Greenfield G1 Fan Fret Test Drive

[Cincy2]

I recently placed an order for a Greenfield G3 and couldn't stand the wait any longer. Guitar Gallery had a 2015 G1 for sale that I picked up last week. After a few hours of playing it, here are my impressions.

Visual: There is no physical way you could construct a guitar better. Every joint, every shape. It's all there. No guitar at any price that I have owned, played or dreamed about does it better. The Amazon Rosewood and Spruce are flawless.

Physical: I've had many guitars with arm rests and bevels but none comes close to the comfort of the "Laskin" bevel. It just feels right. The size is very comfortable holding it on my left thigh with an ErgoPlay guitar support.

Tone: Phenomenal balance. Floods of overtones but not to the point the fundamental is diminished. The trebles are so sweet and so easy to get right. There is a ton of color from ponticello to tasto. The thick, juicy sound is at your fingertips at any time. The sustain even at fret 15 and 17 is hard to believe unless you hear it. Basses are full and crisp with plenty of sustain.

Other: I thought Rodgers was solely in the classical tuner business. This guitar has a set of their single gear tuners. Perfectly smooth. Zero backlash. Gorgeous to look at.

I was disappointed in the Accord case and will likely replace it. There is no support for the headstock and no compartment under the neck. It's light like a Karura but doesn't have the solid feel of my Hoffee's.

I'm going to get a mirror (if I can stop playing it long enough) to look at the soundboard bracing. This is a heavy guitar so I don't expect to see lattice bracing. The back has something called a "Tone Halo". I don't understand how it works but whatever it does, it does really well. The sides are doubled with Indian Rosewood inside the Amazon. This is likely where the weight comes from. I love the solid feeling and stability.

I've owned a couple of Lowden Fan Frets over the years and never had an issue playing them. Likewise with this instrument. I'm going to put a set of Medium strings on it and see what it will do in DADGAD.

This guitar is the first steel string I've ever seen that had an elevated fretboard. Its fairly common on classical guitars to help with reaching the frets past 12 without a cutaway. No issues with this guitar in that respect.

There is a scene in the movie Mozart that I refer to at times like this. In the vignette, Salieri is listening to a Mozart composition and is clearly overcome by its beauty. He says that to change even one note would diminish the perfection the composer achieved apparently effortlessly. So it is with this instrument. I would not change a single feature. I hope I get to meet Mr. Greenfield someday so I can tell him the joy that his works of art bring to the player. I am fulfilled.

Cincy

[barley]

That is a stunningly beautiful guitar. Enjoy!

[Jabberwocky]

Astounding!

[ChalkLitIScream]

Lovely instrument. I watched that documentary on the building of a Greenfield just last night. The number of times Ive watched it should be close to double figures now. Just a very calming yet astounding video that gives us insight into the things these instruments undergo.

The rosette he cuts from spalted wood looks especially unique too.

Enjoy that masterpiece.

[AcousticDreams]

You lucky guy you...Amazon rosewood is my fave! Beautiful tones.

[drplayer]

Just Gorgeous...Congrats! I have to wait until early 2020 for the Greenfield that I recently commissioned, so until then I'll live vicariously through you if you don't mind! As for the weight, I agree it is likely from the laminated tonewood rim set (sides). I believe Michael actually uses more than two layers, but I could be mistaken.

[Dwight]

That is insanely nice!!!! Congratulations!

[gitarro]

I was previously interested in getting the exact G1 that you purchased only a few months ago. It sounds like you have gotten a winner there! Play it in gpod health!

[cigarfan]

Excellent!!! Congrats on a real beauty.

[jay7347]

I think this is what my wife means when she says I'm looking at "guitar porn" on the computer. Gosh what a beautiful guitar. And to think it probably sounds better than it looks. Congrats and a slap on the back! ;-)
-jay

[Goodallboy]

A lovey instrument, enjoy it for many years!

[Mycroft]

That does look nice. I've heard that Greenfields are nice guitars. What is the scale(s) on it?

[tippy5]

Thanks for the apt description and delightful pictures.

I also watched Mr. Greenfield's video for the second time a couple of days ago. I sent it to a friend who responded about it. He now wants some tools. He is going to try a bolt on electric first.

Enjoy the deep tone and beautiful design.

[Cincy2]

Originally Posted by Mycroft

That does look nice. I've heard that Greenfields are nice guitars. What is the scale(s) on it?

I'm guessing 25.5 inch for high E and 26.5 for the low E.

Cincy