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Topic: A tale of two Rics: B-6 vs Ace |
Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 8 Dec 2020 6:09 pm |
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| Who has both models and is willing to compare and contrast the sounds of each? My initial thoughts would be to presume they sound more alike than different. Comments? |
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Posted 9 Dec 2020 10:48 am
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Hey Jack,
I picked up my first B-6 just yesterday and I already had an Academy (identical to the Ace) so this was perfect timing! First off, the B-6 weighs close to 9 lbs and the Academy is more like 6.5 lbs, which is still pretty heavy for a small single neck. The B-6 is a good bit louder but I suspect that it has had its magnets recharged at some point whereas I'm sure the Academy has not. The little brown guitar is still plenty loud and gutsy. When played at the same volume level, the tone is very similar in both guitars: clear and bright enough but with plenty of bottom end without sounding muddy. The sustain on a note on the B-6 is about a second longer, probably due to the heavier body. Both are 22.5" scale with a nice, wide 3/8" spacing at the nut. I had assumed that I would be selling the Academy when I bought the B-6 but after pulling it out for this comparison, it's still one of my favorite guitars. |
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Jerry Wagner
From:
California, USA
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Posted 11 Dec 2020 10:29 am
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Hi Jack,
I have both & concur with Bill on his comparison. The Academy has a molded-into-body bridge, like the early B-6 guitars, that doesn't provide as much finger pick clearance from the fret board as I'd like. Post WW2 B-6's have a separate bridge, so you can raise or lower the pick clearance a little by replacing or altering the bridge. The B-6 does seem to have more sustain, whereas the Academy has a more bouncy, resonant tone. The Academy is a real marvel of Post WW2 industrial design.....a little inexpensive molded plastic guitar with exceptional tone and classic retro-aesthetics! |
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