|
|
#1
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.  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.              
__________________
Circa OM-30/34 (Adi/Mad) | 000-12 (Ger/Maple) | OM-28 (Adi/Brz) | OM-18/21 (Adi/Hog) | OM-42 (Adi/Braz) Fairbanks SJ (Adi/Hog) | Schoenberg/Klepper 000-12c (Adi/Hog) | LeGeyt CLM (Swiss/Amzn) | LeGeyt CLM (Carp/Koa) Brondel A-2 (Carp/Mad) 
|
|
#2
12-12-2018, 09:04 PM
|
||||
|
||||
   
__________________
Circa OM-30/34 (Adi/Mad) | 000-12 (Ger/Maple) | OM-28 (Adi/Brz) | OM-18/21 (Adi/Hog) | OM-42 (Adi/Braz) Fairbanks SJ (Adi/Hog) | Schoenberg/Klepper 000-12c (Adi/Hog) | LeGeyt CLM (Swiss/Amzn) | LeGeyt CLM (Carp/Koa) Brondel A-2 (Carp/Mad)
|
|
#3
12-12-2018, 09:06 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Truly stunning
|
|
#5
12-12-2018, 09:21 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Very nice guitar!
__________________
My YouTube Page
|
|
#7
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!
__________________
In the end it is about who you love above yourself and what you have stood for and lived for that make the difference...
|
|
#8
12-13-2018, 12:22 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
The definition of a Braz OOO....!!!!!!
__________________
onedayatatime
|
|
#9
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!!!!!
|
|
#13
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.  )
__________________
____________________________________________ 1922 Martin 0-28 1933 Martin 0-17 1974 Alvarez/Yairi CY120 2010 Baranik Parlor 2013 Circa OM-18 2014 Claxton OM Traditional 2014 Blackbird Rider
|
|
#15
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
__________________
4 John Kinnaird SS 12c CUSTOMS: Big Maple/WRC Dread(ish) Jumbo Spanish Cedar/WRC Jumbo OLD Brazilian RW/WRC Big Tunnel 14 RW/Bubinga Dread(ish) R.T 2 12c sinker RW/Claro 96 422ce bought new! 96 LKSM 12 552ce 12x12 J. Stepick Bari Weissy WRC/Walnut More
|
. Beautiful Instrument....
