It is just simply breathtaking. Congratulations, you got a beauty. And I am sure it sounds even better than it looks. :)

That really is just insanely gorgeous. I've never played a G chord (or anything else for that matter) on a fanned fret guitar so I don't know how it differs from a regular parallel fret guitar. But it must offer something. I'd be almost afraid to play that beast, for fear if I didn't play it well enough to live up to it's visual appeal, that sword might jump off of it and stab me.

Enjoy it - I hope it was worth every second of waiting!

-Ray

It really does sound better than it looks. It has a fuller lusher voice than any D35 I've ever heard (and I love D35's). The mids and highs have great presence too, not just all bass (which it has plenty of). Different strings may be able to coax out a bit more chime (Tayloresque) sound. This thing was even in tune right out of the box, I've never seen that. I'm diggin every minute of it!

Congrats! I think I heard that G chord where I live!!

What an extraordinarily beautiful instrument!

That is spectacular! I heard an audible "gasp" when I saw those photos... yeah, it was me. ;) Congratulations on this very special NGD - so obviously worth the wait. :up::up:

I forgot to mention that the mug also arrived in perfect condition.

Also, I had ordered a spare nut and saddle which were in the case compartment.

Last night I had to show it off to three buddies that play. They didn't know I had ordered it and were so shocked they were a bit intimidated and timid playing it. I think with the sound hole pointing at your face, when you play lightly more of the sound comes at you and the projected sound is reduced. But when you dig in a bit then the projected voice comes alive.

This thing came across the pond tuned to itself nicely. However, I just put a Peterson Strobo Clip on it and tuned it to a sweetened acoustic (James Taylor) tuning and the mid and high range took on more chime. Priceless!

Could it be that every time I pick it up I like it more and more?

I have an outstanding red Thalia capo to try on it, and time to start experimenting with picks. I've got a handful of picks to start auditioning.

Living that on the edge dream life you are.

If you're auditioning picks, are you auditioning strings too, or are you good with the stock strings?

Very nice. She looks like her name could be “Diablo”. I know, I went the other way. Very very nice looking, enjoy.

So, Jeff, it's been 5 days now since your last post... can't put it down long enough to tell us more? Fingers worn to the nub so you can't type?

ARE YUOUR FINGERS BLEEDING?

Very nice ! And I gotta second the "Diablo" name.....

This last week has been very trying. My wife had a pretty serious surgery. So I've been spending as much time as I could stand hanging out in the hospital. The surgery went as good as could be expected. She is now back home, but still requires a lot of care.

I haven't been able to play as much as I'd like. The case has been sitting on the couch unlatched. Many times, I walk by it I'll lift the lid and finger pick or strum a couple of measures on the open strings like a Zither. The sonic response is always pleasing to me.

I have made as much quality bonding time as possible. No my fingers aren't bleeding, but the tips have changed a bit, tougher and probably less blood flow.

It's constantly calling to me to be picked up, and it's never far out of my thoughts.

It reminds me of the old saying about newlyweds. For the first year of marriage every time you make love put a penny in a big jar, after the first year take a penny out each time, and you'll never be broke.