Orpheum NGD

[brad4d8]

2014 12-fret Guild Orpheum, from the custom shop in New Hartford. Haven't spent much time playing it, but really impressed with the workmanship. Pictures from the previous owner.

[tnvol]

Congrats! Gorgeous guitar!

[rolleiguy54]

Please give a review. Thanks.

[sevenpalms]

Dang...I want one! I've heard those are fabulous...enjoy it!

[robj144]

Orpheums are awesome. Congrats.

[Rockysdad]

Congrats, enjoy it for years

[Scotso]

I am not jealous. I do mot covet. But you are an aholio.

[rwmct]

An Orph! I have only seen one (for sale used at a Guitar Center in Manchester, CT as it happens).

I have my doubts that there was actually a "custom shop" in New Hartford and have the impression that the Orphs were made right alongside the other guitars. But maybe someone who took one of the factory tours will weigh in on the issue.

[brad4d8]

Originally Posted by rwmct

An Orph! I have only seen one (for sale used at a Guitar Center in Manchester, CT as it happens).

I have my doubts that there was actually a "custom shop" in New Hartford and have the impression that the Orphs were made right alongside the other guitars. But maybe someone who took one of the factory tours will weigh in on the issue.

I'm pretty sure the parts were made on the same CNC machines as the rest of the line, but looking at mine compared with my NH F512, shows definite signe of more personal attention, very clean back braces, the attention to detail around the soundhole. which is bound. Plus assembled with hide glue. I was on several factory tours, but my old chemo addled memory doesn't recall a lot of details about them, although Ren probably mentioned some. I've asked over on LTG if anyone has a better take on it.

[brad4d8]

Originally Posted by rolleiguy54

Please give a review. Thanks.

Spent some time with it tonight, and it definitely is a fine sounding and playing guitar. Even sound across all strings, good solid bass. Not sure what gauge or brand of strings, put my micrometer on the sixth, but my eyes aren't what the used to be, so couldn't read the thimble numbers. This was all finger style, I'll probably try a few things with a pick tomorrow, but I bought it to be my main finger style guitar. One weird buzz on the 8th fret, sixth string, but I think it may be from a ball end hanging too low under the bridge. I'll check that wigh a mirror, maybe tomorrow.

[Wade Hampton]

I have still yet to lay hands on one of these, or even be in the same room with one. All I've seen have been photos.

It does look nice, though!


whm

[1Charlie]

I owned one of these for a while. Great guitar. Really wide neck.

As a flatpicker, I went in another direction. It was definitely not the guitar's fault, it is a fingerpicker's dream.

Light, responsive, and real easy on the eyes!

[brad4d8]

Originally Posted by rwmct

An Orph! I have only seen one (for sale used at a Guitar Center in Manchester, CT as it happens).

I have my doubts that there was actually a "custom shop" in New Hartford and have the impression that the Orphs were made right alongside the other guitars. But maybe someone who took one of the factory tours will weigh in on the issue.

Explains some of the differences between regular and custom shop in New Hartford.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...ature=emb_logo

[rwmct]

Thanks for that. I had forgotten that video. I don't know, though, how much of that is unique to "custom shop" instruments and how much applied to everything they built in New Hartford. My F-30 std. was part of the least expensive line they made there, but it had the red spruce bracing, the bone nut, saddle, and pins, etc.

I am sure they spent more time on selecting the wood, and used a stricter quality control on "custom shop" instruments, though I would expect the same for all the higher end guitars. But really, that was a pretty small operation. That factory, to me, was essentially a boutique builder. I think it was mostly the same people were making all the instruments.

[Silly Moustache]

Being a 12 fret freak, I fancied one of these. A few months ago one came up on Ebay, and I made an offer, but the seller decided to keep it. Should he ever change his mind, my offer stands, although I have not had the chance to see play one.