LTD B-50

I played bass for over 20 years now.

I bought this bass cuz it felt good when i tried it and sounded good through the amp.

I only like the way it looks.

I dont like the fact that the ESP pick ups are very weak. I use a traben bass and when i switch guitars i have to turn my volume down about 4 or 5 notches.

i think the construction is very poor. my knobs werent tightened when built at the factory i guess. and the tuning keys were loose and needed tightened as well. the neck is weak. i used a heavier guage string due to all the drop tuning songs we do and it bowed my neck in so far i had to readjust everything.

For a beginner there are cheaper basses out there but if your willing to put alot of time in setting this bass up and putting money into new pick ups then go for it. now i got mine all fixed up im gonna keep it cuz i do like it now.

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

Hi, I'm Mark Steele from Peterborough Ontario. There has always been a guitar in the house and I have always picked it up daily. I've been through a few bands recently, mainly Celtic, traditional Irish, Scottish, Canadian folk. I solo on occasion and am a regular at the local "jams". I accompany a local fiddle band "Fyd-L-Styx" and consider this 26 piece "orchestra" my working band.

This is a follow up to a previous review on my Norman B-50 dated 2004-04-04 when I purchased it at Bud's for about $500. A little scarred now from being my primary working instrument, the Norman has proven to be strong, robust, impact resistant etc.

The sound!!!! Clean, clear and loud!! With a fresh set of Martin acoustic bronzes this guitar just yells through the fiddles!! When I play solo with a vocal mike I don't even need a mike on the guitar, in fact the tone in quieter passages is still quite bright and needs a little discretion with a soft pick. Still the balance is very good. Recently I've tried other strings to mute the beast a bit.

This one took a little while to set up properly..nut and bridge were adjusted..and then twice the truss rod was tightened. This I think is not a fault..it's been stable now for nearly 2 years of being hauled around. This is not a "pretty" guitar..plain and yellow looking ( and the target of a little good-natured ribbing from fellow "expensive" guitar players ). However no tuning problems.

As previously..well built and solid. The body gets used as an "Irish Drum" on occasion with no ill effects. Mahogany neck, flame maple back and sides and solid spruce top are all holding up well.

Would I buy this guitar again? Yes, and yes again. This instrument is durable goods. Next time I may spend a little more and opt for a more appearance value from the same manufacturer. Seagull ( I don't like the shape of the head!! ), and Simon and Patrick both have nicely trimmed guitars that aren't ..um...yellow!!

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

I bought this guitar after playing and comparing it to others in it's price range and more. Bud's in Peterborough Ont. sold it to me for around $500 CDN including case.

This is a well built robust instument..and it is loud and clean. I have to compete acoustically with fiddles on occasion and this guitar really cuts through the racket!!
Despite the volume this guitar can put out it is well balanced from lows to highs and can respond well to a more delicate touch in quiet environments.

As above this is a robust instument..it is supplied with strings far heavier than I expected and fingering suffers a little. The factory setup is safe against rattling but a barred F is really miserable. I will let this one settle a bit then replace nut & saddle with appropriate height bone pieces.

Construction is really quite good. This guitar is a sleeper..very plain and flawless spruce top..beautiful flamed maple back & sides..but very plain binding and headstock. The soundhole ring is mosaic but you wouldn't know it..it looks like a decal.

I didn't buy this guitar for instant rewards..Norman's reputation is that these things improve with age..and the wood is beautiful. The sustain is wonderful..I swear it's still ringing when I put it away!!!

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

I bought this bass because when I saw it on an internet site it seemed the best for my money. I had a friend tell me that it was a great buy, so I went for it.
When I looked at the price, which was only $180 I drove down to the store that was advertising it and got it with no hesitation. This was a great deal considering I got it in Virginia Beach, VA.
I had never played any guitar before, so I needed something that was easy to learn on and would last until I was too old to play.

I like the fact that this bass is light. It doesn't make me tired when I feel like playing for a while. I have tried a couple of my friends basses and they out weigh mine by at least a couple of pounds.
I also like the style. The longer body with a smaller width makes it sit perfect on my leg or hang perfect when I have to stand and play.
The looks also make it just mean. When i'm jammin' it just makes it much better when the scene fits the tune.

So far the only thing I don't like is the tuner knobs. I can't seem to get those right as of yet. But then again it could just be my inexperience.

The headstock and the neck are one piece and bolt to the body with six screws.
It has a gloss black finish that is quite scratch resistant (while at work I have to wear a belt buckle...US Navy).
The fret board is dark against a light wood grain neck that makes this bass just as great to look at as it does to play it.

I started out with this bass, and I don't think I will play anything else. I love this guitar. It has become my pride and joy and will never get replaced.
I am just a beginner, I have only been playing for about 8 months, but my opinion stands strong. This bass is great.

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