Norman Blake's SD-50

[Tycho]

A week or so ago we were talking about how Norman Blake bought an SD-50 but then sold it.  Here it is, for sale in the UK; I discovered it by accident through a link at the Acoustic Guitar forum.  I have no affiliation with the seller.  (In fact, I've never heard of the seller before.)  I'm tempted myself, because I idolize Norman, but I probably can't swing it right now.  (You'll see from the pics that the sales package includes the original receipt from Gayl at Betterbilt.)


http://www.goodacoustics.com/forsale.htm#28

[jwsamuel]

I know the seller and he is fine to deal with.

Jim

[FNG]

I think Gayl at Betterbilt has another one in stock also, but in Braz. 

This goes to show that the Larrivee Custom shop is open.  You just get what Jean wants to build, like the Mad. Rosewood L-09.  I also think he probably has good taste and ears for guitars.

[Tycho]

I still have a problem with the wide neck of the SD-50, but for me the attraction would be owning a guitar that Norman Blake had owned and played, however briefly.

Pathetic, I know.   

[pakhan]

Hi guys,

a friend mentioned he saw the Blake SD50 discussed on here so I thought I'd pop my head in and say hello. I bought that guitar off Norman primarily for myself as I love that old mahogany dread sound- considering Norman has a good ear and knows what he's doing, I figured it was a good bet.

It's just a killer guitar, you can put it next to the authentics and it will still shine. I dare say it'll hold it's own against a late 40's D18 too. I've tried a few SD50s and this is definitely the best of the bunch powerful and with the thick lyrical treble I know Norman looks for.

Unfortunately, it's just a big too big for me size wise- I'm 5'6" and the guitar takes up a whole lot of real estate when I play and kills my right shoulder so I have to part with it. Tycho, I have smallish hands and haven't found the 1 7/8" nut to be an issue, have you spent a good amount of time around that neck yet? I think you'll be surprised how well you adapt!

Jim>> thanks!

Warmest regards,
Terence
www.goodacoustics.com

[Tycho]

Terence,

Thanks for dropping by and joining the thread!  I am sooo tempted.  Believe me, it would be worth it to me to own a guitar Norman had played whether it was comfortable or not.

Unfortunately, I have to renovate the basement this summer, and I think that has to take priority. 

[Betterbilt Fretted Products]

Hello,

Norman has gotten several guitars from us and has played more than one Larrivee.  If this is the one I think, SD 50 TSB, Norman told me "that is a fine instrument".   When he first got it he could not put it down but he is just like many of us, he likes to buy and sell instruments.

Gayl

[Novalis]

I bought my SD-50 from Gayl last year and love it. I don't have large hands and I don't have any issues with the 1 7/8" neck, it just took some time to adjust. Now I have to adjust a little bit when I play my 1 3/4".

[jwsamuel]

Unfortunately, I have to renovate the basement this summer, and I think that has to take priority. 

What good is renovating your basement if you don't have an SD-50 to put in it?

Jim

[Tycho]

I'll see if I can make that logic fly with my better half! 

[PortHueneme]

What good is renovating your basement if you don't have an SD-50 to put in it?

Jim

Go one step further and build some built-in display cases.
You know, if you build it, they will come. (Field of Dreams).

[pakhan]

Terence,

Thanks for dropping by and joining the thread!  I am sooo tempted.  Believe me, it would be worth it to me to own a guitar Norman had played whether it was comfortable or not.

Unfortunately, I have to renovate the basement this summer, and I think that has to take priority. 

Thanks. I well know the feeling of life getting in the way of GAS!

Warmest regards,
Terence
www.goodacoustics.com

[Betterbilt Fretted Products]

This is Norman Blake's current Larrivee:

http://www.ultimateguitarforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=2397.0

[stuco]

 

Buy it, buy it!

[george kraushaar]

I've got an 000-50 which is really super.  It's deeper than a Martin 000; therefore it has the volume of a dread with the balance of an 000.  Can't ask for anything more than that.

[Queequeg]

Terence,

Thanks for dropping by and joining the thread!  I am sooo tempted.  Believe me, it would be worth it to me to own a guitar Norman had played whether it was comfortable or not.

Unfortunately, I have to renovate the basement this summer, and I think that has to take priority. 

Tycho! snap out of it!
Basements flood.
No one has ever documented a single instance of an SD-50 flooding.

[Calvin]

Both the SD50 and SD60 are outstanding guitars.  I've not seen a dud yet.