Halcyon 000

[Myopic Squirrel]

New to me - a 10 year old deep body Halcyon 000 adi/mahogany short scale (25") with forward shifted adi tapered X bracing. Since it was custom, Ed Bond described the tone as warm, dry & punchy compared to the standard Halcyon, with a stronger low end - thus the slightly deeper tail width of 4 1/2". Also "woodier". Strung with the same Curt Mangan light monels as my 000-40 MH, uncertain if it's confirmation bias, but after almost 3 months seems like it's easier to play. Appearance is in stark contrast to the 000-40 MH. And while "warm" definitely not as "warm" as the 000-40. Unfortunately not enough of a tonal difference to make a difference so letting the -40 go.

[jazzereh]

Aaaaaaand the price would be?  What's Ed's build number?

Also a bit confused about the -40 designation as I don't think Ed uses that with his builds.  I know the photo is of the 000 Halcyon but.......

And would you ship to Canada?  [That may end the discussion anyway]

Will need much more info but I have two of Ed's 000 and love them both.  Neither is mahogany.  So?

Thanks
Ralph

[Myopic Squirrel]

Ralph,

Sorry for the confusion. The -40 is the 000-40 Larrivee (s/n 142780- 9/20'24) which I am selling locally for $1700. Took delivery in January of what I thought was "it" until I found the Hal in August. Uncertain of having the luxury of Ed's 3 year wait list, jumped on it, so au revoir Larrivee.

The Hal is #119, commissioned in Jan '15, delivered Sept '15.

And I have no clue as to how I wound up posting 2 pics.

[jazzereh]

Well, keeping the Halcyon makes sense.  My two are excellent. 

Did kind of wonder about the -40 designation in your listing and the Halcyon photo. 

No problem and good luck with the sale.

[guitarman001]

So you are keeping the Halcyon and letting the Larrivee go?
Can you describe the tone, feel of the Halcyon?

My Halcyon build slot will be coming up soon.
He does lutz a lot so I think I'm going for that.
Then it's just whether I go for an OO 12 fret or a 14 fret OM... and whether I go for Honduran mahogany back & sides (might be too similar to my OM05) or Tasmanian Blackwood.

[William2]

I'd keep both just for having a different sound. That said, several years ago Maury's Music did a blind video of two guitars, and we were to pick the one we liked best. The one I liked best had a spruce top and the other one had a mahogany top. I think that is why I haven't acted on getting a mahogany instrument.

[Myopic Squirrel]

G-man,

RE: the tone, the original owner said Ed Bond described the tone as warm, dry & punchy compared to the standard Halcyon, with a stronger low end - thus the slightly deeper tail width of 4 1/2". Also woodier. The Hal is very balanced and the clarity of the treble strings is amazing. I lightly play melodies with a flat pick and the separation is excellent and the sustain is very good without being overwhelmed with overtones. It is physically lighter and the body is very active. The Hal necks are the same as the Larrs (Ed's CNC machine came from there) which I wanted (was also looking at Northwoods which I'm told have a larger neck) and it seems easier to play. A cowboy chordist rarely past the 9th fret, the action seems fine.

Since the Hal was built as somebody else's "ideal" I really lucked out, lacking the skilled educated ear to verbalize my "ideal" sound. I like this tone a lot. The Larr 000-40 MH has a warmer tone but IMO not enough of a difference to make a difference. If rosewood....

The Hal makes me really appreciate the Larrivee quality. Listening to and playing a factory made guitar at almost half the cost of a custom guitar - what an incredible value!

Congratulations approaching the starting line! Bet it seemed like forever awaiting your slot (can't believe it's up to 3 years). Curious about your choice of body sizes - the 12 00 v. another OM? Have you considered the 000? Had a mahogany OM-05 but sold it before the 000-40 MH so can't comment on tones, but Tasmanian Blackwood is very intriguing. Have fun!

[guitarman001]

Thanks for the details - appreciated!
The enhanced bass is interesting - deeper body will help for sure.
My Northwood OM neck is a touch chunkier than Larrivee. The OO is about the same.
I think I like the old compound radius necks the best. They just felt right though so many complained about the flat feel.

I think the OM has an amazing resonance to it and is big enough to be proper good for strumming, as well as fingerstyle.
And full scale length really does give that bit more punch in the bass.
BUT... I find myself frequently playing 12 frets more these days.
Specifically those whereby the bridge is placed lower down - nice tone and easier reach.
Ed doesn't shift the bridge down - like Martin, he increases the shoulders.
So that's not my perfect solution, but I think I may go for the OO - the reach wont improve (since bridge is in same place)..
But the sound should be pretty cool. Let's see.

I tried a Larrivee OOO but it is a bit too deep and big for me - but I appreciate the thought on that.
Tassie Blackwood.. I'm torn. Could be amazing and I hear great things.
But nothing has the thrum of mahogany and the Honduran stuff is running out so... decisions...

I hear you re lucking out. The Borneo rosewood Northwood I have was also somebody else's -> good we were able to luck out on these!

Talking about rosewood, I came across this vid.
I mean wow, how much more does that mahogany guitar jump out compared to the rosewood.. you can barely hear the rosewood at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgzekNhz-0E&t=105s

[Myopic Squirrel]

Gman -

Was suggesting a Halcyon 000 as an alternative to the OM. The site doesn't give the specs to compare.

And I was surprised with the Hal's higher bridge placement especially after comparing it to the Larr 000. Then remembered hearing/reading something about the bracing shifting the mass & stiffness of the top, thus affecting the acoustic center, and so this being a custom built.... Wondered if all Hal 000's bridges were positioned like this until reading your comments about the increased shoulders.

Interesting YT comparison between the 14 fret mahogany and 12 fret rosewood and the body sizes. The more of these I watch & listen to, learning not to assume anything.

I don't envy your decision. After the long wait you want to get it right. Best of luck!

[guitarman001]

Yep, gotcha - the body depth of the OOO is a bit too deep otherwise I'd be all over it.

Did the higher bridge placement result in a different tone compared to your 12 fret Larrivee?
I think the lower placement is optimal, while the shoulders heightened technique just gives it a bit more volume up top.

Thank you!

[Myopic Squirrel]

There was a warmer tone difference between the Hal & the Larr, but can't say if it was because of the lower bridge placement. And the difference wasn't substantial. *Is it due to a red spruce top v a Sitka top? *How much difference does the forward shifted tapered X bracing in the traditional style make? Ed told the original owner the low end is definitely stronger than the standard Hal. I don't have that educated of an ear to comment, and I've replaced the Hal's monels with PB's, otherwise would A/B to try to give you a better answer.

* welcome any comments re: these differences