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-   -   NGD: Circa 000-12 Adi/Brazi #137 (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=531284)

justonwo 12-12-2018 09:03 PM

NGD: Circa 000-12 Adi/Brazi #137
 
I've been drooling over this guitar since it arrived at Luthier's Collection. I'm a big fan of the 000-12 design because it gives a little more low end and "bigness" than a comparable OM, at least in my experience. In my mind's eye, I imagined this guitar would have more bass depth than my Schoenberg (which is mahogany), more scooped mids, and a little more overall reverb and sustain.

I hesitated at first because the guitar didn't have a cutaway, but I can get away without one for about 90% of what I do. And, as Mike Joyce reminded me, you can always use another guitar for those songs where the non-cutaway 12 fret won't work.

I'm happy to report this guitar really fit EXACTLY into the niche I was hoping it would fill. It is, without a doubt, a show stopping, jaw dropping, I can't-believe-what-I'm-hearing tone fiesta. I've played a lot of great guitars over the years, but this one may take the cake. I'm not sure if the Brazilian is adding that little extra something, but it just gives a little extra shimmer and sustain that pushes it from excellent to other-worldly. John is certainly building some of the very best guitars that can be had, in my opinion.

Compared to my OM, which has a surprising mid hump that's more akin to what I hear in a mahogany guitar (it's Madrose), it definitely has that mid scoop you would usually expect from rosewood. Relatively speaking, in the broad spectrum of guitars out there, it still has strong mids. Just not quite as much as with my Madrose OM. I don't like guitars to be too scooped out, as I think a lot of the real voice of the guitar lives in the mids. The bass is more substantial for sure. The sustain is longer and the guitar generally has more reverb. It sounds like a bigger guitar, but not cavernous. It still has the punch in the mids, upper mids, and highs to keep the voice of the guitar from getting swallowed up.

It would be hard to imagine a tonal improvement to this guitar, which to me exemplifies the very best of that 000-12 Martin platform and the very best of what Adi and Brazilian can do together.

The previous owner kept it in like new condition so it's pretty much a brand new guitar.

A couple more cool tidbits:

1) This guitar was built in the same batch as my OM (#142) in 2016. In fact, it's pictured here in the middle of the shelf in the back, third from the left. This photo is from my OM build thread. OM #142 is getting the box closed up in this photo.

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/Circa_OM-35.jpg

2) Burton LeGeyt, another luthier whose work I admire greatly, made the bridge pins. They're kind of awesome, which is par for the course when it comes to all things Burton.

The Brazilian rosewood is pretty much the straightest stuff that can be had. It truly represents my ideal for what I like to see in Brazilian. Very straight and quartered. I'm not usually a huge disciple of Brazilian, but this guitar may convert me. It is truly very special. Perhaps the subtle "wow" qualities in this guitar are in part a result of truly exceptional Brazilian. It's always hard to know for sure since all of these variables are interwoven.

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_01.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_02.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_03.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_04.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_05.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_06.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_07.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_08.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_09.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_10.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_11.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_12.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_13.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_14.jpg

justonwo 12-12-2018 09:04 PM

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_15.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_16.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_17.jpg

http://jus-tone.com/misc/circa/braz_...12_Braz_18.jpg

min7b5 12-12-2018 09:06 PM

Truly stunning

iim7V7IM7 12-12-2018 09:17 PM

Congrats...:). Beautiful Instrument....:up:

Teleplucker 12-12-2018 09:21 PM

Very nice guitar!

TomB'sox 12-12-2018 09:57 PM

That's a beauty, really straight BRW. Personally, I think that does add that little magic that seems to take a particular guitar over-the-top...IMO

gitarro 12-12-2018 11:29 PM

Needless to say circa guitars are made perfect or as close as humans r capable of. And that brazilian rosewood is top drawer stuff - straight grained and tight. Play it in good health, justonwo!

Diamondave 12-13-2018 12:22 AM

The definition of a Braz OOO....!!!!!!

FormerFoodie 12-13-2018 12:33 AM

Dude. That Braz is UNREAL.

Congrats on the score! Just in time for the holidays!!!!

I can't wait to see the completion of your 000-28 maple too!!!!!

AlanHw 12-13-2018 12:55 AM

Congrats on the triple Circa! Man that BRW is sick...

colins 12-13-2018 01:07 AM

Nice one Juston.. No....an exceptionally nice one I think!

jt1 12-13-2018 04:50 AM

Gorgeous!

That Brazilian is extraordinary.

Thanks for sharing the guitar with us.

Deft Tungsman 12-13-2018 05:42 AM

Too much, Juston !!!

Extraordinary timber, beautiful score !!!

I'm egging you on !!!

(As long as you keep posting all of it here for our general consumption. ;))

DamianL 12-13-2018 05:53 AM

Well, that’s just perfection isn’t it.

Guitars44me 12-13-2018 10:32 AM

Wowza!!!
 
Mighty FINE guitar!!! Way to score...

Looks like you have the Jescar Gold color hard frets? If so you will be glad, as you will play the heck out of this one! And I agree completely about the added oomph of a 000 12 fret, vs. a 14. It is very noticeable to me too..

So you will soon have A Maple Circa to compliment your Braz and your Hog?

So cool to have similar instruments in different woods.

Enjoy her in fine health and spirits!

A FAB Christmas to all, and to all many Merry Tunes!!!

Paul


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