Product: Galloup Eclipse
Price Paid: NA
Submitted
07/18/2005
at
08:09am
by
Mark
Features
:
10
2005 model with Brazilian rosewood back & sides, Adirondack spruce top,ebony fingerboard, bridge & headstock veneer, rosewood binding with built-in armrest, abalone rosette encircling a rosewood bound sound hole. 12 fret guitar almost classical in shape but for smaller upper bout, custom Cedar Creek case with tooled leather trim, Waverly tuners w/ ebony buttons. Too many details to list.
Sound
:
10
1&3/4" nut width lends itself nicely to fingerstyle, but it's totally responsive with any attack. Amazing clarity with a light touch but I also can't play so hard that it will break up. Very throaty tone with exceptional bass response without a hint of boominess. Crystalline piano-like all the way up the fingerboard, it loves lush, thick chords, but will also get an excellent chop & punch for swing & closed-voiced chords.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
Bryan Galloup's guitars, while not unknown, still remain largely unheard of & that shouldn't be. I've seen, played, & worked on guitars by most of the known makers & many of the lesser known folks. I've also seen many of Bryan Galloup's guitar & they are among the finest anywhere in terms of finesse & flawless workmanship. This one, however, is even finer. Excuse me for gushing, but I've rarely played a guitar new or vintage to equal this beauty; every detail down to the polished bone nut & compensated 2-piece saddle are gorgeus!
Reliability/Durability
:
9
No pickup in this & there never will be so it will inly be played "out" in purely acoustic settings. Tops is light & these woods are delicate like any fine acoustic guitar. If you want an all-weather guitar, get a Rainsong or a CA guitar.
Customer Support
:
9
Bryan & his wife Susan are super responsive & will gladly address any issues you may have. However, like any talented luthier, he's busy & it may take a while to get something dealt with.
Overall Rating
:
10
I've owned literally dozens of great guitars & my current ones getting the most use are a 00-15 Martin w/ LR Baggs M-1 active pickup & an Eastman carved top archtop with floating pickup. I've owned guitars by Martin, Mossman, Gallagher, Gibson, Taylor, etc. After 40+ years of playing I finally know just what I want in an acoustic & bryan did exactly what I wanted. Couldn't be better!
