Norman

This is a pretty basic guitar that's made in Quebec, Canada. They are still an up and coming guitar company but their work is really solid. There are no controls as this is an acoustic guitar, a dreadnought one at that. It's got a cedar body with a rosewood neck and fretboard. It's got a nice lacquer finish too. There are really only 14 frets until the cutaway, but with some manuevering you can play up until about 15 or 16 though it will be difficult and unnatural. There are options to have electronics installed too but the one I played didn't have them. UTILIZATION It's not very easy to hit the last frets on this guitar, but it's more a strummer kind of guitar, or even a finger picker, and it's not really all that necessary to hit those high notes with it. If that's a priority for you, than this isn't your guitar. Otherwise, there's a lot to like. It seems like the older the guitar is, and the more it's been played, the better it plays. This is the mark of most good guitars, which is why I'm starting to believe that Norman guitars are the real deal. It's a lighter guitar and it won't put a strain on your back at all. It's stable and it's really easy to play and get a nice sound. SOUNDS I really like the sound of this guitar when it's being strummed. It's bright but smooth, controlled and rolling. It's also a really nice guitar to play finger style. The chords ring out nicely and will definitely cut clearly through a live mix or even a studio mix. I like to use this guitar in the studio and when I'm rehearsing by myself as it's not electronic and won't hook up to a PA unless I use my Dean Markley Pickup. I like to play folky, almost countryish sort of rock stuff on this, as well as some more fingerstyle stuff, so I would say that overall I really dig the sound. It's not quite the best I've heard, not by a long shot. But it is a whole lot cheaper than those. OVERALL OPINION I like the price and the feel of this guitar a lot. It's a little more awkward than some of my favorites but I'm getting used to it and I can play it well. It also does sound good, though not incredible. I'd say that if there are nicer Norman guitar models out there, that I'd love to play them. They certainly can't be bad considering the quality of this thing. Overall I'd recommend to just about anybody who is looking for something different and wants to save some dough.

- In What Country was it made? (USA, Japan, Mexico, France...) I believe Norman is Canadian...? - How many frets, Pickup Type and Configuration? I think this is 22 or so. The sensor is in the bridge i'd think, a piezo thingy probably. - What are the setting controls (volume, tone, pickup selector position)? You have Fishman preamp with 3 band EQ, presence, volume and a tuner. Easy to pull out for battery changing without any screw removal. Perfect. - What type of neck?... Regular nick, wider than an electric. UTILIZATION - Does the neck have a nice feel? Not as easy to play as an expensive Taylor or Martin. Yes it is very hard to play a 12 string, but, well, it's playable... - Easy access to the top notes (last frets)? Not really, no, cos there is no cutaway. - Is it's design ergonomic(in terms of the shape, weight...)? Not much to say, it's a dreadnought, feels fine to me. - Can one easily get a nice sound?... Oh yeah! SOUNDS - Does it suit your style of music? Yes (pop). - With what amp(s) or effect(s) do you use it? None. The varnish on Norman guitars is very fine, and so the sound comes through the top and not just through the opening in it. The guitar BREATHES, and so it's not just the mids you hear, as might be the case with a thick lacquer. As with a Norman B-15, the body is fairly wide and the varnish is thin, so you get a well balanced sound with bass, mids & treble alike. OVERALL OPINION - For how long have you been using it? A few months. - What thing do you like most/least about it? It sounds heavenly. It has no fancy varnish or shiny things, none of that rubbish, just a modest looking guitar that aims at sounding good and does. I think it could do with some neck markings to help remember where you are... - Did you try many other models before getting this one? Yes, quite a few. I was looking for a Norman but tried at least 5 or 6 other guitars...Seagull's, Yamaha's, Takamine's, etc. None came close in character to this. The Yamaha's weren't bad, the Takamine's were rubbish as usual, and the Seagull was ok. Tried some others too but this was the best for price/sound & i needed a preamp & tuner too. - What is your opinion about the value for the price? I paid 630 € with a free hard case & a set of strings plus a Fast Fret. Not exactly cheap but the preamp is Fishman and the guitar is good. I think it's about right. - Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?... Yes. This has a more balanced sound than most and sounds more natural too.

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 wanted a quality Martin or Gibson at a reasonable price, but I could find the deal I was looking for. I played a Norman in California on my honeymoon. It sounded great. I wanted to buy it but I needed to retain the cash for obvious reasons. When I returned to Florida I couldn't find a Norman anywhere. I went to the net and bought the ST 68 for about 600 bucks. It has been worht every penny. It has a great balanced sound. It is a very strong resonating guitar. It is an attractive instrument as well. If anything it would be that the head doesn't seem to be as perfect as the rest of the guitar. It could be a little better finished. Solid Spruce top. (800 yr. old trees, tight grain) Mahogany back and sides Not sure of the neck, I believe it is rosewood I highly recommend any Norman guitar except the B 15 because it isn't a solid top. You won't find a better quality guitar than Norman for the price. I would match the sound and playability against the best. This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

A friend recommended I try a Lasido Inc. guitar. He said I couldn't go wrong.Play a $1000 guitar he said and play it against this St-40 - Man was he right! this guitar is made in Lapatrie,Quebec ,Canada. It sounds better than many Gibsons, Martins and Takimines I put it against.$325 usa dollars, -the best kept secret it the Guitar world -if you can find one! I found one in New York City. Manny's Music on 48th st.yes the infamous Manny's! It has such a delicate top(which is Solid Cedar) that it transmits all the most delicate nuances of a note.-too cool!Thought I'd like a solid sitka spruce top better but this changed my mind,live and learn. Great neck and frets,good solid tuners that keep their tune.The top is finished in an odd alcohol based non-shiny finish.The manufacturer warns not to polish the top or the tone will become muted-is this their secret? they instruct to wipe down with a cloth sprayed with a little window cleaner! Excellent playability as well.Go try one if you can find one.It's quite a steal, I'm thinking of getting another one, just to have two! No dislikes. The top isn't shiny and is soft, so you must treat it with care. It's supposed to grow in tone as you play it over the years. Simply clean and tidy. Hard to find but well worth it. Congratulations Norman, don't change a thing and keep making them! I call her Norma. This is a real 5! This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

- In What Country was it made? (USA, Japan, Mexico, France...) Like Seagull and various other brands, Norman is basically Godin, so Canadian/US. This is just a regular dreadnought, but it has a fairly large body and a very thin varnish, so the guitar has bass, it's dynamic (loud when needed) and the top let's the sound through thanks to that thin varnish, something you won't get on most guitars (especially not the black ones with the thick paint...). The finish is nothing fancy but i really like that basic feel, without being rough: it's not trying to look fancy, and it sounds 'honest'. No messin around! UTILIZATION The neck is ok, although if you want a really easy guitar to play you might want to try a £2000 Taylor... ;-) This is ok, though. The frets on mine were getting worn and it was so expensive to replace them that it was cheaper to change the guitar...! The neck is quite wide, with jumbo frets. Forget about accessing the higher notes on this one. Norman do cutaway guitars too but they're probably not quite so loud... The body is quite wide so it can be a little uncomfortable to play when sitting down... SOUNDS Thanks to the wide body and thin varnish, and choice of woods, this guitar has a very well balanced sound: plenty of bass, of treble and of mids. Might sound like something you would take for granted but from my experience this isn't often the case. A lot of guitars have no bass or treble and sound aggressive. This one sounds great for pop rhythm, and if you're good enough you can probably get away with a nice solo too, although i haven't really done that much on this one. OVERALL OPINION Overall, this is not the best guitar in the world, as you would expect from its price, but i've heard plenty of much more expensive guitars sound nasty next to this. If you can find a second hand one of these that is in good nick, go for it. Recorded lots of stuff with this, it sounds great. Few people know Norman but, well, let's put it like this: when i sold my B-15, i got a B-18 and a B-20 12 string. ;-) Get my drift? These guitars don't sound like a Yamaha or a Takamine, they sound like Norman. Not ideal for everything but they have personality.