Norman ST68

This guitar was made in March of 2002 by LaSido in La Patrie Quebec CANADA. It's a standard drednought without electronics. Nice gloss finish on the top, sides & back. Solid spruce top with rosewood sides & back (the sides are laminated - rosewood/wild cherry/rosewood with SOLID rosewood back) Mahogany neck with a squared off Martinish headstock. The fingerboard and bridge are no longer being made of ebony, so this one is all rosewood which I like quite well. The rosette around the sound hold is done in a dark brown with maple leaves - very nice. The fret dots are the large type and are positioned in the middle of the fretboard (martinish appearance again)and not some little goofy dots off to the side. The body is double bound with a nice cream coloured binding as well. Now for the tuners, they came from the factory with the standard non-locking sealed gold & 'pearloid' (I call them plastic) buttons. I absolutely hate plastic buttons on a high end guitar! So I had the buttons replaced with gold grover types and now it looks like a high end guitar. This is just my personal preference for the 'glitzy all gold look' and may not be for everyone.

The deal that I put together at the music store included a standard LaSido hardshell case & stand.

This guitar is definitely the best of all of the ones that I own (I have purchased nothing but LaSido built guitars for the past 25 years & currently have a Seagull SM6, Seagull SM12, Simon & Patrick S6)

The sound has been described by some as 'dark & deep' which I would agree with. The rosewood definitely projects very well. The volume is LOUD - with great bass response & clear defined upper end. You simply would have to play one of these to get this sense.

The action from the factory was very low and amazingly without any fret buzz. I could not detect any flaws anywhere, with the perfect book matched top and excellent gloss finish, it's a simple yet elegant instrument.

This guitar would definitely stand up to live playing with no problem. It has a somewhat heavy solid feel to it. The tuners will last. I had the luxury of selecting a nice tortoise shell pickguard for mine which looks fine. Again this my taste and may not be yours. There are several clear guards out there that may be aesthetically more pleasing.

While I have had a few occasions to contact LaSido by email in the past, they are somewhat slow to unresponsive at times. I was told that their websites (Seagull & Simon & Patrick) are operated by their employees when they have time. That's pretty evident as those websites are really out of date. Their main focus is building guitars. So don't look for a timely response from these people as it isn't always there. By there way, there is no website for Norman guitars...strange.

I've been playing for 30 years & as mentioned previously I own & have owned LaSido built guitars. Here it is folks, YOU CANNOT BUY HAND MADE, REAL WOOD GUITARS FOR THESE PRICES ANYWHERE! This is Canada's best kept secret. Try to get a comparable American built guitar like this one for the prices that these sell for...you won't. All the big names are just that..big names with BIG prices. One of the BIG manufacturers like to use plywood as a laminate & you are expected to pay the big bucks because of the name on the headstock. Look again. Go out and try a Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Norman and give them a careful listen. Your wallet will like you.

my Norman was hand made in Canada, it's a 1997. i bought it in the fall of 2001. it was new old stock, never played, it did't have factory electronics.it has a solid spruce [bearclawed] top, solid indian rosewood back and laminated rosewood sides. 14 open frets, mahogany neck, dreadnaught size box. the tuners look like Gotoh, i'm not sure. they hold and function flawlessly. the fretboard appears to be ebony. there was no case provided. i'm giving a 10 in this section, not because of "tons of features" but because of the workmanship of the features. it's an acoustic.

it suites my style of playing. i have an unusual style of playing with my thumb [no pick] and 3 fingers style [no picks]. i installed a LR BAGGS I-BEAM [active]. it amplifies the sound of the guitar without making it sound like an electric. the guitar had not opened up because it had not been played [new old stock]. the guitar felt and sounded new. NOTE: i read about a vibrating machine that would make new guitars sound near vintage by being vibrated. i made a simple setup to hopefully achive the same results. the method i used was puting a radio against the guitar's strings, near the soundhole. i had the volume CRANKED! i placed this rig inside a box and covered it with [many] blankets to keep from getting divorced. i had this in a spare room because of the noise. i had a heavy rock station on the radio. i did this for 153 hours. THIS WORKS! the guitar sonds broke-in. the bass is richer, the guitar's volume has increased. the guitar retained it's balanced sound. it sounds like a Martin D28 with better balance.

the guitar was set-up with a med/low action from the factory. the top is bookmatched with a lot of bearclawing. the bridge, neck alignment, frets, saddle and rosewood bridge, nut and tuners are flawless. no visual signs of overgluing, no loose or poorly shaved braces.

i've owned 2 Norman B 20's, 1- B 50 and 2- ST 68's that i can remember. they, like all the Lasido products i've owned [over 20] can withstand live playing. the hardwear and finish should last. i've never "had to" replace anything on any of these products. the finish may wear from years of playing, it's an alcohol/lac finish. this finish allows the guitar to vibrate, unlike a sound inhibiting poly/plastic finish. the strap buttom was solid but replaced when i installed the I-BEAM pickup. i can depend on the guitar and will gig without a backup. i don't expect any problems or malfunctions.

i have contacted the Lasido company years ago. they were prompt and extremely helpful. i wish norman had a web site, of the 4 acoustic guitars produced by Lasido only the Seagull and Simon & Patrick have websites. i do acoustic repairs. i'm not sure what the warranty is or for how long. i do know that Lasido stands behind it's products.

i've been playing for some time, i'm not very good. i'm a songwriter. i have cut down on guitars. at this time i have the Norman ST 68, a Seagull SM6 with micro eq, a Seagull S6, a Art & Lutherie AMI and a Gibson Gospel with a fishman matrix pickup. i have a couple sure mic's, an inexpensive Stone acoustic amp and varios guitar repairing tools. i did'nt need to ask about the guitar before purchase, i knew what to expect. if it were lost or stolen, i would replace it with the same, if i could find one. or a Seagull Artist non-cutaway. which i my purchase anyway. what i love about the guitar is the SOUND and the neck is very easy to play. i would have liked it better if the string nut was the width of the Seagull's [1.8] i put a Seagull nut on. my favorite feature is the sound. i can get the bass responce i need for grit and i can get a angelic responce when finger picking. i bought this guitar because of the sound it can produce and the craftsmanship. the only thing i wish it had is on board controls instead of being at the mercy of a soundman. i've owned close to 100 guitars. old 50's Harmony products to low end Martin's [DM's D1's D15's]. unless there is a dramatic change in guitar industry, i will only purchase Lasido products in the future. i get the sound and playability i need at a very resonable price.

2000 st68 with solid spruce top and rosewood back and sides...
Bought in Newark,Del for xmas 2000 from my wife, this was after
trying out Taylors,Martins,Guilds,Tacomas and several others.My
wife paid 950.00 dollars for it,which was well worth it for the sound
and playability of the guitar and the price compared to the others.

Used for mostly Country and Bluegrass, and some old rock. The st68
has wonderful sustain and the action is very good and the bass strings
carry a good strong sound.

Action is very good, no lacquer cracks or indings in the wood,also
does not loose tuning like some previous guitars ive owned.

I had the pleasure of putting the st68 in a live playing with several
other Guitars,Banjos,mandolins and this Guitar has alot of guts. It
stood out in front of the other Instruments. It seems very solid,
i think it will last me many years of good quality playing

No contact with the Company also no web site to be found.

Ive been playing since i was 10, I own a Fender Strat,Gibson LesPaul
25 year old Epihone and a Sigma DM-4Hc. I would buy another if something happened to this one. I still try new guitars every time
i walk in a music store and still have not second guessed the st68.

Mid 90's cutaway with solid spruce top and rosewood back and sides...Bought it at the local pawn shop for $500.00 with case...Orion blue book says 1100.00....As soon as I strummed the strings with the guitar STILL in its case I said I'll take her...Something VERY special was going on here and since none of my freinds heard of Norman guitars it was time to check them out.. Checked web and started finding out about Norman Seagull and Godins...Gold tuners, MAGICAL sound...GREAT feel and it is TRUE this guitar SOUNDS BETTER than anything around here including a 2300.00 martin and all the rest of the big names

Used for songwriting and cannot put it down...VERY SWEEEEET..Im not a great guitar player, but it is better than ANYONE would ever need..Period....

Action was good and I turned it to even better with my own setup. It now plays like my GODIN electric...Everything was perfect from finish to feel...These guys know what they are doing...This guitar has 8, yes 8 coats of very fine laquer applied over 8 days..Does your Ovation do that?...

12 days after buying her I put a good ding at about 7 o'clock on the front...Of course...That was my fault...Had a 911 Targa a few years ago and the longer I drove it the more I loved it..The ST is the same way...Unbeleivable.......

Have talked w/ Seagull support a couple of times and they were great even tho it is Norman..

No matter what you want to do the ST68 is all you will ever need. In fact if you have one and want to sell or trade it I have 3 freinds trying to find one.......Pass on the Ovations and the $1000.00 Martins your just wasting time and money...

I think my st68 was made in 1997.I purchased it brand new in 98.This is my 3rd Norman and for sure the best. I have played Martins that cost 4 times as much and don,t compare to this guitar. It is a little heavier than other guitars but that probably makes it tougher to.The finish is very well done the fit and feel are exellent. Ihave many friends who play for bands and all love and want this guitar...the ones who don,t just can,t admit that the 700$ Norman is better than there 2000$ ovations and Martins.

I tend to play a more rock style guitar and this guitar just plays it perfect.One thing i really like about this guitar ...no matter how much you play it or don,t play it it never ever goes out of tune,i have never found a guitar that could hold its tune so well.

I set the action myself it had a slow action from the factory.The top is perfectly bookmatched . I never noticed any flaws when i purchased this guitar,it does have a nick or 2 now but how can that be avoided.

This guitar i,m sure will probably out live me it is made that well.One thing i am watching for is the bridge to pull away all the other Normans i have owened had this problem.

I have never dealt directly with the company but i have haerd they are not to good when it comes to dealing with there product after the fact (sale).

Look at the other reviews.

Great sounding guitar for it's price. I compared it in the shop with Gibson acoustic guitars and I sure liked this one as much. For half the price.

The lower E string does rattle a little bit over the frets. I have arranged with the shop that I try the guitar with new strings and they will adjust this for me. The action is perfect. The looks of the guitar are perfect.

I own several guitars, one spanish, one electric, and an old Aria western Guitar which I played for 20 years. The Norman is feeling solid compared with the Aria, so I think it will last another 20 years or more.

The company is not found on the Internet. I know it's made by Lasido in Canada.
The shop in Amsterdam (holland) is very helpfull. I could try the guitar for a couple of weeks and return it, if I wasn't satified. The warranty is one year

I have been looking for a new western Guitar for a few months. In the price range I can afford I have tried Yamaha's, Ibanez, Fenders, and several other brands. They didn't satisfy my needs. The ST68 felt good immediatly and I think (who am I) it can be compared with Martins, Gibsons, Taylor but for less money. The Norman guitars are being sold in a few shops in Holland. I think it is the best guitar what I could get for the money.

This is your standard dreadnought modelled after the Martins. All solid woods, spruce top, and rosewood sides and back. No electronics were on it when I got it, but I have added a Fishman pickup that has taken the guitar to a new level.(perhaps just more fun to play!) The tuners are closed and work very well. I have been playing this for over 2 years now and these tuners work fantastic. The neck on this one is very nice, akin to a fatter strat with a v neck. I keep it in a hardshell case and try to take care of it.

I generally strum and pick single notes within a blues vein. The Norman is great in this regard as it doesnt have a real processed "nice" sound. It is down and dirty, with snarl available as a left handed option. It can do the pretty acoustic thing, but seems happier with attitude.

The set up was done by my local dealer who set it up to my liking. It has never changed and continues to feel good. The action is low with no buzz. Anyone can hammer this guitar and it just keeps asking for more. The finish is well done and the woods look like they belong on a much pricer guitar. My nut and saddle have been changed to bone ( by a friend who did a great job)

This guitar could withstand anything. A gig at a frat house on amateur night couldnt hurt this one. Everything about this guitar has shown that it is well constructed using only quality parts. As mentioned before....this Norman likes stormin! Just give it as hard as you can...it will do the rest.

The one request I had of the company was that I wanted to know why they made so many different named guitars. They also make Seagull, Simon and Patrick, and Art and Luthier. I asked if one of these names was going by the wayside. The response was something that any politician might have said. So...I really didnt get an answer, but frankly...I dont care anymore. My Norman has become my #1 acoustic and if they dont exist anymore...so what.

I just love this Norman. I have a Larrivee J09, Larrivee L05, Guild F20, Guild 12 string, and a old Epiphone archtop from the 40's. Now all these guitars are keepers, but I personally find this Norman st68 to stand out in this field. However, that being said, I like the sound and you might not. I suggest you go and play one. If this was lost why would anyone care what I would do? I know I read a lot of the reviews at Harmony Central and am appreciative of it being available. Sometimes though, the reviews just blend together in your mind. Dont let that happen here! The Norman ST68 is a real winner. Play it against any that you might be attracted to. It will stand its own.

Handmade in 1999 in Canada. Solid Spruce Top Alcohol Satin Finish, which is supposed to make it sound better the more you play and the older the guitar becomes. It does not have any electronics but electronics were available. I bought a hardshell case for about 65 bucks. I bought it off the net from a Canadian dealer called Griffiths which has become Guitar World.
This guitar is shaped like your standard Martin guitar.

This guitar has a great sound. It is made by the same people that make Godin and Seagull guitars in Canada. I first played one in California on a honeymoon and could not put honeymoon money towards a guitar, so I looked around on the net sometime later to find one. It has a full balanced sound. I am a recreational player but a few of my friends play professionally and they are impressed with the sound. Bass, mid and treble are exceptional.

The head has sharp edges and is prone for scuffs, but I have been careful and lucky. The head could have used a little deeper finish. The guitar came from the factory set up nicely. It is moderate to easy on playability. The body and neck of the guitar are beautiful.

Great guitar so far. I wanted a Gibson or Martin but being a recreational player I could not justify spending two grand so I bought this handmade Norman for about 600 bucks and I am very pleased. Who knows, may the Norman guitar will become as famous. I don't play live but I do play almost everyday.

The guitar shop from which I ordered was very helpful and I would recommend Griffith Guitar/Guitar World. I haven't had any technical problems so I can't speak on Lasido Customer Support.

I have owned an Applause, Ovation and a Gibson LGO (cheap model) and the Norman by far sounds better, looks better and plays easier than all of them. I would highly recommend a Norman to anyone.