Goodall TrOM

[Mak2525]

To the Goodall experts; Have there been any changes to the Goodall Traditional OM model over the years such as bracing, etc? In other words, is a twenty year old Trom built to the same specs as a newer / current model and therefore sound similar? Of course, every guitar will vary - just trying to educate myself on any substantial design changes. Thanks for your input!

[247hoopsfan]

Originally Posted by Mak2525

To the Goodall experts; Have there been any changes to the Goodall Traditional OM model over the years such as bracing, etc? In other words, is a twenty year old Trom built to the same specs as a newer / current model and therefore sound similar? Of course, every guitar will vary - just trying to educate myself on any substantial design changes. Thanks for your input!

I’m not sure if the answer to your question, but Jean Goodall is quite responsive to emails. [email protected]
Great guitars and a great family.

[jseth]

I'd just call up Jean and ask her... she'll check with James if she doesn't know the answer. They are wonderful people and can help you.

I suspect that there have not been changes, except for the fact that, since 2012, the only folks building your guitar has been James and Luke Goodall. James told me that in the Hawaiian shop, he was more of a Quality Control guy than a hands-on builder, as he had 12 or so people working in the shop.

[Mak2525]

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I agree about the Goodall family - great people and great builders. I've had the pleasure of meeting them and previously owning one of their instruments (a CJ).

I've only played two TrOMs in the past, and thought they were some of the best OMs I had ever heard (albeit with a more modern vs traditional sound). The two I test drove were Hawaiian builds, and they appear to be one of the least available used Goodall's available in the wild.

I imagine the FT Bragg models are a step above due to the aforementioned move and downsizing to just James and Luke. That being said, every Hawaiian Goodall I have played or owned was stellar in its own right. Unfortunately, that move brought the new ones to way more than I am willing to spend, and the price of the used ones sky rocketed as well.

I just missed out on an excellent condition rosewood Trom @ Northern Lights a few weeks ago for $3500, which is the cheapest I have seen in the past year from a dealer or private seller. The hunt continues.

[mercy]

Im hunting too and would be happier with a mainline build.

[Mak2525]

Originally Posted by mercy

Im hunting too and would be happier with a mainline build.

Good Luck with your search! The Traditional OM model seems to be the rarest used Goodall out there. I'm guessing it's a combination of much smaller production numbers compared to the GC, CJ, and Standards - plus people loving them and hanging on to them. I'm still kicking myself for not grabbing a 2015 TrOM in Cocobolo & Adi for $4K just before the start of the Big C pandemic! You can't touch that instrument now for less than $6K. Sound Pure has a 2003 Rosewood Trom for $5000 - a guitar that sold new for $3000.

[Martz911]

I agree with previous posters to call Jean Goodall and ask her about "internal" changes (such as bracing modifications). The body dimensions have not changed. Since their move back to California in 2009, most of their traditional models (OMs and Dreadnoughts) that I have seen or bought have wood binding (Maple or Koa) on the fingerboard that matches the wood binding on the body and peghead veneer. Prior to that, usually the fingerboard binding was Ebony.

[Mak2525]

Originally Posted by Martz911

I agree with previous posters to call Jean Goodall and ask her about "internal" changes (such as bracing modifications). The body dimensions have not changed. Since their move back to California in 2009, most of their traditional models (OMs and Dreadnoughts) that I have seen or bought have wood binding (Maple or Koa) on the fingerboard that matches the wood binding on the body and peghead veneer. Prior to that, usually the fingerboard binding was Ebony.

Hey Larry: Thanks for the input! Glad to see you finally sold your Kinnaird OM - I was oh so close to grabbing it myself!