maninashed
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Post by maninashed on Oct 21, 2013 13:15:17 GMT
This is is a long shot but I was wondering if anyone here has played a Sigma OOOR-28VS and a Norman ST40 Folk and could give their opinions of them both, I'm considering a new acoustic and these are two I'm very interested in. I know the thing to do is to play them both then decide but this might not be possible as they are available in two different places and I'm not sure I can get to both.
Thanks!
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Post by scorpiodog on Oct 21, 2013 15:11:42 GMT
I haven't, but I'm surprised you're testing them against each other. One's a dreadnought and one's a 000. You can do everything on everything, but I'd say the Sigma would be likely more suitable for fingerstyle and the Norman for flatpicking. So bear in mind what you play before deciding. I wonder whether this helps: Sadly, they're not playing the same stuff on both, but I'd expect them to be better at different things anyway. I have a Sigma 000M1ST that I like and think is a fantastically good value guitar. but that's not really comparable with the Sigma you're contemplating (it's a good bit cheaper!). I'm really sorry, but I think you should try them both.
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stringdriventhing
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Post by stringdriventhing on Oct 21, 2013 15:19:12 GMT
This is is a long shot but I was wondering if anyone here has played a Sigma OOOR-28VS and a Norman ST40 Folk and could give their opinions of them both, I'm considering a new acoustic and these are two I'm very interested in. I know the thing to do is to play them both then decide but this might not be possible as they are available in two different places and I'm not sure I can get to both. Thanks! Ah, the eternal conundrum. The guitars we want to compare never seem to be together in the same shop! Never played either model (unhelpful I know) but I'd imagine they'd sound pretty different - cedar vs spruce top. The Norman also seems to be all solid which should in theory make it the better guitar. I've got a few pals with Sigmas and they are really nice guitars. I play a Seagull dread (from the same Godin stable as Norman) with a cedar top and I really like it. Not helpful at all really ;-)
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stringdriventhing
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Post by stringdriventhing on Oct 21, 2013 15:21:05 GMT
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stringdriventhing
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Post by stringdriventhing on Oct 21, 2013 15:25:46 GMT
Here's a vid of the Norman getting played:
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maninashed
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Post by maninashed on Oct 21, 2013 16:23:25 GMT
Thanks stringdriventhing the 'ST40 Folk' is the one I'm interested in, the small bodied slot head. The Sigma is also slot head but 12 fret as well which I like. I've had a look at the vids before and it's quite hard to get a clear idea the sound compared to each other, so much depends on the player and the recording conditions. I've heard good things about Norman and the new Sigmas, as evidenced in the opinions in this thread and the specs are similar but subtly different, such as the solid back and sides and cedar top on the Norman. I've also heard that the Sigma has a chunky neck which I like compared to the Norman which is quite slim. I think I must find a way to try both of them, as you say Scorpiodog!
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Post by scorpiodog on Oct 21, 2013 16:23:45 GMT
Ah! I really should learn to read things more thoroughly. They both seem like pretty tasty little guitars. It's amazing what you can get for your money these days.
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Post by earwighoney on Oct 21, 2013 21:21:36 GMT
The Sigma has a 25.5" scale, 1.75" nut and 2 5/16" string spacing at the saddle, The Norman on the other hand has a short scale, a narrower nut but a 2 1/8" string spacing at the saddle.
I've played the Sigma, it's a nice guitar but I think it's a bit overpriced, I think the Sigma OM-STT which is near enough half the price of it would be my pick. At that particular price bracket, I myself would prefer a all solid guitar if possible, the Faith Naked range are pretty fantastic for their price range.
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Post by sigmadel on Oct 21, 2013 22:15:55 GMT
Just to throw in my opinion . I've never played the Norman but I have played the Sigma and own the 000r28v and its stunning . Finished to perfection and sounds and looks way above the £389 price tag at which I believe the vs is also . The neck on both is pretty similar and is not chunky or uncomfortable in any way and I have smallish hands . It is in fact the opposite with a very nice smooth matt finish . A high quality rosewood board better than on many a guitar I've played at higher cost . Cracking Grover tuners a lovely straight tight quarter sawn piece of spruce and all the binding seems to be genuine herringbone . The Rosewood laminate used on the back and sides looks every inch the businesses with a lovely grain pattern inside as well as out . Solid bone nut and saddle , I could go on . I can't see how anyone could say they aren't worth the money when every review you read or speak to anyone who owns one of the new Sigmas raves about them . I have a mag with a review on the 00028vs I'll dig it out and post it to you if you want but at the end of the day it'll come down to what YOU prefer between the 2 , and as I've said I can't comment on the Norman but if it is indeed better than the Sigma then it must be an absolute belter .
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stringdriventhing
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Post by stringdriventhing on Oct 22, 2013 0:19:57 GMT
When I was trying out banjos recently (in different shops) I recorded myself playing them so I could compare later. Got some funny looks but it helped me make up my mind.
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stringdriventhing
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Post by stringdriventhing on Oct 22, 2013 0:25:51 GMT
At that particular price bracket, I myself would prefer a all solid guitar if possible, the Faith Naked range are pretty fantastic for their price range. I agree with you on the Faiths. Played quite a few of them in shops and always been impressed with them. Dunno if they do a small bodied guitar though, apart from the wee parlour.
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maninashed
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Post by maninashed on Oct 22, 2013 6:24:56 GMT
Thanks for your replies - a lot chew over! The price is interesting , I'll be buying abroad and the Sigma is advertised there at the equivalent of £225 new, making it a great deal. The Norman is around £390 making it more expensive than the US prices I've seen, it not being available in the UK. I assume this big difference is because the Norman is Canadian built. Obviously this makes the Sigma the much more attractive option.
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Post by sigmadel on Oct 22, 2013 8:52:44 GMT
Thanks for your replies - a lot chew over! The price is interesting , I'll be buying abroad and the Sigma is advertised there at the equivalent of £225 new, making it a great deal. The Norman is around £390 making it more expensive than the US prices I've seen, it not being available in the UK. I assume this big difference is because the Norman is Canadian built. Obviously this makes the Sigma the much more attractive option. From what I can find online they do Indeed seem to be made in Canada and used to be owned by Godin . Art and Luthrie and Seagull are also part of the same brand , I have played a couple of seagulls over the years and I really liked them but they were from memory OM size . Also as has been said the Normans quite often are Cedar over Cherry which will give a different sound to Spruce over Rosewood . I've not seen a Norman in about 15 years in a shop so it'll be tough trying to get both side by side to compare also a few years back a lot of shops that say had one of the guitars you wanted would often order the other in for you to try . Unfortunately with the current financial climate most won't do this , even the smaller backstreet shops . As I say I've got the mag with the review of the Sigma your interested in . If you pm me your address I'll post it to you for a look but it basically gets a great review saying its one of the best in that same size/price range available on the market . PS you do know that the new Sigmas are made by a German outfit AMI ?
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maninashed
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Post by maninashed on Oct 22, 2013 20:38:52 GMT
Here's a vid of the Norman getting played: There's a vid of the Sigma, before and after set-up that started off quite promising but the bloke managed to file his finger nails off completely while doing the set up which ruled out fingerpicking on the after part. I won't trouble you with it.
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stringdriventhing
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Post by stringdriventhing on Oct 22, 2013 23:11:08 GMT
Here's a vid of the Norman getting played: There's a vid of the Sigma, before and after set-up that started off quite promising but the bloke managed to file his finger nails off completely while doing the set up which ruled out fingerpicking on the after part. I won't trouble you with it. :-) These youtube vids aren't much use really. Half the guys are using mics and then you've got the recording equipment and playing style to factor in. Plus two guitars of the same model ain't gonna sound exactly the same.
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