Northern lights

All The Norman's are deffinatly worth the money . but if you look on kijji here in Ottawa there's always about a dozen  used b20 and b18 . you almost never see studio models   .I conclude from that nobody wants to sell the st40 cutaway or the  St68 cutaway. I sure dont .  I understand Norman has discontinued the st68 now (2019) and are going in a different direction, ...guitars under $700 for the masses. Hard to see how they will continue with solid wood at those prices. 

*2004 b-18.                          I bought used and abused $50 kijji

*2006 b-18.                         I bought used and abused $60 kijji

*2012 st-40 acoustic         I bought new $589 

*2014 st-40 folk 

I bought new $426 

*2014 st-40 folk

I bought used $300 kijji

*2014 st-40 cutaway 

I bought mint $600 kijji 

*2012 st-40 cutaway

I bought mint $500 kijji

*2014 st-68 cutaway and tric case

I bought mint kijji $850 

*2003 jdp limited Martin 

I bought new $4000 

*2004 d15e Martin 

I bought new $2000 

- if I can figure out how to post pictures I'll post them.

On 10/2/2003 at 3:09 PM, Dean said:

I have a Norman B20 (6). I bought if for 330 (CAN) two years ago. Absolutely nothing in that price range can beat it. Taks, Yamahas, Washburns, nothin!! And, it's got a solid spruce top and the quality, in general, is great. At the time, $600 Washburns paled in comparison.

 

Nowadays, I'm looking to get the top-of-the-line model, the ST68, I think it's called. Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and laminated rosewood sides. I think it costs less than 1000 CAN (about 740 US). The user reviews look very positive.

 

I may spring for the extra 600 bucks to get the all solid Larrivee D03(Rosewood) for 1600(CAN). But, 600 bucks is 600 bucks !!! Another fine Canadian guitar. I compared it the Martin D16 (about the same price). If I had to choose, I would take the Larrivee. Martins are nice but a bit too mellow sounding for my taste.

 

If I had the monry, I would choose the Martin D28 over everything BUT they go for about $2800(CAN). All of sudden 1000 or 1600 dollars for high quality guitars looks really good!!

 

I may keep the B20 though - it will only get better with age!!

It bothers me when I  see a lot of people compare Norman guitar vs Martin's. If your going to do that to be fair ,you can not compare any of the plywood models like Norman b18 or b20. If you want a true comparison try their studio line ,

st-40 cutaway ,cedar top mahogany secondary woods. or the

st-68 cutaway. spruce top rosewood secondary woods. These are both $1000 less than Martins . I own a d15 and a j40 and the two Normans mentioned above. BTW the rumour is that the founder Norman boucher ,when younger rented a d18 took it home dismantled it and and made templates. But when he tried to return it they caught on and made him pay for the martin. So basically they are made the same construction. and Norman bought a lot of old barns in country side for the 600 year old quarter sawn beams for their tops. I know they are not better than Martin's but for the money they are pretty close. Give them a try. Btw It seems the farther away from Quebec the more they cost. And I believe they keep the best ones in Quebec. 

I also believe that a Norman guitar like the b20 will not sound better as it ages. It's laminated . IMO the b20 or the b18 are waste of money and just a tease .their good value for entry level  but for a few dollars more you can get their studio models which are all wood. These will improve as the wood ages and opens up. Laminate will not. 

On 10/2/2003 at 3:09 PM, Dean said:

I have a Norman B20 (6). I bought if for 330 (CAN) two years ago. Absolutely nothing in that price range can beat it. Taks, Yamahas, Washburns, nothin!! And, it's got a solid spruce top and the quality, in general, is great. At the time, $600 Washburns paled in comparison.

 

Nowadays, I'm looking to get the top-of-the-line model, the ST68, I think it's called. Solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and laminated rosewood sides. I think it costs less than 1000 CAN (about 740 US). The user reviews look very positive.

 

I may spring for the extra 600 bucks to get the all solid Larrivee D03(Rosewood) for 1600(CAN). But, 600 bucks is 600 bucks !!! Another fine Canadian guitar. I compared it the Martin D16 (about the same price). If I had to choose, I would take the Larrivee. Martins are nice but a bit too mellow sounding for my taste.

 

If I had the monry, I would choose the Martin D28 over everything BUT they go for about $2800(CAN). All of sudden 1000 or 1600 dollars for high quality guitars looks really good!!

 

I may keep the B20 though - it will only get better with age!!

It bothers me when I  see a lot of people compare Norman guitar vs Martin's. If your going to do that to be fair ,you can not compare any of the plywood models like Norman b18 or b20. If you want a true comparison try their studio line ,

st-40 cutaway ,cedar top mahogany secondary woods. or the

st-68 cutaway. spruce top rosewood secondary woods. These are both $1000 less than Martins . I own a d15 and a j40 and the two Normans mentioned above. BTW the rumour is that the founder Norman boucher ,when younger rented a d18 took it home dismantled it and and made templates. But when he tried to return it they caught on and made him pay for the martin. So basically they are made the same construction. and Norman bought a lot of old barns in country side for the 600 year old quarter sawn beams for their tops. I know they are not better than Martin's but for the money they are pretty close. Give them a try. Btw It seems the farther away from Quebec the more they cost. And I believe they keep the best ones in Quebec.