James Goodall Rosewood Standard Cutaway Gloss Natural 1994 Hand-Made Acoustic

This is a Goodall Rosewood Standard Cutaway in Gloss Natural finish. Since building his first guitar in 1972, James Goodall has gone on to become one of the finest luthiers producing hand-made acoustic guitars today. Now a family business, James and his son Luke’s workshop produce just two guitars of the finest quality each week.

Made in Hawaii. USA in 1994, the fairly early example of Goodall’s fantastic work features an all-solid bolt-on construction comprising a Sitka Spruce top, Indian Rosewood back and sides, Mahogany neck and 20 fret Ebony fingerboard with matching bridge. The body is double-bound in Koa, whilst the top is handsomely adorned with an Abalone rosette. Abalone is also selected for the diamond fingerboard inlays and headstock logo. Chrome Schaller tuning machines with Ebony buttons are fitted, along with a Bone saddle & nut. An LR Baggs Anthem pickup system has been fitted, and completes a very well appointed instrument.

The Mahogany neck plays very well, with a profile that might be described as a rather shallow ‘C’ shape which offers ergonomic thumb positioning and smooth articulate playability across the register. Certainly on the slimmer side, the neck is exceptionally playable for an acoustic guitar, feeling smooth & easy in a wide variety of contexts. The Ebony of the fingerboard is of the highest quality, with a very dark appearance and tight grain, the playing surface feels fantastic under the fingers. This, along with the Abalone inlays add a real sense of luxury to the playing experience, whilst the generous cutaway enhances access to the upper register.

The acoustic voice of the Goodall Rosewood Standard is rich and exceptionally well balanced. The bass response is deep and sumptuous, adding a real sense of character to the overall sound. Mids are open and clear, whilst the top end is bright and shimmering. This makes every note played on the instrument shimmer with a lush and luxurious tone that you would not normally expect from such a large body shape. The Sitka Spruce top projects very well, producing plenty of volume and a wide dynamic range which feels nicely responsive to the player’s touch. The addition of LR Baggs’ excellent Anthem system means you can use the instrument in both recording & live situations with ease. A beautifully hand crafted instrument which exemplifies the Goodall family’s stellar work.