Goodall WSC Walnut Standard Cutaway

Made in 2001. This one is decked out with all the upgrades and options short of fancy neck inlays....which I don't like. I prefer simple elegance.

AAA Claro Walnut with delicious flame
Soft Cutaway
Master Grade Sitka
Premium Abalone Rosette
Gold Shallers tuners
Ebony Buttons
Curly Maple binding on the body
Ebony binding on the neck.

Came with the hardshell case.

The "standard" has long been James Goodall's version of a dreadnaught with only slight size variation...filling the model line between the Concert Jumbo and the actual Jumbo. He has since added a dreadnaught to his line up. In terms of rating, I hesitate to give perfects, but then one must ask themself, "It's an acoustic guitar, other than wood and strings, what else do you need?"

Well, I'm going to give it a 10 because it had everything I wanted except for the electronics...AND I wanted to choose my own electronics, not have them factory installed.

I went through many guitars to get this ong sought after sound. I was primarily a Taylor fan with 7 Taylor models to my credit, down to 4. I sold a 914ce to get this Goodall. I did so because though the Taylors had fantastic tone, and were idea for playing plugged in, they were too quiet...especially the Grand Auditoriums. Everytime I got in a large group of unplugged players I was buried. My Taylor dreads fared better but the 810ce Brazilian I have just didn't have the pure, refined sound of the 914.

SO I was seeking a guitar that had all the refined sound and tone that the 914 Taylor had but had more volume. This Walnut Goodall did it. The Walnut on this guitar offers the purest balance to go with the body size of the Standard delivering a sweet, semi bright tone, wonderful sustain, and a bass to blow away the best Martin when you want it.

Unplugged: perfect tone balance, great sustain, loud when you need it but not boomy,

Actually, the top is so sensitive you can literally blow on it and get a response if that tells you anything.

Well, its a handmade guitar made by a master luthier. What would you expect. If there was any flaw I would happy to ding the rating because I would be ticked for having paid so much for a guitar with a flaw...but...the only thing I will say is the saddle is a little tall. It didn't need to be shaved/lowered to be set up properly, but I'm not used to seeing the saddles quite so tall off the bridge...so I'll give it a 9 for that. Otherwise...perfect.

A couple of years and going strong.
I pamper it, I baby it, and protect it like a newborn baby when playing live. Nobody is allowed to walk past it or get close to it....

At home, it stays in the case unless I'm playing it.

I do all this to protect the value. I have never had a problem with it as a result. Is it rock solid....well, after spending thousands for it, I don't want to find out. Unless you got money to throw away, you don't buy the finest of guitars and beat the hell out of it.

I have no hesitation about using it without a back up while gigging.

Personalized attention and direct communication with the luthier. What more couldone want in choosing and buying a guitar. James has no hesitation about sharing information and helping one choose a guitar...as well as helping one after the purchase.

Been playing for 20 years. I also own:
Taylor 810ce LTD Brazilian
Taylor 614ce LTD Flamed
Taylor 610ce LTD quilt
Taylor 814ce LTD Brazilian
Takamine NP17c
Takamine F-395s
Takamine F-375
Fender Strat
Multiple amps and effects, etc.

I sampled several Goodalls before choosing this one. I consider it a step up from the Santa Cruz, Taylor, Lowden, range as a guitar quality that fills the Gap between those and the even higher end models such as Ryan or Olson.