All user reviews for the Norman B20

I was in need of an acoustic upgrade to replace my korean fender, and tried many a martin and taylor in the under $1000 category, don't ask how i found this on ebay but i did and got it with a case for $200

Quality and sound- It reminds me of a martin so much, like the new DMs or D-1s, just not fancy- its nicer than a DXME or DX1
Sound is sweet and has low action that I like- I know the previous owner had it set-up professionally with new elixer strings.
Remarkable guitar.

Nothing really just wish the rosette was fancier--but thats being petty.

Seems that the older models either had a model # or serial # missing from the label-mine has the serial but I know its a B-20 due to the specs.

this one has the red label with maple leaf

unbelievable- Solid wood all around. I thought this guitar would be my bang around /bring to the beach or park guitar--This thing is too nice- I probably will take it out sometimes but not for a while--this is a 94 model and its still like new- smooth frets and fingerboard and comfortable to play-well built--I am very happy.

Just get one-Normans are starting to develop a rep here in the US- Although still uncommon-I spent two hours researching this guitar before I bought it cuz I never heard of the name- although I knew Canadian guitars were well made I was a skeptic at first., This is not a beginner guitar-unless the beginner is serious one. This is a fantastic quality instrument- get one and see and save a few bucks.
I plan on a Martin or Taylor oneday- but now it has to be one of those pretty $2500+.
Hope this helps your decision process.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this guitar used for $350 Canadian with a sound-hole pickup and a hardshell case.

It sounds great, deep and not tinny at all. It is the best sounding guitar in it's price range hands down. The hardware is solid and the woods used are quality, I'm also told these guitars are handcrafted. Definently the best acoustic guitar you can get for your money.

Since I bought mine used I can't say too much about the wear and tear the previous owner put it through, but I've put it through some rough times. The Bridge is starting to come off of the body and I've talked to a previous B-20 owner who had the same problem. I'm not sure how much this will cost to fix or if it's even repairable at this point, but if it's under $100 it would definently be worth it. Also, it doesn't have the easiest action in the world, but that's good for me because it was my first guitar.

Besides the aforementioned bridge problem this guitar is built extremely well. The tuning pegs, although not flashy, do their job and the rest of the guitar is flawless.
This is the most inexpensive quality solidtop guitar you can buy.

If it wasn't for that nasty bridge problem it would be a 5, if you see one scoop it up, you won't regret it. I'm also thinking of installing a Soundchecker "Accu_stic" condenser pickup in it. If anyone has any experience with this type of pickup could they please email me at davecfraser@hotmail.com. Thanks

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this guitar in Portland, Oregon. I had been looking at buying a Martin D-16 forever until this beauty caught my eye. For about half the price, this guitar was a steal. I paid $320 for it new.

It sounds magnificent. Very deep, resonant and clear. Even compared to other brand name acoustics this guitar easily holds its own. This is definitely a well-kept secret gem of an acoutstic guitar.

I guess the only drawback is that it is somewhat plain...but that doesn't really bother me.

Solid spruce top, cherry back and sides, mahogony neck and rosewood fingerboard. It is solid! Very well put together. Sturdy. Light gloss finish that suits it well.

This is a dream guitar for the price...seriuosly. I can't believe these guitars aren't better known than they are. Their sister guitars, like Seagull, get a lot more advertising bang, but these handcrafted guitars are simply fantastic. A gem...

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought this guitar mostly because of the price. It's a great sounding guitar for the price. It costs about 450$can in montréal.

I tried a lot of guitars in the 350-500 range price and it's by far the best sounding guitar and it comes with a basic fisherman equalizer (acoustic/electric).

It's made in only one shape and color. It has a pretty basic acoustic guitar shape with a naturel finish.

The top is made of solid spruce and the back and sides are made in cherry. The head and the neck are made in Honduras mahogany with rosewood fingerboard. If you wanna buy the acoustic/electric one, try it before because the pick-up may have trouble playing the bass. It's handmade in La Patrie in Québec, Canada.

It's a great guitar for the price and it's the only handmade one for that price. Go out and buy it.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I bought one of the very Premire B20 arrived in France. She is 34 now!
Body Rabl (of course!) Button and bridge rosewood. Quality? YES APRS 32 years of intensive use in all circumstances!
I had changed the mcaniques (originally open) no oil baths shortly APRS buying the guitar.
No electronics.
No problem: it takes 32 years APRS still good agreement and I have to change anything on it (apart from mcaniques).
It is true that beginners mounting of the handle (screwed seemed a strange sound. Time ru because of my skepticism!

UTILIZATION

Lgre enough, good balance trs, it really is enjoyable to play. + What about?

SOUNDS

Excellent fairly neutral in the sense o you can play all styles with ease. I use since the dawn of time strings D'Addario 11/45 in which go perfectly, I tried once to Martin for my biggest regret: his typical blues but not keeping the tuning .
This is not a powerful guitar. I thought it grow with age, but not ...

OVERALL OPINION

Fully satisfied, it is an old girlfriend now!
Council without any hsitation, and then another face aa these Chinese guitars ...

I play this guitar for ending for 5 years and I am glad trs. Not having a big budget instrument, I had to find a compromise. This is why I chose this audio (the electro MODEL was too expensive for me).
The box and wicker covers are wild cherry massif.La massive pine table is Canadian. At this price (2300E in the era now 380Euros), hard to beat. This guitar is very well finished and really looks like a Martin (minus the sound is not RVer!), Both sober and Aesthetics.

UTILIZATION

The handle is enjoyable, but you have to like the style a little "bcheron". It is indeed far from THT handles guitars and modern loind the ease of play on the ovations. But with a good SETTING THE action, and making the effort to treat his game is perfectly playable. The section is quite hefty and somewhat reminiscent of the handle of the old guitars Annes 70.Mcaniques oil bath: So the agreement is good trs. The manufacturer prconnise drafts of 12/53, but I use it with beginners since 13/56 and no problem occurred.
Access in acute Reduces is also no pan-shot-but it's not a guitar neck soliste.Ce not suit those who want a handle THT ...
The shape of the guitar is good and does not sit in the game. A very nice guitar in this price range.

SOUNDS

Sound, it is nooorrrme! It is characteristic of Norman dlivrer power. The B20 does not have this droge CRITERIA. You can play gently, a password. If one is a bully who pummeled his scratching is the top. If one sings, one must ensure that the voice ct to cover the instrument. It's more of a guitar accompaniment mdiator suited to picking a guitar. The blues goes well, the support folks also. Bass, a little stiff beginners to have Bonnifait with 5 years of play and take the round with the aging of the wood jou.
For me who plays everything (variation on blues, rock, Beatles, Stones, Clapton, Led Zep, Eagles, Voulzy, Johnny, De Palmas is ....) idalie guitar for my budget. Come up with new ropes, it is the joy of my mini-concerts. No need to amp or microphone to play in front of twenty people.

OVERALL OPINION

I like Premire an old Framus acoustic guitar 70s. Needless to say that Norman has nothing to do with!
The report price quality is excellent and the guitar will age well trs (violin forces) as long as I cure a bit and I play a lot.
With the exprience, I would do this choice with eyes closed. I only regret not having had a budget lgrement suprieur (520 Euros today) to pay me B20E electro version. Registration and play a sound, it is the top for cheap I think.
This guitar is for those who like a groooos sound, which handle a "Canadian" is not afraid and do not have too many euros dpenser but deprive themselves of a good instrument that will age very s good ...

Guitar factory in Canada, 22 frets, left version
Table massive pica, Clisse back and cherry.
Fishman Pro Pramp prefix.
Original Godin strings
The photo on the website does not Ralite (mine is a little clearer, with a plate bordeaux)

UTILIZATION

The handle is not particulirement end, but quite enjoyable to play. It is not therefore a cutaway Access in acute is not empty but it has a trs grip, and a touch agable trs a beautiful finish (this is because hand ...).
The only thing I could reproach him, that with this guitar, it has no right wrong! A finger and not well located hop, the sound s'touffe or rope frieze. J'exagre good deal, but at the same time it's not bad to have a guitar that any shade of Obi game (in fact, I should plutt amliorer the precision of my game )

SOUNDS

So is the ecstasy! At this price the (700 version for left-handed, and even with 100 off!) Was a really worthy of his guitar much Chres. In acoustics, the sound is powerful, with good low round Submitted, of mdiums and crystalline highs. The sound possde a real personality and varies depending on the game enough, attack, etc. .. to provide good versatility. It dpend also quite the type of strings used (the Godin, a real treat!)
Branch is even better! pramp the Fishman works wonders and you can really sculpt the sound with the EQ trs effective. In short, what a pleasure!

OVERALL OPINION

I use this guitar for a year prs, and I'm not PRS me spare. The sound is terrible, round lens, nothing to do with the takamine I've tried before (the more dull and flat). The ratio quality price is unbeatable in this price range, and I do it again without hsiter this choice (or so j'achte cutaway version!)

Guitar pure Canadian, I do not know the woods, but they are making sure that wood. color clear, sober.
Mechanical oil bath.
Big handle.

UTILIZATION

We are dealing with the heavy, the handle is big and powerful. However, it is comfortable even with small hands. but it's not a guitar solo as access to acute because not enough restrint coupet pan and the heel is present. I will say that until the 14 th box is ok.
So, I put the strings to pull to see extra-light type light while it is rather large for a guitar pull. it improves the gameplay for blues phrasing.

SOUNDS

It is the strong point with the violin for the price. the sound is powerful. I had the opportunity to play with the hand of a guitarist playing a takamine worth 2 times the price of B20 ... I was at the top. Over time, the sound gets better. I tried a new B20 after playing mine for 3 years, I had the impression of having a stroke cheese in my hands.
it's a guitar rhythm that suits the blues with her very round. suitable for acoustic rock with his power, but remains outside the blow as acute ballads seems a little too lege.
But the texture of the sound remains consistent with good medium. it is also a perfect guitar for open tuning or slide with the bottleneck.

OVERALL OPINION

Guitar exellent value for money.
strength: wood and powerful sound
weak point: the gameplay on top of the handle
in this price range, I prefer the ibanez and fender.
This is a guitar that I recommend for beginners to start with a guitar that will last longer and also experienced for a second guitar on hand for the open-tuning