I follow your channel and enjoy the reviews. Just received my ST50 yesterday. Nowhere near broken in yet, but can't wait for it to open up. I'm new to maple back and sides and liking it thus far.
Nice to see Norman re-inventing itself. Their older LaPatrie , S&P, Seagull models are also very interesting and amazing value, but this does look like a premium instrument. The focused sound you described seems quite true - versatile and rich sounding without being boomy. I like the scooped volute at the neck & head stock, but that's more of a design thing for me in terms of organic sculpted vs geometric pointy volutes.
Nice points guy! I didn’t even realize the smooth volute! I would say that this is definitely a big step up from the lower end offerings we have seen from this company in the past. Not that those are bad guitars, in fact I tried a Norman from the 1970s that really aged well and surprised me in many ways, but the Normans I remember from the early/mid 2000s that many of my friends had were not nearly as nice as this one. My only constructive criticism now that I reflect on it, is that Norman could build them a little lighter like the Eastman and Furch guitars that in my opinion are dominating the affordable ish guitar market these days. With a lighter build you get a guitar with a little more resonance, a little more low and response, and just more volume over all.
As you know I have never played guitar, except listening to you. The only way for me to describe the sound of this guitar, it has no base, so the sound is very soft and sexy. I can listen to ballads on this guitar, provided it is you or Dad playing and Megan singing. It's so nice to have a private show during this epidemic. Thank you 4 happiness during these hard times💗💗💗😄😄😄
This is the first day ive heard of Norman guitars but see one for sale if this make/model for just under $1000 and when i get in the area where it's being sold im going to try it out. My short list- Eastman E20D-TC, Taylor, maybe Norman. Im determined to not rush into an expensive collection of acoustics like i did electrics and amps. I'm shooting for just one... one more?.. for now lol
Certainly is a good price. Give it a try. I did like this guitar compared to the other Normans I have played. In my humble opinion though it is hard to get better resonance/volume then A good Eastman until you get to a quite high price point.. Of course this varies from guitar to guitar, but I did find this one a little quieter than Eastman‘s at a similar price bracket. Still certainly a nice guitar though with a very comfortable neck profile/body shape By the way, I don’t get any money from Eastman, heck I don’t even think they know who I am. I just find that their guitars sound very good for the money.
Hi Lucas, do you by chance have the measurements on string spacing for this guitar? Does the 1.72 inch nut feel cramped for finger style at all? Beautiful playing by the way!
that’s a really good question. I can’t remember for certain, but after some thinking , I believe it’s 2 1/4 at the bridge if that helps. I’d say it feels pretty standard, not like what are I would think of as a contemporary finger style guitar, but more like the normal acoustic guitars we all started on. Hopefully that makes sense. I still have an acoustic with more standard specs like that, so it doesn’t phase me too much, but if you are used to more of the contemporary thing exclusively with a 1.75 inch nut, and 2 5/16 bridge spacing, or something like that, you might find it a little narrow
I like the Norman guitars because they are not laminate. They are real wood which is nice. Pick up one of those older Normans and notice they sound better as they age.
Thanks for the info I was unaware of that. I thought the ones from the 70’s & 80’s were solid wood, but I’m not an authority on Normands so appreciate knowing.
Hello Lucas! Great playing as always! I wonder if Richlite fretboards is just about sustainability. I think fretboards are a weak point in guitar building. Eventually, you get moulds from pressing down the strings or digging your fingernails into them. This happened with my old Yairi dreadnaught. So far, I did not encounter any intonation problems, and the frets still sit tightly. I do not think the fretboard material contributes anything to the sound of a guitar so anything that would be more durable than the usual ebony or rosewood would make sense to me.
Exactly, I think that it’s a nice innovation and I don’t really care what my fretboard is made for as long as it sounds and feels good/is as durable as possible. I actually had a custom guitar made a couple of years ago with a pau ferro fret board. This is a wood that a lot of people associate with lower and squire and Mexican made fender Stratocaster’s and telecasters for instance. Why did I have it made with this wood? Because Rosewood has become an endangered species, and I am trying to think about sustainability when I have guitars built. The amazing part is I often forget that it isn’t Rosewood as it is so similar. Personally I do hear a difference between the different fingerboard Materials, but I know that isn’t the case for everyone so to each their own. Ultimately guitars are tools, so the most important thing is that they get the job done and are as durable as possible/inspiring as possible! Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you have a great day
@@LucasHaneman Interesting that you hear a difference between different fingerboard materials. I am not experienced enough to notice any difference. I think that 99 % of the sound should come from the body. Anyway, do you follow the UA-cam channel of the luthier Tom Sands? He is currently doing a tonewood series. He did a video on Katalox which so far I only knew as fretboard material. I commented on that video with my thoughts about fretboard material being too soft, and he replied in one of the following videos about African Blackwood where he stated that Katalox and African Blackwood are one of the hardest woods that a luthier can process with his tools. So, If I should ever decide to have a custom guitar built for me, I might ask about Katalox or African Blackwood: ua-cam.com/video/ZhrdXrY0Wg/v-deo.html Concerning Pau Ferro as fretboard material, I currently have put an eye on a resonator guitar by Recording King. They have a beautiful mahogany resonator guitar with a spider bridge that seems to produce a beautifully warm sound with quite some sustain. It comes in two versions: One called Maxwell series with Pau Ferro fretboard and no name tuners for 333 €, one called Professional series with ebony fretboard and Grover tuners for 545 €. Quite a bit of money for the upgrade. I am undecided.
I don’t know much about the first one that you mentioned, but I do know a bit about African Blackwood as a luthier who I know quite well uses it a lot in her bills.. Sounds great and is very hard!
That was a lovely but aggressive bit of playing in the intro.. Maybe that piece should be called "The Norman Invasion." 🙄 (That may be an old joke/play on words for Canadian guitar players, but it just occurred to this Texas boy. 😉) I've never had the chance to play a Norman, but I've tried out other guitars in the Godin family. Years ago I really enjoyed the Art & Lutherie Ami parlor. I wound up buying a different parlor, a Gretsch Jim Dandy, because it looks so much like my Dad's parlor (1961 Stella by Harmony). I also have played a friend's La Patrie classical a lot. Don't remember the model name or number, but it had a cutaway and built-in electronics. Once I also test-drove a 5th Avenue.
Maybe it’s the mic, but it seems to lack bass. Not too bad otherwise, but not my cuppa really. What’s the price point? I’ve never run across this brand before.Nice playing of course.
@CountryStranger I completely agree about Rosewood sounding a little brighter than mahogany. Mahogany has the mids that make it cut and seem really loud. in comparison, but Rosewood does have that scooped sweetness that so many of us love. Good plan. This was a nice guitar for sure. I’d be happy to hear about how it works out for you. Keep me posted.!
@@stevebernard221 I love it. The action has gotten a little high, but I haven’t shaved the saddle at all. Just a tweak on the truss rod and it’s playable up the neck. Good intonation and the tone is absolutely killer. Try Ernie ball aluminum bronze strings (12s) and see how you like it. Very balanced and good sustain. Nice chocolatey low end and ringing highs. Not too bright and not too warm. Just right. Let me know how you like it. The anthem sounds nice too.
I just love the enthusiasm in Lucas voice. His playing is other worldly, I just love the guy!!
Brain you are too kind! Glad you are enjoying the channel and my guitar geekiness! Lol
Je possède cette guitare et je l'adore !❤
I really enjoyed playing this one, you are lucky!
Verry nice
Thanks!
I follow your channel and enjoy the reviews. Just received my ST50 yesterday. Nowhere near broken in yet, but can't wait for it to open up. I'm new to maple back and sides and liking it thus far.
Nice to see Norman re-inventing itself. Their older LaPatrie , S&P, Seagull models are also very interesting and amazing value, but this does look like a premium instrument. The focused sound you described seems quite true - versatile and rich sounding without being boomy. I like the scooped volute at the neck & head stock, but that's more of a design thing for me in terms of organic sculpted vs geometric pointy volutes.
Nice points guy! I didn’t even realize the smooth volute! I would say that this is definitely a big step up from the lower end offerings we have seen from this company in the past. Not that those are bad guitars, in fact I tried a Norman from the 1970s that really aged well and surprised me in many ways, but the Normans I remember from the early/mid 2000s that many of my friends had were not nearly as nice as this one. My only constructive criticism now that I reflect on it, is that Norman could build them a little lighter like the Eastman and Furch guitars that in my opinion are dominating the affordable ish guitar market these days. With a lighter build you get a guitar with a little more resonance, a little more low and response, and just more volume over all.
As you know I have never played guitar, except listening to you. The only way for me to describe the sound of this guitar, it has no base, so the sound is very soft and sexy. I can listen to ballads on this guitar, provided it is you or Dad playing and Megan singing. It's so nice to have a private show during this epidemic. Thank you 4 happiness during these hard times💗💗💗😄😄😄
Luba you are the greatest!!! I’m so glad that twice a week I can bring a smile to your face. 😊
This is the first day ive heard of Norman guitars but see one for sale if this make/model for just under $1000 and when i get in the area where it's being sold im going to try it out. My short list- Eastman E20D-TC, Taylor, maybe Norman. Im determined to not rush into an expensive collection of acoustics like i did electrics and amps. I'm shooting for just one... one more?.. for now lol
Certainly is a good price. Give it a try. I did like this guitar compared to the other Normans I have played. In my humble opinion though it is hard to get better resonance/volume then A good Eastman until you get to a quite high price point.. Of course this varies from guitar to guitar, but I did find this one a little quieter than Eastman‘s at a similar price bracket. Still certainly a nice guitar though with a very comfortable neck profile/body shape
By the way, I don’t get any money from Eastman, heck I don’t even think they know who I am. I just find that their guitars sound very good for the money.
Nice review Lucas!
Thanks Paul!
Hi Lucas, do you by chance have the measurements on string spacing for this guitar? Does the 1.72 inch nut feel cramped for finger style at all? Beautiful playing by the way!
that’s a really good question. I can’t remember for certain, but after some thinking , I believe it’s 2 1/4 at the bridge if that helps. I’d say it feels pretty standard, not like what are I would think of as a contemporary finger style guitar, but more like the normal acoustic guitars we all started on. Hopefully that makes sense. I still have an acoustic with more standard specs like that, so it doesn’t phase me too much, but if you are used to more of the contemporary thing exclusively with a 1.75 inch nut, and 2 5/16 bridge spacing, or something like that, you might find it a little narrow
I like the Norman guitars because they are not laminate. They are real wood which is nice. Pick up one of those older Normans and notice they sound better as they age.
I agree! I love that they are redesigning these and are making there way back into players hands again.
older ones are laminated cherry back and sides
Thanks for the info I was unaware of that. I thought the ones from the 70’s & 80’s were solid wood, but I’m not an authority on Normands so appreciate knowing.
Hello bro, one question, is the st68 less wide than an sj200? Could you tell me how wide it is? thank you, good job my bro
Hey I think it’s right around 16 inches, maybe just a hair less, so it’s a fairly comfortable guitar to hold for me.
@@LucasHaneman thank you so much bro, good channel,a hug
Hello Lucas! Great playing as always! I wonder if Richlite fretboards is just about sustainability. I think fretboards are a weak point in guitar building. Eventually, you get moulds from pressing down the strings or digging your fingernails into them. This happened with my old Yairi dreadnaught. So far, I did not encounter any intonation problems, and the frets still sit tightly. I do not think the fretboard material contributes anything to the sound of a guitar so anything that would be more durable than the usual ebony or rosewood would make sense to me.
Exactly, I think that it’s a nice innovation and I don’t really care what my fretboard is made for as long as it sounds and feels good/is as durable as possible. I actually had a custom guitar made a couple of years ago with a pau ferro fret board. This is a wood that a lot of people associate with lower and squire and Mexican made fender Stratocaster’s and telecasters for instance. Why did I have it made with this wood? Because Rosewood has become an endangered species, and I am trying to think about sustainability when I have guitars built. The amazing part is I often forget that it isn’t Rosewood as it is so similar. Personally I do hear a difference between the different fingerboard Materials, but I know that isn’t the case for everyone so to each their own. Ultimately guitars are tools, so the most important thing is that they get the job done and are as durable as possible/inspiring as possible! Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you have a great day
@@LucasHaneman Interesting that you hear a difference between different fingerboard materials. I am not experienced enough to notice any difference. I think that 99 % of the sound should come from the body. Anyway, do you follow the UA-cam channel of the luthier Tom Sands? He is currently doing a tonewood series. He did a video on Katalox which so far I only knew as fretboard material. I commented on that video with my thoughts about fretboard material being too soft, and he replied in one of the following videos about African Blackwood where he stated that Katalox and African Blackwood are one of the hardest woods that a luthier can process with his tools. So, If I should ever decide to have a custom guitar built for me, I might ask about Katalox or African Blackwood: ua-cam.com/video/ZhrdXrY0Wg/v-deo.html
Concerning Pau Ferro as fretboard material, I currently have put an eye on a resonator guitar by Recording King. They have a beautiful mahogany resonator guitar with a spider bridge that seems to produce a beautifully warm sound with quite some sustain. It comes in two versions: One called Maxwell series with Pau Ferro fretboard and no name tuners for 333 €, one called Professional series with ebony fretboard and Grover tuners for 545 €. Quite a bit of money for the upgrade. I am undecided.
I don’t know much about the first one that you mentioned, but I do know a bit about African Blackwood as a luthier who I know quite well uses it a lot in her bills.. Sounds great and is very hard!
That was a lovely but aggressive bit of playing in the intro.. Maybe that piece should be called "The Norman Invasion." 🙄 (That may be an old joke/play on words for Canadian guitar players, but it just occurred to this Texas boy. 😉)
I've never had the chance to play a Norman, but I've tried out other guitars in the Godin family. Years ago I really enjoyed the Art & Lutherie Ami parlor. I wound up buying a different parlor, a Gretsch Jim Dandy, because it looks so much like my Dad's parlor (1961 Stella by Harmony). I also have played a friend's La Patrie classical a lot. Don't remember the model name or number, but it had a cutaway and built-in electronics. Once I also test-drove a 5th Avenue.
Maybe it’s the mic, but it seems to lack bass. Not too bad otherwise, but not my cuppa really. What’s the price point? I’ve never run across this brand before.Nice playing of course.
I can respect that, it definitely did not have the bass tone I was expecting. The starting price point is around $1700 to $2000 (CAD).
@CountryStranger I completely agree about Rosewood sounding a little brighter than mahogany. Mahogany has the mids that make it cut and seem really loud. in comparison, but Rosewood does have that scooped sweetness that so many of us love. Good plan. This was a nice guitar for sure. I’d be happy to hear about how it works out for you. Keep me posted.!
If you had to choose between this and the ST50, what would you choose?
Personally I would go for this one. It’s all subjective though for sure. I just like the sound of this would combination
@@LucasHaneman I got one of each. Thanks
@@chrisatkins8382 Nice :-)
@@chrisatkins8382 just received my ST50, nowhere near broken in yet, but wondering your thoughts on yours so far.
@@stevebernard221 I love it. The action has gotten a little high, but I haven’t shaved the saddle at all. Just a tweak on the truss rod and it’s playable up the neck. Good intonation and the tone is absolutely killer. Try Ernie ball aluminum bronze strings (12s) and see how you like it. Very balanced and good sustain. Nice chocolatey low end and ringing highs. Not too bright and not too warm. Just right. Let me know how you like it. The anthem sounds nice too.