Norman B18

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.

Norman is built in Canada bei Godin Guitars. They also make Seagull, Art&Lutherie, LaPatrie and Simon&Patrick - basically so they can get into competing stores.
I will be reviewing a very basic Norman B18 with Antique Burst (I believe the one in the picture is the natural version).
This neck is attached at the 14th fret and without a cutaway that is as far as you will go. Usually most playing is done on the lower part of the guitar anyway. It is a Dreadnought with laminated Wild Cherry back and sides and a massive cedar top. The fretboard is made of rosewood and the body has a satin finish that has been greatly improved from the models in previous years. The guitar has a shorter scale (63cm) which reduces string tension and makes it easier to play.

UTILIZATION

I have to say that the neck feels very nice but also takes a bit getting used to. I have not been able to setup this guitar with a very low action - but then for most applications you don't really want that either (I usually beat my acoustic guitars quite a bit).
I can't say much about how ergonomic the design really is - Dreadnought shapes have been around for decades now and have become the standard shape for steel string guitars. Does that make them ergonomic? I guess so.
The main feature of this guitar is basically its sound. I really like the way they are built as well as I am not a big fan of cheap Abalone inlays (like a lot of China guitars). The whole construction really is quite simple but showcases the structure of the cherry wood very nicely. I think in the newest models they started to glue a 'rubber' rosette on some of their models...I hope this doesn't become standard as I really didn't like it at all. It looks cheap and actually is a distraction when playing the instrument.

SOUNDS

This guitar is very good for rhythm playing. I have used it for a quite a few recordings because sometimes you just don't need all these deep, rich overtones - you just need the 'strum' sound. The cedar top sounds very nice with the Wild Cherry body and the sound is projected very well. Cedar doesn't give a lot of nuances and it doesn't getter better over the years (as does spruce). But on the other hand for the price this guitar sounds much better and has a much more unique character than most of the Chinese competitors.
I own an old Washburn (my baby) and a Taylor alongside this guitar and they do sound and play a lot better. But this guitar gives me a very basic, open sound that I don't get with more expensive models.

OVERALL OPINION

I have played the B18 for almost three years now and I love the way they are built and sound. At times the construction seems a bit too heavy and surely the sound is not for everyone (people are used to the sound of spruce tops).
I worked and managed a guitar store for five years - so yes I have tried many other models (some of which I talk about in my other user reviews).
I would recommend this guitar to anyone wanting to buy a good quality instrument that doesn't come from the far east. In its price range it is to me the best model around.

- 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 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?...
Some use this sort of guitar (cedar wood) only with fingers and no plectrum. I use both and i think it has that raw sound you just don't get elsewhere.

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.

The sound on this guitar is VERY dynamic (more than on the B-15) and so can be a little disgruntling at times, but it also means character, it's raw. But it's not very fine or detailed, therefore...it's a choice. You wouldn't want to use this on everything, just as you wouldn't want to use a Yamaha on everything in my opinion...

OVERALL OPINION

- For how long have you been using it?
A few months.

- What thing do you like most/least about it?
It sounds raw & simple, but not plain.
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've owned a B-15 and sold it cos the frets were getting too worn out. So i got this one new...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 soft case & i think a set of strings. 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. I tried a Yamaha A5 and liked it a lot, but when i got home and tried this i found this to have much more character to it.

I also left a very complete review on this guitar, which is no longer. Thank you again for the upgrade to version 4 of the site, which had to spell the end for about 12 former opinion. So, I'm going to cum a little, whatever.

Typically in this category. I will note that the guitar is made of quality wood in much more serious than usually found. The finish also is noteworthy. Although not remarkable in the sense of perfection, but, on the two guitars that circulate around me, dams are rather neatly bonded and varnishes are affixed with the care they demand. Those are great guitars and well finished. In this category it is rather commendable.

The absence of pre-amp and belt clip for the handle costs one point. But he who can do without is before the maximum of what the class can offer in terms of trim and finish.

Do not be fooled by my score of 7. This is very good for the pre 400.

UTILIZATION

The solid mahogany neck is shaped. It is covered with a satin varnish which makes the sliding easier. However, like all these types of varnish, it will be faster "bursting" of various dirt and perspiration. Therefore, this part calls for better care than the average of other guitars. However, it is never something that has been criticized on other guitars adopting this principle, and often much more expensive.

The strings do not need excessive force to be operated. We can call this guitar "soft" without being completely gay. This means it supports when he comes in without twisting. Dynamics is rather high in the basket category. As well as touch, too successful. It can quickly turn around and put it round his agreement with ease. The frets do not bite.

Nothing galvanized. Short! All that is really not bad at all.

SOUNDS

The Norman is a guitar that hit me in the ear. On a trip through Switzerland to find "THE" guitar for my best friend. This instrument has clearly distanced itself from the dozen others tried before. But also from all other guitars, already tried before in the entry level category.

The Norman sound. A true. Who has not this key "cardboard box", usually found, with different intensities, in all that has less than 400 euros. This is an instrument already more mature, who certainly will never have a beautiful Guild JF55 or a Martin HD-28. But in its class, can already afford good slices of pleasures.

The sound was met with rather warm, with a nice consistency and a touch of sweetness and leaves the same way to a credible aggressiveness married to a grain that has a cast, when one sends a stout wrist pulse. The treble is still rather sweet, but the final result depends somewhat on the instrument. On some models, the acute and this is more typing, and on others it is perfectly sweetened with a little open note. The sound does not distort when you come in, and if not, he transcribed what one wants to express.

Without messing around in this price category, I have not found better. And I tried everything the market had to offer under 400 euros. Then, some may prefer instruments more "hard". But the expressiveness and sensuality of sound we encounter here is clearly outside the norm for the budget to move forward.

OVERALL OPINION

The Norman b18 is clearly my favorite in the category. Little ruinous, it already offers a lot of sound and touch for the price. In relation to any class of its competitors, it is clearly ahead in terms of expressive sound, touch and finish. A safe bet.