut
Tonally I liked ABW best, and hard to decide between ebony and walnut as 2nd and 3rd.
They all sounded wonderful ~ because of the wonderful builder, , if I were to choose I’d go with the African Blackwood, , I personally love their defined focused bass response and the way the notes play nice with each other.
I agree. I sold that particular one in this video, but have a commission with Marc due this winter of an Italian/ABW CS model just like this but with a wider nut, pinless bridge, sharp cutaway and few other mods. The tone is perfect, in my opinion.
They sound near identical
ehhh behhh they definitely do in some voicing, this is what I love about Marc’s builds, the consistency.
Blackwood (if that's the first one) is more bell like/clearer, walnut is more shimmery, ebony is a touch warmer/richer. All are fantastic.
So which guitar is which again?
in my opinion -
1. blackwood cs : emotional & harmonized
2. ebony m : definite & balanced
3. walnut sj : pure & woody
I think you nailed it. The SJ can sound very “sweet” though when capo’d I think because the alpine soundboard. If I had to get stranded on an island with one it would be the SJ.
@@DustinFurlow & pinless bridge... makes huge difference
@@DustinFurlow Yeah good alpine can make all the difference in the world