Norman B20-HG-CW

-Finish: 8 coat laquer polished to 6 coats thickness (you can shave from your reflection)
-Body Style: Cutaway
-Pickup: Fishman Prefix Pro
-Top: Solid spruce

While basic, the features and electronics on this guitar combine for a complete and fulfilling sound every time.

This guitar is perhaps the most versatile acoustic that I have ever had the pleasure of playing. I play mainly country, blues and folk, but with the right adjustments with a pedal or effects amp this guitar can do jazz, rock...anything! I pump it through a VOX Valvetronix AD30VT and despite that amp's electric bias the Norman sounds great. Without an amp it has a warm and full sound and projects well even in larger venues.

This guitar had perfect action straight from the factory, low and quick for easy picking. It has a solid bridge and came absolutely spotless from the factory; not a scratch, scuff or loose part.

I have used this guitar live in smaller, more intimate shows as well as plugged to a full on theater sound system. It easily handles the stress of live playing. The winders, bridge, etc. are all better than normal factory standard and are still solid. As well, the heft of the guitar while playing feels solid and I doubt anything but a supreme amount of stress would structurally damage it. My only complaint is that the incredible high gloss finish, while not scratching easily, shows fingerprints and any scuffs rather blatantly.

I have never had to deal with Norman's warranty or help lines.

I have played on high end Martins, Alvarezes, Ovations, Ibanezes and Yamahas. Nothing in the upper price brackets has ever compared to this guitar. When I bought it in '04 I tried more than 50 guitars at every music store in the city and yet the minute I played the first chord on this one I just...knew. If I ever lost it I would be banging down the door of the Norman factory demanding another ASAP. Other than its plain, somewhat washed-out look and the fact that the finish shows scuffs and prints, I have nothing negative to say about this guitar. I delivers for me every time and plays flawlessly.

2002 model, I think it has about 21 frets and its still functional up there too. A beautiful resonate solid top with Fishman electronics and Piezo pick-up. Rosewood fingerboard and the neck's not as rounded as some which is perfect for me cuz my hands aren't the largest. Basically I was looking for an AE with a cutaway body style for my 2nd guitar, the first only being a Yamaha F-25 or something. I tried out a whole bunch at several stores but this is the one that caught my ear and eye.

Tone is gorgeous. I fell in love, it was like nothing else I tried (except for the $5000 CDN Taylor, but hey I was on a budget and it was too flashy for me anyway). I do good ol' fashioned strumming/chording as well as fingerstyle, some classical. It handles beautifully for ALL these. Excellent playability, rich basses and bright trebles and sounds equally good amplified.

It's a simple guitar, but I go for that. Its not ornate but it's the sound that matters. I only had two problems, small scar in the finish on the pickguard and the fishman pick-up picked up a hiss and I had to have it replaced but it was under 2 year warranty and the part was in within a week.

Overall, I'd say it's dependable. I'm in love. I play this thing hard, practically everyday. I've had it for about 6 months and nothings given away yet.

Two year warranty and fishman sent a replacement for the faulty pick-up ASAP and I haven't had any problems with that one. Other than that, haven't really dealt with the company

I've been playing for 3 years. I started out on a good quality beginner's Yamaha like I said. I can't recall the type of amp I use but it's a bass amp and the B-20 still sings. If anything ever happened top it, I would definitely look into getting another. I tried ALOT of guitars betwee $600 - $1200 CDN when I was shopping around and that includes Tacoma, Fender, Yamahas and Washburns. The Washburns were probably the closest in terms of sound but I found that the quality of construction seemed poorer in comparison, plus they were a little to flashy for me. I got exactly what I set out to find, a good AE cutaway for a reasonable price.

This 2001 model of the Norman B20 Cutaway was made in La Patrie and Princeville, Quebec. It has 21 frets features a solid spruce top. There are no flashy options, just a regular acoustic.
It has a gloss finish, and a realitively wide rosewood fretboard.
The store that I purchased the guitar from included a hard case, Korg digital tuner, strings and a stand with the purchass.

This guitar sounds amazing, very good sound projection and a nice bright, rich sound. Everything from highs to lows sound great on it. My only dislike regarding sound is the buzzing I get when I don't quite get a note right, but that's not the fault of the guitar, I jusst need more practice.

The action is very tough, I need to get it lowered. The finish is flawless, a nice glossy look is just what I was looking for. I just worry about scratching it. There don't seem to be any problems keeping the guitar in tune.

I imagine that the guitar would withstand a live show, if I ever play one. Everything seems very durable, with the exception of the glossy finish, I worry about putting a scratch in it.

I havn't had to deal with the company yet.

I've been playing for just under a week now. If this guitar were ever stolen, I would definately go with another guitar from a Canadian company like Godin, Seagull or Norman.

(1998) B20-High Gloss(HG)-Cutaway(CW): Solid spruce top, wild cherry (blond)laminate back (bookmatched) and sides, mahogany neck with Martin style squared off headstock, rosewood fingerboard w/dot inlays, sealed nickel tuning machines, compensated saddle, binding on the body and a nice soundhole rosette. Nice SET NECK, not bolt-on like earlier Norman's.
Think simple here, very under-stated, but a nice looking instrument none the less. If you are not looking to pay for ornamentation (like me) this guitar is for you. I have found no flaws anywhere (and buddy, I look 'em over pretty good) I rate this category high because everything you need is here, it is a nice looking blond dreadnought guitar, but no bells or whistles.

Let me say first off, I have owned this guitar for a year and it is the great sound that led me to give Norman their due in this review, this is not a knee-jerk-got-a-new-toy-rant.
I play CSNY, Nick Drake, Michael Hedges type fingertstyle with open tunings.
This guitar is LOUD, cherry tonewood is often compared to maple for high density and great sound reflection, and this wild cherry laminate is incredible for producing volume. This Norman is easily as loud as my Guild F-40 maple jumbo. Combined with all this volume is a nice thin spruce soundboard with minimal bracing for an overall sound that is bright/full astounding!! I use light gauge all bronze strings for added bass and easy bends and this B20 just sings, action is low, intonation clear all the way up the neck, and with the cutaway that is way up...hard strumming can get a little noisy, lead runs and fingerstyle are this guitar's strong points (heavier strings for you strummers). Yes, I will give it a ten because it sounds so good side by side with the six string heavy-weights.
My sister in law is a Martin D-35 owner and is now owns a Norman, a buddy traded of his Alvarez-Yairi for a high-end Norman after playing mine, could not convince a Larrivee guy, but he was tempted!

As I have already said, Norman made this guitar sound great, but if you are a multi-ply binding/mother of pearl/inlay headstock/fancy rosette type person you will probably never even pick up a Norman B20.
What it does have is a nice blond finish, bookmatched back, nice natural spruce top, mahogany neck with flat finish, great action and great sound. Sealed tuners are close-ratio and as good as aftermarket units.

I play this guitar daily for at least a couple hours. I live in a northern climate with dry cold winters, no cracks or finnish checking.
Okay, let me dispel a myth. Some in the newsgroups have said Norman bridges pull up..not true!
I play almost exclusively in open tunings including some that really stress the top/bridge (think F# on the high E-string) and then back down to a drop D or C tuning, never a problem. Most high end manufacturers will void your warranty for this stuff, wonder why?
Haven't dinged the glossy finish yet, been banged around a bit so I assume it has a good polyurethane on it. I depend on it, but never gig with just one guitar (c'mon).

Never dealt with LaSiDo people, Norman has no website.

I'm old. Been playing since 1972, owned dozens of guitars at one time or another. Did some time as a rock and roll guy with a Les Paul, dabbled with jazz on a Howard Roberts, played country on a Telecaster, new age stuff on an Ovation. Sold off most of my gear and now own a Guild Jumbo six and Guild Jumbo twelve string, a nice old Aria Les Paul copy, and my Norman.
I think this guitar may be one of those that just leaves the factory as an exceptional unit, if it were lost or stolen I'd have to have a wake and period of mourning, then go look for another. Did I mention that these guitars go for about $500-$600 new? If you are looking for a Martin, buy a couple Norman's and keep the change.
Finally:
DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR ANYTHING, BUT PLAY A NORMAN IF YOU SEE ONE.
Then you will know what I mean.
Keep Playing.