NGD: Michaud Made OM-R Moon/BRW

[Marcus Wong]

Hi guys! I just took receipt of my 2nd guitar from one of our AGF sponsors - Joel Michaud of Michaud Made guitars (www.MichaudMade.com). Joel is a full-time luthier based in Calgary, Alberta, who builds amazing guitars and an equally stand up guy. I came to know of Joel by chance and ever since my first commission with him, I have fallen in love with the looks and sound of his guitars.

My latest guitar from him is his OM-R with a Floretine Cutaway and a Manzer Wedge. The top wood is in Swiss "Moon" Spruce with Brazilian Rosewood back & sides. The bridge, fret board and scratch plate are in "Rocklite" Ebony and the inlays are brushed brass set into the wood. It has a pretty funky headstock which consists of an extended bass with a sliding banjo capo, as well as locking banjo tuners on the 1st and 2nd strings. The guitar tuners are by Rodgers and the banjo tuners are by Keith. The guitar comes in an ivory coloured Hiscox Artist case.

It is hard to describe sound but needless to say, I am EXTREMELY happy with the outcome! Joel builds modern sounding guitars which focuses on clarity, note separation, balance across strings and strong trebles which make them ideal for finger style guitar (that is not to say that they aren't great with a pick either! ). The guitar is very responsive to a light touch, with great dynamic range and headroom. The guitar is still new and I haven't had the chance to play it much at all due to a recent knife and hand accident so it's tough to give a full description as of now. I did manage to record a little something on my mobile phone before the accident happened though so I've embedded that at the bottom of the post

Overall, I could not be happier with the outcome and am excited to play it more once my injury heals up! Enjoy the photos and I hope that you like them just a fraction of how much I do

Hiscox Case


Full Body Shot (Front)


Sound Hole Close-Up


Brushed Brass Inlay Close-Up


Full Body Shot (Back)


Back Close-Up


Head Stock Front


Head Stock Back


Sound Clip:

[Montesdad]

Stellar guitar Marcus, quite unique

I should hope that after you heal, you will have many hours of enjoyment.

My best to you and your new Michaud - - -

[marty bradbury]

Stunning guitar! Enjoy!

[iim7V7IM7]

Congrats Marcus... Now get it and yourself home in one piece...

[doodahdoug]

Marcus...congratulations to both you and Joel on the completion of your beautiful new Michaud OM-R! In your hands it will make some amazing music for years to come. Look forward to hearing some more of it! Safe travels.

[pgilmor]

That is quite the beauty!! Congrats!

[TBman]

Beautiful guitar, enjoy it. I have to admit I don't understand the E string tuner configuration.

[jaymarsch]

Yes, beautiful guitar and that headstock does look like it should come with it's own owner's manual. First rate work and I would love to hear the sound of it.

Best,
Jayne

[Tico]

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

Yes, beautiful guitar and that headstock does look like it should come with it's own owner's manual.

+1

Why is it like that?
What does it do?
How does it work?
Is this common now, or a new one-off?

IOW, "Lucy ... you got some splaining to do."

[Marcus Wong]

Originally Posted by Montesdad

Stellar guitar Marcus, quite unique

I should hope that after you heal, you will have many hours of enjoyment.

My best to you and your new Michaud - - -

Thank you! I am looking forward to that day haha

Originally Posted by marty bradbury

Stunning guitar! Enjoy!

Thanks Marty!

Originally Posted by iim7V7IM7

Congrats Marcus... Now get it and yourself home in one piece...

Thanks Bob! I shall try my very best but my track record here in Vancouver hasn't been very promising. Exactly a week before this injury, I had another gash on the sole of my foot which also required stitches

Originally Posted by doodahdoug

Marcus...congratulations to both you and Joel on the completion of your beautiful new Michaud OM-R! In your hands it will make some amazing music for years to come. Look forward to hearing some more of it! Safe travels.

Thanks Doug! I believe you have another Michaud of your own on the way?

Originally Posted by pgilmor

That is quite the beauty!! Congrats!

Thank you. I can't help but agree with you

[Marcus Wong]

Originally Posted by TBman

Beautiful guitar, enjoy it. I have to admit I don't understand the E string tuner configuration.

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

Yes, beautiful guitar and that headstock does look like it should come with it's own owner's manual. First rate work and I would love to hear the sound of it.

Best,
Jayne

Originally Posted by Tico

+1

Why is it like that?
What does it do?
How does it work?
Is this common now, or a new one-off?

IOW, "Lucy ... you got some splaining to do."

The E string has been extended to allow it be in a drop D configuration when the capo is removed. This allows for different arrangements of songs which might not have been possible otherwise due to the reach required on the bass string. The extended bass in the acoustic guitar is popularised by Michi Matsuda. It has also been seen in the world of bass guitars.

The locking banjo tuners are used by Adrian Legg and Jon Gomm (watch "Passionflower" by the latter to see an example of how it can be used) where it allows the player to preset 2 notes on each tuner which can be quickly tuned up/down as part of the song.

It's definitely not very common to have such "contraptions", especially the extended bass which needs to be custom built by a luthier. The locking banjo tuners can simply be ordered and installed by yourself or a guitar tech.

And @Jayne, you are right, it needs a user manual. I have no idea how to play this thing yet. But part of the fun is in the journey itself

[Hasbro]

What a gorgeous black scratch guard

[JonHBone]

Wow that's a unique guitar. Congrats!

[Larry Pattis]

I approve of this messa...err, this guitar...!

[TBman]

Marcus, I was checking out your Youtube videos. Great stuff.