Norman B15

Not sure what year it was made but judging from the serial number, (19863) I think it may have made in the early 1980's. I did a little research on Norman guitars after I bought it and from what I remember, Norman guitars were mostly hand made by a man named Normand Boucher in La Petrie Canada. He was eventually bought out by the Lasido company that makes Seagulls, Godin, Simon&Patrick as well as Norman. Mine has a very unusual bolt on neck with two chrome covers on the back of the body. It may have been an original model made by Mr. Boucher. It is laminated cherry with a somewhat dull finish. Rather plain but it doesn't look cheap. The tuners were originally plastic and several started to break so I replaced them with metal tuners, big improvement. Features are good for a guitar of this price range.

The sound is what makes this guitar stand out. I have heard it compared to a Martin and I would agree. I have most mainstream brands and about the only thing that sounded better to me was a Taylor. I have had several friends play it that are much more experienced than me and they all do the same thing. They play it a couple of minutes and then hold it out and say "what the heck is this thing?" "I've never heard of them before". It has a deeper, bassy sound that I have heard in very few acoutics. This was actually my first guitar that I used to learn on. When I bought it, the guy at the store told me that Lasido guitars do very well at competitions and win awards for sound and beat out some very high end guitars. He may be right.

Since mine was used, I have no idea how they come from the factory. Mine was very used but still in good shape. It seems very tough and has held up well. The action was set very low which made it easier for me get started. I didn't (and still don't) have any fret buzz. The nut is plastic but it seems okay. The neck is a little thick but I didn't know the difference at the time and it is still okay for me. It is a little plain, nothing stands out as far as looks.

Mine is tougher than my ex-wifes meatloaf. I rarely take it out of the house but it has travelled many miles in multiple moves and has held up well. The finish is very thin though so you might have to treat it a little more carefully than you would something else. I have heard they finish them with a alcohol based lacquer which allows the top to breathe and move freely, adding to the sound. The tuners on mine were terrible. They reminded me of the Scooby Doo guitar I got when I was in the 2nd grade. Since mine is an older model, not sure when they changed to quality tuners or perhaps mine weren't original anyway, but they appeared to be. Replace them if they are plastic. It's a shame that plastic tuners were on such a good sounding guitar.

Never had to deal with them.

I have been wanting to buy another acoustic since I have gotten better, but I can't really find another one that I like for sound as compared to my Norman. The Seagull S6 and M6 sound really close and I have thought about those also. I would probably get a Seagull if this one got lost or stolen. Not because the Seagull is that much better, but they are a little easier to find. You can buy them online now. If anyone has more info on these earlier Normans and if my history lesson above is incorrect, let me know. It would be interesting to find out. If you see one used for under $200 and it's in good shape, grab it, you won't be disappointed. If you want a good first good guitar for yourself or a gift and don't want the cheapy Scooby Doo guitar, the Norman (or Seagull) would be a first choice. Don't be fooled by the price, these aren't the Sam's Club specials, they're a real guitar. Enjoy.

i bought this guitar when my first one was stolen, i needed a guitar, liked the look played it for a while, and right from the start fell inlove with it, i have since bought two more normans because of it, (b-50 12 and the st-68) i wouldn't change ne thing on this guitar, maybe an under the saddle pick-up but thats it.

for the price i payed it still sounds as good as some of my other guitars, (washburn, takamine) i love to play Neil Young, adn so does this guitar, just the feeling i get from it, is awesome.

i don't really like the finish on the guitar, i have really oily skin, adn know on the top of the guitar i have shiny spots where my skin touches the guitar, but other thatn that no probs.

this guitar can take a beating, its my camping guiatr, adn it will take a beating (IE girls playing it) and still come out swinging for more, i love this guitar.

i wouldn't trade this guitar in the world, i would get ride of all my other guitars adn will not get rid of this guitar, i just love it to much.

Canadian made. 3-ply cherry laminate with a very plain natural satin finish.

As a novice this I don't have much of a reference to compare. I did have use of a Guild for some time and when I went looking for a new guitar the B-15 was suprisingly comparable. Good balanced sound over the whole range. Full tone with D'addario strings. Nice overtones. Can be bright and clean or dead and bassy. Easy to play. Other experienced guitar buddys were pleasantly suprised with the sound.

I purchased this used and it needed a set-up. Th etech immedaitely suggested replacing the plastic saddle with bone which improved the sound tremendously. The saddle routing is a little sloppy but a good set-up will last with proper care and storage. Finish is good and the cherry grain seems to have been selected with some attention. Neck fit is shallower than what I'm used to but worked out OK for me. Overall craftsmanship is very good for this level of guitar.

Been playing it for two years live, rehersals, travel. Very reliable. Always dependable and predictable. Keeps it's tuning well. Never had any tweeks to deal with.

Been playing seriously for 3 years. Previously owned a solid top Yamaki and a Guild (stolen dammit). I spent a day playing many guitars before this one found me. Sounded and played better than many solid top guitars I played at 3 times the price.

B-15 serial 28291

From johnny Cash to Niel Diamond to Tom Petty, this guitar has what it takes...Beautiful, sharp sound, a definate 10 all the way !

If your in it for looks, this one is probably not for you, it does look pretty plain, but as soon as you pick it up (this thing is heavy compared to other guitars) you'll know your in for something diferent. Just one stroke of your pick, and if sound is your thing...you'll be in love!

10 'nuff said!

I've been playing for over 20 years. I own another guitar (with no value except sentimental ones). All and all my Norman b-15 is everything that I want in a guitar and if it were ever lost another Norman is all that I would look for.I really love it's sound, it's dependabilaty and it's price (very reasonable for the quality that you get). Nothing special about it,s look though. If you ever come across one, give it a try, and you'll be the next one writing a letter like this...Guaranteed!

Well i heard it was made from cherry wood.....not a solid top and it's cheaper wood but w/ the combination of the woods....it produces an amazing sound.......this is also not made in china or korea...but handmade in canada......finish is also very natural like what other people said.....it is made from a special alcohol laquor finish...very beautiful...the guitar that i own is black....very very beautiful

The sound is so incredible.....many people have said that it sounds like Martins......i dunno what a martin sounds like beacause i am new to the guitar world...but i know that martins are very very nice guitars...so i would say that this guitar completely rules in this sound catagory

hm..........well i recieved this guitar as a "donation" from somebody :)....and it was set up already and the person at the music store said that the strings were new...and said it was set up right.....no flaws in the guitar

i dunno about reliability beacause i've only had this guitar for a couple of weeeks so far....when i got it though it did have a couple of nicks and scratches.......but i'm not going to complain....the wood seems pretty sturdy though....and the finish is beautiful and prevents thumb smears......pretty sturdy beacause i have bumped it on walls and it didn't make any dents so i would say this guitar is very sturdy...

I'm very blessed to have this guitar because i want to play more for the church....so i've been truely blessed.......the guitar is going to last me a while......it sounds beautiful and looks just as beautiful....at first i have never heard of this Norman brand but later found out that it was produced by Seagull.....another awesome guitar.....very very very nice guitar.....i love it

Year : Dunno...15 available frets, dont try to put a capo on the 12th
1 piezo pickup(Fishman classic 4 : quality)

Beautiful dry and...COMPLETE,...sound. I love the way it plays, with round, circles. You hear the feeling.
Good for Unpluged rock, jazz, blues fingerpicking...campfire!

The look is great, I dont remember the woods, but it sure is a beautiful finnish(red)

I have it since 6 month so...

never

It is a beautiful guitar. with the price, consider the YAMAHA's poor models, the telecoustic's shit and the other poor quality...you'll find the Norman and it's beautiful, clean playing, all in one...BUY THIS ONE INSTEAD OF A TELECOUSTIC

Not sure what year it was made. Canadian made in Quebec. 21 frets, laminated top, no electronics, 12 string, neck is mahogany, freboard is rosewood, very interesting and unique cherry top, back and sides. No cutaway, dread style.

Sounds great, rich, full, and well balanced from high to low.

The fit, finish and quality of wood in this guitar is excellent. The grain tightness, straightness, and grain quality of the mahogany neck and rosewood freboard is simply amazing for an inexpensive guitar. That is, both the mahogany and r/wood is very straight, even & tight grain and even textured. No signs of early / latewood color streaks. No signs of knots or diseased wood. Same applies for the cherry laminated top and back. Very straight, fairly tight grained. The finish is very interesting on this guitar - it doesn't have a finish, I believe it's simply some sort of waxed oil finish and that's it. I find these kinds of finishes tend to sound better than an acoustic with a billion clear coats. But I'm not sure if this was done on this Norman to save $$ or for sonic quality. Who cares, sounds very nice! I must mention again the neck finish is simply awesome, even where the heel of the neck is located, there is about 2" of mahogany end grain that has obviously been finished properly so the end grain looks nice, and not like the ends of a handful of spagetti. But despite all these nice words, I'm going to have to make a couple of rips. The cherry side of the guitar has the circular pattern of a knot. Not too obvious, but it's there. Also, I'm not sure what kind of nut and saddle is on this guitar, but it's looks like it's been finished with a bastard file - very rough and ugly - I can alsmot feel the ridges of the saddle with my palm. They don't look or feel anything like plastic, yet I can't see a guitar of this caliber having a bone nut and saddle.

Goes out of tune when left for long periods.

n/a

In all honesty, I would have paid a lot more for this particular guitar. Ignoring brand names, I would have to rate this 12 string as one of the better sounding guitars I've played. I'll concede that it can be tough to compare acoustics, since their sounds depends so heavily on the quality and age of the strings. Initially, I picked tried this guitar because it looked different. It was not a standard spruce top, mahogany or rosewood side and back. I still feel that cherry was used because it's cheaper and more readily available (especially in e canada) than good quality brazilian r/wood or h/mahogany. So, I guess, why use cheapie r/wood or mahogany (ie: phillipine mahogany is popular) when you get can easily get good quality cherry. In any case, it worked, the combination sounds and feels phenomenal. But I will admit also, that I've picked up brand new B15's 12 strings, and I havn't been able to find one that I've been satisfied with. I'm a believer that acoustic guitars in particular sound better as they age. I won't digress. So, to 'average' my opinion of the brand new B15's 12 string, and the one that I own, I'd give it a '9'.

Paid well over the odds for this guitar at #325 Sept 2001, but had a hard case thrown in. Bought new. Matt finish, beautiful yellow/brown natural finish. Ref no 99403180 stamped on back of headstock. Neck is plain brown with a dull finish. Centre rose appears to be a white stencil, no inlays. Not ornate but has a natural beauty.

Dry rounded sound but welcoming to play. Replaced a 15-20 year old Yamaha FG335 which was solid and professional but a pain to play for any length of time, fingerstyle (usually play classical). Stays in tune. Very musical. Encouraged to play and learn many more songs since I bought this.

Never disappointed since I first saw it. You can look for flaws but you end up just appreciating what is there. The neck could look more like natural wood. It has the look of a plastic wood but I do not know anything about the actual material.

Looks built to last but dainty rather than solid. My 2 y/o son Calum scribbled on the blondish wood with a red permanent marker. With the matt finish it looked like curtains for my son but toothpaste erased the marker and just left me with a polished finish in small areas.
Unnoticable but did consider polishing the whole guitar this way, or might just do the neck.

No contact with the company.
Would love to see a feature in a magazine on Norman guitars.

I love the fact that its a beautiful guitar at a budget price. I knew I liked it as soon as I saw it. I like the fact that its not common. I heard somewhere that Norman was the father of Simon & Phillips but also heard later that this was not correct.
I would replace it with exactly the same model if lost. Might look at the cutaway version also. Have basic classical guitar and basic Westfield Les Paul copy. Its just a pleasure to pick up and play.

I like this guitar because it looks and seems very basic. But to anyone who plays it, it is so much more than that. But it does not have many features... simply put no frills qaulity guitar.

I play alot of Dave Matthews and Willies Nelson, Johnny Cash and this is great for it. I have only had it for a month but I love it already. I can't wait to hear how it develops. I played an older B-20 that is magical... I hope some day this will mature similarly.

I am not the best judge of action fit or finish. I know this. When I play a song... it sounds like it should.

This guitar is tough... although I have to admit I protect it quiet well.... I don't want anything to happen to it.

This is my first guitar and maybe one of my last guitars. I can't see myself buying anything other than a norman in the future.... maye I'll check out some of their other guitars. Maybe I'll just keep this one.

My Norman is my 2nd guitar. I had 1 when I was 8 but dont remember the make/model. My Norman is awesome! I can play any song with it and my kids are eager to inherit it when I upgrade! Shhh Dont tell them they arent getting it!

My style is 75% country, upbeat & slow. My norman fits perfectly!

My Norman has a black matte finish & has a couple of nicks but hey, it add character!

I think this guitar can take a lot of abuse, but I haven't tested the limits! Id love to play it live with a band! Sometimes I am quite aggressive when I play. My kids have strummed away on it, I popped a string once. Many people have played the guitar and It sounds good whether fingerpicked or strummed with a pick.

I haven't dealt with the company's service yet, knock wood, but I think that speaks a lot for the guitar that I haven't had to!

I've only been playing for the better part of 2001, I have no other musical instruments, or gear. I plan to get an elec/acoustic, or a Yamaha Pacifica in the future but I aint giving this baby up!