View other reviews for this product:
RickD
Published on 08/02/08 at 22:00
- 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 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.