NGD - 2008 Goodall Concert Jumbo Cutaway (Bubinga/Master Italian)

[cigarfan]

The first James Goodall guitars were built in 1972 and 26 years later in 1998 Goodall announced the addition of a new box size ... the Concert Jumbo. A more comfortable, smaller body dimension than the Goodall Standard. James was pleased with the build and stated, "The powerful, rich and clear tone of the CJ has exceeded my expectations."

Last year I was lucky enough to audition a friends' Standard in Koa and I loved it. The projection and sustain were off the charts with super clear focused tone. I decided then and there I wanted to add a Goodall to my collection at some point and now I found the right one for me. And to top it off it has a tonewood (Bubinga) I've been wanting to try.

As with most luthiers, the Goodall signature tone is very distinct. The guitar strums well, with plenty of headroom yet it is responsive to a light touch for fingerstyle and fingerpicking. Sound is full and balanced. Excellent bass and nice round ringing trebles. Love the cutaway as well for access to the upper frets. All-in-all you could call me a happy camper.

Soundclip

Specs
Model: Concert Jumbo (CJ) (with cutaway)
Top: Master Italian Spruce
Back & Sides: Bubinga (African Rosewood)
Binding: Curly Maple
Rosette: Abalone
Headplate: Ebony
Neck Material: Solid Mahogany
Neck Finish: Satin
Endgraft & Heelcap: Curly Maple
Finish: Gloss
Fingerboard: Ebony
Fingerboard position inlays: Vintage slotted diamonds in Abalone
Number of Frets Clear: 14
Number of Frets Total: 20
Nut & Saddle: Bone
Bridge: Ebony
Bridge/End Pins: Ebony w/abalone dot
Pickguard: Clear
Tuners: Mini Gotoh 510 (18:1) with ebony buttons
Electronics: None
Case: Cold Creek Hardshell w/Goodall shield

Measurements
Nut Width: 1-3/4"
String Spacing (Bridge): 2 1/4"
Scale Length: 25 1/2"
Upper bout width: 11 5/8"
Lower bout width: 15 7/8"
Waist: 9 15/16"
Body depth: 4 3/8"
Body length: 20"
Overall guitar length: 40 13/16"

Additional pics

[jseth]

Wow! What a gorgeous Goodall! The CJ shape is my personal favorite of all the wonderful guitars that James makes, as well! 2008? You must have gotten one of the last Hawaiian Goodalls... great score!

Enjoy that new guitar... a Goodall is a VERY special instrument. I have found that my Grand Concert is extremely demanding of my own technique and style; every time I play it, the guitar itself leads me to be a better player, as the thing is SO ALIVE that it tends to magnify anything I play that is not intended!

Have fun!!!

[buddyhu]

Congratulations! Beautiful guitar, nicely played in your recording. Can detect the signature overtones even on my crappy speakers. It is a good day!

[marty bradbury]

WOW!!!!!!!! Congats on a beautiful guitar!!

[Goodallboy]

Lovely guitar but I've never seen a top like that on a Goodall. Those two light areas are not common in my experience with Goodalls.

Would that be classified "runout"?

[Rev Roy]

Sweet! Just a gorgeous guitar

[Knollhaven]

Wow, congratulations on a stunning guitar! IMHO every aspect of this instrument is just beautiful. Thanks for the great example of how an NGD post is done.

[The Growler]

That is beautiful. Really nice, congratulations!

[Dave T]

I too have a 2008 Goodall, one of his rare classicals. It so out shines my other 3 nylon stringed guitars I have to remind myself to check them occasionally for empty humidifiers.

I hope your Goodall fits you as well as mine does. It's the most comfortable and easy to play instrument I've ever experienced. Congratulations.

Dave

[cigarfan]

Originally Posted by Goodallboy

Lovely guitar but I've never seen a top like that on a Goodall. Those two light areas are not common in my experience with Goodalls.

Would that be classified "runout"?

Well thanks guys for the kind words. My first Goodall and I am really impressed with the fit, finish, tone and playability. Awesome!

@Goodallboy: I have never seen a piece of Italian Spruce like this either. It is actually 2 book matched pieces each with a slightly lighter part at the center. I do detect a little runout at the very center where they are matched up but the lighter strip down the center of the top is actual coloration of the wood. Certainly unique.

[Brucebubs]

I'm not a cutaway guy but I could live with that.
Who am I kidding, that's beautiful.

[Knollhaven]

One of my guitars has a pattern like that on the top, too. Mine is Adirondack. Would it be the heartwood? Curious... But I like the unique character.

[AJGorman]

Well Sir,

You have been on a fine run of late...Webber and Goodall.

Well done.

[247hoopsfan]

Hey Cigar Fan, welcome to the Goodall club. Fantastic guitars. Funny thing I noticed looking at the beautiful pics was your fireplace is just like mine. We built our house in 1990 so I am guessing yours is around the same age, oak and gold trim everywhere. So my wife had me paint the gold trim on the fire place black some years ago. I have 3 of those heatilator fireplaces in the house, and they work pretty good. Here are pics of my 1990 Goodall Rosewood Standard. It has some of the prettiest Rosewood I have ever seen.

[Chedeng88]

What a gorgeous looking Goodall CJ! Good choice!

Based on the Goodall Serial No. DB, looks like this one was completed at the beginning of May 2008.

Excellent job on the recording too! Enjoy and welcome to the Goodall club!