Post by grayn on Apr 6, 2013 18:45:42 GMT
After looking around and playing a large selection of new and used, quality guitars, I decided to go for a Czech made, BSG acoustic. I tried about 6 or 7 of their models and have previously owned one of their OMs, which I stupidly, let go. The model I chose, was the GJ14F. GJ = Grand Jumbo, 14 = ovangkol (B & S) and F = full-solid (all-solid to you and me).
Now this is their Grand Jumbo and I usually prefer a small jumbo. But I couldn’t be happier with this slightly larger design. And A/Bing this model against a slightly higher spec, BSG dread, I very much realised that this design suits me far better than the standard dread shape.
I haven’t actually seen the spec for this particular guitar, written down. But it’s fairly obvious, what the materials are. It has a European Spruce Top, with Ovangkol B & S. The binding is Indian rosewood and the neck mahogany. The headstock has an ebony veneer, to the front, with an ovangkol veneer, to the rear. The latter being rather a nice touch, I think. As is the ovangkol heel cap. The tuners are Mini-Gotohs, with ebony buttons. And the rosette is Fishbone. BSG’s take on herringbone, I think. The bridge is also ebony.
BSG use 3 different headstock designs. The M, which is slightly Martinesque, with a flat top. The G, which is Gibsonesque and the slotted headstock. This model comes with a G style head. The mahogany neck has a superb, ebony fingerboard, that plays very comfortably. And even though the 1 11/16 nut is narrower than my Neptune’s 1 ¾, due to the slightly fuller neck design, they feel very similar to play. Which is a real boon, IMO.
The neck has a very responsive, positive feel. The Gotohs are pretty much perfect in looks and performance, although I’ve always had a soft spot for Schallers. The soundboard, rosette and bridge are fairly straight-down-the-line and a little plain, in appearance but the spruce has some character, which I’m hoping, may darken a little, with age.
The ovangkol, in appearance, is perhaps somewhere between mahogany and rosewood. Yet it has a lovely, golden sheen to it, particularly when reflecting light, from an angle. The binding, as always with BSG, looks stunning and very classy. Particularly along the side of the heel of the neck, where it joins the body and also, down the centre of the back.
Now the sound is what guitars are really about. And it was this guitar’s tone that swung it for me. It’s big, as you’d expect from a full size jumbo but it’s a very strong sound too. It projects and even penetrates more than a jumbo has the right to. OK, it’s not as personal or subtle as an OM or 00 but it is a real performer. It gives you plenty of sparkle, bottom end and even a decent mid-range, that allows a forceful projection. It is equally strong on single notes as chords, which again, is surprising, for a full jumbo.
It’s early days, so I don’t want to gush on. But yes, I like it. And another small plus, is the strangely positioned neck end, strap button, that I really didn’t like, on the BSG OM, I had previously. With the larger jumbo body, it balances a lot better. Though I would still prefer it, in the usual place.
BSG don’t supply cases for their guitars, as part of the price. Seems strange, when you can get a £500 Faith, with a very nice, hard case. I guess it’s an attempt to keep the prices competitive. But I’d have thought the guitar’s high quality would have been enough.
I was given a very sturdy Tribal Planet, mega-padded gig bag, with this guitar. And it is a very nice piece of kit. All in all I negotiated a 15% reduction from the retail price, so I was very happy with my deal. This lovely BSG will be a great back-up to my Neptune.
Now this is their Grand Jumbo and I usually prefer a small jumbo. But I couldn’t be happier with this slightly larger design. And A/Bing this model against a slightly higher spec, BSG dread, I very much realised that this design suits me far better than the standard dread shape.
I haven’t actually seen the spec for this particular guitar, written down. But it’s fairly obvious, what the materials are. It has a European Spruce Top, with Ovangkol B & S. The binding is Indian rosewood and the neck mahogany. The headstock has an ebony veneer, to the front, with an ovangkol veneer, to the rear. The latter being rather a nice touch, I think. As is the ovangkol heel cap. The tuners are Mini-Gotohs, with ebony buttons. And the rosette is Fishbone. BSG’s take on herringbone, I think. The bridge is also ebony.
BSG use 3 different headstock designs. The M, which is slightly Martinesque, with a flat top. The G, which is Gibsonesque and the slotted headstock. This model comes with a G style head. The mahogany neck has a superb, ebony fingerboard, that plays very comfortably. And even though the 1 11/16 nut is narrower than my Neptune’s 1 ¾, due to the slightly fuller neck design, they feel very similar to play. Which is a real boon, IMO.
The neck has a very responsive, positive feel. The Gotohs are pretty much perfect in looks and performance, although I’ve always had a soft spot for Schallers. The soundboard, rosette and bridge are fairly straight-down-the-line and a little plain, in appearance but the spruce has some character, which I’m hoping, may darken a little, with age.
The ovangkol, in appearance, is perhaps somewhere between mahogany and rosewood. Yet it has a lovely, golden sheen to it, particularly when reflecting light, from an angle. The binding, as always with BSG, looks stunning and very classy. Particularly along the side of the heel of the neck, where it joins the body and also, down the centre of the back.
Now the sound is what guitars are really about. And it was this guitar’s tone that swung it for me. It’s big, as you’d expect from a full size jumbo but it’s a very strong sound too. It projects and even penetrates more than a jumbo has the right to. OK, it’s not as personal or subtle as an OM or 00 but it is a real performer. It gives you plenty of sparkle, bottom end and even a decent mid-range, that allows a forceful projection. It is equally strong on single notes as chords, which again, is surprising, for a full jumbo.
It’s early days, so I don’t want to gush on. But yes, I like it. And another small plus, is the strangely positioned neck end, strap button, that I really didn’t like, on the BSG OM, I had previously. With the larger jumbo body, it balances a lot better. Though I would still prefer it, in the usual place.
BSG don’t supply cases for their guitars, as part of the price. Seems strange, when you can get a £500 Faith, with a very nice, hard case. I guess it’s an attempt to keep the prices competitive. But I’d have thought the guitar’s high quality would have been enough.
I was given a very sturdy Tribal Planet, mega-padded gig bag, with this guitar. And it is a very nice piece of kit. All in all I negotiated a 15% reduction from the retail price, so I was very happy with my deal. This lovely BSG will be a great back-up to my Neptune.
Jo whoever he is.
