Review: Norman B20 12 Stringer

Subject: RE: Review: Norman B20 12 Stringer
From: Bru
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 05:14 AM

I didn't expect to see this thread again four years down the line.

I bought the guitar, but it didn't turn out to be one of my better ones. Sounded fine in the small shop, but disappointing when I started to use it around the pubs and folk clubs. No projection at all. Took it down to my luthier for a set-up and found the guitar had had a maximum bridge-plane sometime in its fairly recent life, and the truss rod was on max adjustment. More than it was worth to put right, and not one of my twelve stringers I play.

Hasn't been out of its case in ages.

Subject: RE: Review: Norman B20 12 Stringer
From: GUEST,Bernie
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 10:10 PM

A son of the same family [or families ?] is now making guitars under the name" Boucher "[last name of the founder,Norman Boucher,so I'm told]..visually very similar to a Collings,getting a fine rep here in Canada....haven't seen or heard one,but the 12TH FRET in Toronto has them on their website....

Subject: RE: Review: Norman B20 12 Stringer
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 04:58 AM

12 stringer???? What are we going fishing or something?

Subject: RE: Review: Norman B20 12 Stringer
From: redsnapper
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 01:59 PM

P.S. Mine's a cedar top with cherry back and sides and headstock veneer.

RS

Subject: RE: Review: Norman B20 12 Stringer
From: redsnapper
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 01:56 PM

Haven't got the 12 stringer but I play a Norman B20 "Folk" (waisted body rather than dreadnought). £200 secondhand and one of the best guitars I've played (including some of the "big names"). It has a different and distinctive sound which I like. Really excellent value for money.

Yes... they are the same family as Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Godin and Art et Lutherie, i.e. part of the LaSiDo Group and are made in LaPatrie/Princeville, Quebec.

RS

Subject: Review: Norman B20 12 Stringer
From: Bru
Date: 16 Jun 07 - 12:10 PM

Hi folks,

Any one got, used or acquired a strong opinion of the Norman B20 12 stringer?

The local music shop's got one, and I'm tempted. At 240 quid second hand, with a hard case it looks a bargain. Didn't sound as warm as my 40-year old Epiphone 12 stringer, but that wasn't a surprise. The low action was a pleasant surprise, though. Straight off the rack, a bar chord on the ninth fret bang-on in tune.

I gather the Norman is part of the Simon & Patrick and the Seagull family.

Comments or advice any body?

Bru