NORTHWOOD R80 14-00

On first picking up the Northwood R80 14-00, lightness of touch and feel, were the first things apparent to me. Fingerstyle playing felt very easy and rang out from this little guitar. The tonal range was surprisingly full. Obviously it doesn't have the clout of a jumbo or dread, but I found it had a light, well defined sound.
Then out came the pick, my main tool for dancing on those vibrating strings. And to my ears, an even more appealing tone rang out from this littl’un. Vibrant and jaunty, clean and expressive, best describe how my ears perceive the Northwood’s sound.



Specifications
Top Wood: Solid Englemann Spruce
Back Wood: Solid Indian Rosewood
Side Wood: Solid Indian Rosewood
Binding: Rosewood
Headstock: Bound ivoroid, with Ebony headstock veneer
Rosette: Shell (abalone) inlayed soundhole rosette
Neck: One-piece quarter-sawn Mahogany
Neck Joint: Hand-fit, dove-tail neck joint
Fingerboard: Bound ivoroid Ebony fretboard
Strings: Elixer Nanoweb 80/20 (11-52)
Fingerboard Inlays: Abalone (dot) position markers
Fret Qty.: 20
Nut/Saddle: Bone/Bone
Nut Width: 45mm – 1.77 inches
Bridge: Ebony
Bridge Pins: Ebony with MOP Dot
Strings: Elixir Nanoweb 80/20 (11-52)
Finish Type: High gloss body and satin neck
PreAmp Pickup: Fishman Matrix Natural 2
Waist: 220mm – 8.66 inches
Upper bout: 270mm – 10.63 inches
Lower bout: 360mm – 14.17 inches
Body Depth: 80mm – 3.14 inches (neck) – 105mm – 4.13 (base)
Scale Length: 652mm – 25.6 inches
Total Length: 1020mm – 40.15 inches


So, how does the newbie fit in and compare to the rest of the herd?
First things first. Moving from one guitar to the other is a pleasure, although differing in small ways, they all feel similar to play and no uncomfortable adjusting is needed. That’s a relief.

This 00 is a very lively guitar. It’s tone being very suited to expressive play (vibrato etc.).
Before writing this review, I thought it only right to play and compare, all of my guitars. And what a pleasure that has been. Although quite different, they do genuinely feel like a little family. They mix and match very well.

This Northwood 14-fret 00, was hand made by John McQuarrie, in Canada. The finishing and build quality, as with all John’s guitars, that I have seen/played, is first rate. I got this as a used guitar but it is in mint condition and still feels new(ish). And from new, it sounds really good. Time and playing, I am sure, will take it to even greater things


I reckon this Northwood is in many ways, typically Canadian and there are some definite Larivee influences. But to my hands/ears, it is just a little more of a thoroughbred.