Product: Goodall MHJ Jumbo
Price Paid: US $3825
Submitted
09/07/2004
at
08:52pm
by
Anonymous
Email: rvinyard at frontiernet<dot>net
Features
:
10
2004 Fiddle-back mahogany back, AAA quilted mahogany sides, Port Orford cedar top - very striking combination, and that is quite understated. Ebony bridge and fingeroard, rosewood trim and purfling. Abalone rosette. Grover tuners. Quality case, as you might expect. No pickups or cutaways to compromise its looks or sound.
Sound
:
9
I play a large variety of traditonal music, all fingerstyle. This has a BIG sound, yet very articulate (no muddiness here!), sensitive to my picking mood, with a very deep and resonate bass. As it is new, it has not opened up yet, so we will see where the sound leads. The mahogany/Port Ordford should be a good match. I have noticed that it does not get that much louder when strummed hard, which is interesting. Long sustain - keeps it up for a few seconds, then dies down to a lower level before slowly ending.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
Impeccable fit and finish, like I expected. Too bad to see pick scratches on the pickguard. I noticed a very tiny bit of other (non-fiddleback) mahogany on the back. I know there is not any other of this wood left, so they must have cut it close when making it!
Reliability/Durability
:
10
As it is new, I should not answer here, but, truthfully, I have no doubts about its structural integrity. Anyone who sees it or hears it would reach the same conclusion. Everything is just as it should be for a high-end instrument.
Customer Support
:
8
Called them once and emailed them twice (last one not replied to yet). Seem to be good enough folks, forthright and honest. My seond email was on the warranty - they told me over the phone that it was a lifetime warranty, with free shiping for the first five years. Yet my warranty card says 5 years, no more. For an instrument as beautifuly made and as expensive as this was, one should expect and receive a lifetime warranty.
Overall Rating
:
9
It is the best I have ever owned. I have played for 44 years, several times a week now. The fine guitars that I have owned were nearly all Martins (M38 and D 12-20, which I still have; D35, and 0018, long sold). Also have a Moriera classical, a vintage Weyman parlour, and a Liberty resonator. If the Goodall suddenly vaporized, I might look for something else - maybe. I looked at and played quite a few before buying and did all my usual copious research first. I played some Martins, Collings, Santa Cruz, Froggy Bottom, and several other smaller manufacturer ones that, while finely made, came up lacking for my needs and wants. Some Huss and Daltons stood out, as did a Kinnaird, a Tippin, and many other Goodalls, plus an unknown maker one that I nearly bought. The Goodall reputation plus the striking looks and selection of tonewoods clinched the deal. Every knowledgeable dealer I spoke with recommended the Goodall as something special.
