Product: Galloup Northern Light
Price Paid: USD 2500 USED
Submitted
04/15/2007
at
09:52pm
by
Doug H.
Email: ourearthlyangels<at>aol dot com
Features
:
10
1999 Galloup 'Northern Light' soft cutaway in maple body and spruce top. Mahogany neck and ebony fretboard. Wood bound deep body and a very light guitar in weight. Buzz Feiten tuning system, sterling fret markers on top edge. All solid woods and finished in gloss. SAddle and nut are polished bone and smoothed on all edges. This is a guitar that displays artistry beyond fine luthierie.
I rate this a '10' because it has the Feiten tuning system, and the finest in wood choice (for beauty and tone).
Sound
:
10
This is the best sounding guitar I ever played including an $11,000 Petros custom. The sustain and resonance of this guitar is better than any I have heard up close or played. It has a strong bass and midrange with a treble that is clear and pure. There is nothing resembling 'tinny' or 'boomy' character. An extremely well balanced sound; warm and rich and perfect for fingerstyly as well as picked.
I tune 1/2 step down and no rattles at all.
I took this by Richmond's best guitar shop and the guys there were awestruck at the sound and action and buld quality.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
Again, a '10' becasue this is the best playing acoustic guitar I ever played. I have never understood just how 2 guitars with identical measurements at fret 12 and doing the '3rd fret test' can feel so different. This one literally is like playing a well set up electric (not a Les Paul, but more like a good Tele).
The build quality and detail inside and out is perfect. Tasteful, beautiful woods, flawless workmanship. It really is a professional caliber guitar.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
Lightly built, but sturdy. This is not a bang around guitar; it's a top notch instrument built by one of America's best respected luthiers. It deserves careful handling.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
10
Easily a '10'. This is the finest acoustic guitar I ever played and it is a keeper.
Product: Galloup Northern Light
Price Paid: USD 2500 USED
Submitted
01/19/2007
at
06:04pm
by
Doug H
Features
:
9
1999 Bryan Galloup Northern Light. Deep body Dread with soft cutaway in maple; Bryan Galloup was the guy who built up Dan Erlewine's Guitar Hospital and is now a luthier and runs a luthierie school. Top notch build quality and detail. Gloss laquer finish, wood bindings, Schaller minis, MOP headstock inlay, sterling dots on fretboard edge. All ebony board,bridge,endpin and ebony bridgepins. Not tons of features, but a handsome design with fine figuring in the woods. It is a very light guitar and surprises you that way because it looks so substantial, yet is solid in build.
Sound
:
10
Smoooooth and balanced with excellent sustain. This is a professional caliber guitar and is popular with Nashville players in the studio. Bill Cooley (Kathy Mattea) has 2. It's a 10, easy! Rich, deep, fairly loud and gutsy, yet refined.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
action for me is a little high at the nut as received, but only nut slot touchup needed. Perfect at the saddle end. Beautiful workmanship inside and out. Serious luthierie.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
This is a professional caliber guitar, not like a factory guitar. Everything is right!
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Galloup's reputation is that of a masterful luthier. I believe it.
Overall Rating
:
10
To get a guitar of this caliber for this $ is a rare find.
