NGD: Halcyon sloped dreadnought, lutz/mahogany

[D to the W]

The deets: sloped dreadnought, lutz top, mahogany back and sides. Rosewood bridge and fingerboard. Bracing pattern is patterned after a Gibson J-45; scalloped bracing. 24.75" scale length. Serial number is 50 -- lucky me!



Following along the build on Facebook, I couldn't help but notice that the other guitars being built at the same time were more popular. I think that's probably because I chose boring ol' mahogany. Sorry, Ed, for making #50 a boring one!

Originally I had been strongly considering buying a Gibson J-35. I'd always wanted a slope-shouldered dreadnought and the J-45 was just a little too pricey for me. The J-35 was cool, but I thought I'd explore cheaper options. I went to Bluedog Guitars and asked there, and Jenn told me about Ed Bond and the Halcyon line, which sounded too good to be true. I'd always been against ordering custom guitars (what if you hate it when it’s finished??) but Jenn assured me that custom builders are able to make adjustments so that the finished products aren’t just shots in the dark. I also got the impression that Ed wasn’t just flying by the seat of his pants and hoping for the best; he had some means of measuring and adjusting on the fly during the build process to optimize the sound. Ultimately, the proof was in the pudding: I played an all-mahogany OOO at Bluedog that convinced me that Ed was worth the gamble. I usually don’t care for all-hog guitars or smaller-bodied guitars, but this one was pretty impressive!

I got in touch with Ed, and discussed what I wanted. He didn’t try to upsell me on anything — in fact, later on he argued against upgrading to ebony for the FB and bridge — and only suggested lutz spruce for the top because I asked him about it. I wanted something with a more Gibson-y tone than his usual Halcyons: warmer, thumpier, more percussive. To this end, he used the J-45 bracing pattern, scalloped the frets (EDIT: braces), and left the top a shade thicker and the bracing a bit heavier than he ordinarily would. He seemed concerned at the time, warning me that his guitars never quite sound like Gibsons or Martins, but he could deliver a warmer Halcyon.

In talking to him during the build process, I learned that as I suspected, he does in fact apply engineering principles to his guitars. He takes even more measurements and makes even more adjustments than I thought could be possibly feasible. That’s what allows him to shape the tone of his guitars so controllably and repeatably.

Skip ahead six months to the present day: Halcyon #50 delivers on all of its promises and then some. It really does deliver a good Gibson-y thump, but with a generous dose of Halcyon richness. Moreover, it plays like an absolute dream; there’s no way to convey it quite in pictures or in sound so you’ll just have to take my word for it!

TL;DR: here are the sound clips.

https://soundcloud.com/d_to_the_w/sets/halcyon-demos

I recorded these using an AKG C1000S directed (roughly) at the 12th fret straight into my M-Audio FireWire 410, and then into Logic Pro X. I used the “Natural Strum” setting, and no mastering compression was applied (EDIT: there was gentle compression on the guitar channel itself). (There is a JJB Prestige 330 pickup installed, but I didn’t use it in the mix at all.)

Of course, I've had this guitar for all of three days and I'll have to see how it holds up over the years, but to this point I can’t recommend Halcyon Guitars highly enough. Ed was a pleasure to deal with and I really enjoyed talking guitars with him and visiting his shop. I love watching his builds and learning about how guitars are built. I love that someone is actually refusing to be at the whim of chance and taking charge, scientifically, of the tone of his guitars. I love the price — did I mention that yet? I paid half of what a J-45 costs and got an uber J-45 out of it. Above all, I love this guitar. It was 100% worth the wait and 200%… no, 250% worth the price.

EDIT: scalloped braces, not frets; also, no mastering compression was applied but there was gentle compression on the guitar channel itself.

[guitargarden]

D to the W,

Congratulations on your new beautiful Halcyon! Thanks for sharing your sound clips too. Very nicely played and it sounds great too.

I share your admiration of Halcyons and appreciation of Ed Bond. Do believe that Ed Bond offers fine quality guitars, made with dedication to craftsmanship and pleasing tones, at a bargain price. In fact, the all-Mahogany 000 that you tried belongs to me. It's a great one and keeps company here with a Halcyon Parlour. Each plays and sounds "bigger" than its respective size.

Originally Posted by D to the W

Ultimately, the proof was in the pudding: I played an all-mahogany OOO at Bluedog that convinced me that Ed was worth the gamble. I usually don’t care for all-hog guitars or smaller-bodied guitars, but this one was pretty impressive!

After reading your review of your new Halcyon Dreadnought, sure has me thinking about adding another Halcyon.

Wishing you many years of enjoyment with your Halcyon!

[picassov7]

That is a fine sounding Halcyon you got there! Hope it brings years of pleasure!

[Coffeeaddict]

Congrats! Now get off the internet and enjoy the new addition!

I have yet to hear a bad word about Halcyon's which makes me all the more anxious to receive mine. I am a bit jealous though - I would love to have the opportunity to drop by his shop and see some of the build process in person.

[roylor4]

Nice. Awesome when something exceeds your expectations. Nice sound clips.

[psychojohn]

D to the W; Thanks for the post and especially the sound clips. Impressive harmonic (not harmonica) playing on the instrumental clip, but being a Neil fan, I have to say I liked the Harvest moon clip the best.

It's striking how different you guitar sounds than that of blaren, for example:

https://soundcloud.com/blaren/ste-012

Of course they are different guitars (none the less, listen to his AJ compared to your J45) but to me this speaks to your comments on how Ed is using as much science as possible to create desired tones in these guitars rather than leaving it to chance or conventional wisdom/urban legend. Like you, he actually undersold me (on mine it was the saving a few on the Tusq rather than bone nut and saddle material as they both sound the same to him) rather than going with my own "upsell" for the bone. His concern for delivering what he says is evident in his work and people posts regarding their build.

To those considering a custom build, you need to check out Halcyon and Tinker guitars. Yes, I have my own build going on so I am biased, but am only likely to become more so upon receipt of my guitar.

Peace

John

[Halcyon/Tinker]

Thanks for posting that. Nice job!

I miss that little rascal. There is a spot on the 'one day' list for me to have one too.

John, I definitely hear the difference between bone and TUSQ. Between the two, to my ears TUSQ sounds more clear and defined. I prefer it personally...

[psychojohn]

Originally Posted by Halcyon/Tinker

John, I definitely hear the difference between bone and TUSQ. Between the two, to my ears TUSQ sounds more clear and defined. I prefer it personally...

Sorry for misunderstanding and misquoting. My local luthier echos your sentiments and suggests that the artificial quality of the Tusq allows a more evenly distributed material density throughout the material; and is also less, but more evenly pourus thereby producing a better and more consistent sound production across all strings.

[Halcyon/Tinker]

I would say he nailed it!

[Ramesses]

I really love the sound of that guitar. Congrats

[Dru Edwards]

DW, Welcome to the AGF and a great way to introduce yourself.

Congrats on the Halcyon. Lots of love for them here on the AGF. I've read nothing but great things about Ed's work.

[Hinto]

Ugh I have one on order, and now I want the months to fly by faster than ever!

Congrats!

[D to the W]

Thanks for the welcome -- I can already tell that I'm going to be spending far too much time reading the forums.

Should mention that Ed has really good sound clips of this guitar and the other ones he just finished, as well as some proper photos to go on his website, which I'm really eager to hear and see. I'm especially keen to hear the clips of his OMs, as I actually have an OM build in his queue myself.

[Halcyon/Tinker]

Hinto,

What do you have on order, do you know the number? We're working on around 55-65 right now...

[Dotneck]

Originally Posted by D to the W

, as I actually have an OM build in his queue myself.

Wow...another one? Did you order both at the same time?

I waiting too...mine will be a 12 fret 000 - padauk & Lutz. Should be around #70.