Norman B20 CW

Beautiful guitar from La Princeville Quebec. Spruce solid top, silky smooth maple neck, nice tuners. It really has no finish on the body, but i don't mind, because it has that fantastic smell of wood lingering on it. It makes me feel like I'm in a forest. I hope it never goes away, unlike new car smell. Anyways, it's a 2005 model, cutaway with fishman 4 EQ.

It may not look as pretty as some other guitars, but the sound which emanates from it more than makes up for it. It fits fingerpicking, strumming, or whatever. The cutaway really lets you hit the hign notes, which are wicked. The bass notes aren't too bassy either (which I find is a good thing). Nice bright sound, I love it. I play a lot of random stuff, from country to indie rock. Just not metal. EVER. You don't hear much acoustic metal anyways, so no worries.

The set-up was great: action was neither too high or too low. No flaws or anything like that.

I'm going to enjoy using this thing live. Never used it before in a live setting, but I think it'll stand up to the task.
It sort of sucks that it doesn't have two strap buttons. BOO-HOO.
Remember to buy a soundhole humidifier for this thing. It'll love you for it.

Lifetime warranty, so don't lose that receipt.

I've been playing for 5 years. I got some crappy electric guitars, crappy acoustic guitars, and a laminate-top Norman B15. I was going to buy an Epiphone AJ 300 or something, which would've totally sucked. I'm glad i bought this masterpiece. There's a lotta crap out there, but if you mange to wade through it, you'll find the Norman B20 CW. The amazing sound and playability combined with great value make this a choice acoustic guitar for any style. Easily as good soundwise as many Martins or Taylors or Larrivees 2-3 times the price, plus, even though it's relatively cheap, it's still made in Canada, not China or Korea. Screw globalization.

This Canadian made masterpiece is one of the finest guitars for the money I've ever played. Made in Quebec, I paid $500 Canadain dollars for it used.
Beautiful solid spruce top, laquer finish, laminate cherry wood for back and sides. I has a built in Fishman prefix pro on the top of the guitar which is a nice pickup, especially for the price I paid!
The pickup has a brilliance, volume and treb, mid, bass slide controls which sound nice plugged in from a D/I box right to the PA.
I don't know what kind of Tuners they use, but they look like nickle and keep the insturment in tune quite well. The neck has a nice feel to it and I found it was as striaght as an arrow all the way up to the binding. A nice rossette was featured on mine that gave it a classy look. This is a simply beautiful looking and feeling guitar that has quality written all over it.

When I first tried this guitar in the store it had some wierd hybrid silk strings on it that made the gutiar sound dead. I've been playing for seven years however so I got them to change the strings and WOW, the sound that comes out of this guitar is stunning.
Nice tight bass, singing highs and warm mids. All around this guitar has a really nice balance to it, I would have liked a more booming bass response but overall the sound was great. I like playing Trace Bundy style classical and worship, the guitar was perfect for fingerpicking and when sturmmed sounded rich and clear for worship settings.

I don't know how the factory set up came, but when I picked up the guitar from the store rack the action on this guitar was perfect! it was nice and low, with absolutly no buzzing. Anyone who has heard trace bundy before knows that you need low action and the setup on this guitar was one of the main reasons I bought it.
As far as I can see there is no flaws, although it looks like someone just carved a rectangle out of the top to install the pickup, I think the pickup instalation could have been better so overall I give the gutiar a 9

I've played this guitar live in about 5 live worship settings and it sounded great plugged in by my D/I through the pA. I don't have a backup acoustic yet but this guitar gives me confidence that it is solidly made and is very reliable.
I like the fact that it has two strap buttons on the body of the guitar which makes it easy to play standing up. The strap buttons are solid and I have no concerns about the construction and durability of this guitar

I've owned this guitar for only 6 months but so far I havn't had to deal with anyone. Time will tell but I can tell you from my experience so far that this guitar is quality.

I've been playing for seven years and I've tested Taylors, Martins, Breedloves and Takamines. This guitar is made under the Godin Umbrella, which stands for Canadian quality. My buddy plays a martin and when I jammed with him I thought my guitar sounded better.
This is by far the best value I have heard for the money and this guitar rivals other guitars at three times its coast, don't believe me, try one!

It is a 2004 Model Norman BC 20 cutaway. Made from the boys up in Canda. Has a cutaway at the 14th fret. The guitar is simple cutaway Solid spruce top, 3 part cherry laminate wood for back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, and pearloid fret dots. No electronics installed. The finish is natural wood. Standard tuners. Case was extra. Patented Canada maple leaf around the soundhole, simple yet elegant. I tend to like simple guitars with simple wood, no laquer, and fancy inlays, so this guitar does me well.

I play many musical mostly alternative rock, gospel, and oldies. This guitar suits these musical styles really well. I was looking at some Taylors and Martins and came across these diamond in the ruff. I wanted different guitars with different sounds. 1 bassy boomy guitar like a Martin or guitar with crisp high like a Taylor. I can honestly say that I am pleasantly surprised with this guitar. It offers a mix between both guitars. I would say it is more of a bright guitar b/c of the cherry wood brings out the highs really well. I can strum really hard without any buzzing and it giving great projection, or fingerpicking giving the guitar some nice crisp articulation of notes. This thing is handbuilt from folks in La Petrie Canada, and I honestly can say at first I wanted american made, but for the sound these guys are doing a great job. I planned on just using it acoustically, but it sounds so good, I even invested an extra $230 to adjust the action and have LR Baggs Element installed. This combination reproduces the guitars sounds really well, and am quite happy with the setup. For a investment of $700, not bad for a guitar that sounds like it should cost $1,500 +.

I had 1 complaint of the setup from the factory. The action was extremely high from the fret 5,6 on ... I played this for a good year before I had it adjusted. It didn't bother me that much, but when I had it adjusted to 3/16th, it plays like a dream. The top is excellent with tight grain. Back and sides bookmatch perfectly.

I haven't gigged with this guitar but have taken it with me outside of the house. It has been dropped a couple of times, and did not show any marks (I was careless, what can I say). Seems like it will stand up to gigging. I would bring a backup guitar just in case strings break, but for the workmanship, I definitely trust the workmanship. I would give it a higher mark, but have not taken it out on the road.

Haven't had to deal with them. They make a great product, probably will never have to call for customer support.

I have been playing off and on for the past 13 years. More seriously in the last 3 years. Over the years, I have had about a dozen guitars usually budgeted less that $500. So important is alot of bang for the buck, and this one definitely delivers that. I know that alot there are alot of starving musician like myself, so definitely look into this one. I compare these with more expensive higher end Martins, and Taylors. This guitar is much better than the lower end Martins or Taylors made from laminate. I would say you would get 80-85% of Martin or Taylor for 4-6 times less the price.

Without the EQ.
I think I paid $375
Got all the things I need for a good price.

Its not too mellow, really loud, and a deep deep sound. My description does not do the guitar justice. Had mine for 3 years and it is sounding better all the time.

I found the action on my guitar too high when I got it, and it still is. I love the non-flashy finish, they focused on quality than making a good looking guitar. To me the simplicity makes it beautiful.

Dropped it, never used a hard case (damn I wish I had bought one), leaned it up against my wall all these years and it keeps falling over. Everytime I abuse it, it stands up to me, and I swear it sounds better. There was a problem a while back where there was a curve near the Cutaway, the problem disappeared. But I swear, I am not a BAST**D, I really love it, its just an abusive relationship. After writing this and doing a makeover on my guitar (cleaned, stringed, vaccumed??, polished), I am gonna invest in a case because I want to preserve it at the level it is.

Never had to use it.

After reading other proud owner reviews, I realize what a dick I have been. I will change my ways and forever cherish Norman, the only guy I sometimes sleep with...

Made in Quebec. Solid Spruce top, MAPLE neck, rosewood frets. Specialized finish on the cutaway top (what a pleasure to hit the high notes on that!) Eight coats sanded in between so the finish is incredibly good.

I used to play folk/classical/bit of blusey woosey. I have not had an instrument for 20 years of my own, would play OP's.
Then I sat down and played the Norman. Rich full sound I thought I would only hear on a well seasoned Martin. The highs are clear as a bell, the bass is solid without overwhelming.
When you want gentle, it responds with class. When you want power, it is equal to the task. The variation in volumes you achieve is wonderful!

No flaws found at all - maybe that's why the boys in the bois can give a lifetime warranty?

I would use this on a gig without a backup. The kind of solid construction you can only see with wood products that are created/loved/touched by a human. Just think, the spruce for this guitar began growth 500 years ago - and I should be so lucky to be around to play as long as this treasure will last.

Lifetime warranty, which is bad. Cus I won't ever get to test out customer support. Makes the Maytag guy look like a hoser.

Been playing for 35 years. No instrument for 20 years. If it were lost or stolen, I'd want the exact same thing.
I love the way it fits my body when I play. I love the way it responds when I demand some virtuosity in the fingerwork.
I can just sit and look at it, and admire 1. Mother Nature's production of Spruce & Maple, and 2. the boys in Quebec who invested themselves in the instrument

I'm not sure when this guitar was made, but I believe it must have come from the gods.
Solid top.
Cutaway is a great plus.

It would be an understatement for me to say that this guitar is the best sounding one I have ever seen. Everyone who I jam with won't stop bothering me to play it. I love it when Takamine of gibson users tell me mine sounds better. Beautiful rich sound that fills a room. It's like sex for the ears.

Everything is excellent. Action, bridge frets and all still doesn't need to be fixed after five years of intense playing. WOW!

Alls I got to say is that after five years it still looks, feels and sounds like new. I'm getting burried with this when I die.

Never had to use it. It's the companies who don't need to have customer support beacause of the awsome wuality of their products that are worth looking purchasing from. Way to go Norman! For that matter, I still give them a 10!

I've had this guitar for 5 years now and all I can say is WOW! I've played along with people who used Takamine and other great brand guitars and the sound that pours out of a Norman B20 CW has yet to be matched. The action, the bridge the tone and the looks are PERFECT. I used med-light Elexir teflon coated stings and the beautiful sound that waves out is enough to make BB King forget about Lucille. Nothing compares to this guitar in terms of price/quality ratio. I wouldn't mind spending over $1000 for a guitar like this but lucky me, it was lower than $450. So if you are looking for a great guitar to learn on or to keep hacking away and get better with, this is THE ONE! And by the way, the non-varnished finish is beautiful and it hides bumps and nicks extremely well. This guitar will not only retain its youthful look but also its right out of the store great sound. TRUST ME ON THIS, just like others have written, Norman makes the best product out there and is worthy to be on every guitar player's lap. Take it from me, 5 years of intense playing and it's still new. It's nice to see that the boys from Princeville and La Prairie Quebec know how to make a product that doesn't fall appart like the rest of the crap our world produces now a days.
En tout cas les gars du Quebec, si vous continuez a produire une guitare de telle qualitee, le tresor deumeurera toujours apprecie par tes joueurs devoues. Merci beaucoup pour votre passion pour la qualitee.

This is a 2001 Norman B20-CW made in Quebec. Its a solid top, it has cut away, there is no finish on it at all so it kinda looks very blah (but thats how i wanted it since the more the wood breaks in the more the laminated crap would crack. It is a great guitar

This guitar is great for what i play. I play EVERYTHING. Its my first guitar. I play anything from Nirvana-Metallica-folk music-punk music.
At first the guitar seemed to sound kinda tinny but once the strings were broken in it REALLY suprised me. Mine came with very light guage strings which was perfect for starting. I still have the original strings on it and i am still being impressed daily. What i dont like is that the bridge seems a bit too high because when i try and play on any fret lower than 13 the strings seem a little high. With a little adjustment that can be fixed though.

from the factory this guitar was awesome. I mean it was not super expensive, it had a cutaway which is amazing to play with and i dont know why more people dont use them.

It is a very great guitar, i have not had any problems. it has been bumped many times with VERY VERY little evidence of this. But its not indestructable its a piece of wood with strings. You drop it hard enough it will break like any other guitar

I dunno. i never needed support.

Seriously if you want to have a great guitar at a great price try one of these. I guarentee you that you will not go wrong. Its the best value i've seen in any music store and i visit them quite often. JUST TRY IT AND YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE.

No frills here, but beautiful looking woods used. Solid Spruce Top, Cherry sides, Mahogony Neck and Rosewood fretboard. The Cherry sides are very attractive. Norman's are made by the LaSiDo luthiers in Canada, the same makers of Seagull, Godin, Simon & Patrick...they've got a great thing going up there.

Fishman electronics with bass, treble, frequency and contour setting. Also has a phase switch that doesn't seem to do much.

Tubers are unmarked but very smooth. This guitar stays in tune remarkably well. Neck is very playable.

This would be the B20's biggest asset. I fingerpick a lot, and this guitar compares with the Martin's and Taylor's costing 3-4 times as much. Sound is a bit brighter than a Martin but still provides a solid bottom. Really an exceptional sound regardless of price.

Action is probably lower than most acoustics and very consistent regardless of weather and humidity changes here in the midwest. This is a very easy guitar to play and would be an excellent choice for anyone looking at a

Finish is satin-esque, so it will bruise easier than the glossy types, but oh that sound!

As mentioned earlier, the satin finish will require some care, but this is a slod guitar with definite pride in workmanship.

Comes with one very solid strap buttom that doubles as your electronic jack.

No experience here, but the LaSiDo folks put out great guitars at the most affordable prices around.

Been playing off and on for 10 years and this guitar will be with me forever. For a new list price of about $519, this is a steal. Other players who've picked this up can't believe the sound and quality. I'm not big into the fancy inlays and other cosmetics on acoustic guitars, adn that's what attraced me to this one. Beautiful woods, beautiful sounds, no frills at an amazing price!

This Canadian (1999 or 2000?) made dreadnought guitar comes with a solid spruce top and cherry sides and back. It has white bindings and rosewood bridge and fingerboard. The neck is mahogany. The finish is an alcohol based satin lacquer finish. It has a tortoise shell pick guard and standard dot fret markers. A nice strap button. The tuners are not marked, but are extremely smooth and stay once adjusted. An added note, the wood grain on the guitar is exceptional.

This guitar has a sound that to me is what I would expect from a much more expensive guitar. It has a rich, warm chord tone when strummed while each note rings out like a bell when picked. Played lightly it produces a mellow sound, yet attack the strings and the thing projects out like a musical KO punch! Awesome!

The guitar had been hanging in the shop for awhile and the factory strings had there share of afterwork whatevers on your hands stuff on them, but otherwise in solid condition. There was one miniscule nic in the top, someone's prior love tap I suppose? The quailty of the wood in this guitar is exceptional. The sides have a nice knotty appearance and the back is bookmatched and the seam is invisible. The action was a hair high down at the lower frets with the original strings on it, so I replaced the with some Martin extra lights (I am learning and these lighter strings are easy on the fingers)and now the action is right on. There is only the slightest rattle when playing this guitar hard.

I am planning on playing this guitar in my church as soon as possible and will feel proud to play this thing "live"! I believe I'll have this guitar when I get called home! The finish is a satin finish, but I like it better then those guitars that look like they were dipped in a vat of polyurethane. I think this finish will bruise easier then most, so I would take extra care and you should be fine. I don't think you would need a backup, unless it was the ST-40 (which is on lay-away!) This guitar is built for dependability in my opinion.

It has a life time limited warranty (worth an 8). Have not had to contact them yet.

Been messin' around 18 years off and on. I have a electronic keyboard and my wife plays the flute. If it were stolen I would buy another Norman. I love the way it feels and the way it sounds. I hate the fact I couldn't afford to get the cedar and mahogany model too! My favorite feature is the wood grain and the smooth tuners. I compared this guitar before buying it to guitars in it's price range like Fender DG's, Washburns, Ibenez etc. No comparison. I chose this one for ease of playing and nice sound first of all, and secondly the price, it lists for $525.00 and I got it on sale for $299.00. I think it has everything an acoustic guitar needs. You can see me and it at http://www.jacksonville.net/~webuyhomes/normanb20cw.jpg God bless!

21 frets, Candaian made ( which is nice ) has a real nice look on it, has a smaller head wich gives it a nice look. has a nice Fishman pickuo system with Contour, treble, bass, and frequency, plus overall volume.
i like the easy flip up to change the battery no screws or nothin

I was very surprised how good the guitar sounded, its very clear full sounding when i tried it i noticed how clear each individual note came out, especially compared to other models this is great sounded just as good as guitars worth double

the action came set really low liek i like it so that was great, the guitar feels just like a strat neck, its kinda hard to explain something you gotta try, but when i picked it up It was just like my strat that was also a big factor

everything seems like it will last... i;'ve had it for maybe half a year its the second acoustic i;ve owned, and hopefully it'll be the last, i;ve used it at a few gigs and i;ve never even thought about using another one as a backup

Never had to talk to them

This is a great guitar for its money its just as good or better than a 1500 dollar guitar, but the prices are going up on them so it might be a little more money now im not sure, this was a Great guitar