Post by grayn on Apr 7, 2013 15:29:41 GMT
This is a guitar I have quite regularly played and continually desired for around 6 months now. My old mate Val, from Northern Acoustics in Leeds, got it in, at around the same time as the Faith Signature models. I think it was his highest priced guitar, at the time.
The 3 Signature guitars blew me away. Then, when I played this Carolina Series Neptune, it somehow took things to another level. For those who haven’t read my previous Faith guitar ramblings, the standard Faith range are very good quality mid-priced, British designed, Indonesian made guitars, which have been around some years. These models are set-up by Patrick Eggle’s workshop, when they come into the UK. A few months back, Faith released a very limited range of “Signature” guitars. The signature being that of Patrick James Eggle, who had designed these models and had them hand made, in the Czech Republic.
Now the “Carolina” series had been hovering in the background, for some time. I’d only previously seen a photo of the Carolina Saturn (dreadnought) model. They were/are handmade by Mr Eggle himself and are pretty pricey. Actually, they are more costly than many of Patrick Eggle’s, own-brand guitars. On the internal label, it states that this guitar’s maker was Patrick James Eggle (signed). It also says it was handmade in North Carolina, USA.
Anyway, the Carolina, Neptune (small-jumbo) came into Val’s. And it was out of my price range. But, unlike many high-priced guitars I have played, this one, in my view, was worth every penny.
Well, as is obvious by me doing this review, I wheeled and dealed and finally had the good sense and good fortune, to acquire the guitar.
This all-solid wood jumbo, has an Alaskan sitka spruce top, with quarter-sawn bracing. The back and sides are of East Indian rosewood. Binding to the body and neck is Koa, with abalone purfling and rosette. The neck is of Honduran mahogany and has a satin finish. The fingerboard is ebony, with the only inlay being on the 12th fret. It is a stylistic, floral design, in mother of pearl, reflected on the head-plate. The tuners are Schaller M6s, the bridge and pins are ebony and the body is finished in a nitro cellulose lacquer.
(Measurements)
Nut Width: 44.5mm - 1.75ins
Upper Bout: 300mm - 11.8ins
Waist: 240mm - 9.5ins
Lower bout: 410mm - 16.1ins
Body Depth: 110mm - 4.3ins (rear) 95mm - 3.75ins (front)
Body length: 510mm - 20.1ins
Scale Length: 645mm - 25.4ins
Although interesting, the stats are the parts, that can’t fully tell of the whole. This Faith jumbo is sized somewhere between a OM and a full-on jumbo. It’s looks are simple, with a small amount of bling. The Alaskan, sitka, spruce top, has a warm, golden hue. The slim-line, abalone rosette and purfling, work just perfectly, with the guitar’s otherwise, woody appearance. The back and sides, of E.I.R. have some of the nicest graining I have seen and is perfectly joined by the koa binding, which continues onto the neck. All is finished to a superb standard. Everything just works a treat.
Action is low on this guitar, yet very solid, with no unpleasant buzzes. The set-up was ideal, from the start. No fettling needed here. The neck and fingerboard are fast and very smooth. It is very comfortable, from bottom to top. That ideal balance of strength and solidity, with ease of play and comfort, make this guitar a joy to play. It is also Inspiring, with it’s responsive feel and the air of confidence, that it can deal with pretty much anything your fingers throw at it.
This Neptune has a well rounded sound. Warm and balanced. Expressive and clean, with a separation and definition that just makes you want to play, discovering more about it’s sweet tone.
Compared to the Faith Signature jumbo, which has a gorgeous, large, vibrant tone, the Neptune actually has more bass, which is apparent, with the lightest touch. It has the sweeter, more sophisticated sound. The Signature jumbo has to be pushed a little. The Carolina jumbo has it all, waiting to be discovered, with the deftest of touches. Yet it can be pushed hard, remaining poised and balanced.
There are a couple of things I’d change about this guitar. The head-plate, though it is purely down to taste really. It looks very nice. All-black, with a pearl, Faith logo and stylistic floral pattern, reflected on the 12th fret inlay. But I’d have preferred a wood head-plate. Whether in the E.I.R. of the back and sides, or of Koa, as used on the binding, I feel it would have been even more in keeping with the overall look of the guitar. The second is that with Koa binding on the side of the neck, black fret markers have been used. Aesthetically it works but visually those markers could disappear, in a low light.
The Neptune comes with a creamy, light fawn coloured, Cedar Creek case. Strong? Yes. Classy? Yes. Really heavy? God, Yes! Look out, if you’ve got a bad back.
Now I have bought and sold many guitars over the last few years. Too many really. Mostly due to GAS but also in the search for a quality guitar that really suited my tastes and playing style. They have all taught me something, even if it was just that I shouldn’t have bought them. But mostly they inspired me, to try different ideas and in some cases, write new songs.
I’ve learnt a lot about the intricacies and subtleties of acoustic guitars and it has been a very enjoyable journey. I’ve written a lot of reviews but I don’t think I’ve ever said this: I think this is the one. The guitar for me. Feel, sound and looks, they all do it for me, with this guitar. The cynic in me says “Oh yes, we’ll see”. But I think I’ve finally got it right.
The 3 Signature guitars blew me away. Then, when I played this Carolina Series Neptune, it somehow took things to another level. For those who haven’t read my previous Faith guitar ramblings, the standard Faith range are very good quality mid-priced, British designed, Indonesian made guitars, which have been around some years. These models are set-up by Patrick Eggle’s workshop, when they come into the UK. A few months back, Faith released a very limited range of “Signature” guitars. The signature being that of Patrick James Eggle, who had designed these models and had them hand made, in the Czech Republic.
Now the “Carolina” series had been hovering in the background, for some time. I’d only previously seen a photo of the Carolina Saturn (dreadnought) model. They were/are handmade by Mr Eggle himself and are pretty pricey. Actually, they are more costly than many of Patrick Eggle’s, own-brand guitars. On the internal label, it states that this guitar’s maker was Patrick James Eggle (signed). It also says it was handmade in North Carolina, USA.
Anyway, the Carolina, Neptune (small-jumbo) came into Val’s. And it was out of my price range. But, unlike many high-priced guitars I have played, this one, in my view, was worth every penny.
Well, as is obvious by me doing this review, I wheeled and dealed and finally had the good sense and good fortune, to acquire the guitar.
This all-solid wood jumbo, has an Alaskan sitka spruce top, with quarter-sawn bracing. The back and sides are of East Indian rosewood. Binding to the body and neck is Koa, with abalone purfling and rosette. The neck is of Honduran mahogany and has a satin finish. The fingerboard is ebony, with the only inlay being on the 12th fret. It is a stylistic, floral design, in mother of pearl, reflected on the head-plate. The tuners are Schaller M6s, the bridge and pins are ebony and the body is finished in a nitro cellulose lacquer.
(Measurements)
Nut Width: 44.5mm - 1.75ins
Upper Bout: 300mm - 11.8ins
Waist: 240mm - 9.5ins
Lower bout: 410mm - 16.1ins
Body Depth: 110mm - 4.3ins (rear) 95mm - 3.75ins (front)
Body length: 510mm - 20.1ins
Scale Length: 645mm - 25.4ins
Although interesting, the stats are the parts, that can’t fully tell of the whole. This Faith jumbo is sized somewhere between a OM and a full-on jumbo. It’s looks are simple, with a small amount of bling. The Alaskan, sitka, spruce top, has a warm, golden hue. The slim-line, abalone rosette and purfling, work just perfectly, with the guitar’s otherwise, woody appearance. The back and sides, of E.I.R. have some of the nicest graining I have seen and is perfectly joined by the koa binding, which continues onto the neck. All is finished to a superb standard. Everything just works a treat.
Action is low on this guitar, yet very solid, with no unpleasant buzzes. The set-up was ideal, from the start. No fettling needed here. The neck and fingerboard are fast and very smooth. It is very comfortable, from bottom to top. That ideal balance of strength and solidity, with ease of play and comfort, make this guitar a joy to play. It is also Inspiring, with it’s responsive feel and the air of confidence, that it can deal with pretty much anything your fingers throw at it.
This Neptune has a well rounded sound. Warm and balanced. Expressive and clean, with a separation and definition that just makes you want to play, discovering more about it’s sweet tone.
Compared to the Faith Signature jumbo, which has a gorgeous, large, vibrant tone, the Neptune actually has more bass, which is apparent, with the lightest touch. It has the sweeter, more sophisticated sound. The Signature jumbo has to be pushed a little. The Carolina jumbo has it all, waiting to be discovered, with the deftest of touches. Yet it can be pushed hard, remaining poised and balanced.
There are a couple of things I’d change about this guitar. The head-plate, though it is purely down to taste really. It looks very nice. All-black, with a pearl, Faith logo and stylistic floral pattern, reflected on the 12th fret inlay. But I’d have preferred a wood head-plate. Whether in the E.I.R. of the back and sides, or of Koa, as used on the binding, I feel it would have been even more in keeping with the overall look of the guitar. The second is that with Koa binding on the side of the neck, black fret markers have been used. Aesthetically it works but visually those markers could disappear, in a low light.
The Neptune comes with a creamy, light fawn coloured, Cedar Creek case. Strong? Yes. Classy? Yes. Really heavy? God, Yes! Look out, if you’ve got a bad back.
Now I have bought and sold many guitars over the last few years. Too many really. Mostly due to GAS but also in the search for a quality guitar that really suited my tastes and playing style. They have all taught me something, even if it was just that I shouldn’t have bought them. But mostly they inspired me, to try different ideas and in some cases, write new songs.
I’ve learnt a lot about the intricacies and subtleties of acoustic guitars and it has been a very enjoyable journey. I’ve written a lot of reviews but I don’t think I’ve ever said this: I think this is the one. The guitar for me. Feel, sound and looks, they all do it for me, with this guitar. The cynic in me says “Oh yes, we’ll see”. But I think I’ve finally got it right.
Jo whoever he is.
