Northwood Borneo Rosewood

[guitarman001]

Purchased this instrument used (thanks to the original owner for relinquishing possession!)

OM-70 with super high quality Wintergrain Engelmann top (my 1st Engelmann... John gets the best Engelmann so it's strong -> you get the sweet harmonics yet it also strums like a beast).

Borneo "rosewood" on the back, sides and sound hole (I understand it's not a true rosewood but I like it - a deep red hue and attractive grain). Highs almost reminiscent of Guatemalan rosewood, mids like mahogany and a refined bass which is very addictive - it was described as having bass almost like that of a woodwind instrument and I'd have to agree. It has a lot of punch, too.

In person, this not only looks and feels incredible but the sound out of this thing is really stunning.

Body is super light gloss, neck is satin (nice!!) mahogany, koa binding, slot-head tuners, 25.6" scale, pyramid bridge, K&K fitted (always my preference), 4.25" body depth and light as a feather (4 pounds).

I also have a deep bodied Studio OO (adi/hog) and John hit it out of the park both times - that guitar has such a resonant bloom, it's unreal (and is as loud as an OM).

I cannot praise the quality and sound of this guitar enough. It is really unbelievable. This is, to my knowledge, also a one-off. I'm very happy to own it.

I need to keep my wallet under wraps but thanks to John McQuarrie at Northwood and Kenn at Paramount Guitars -> two class acts! Pics to follow.

[guitarman001]

[guitarman001]

[guitarman001]

Obligatory photo of the amazing Studio OO (can't resist, it's just too beautiful and the sound so haunting!!)
--> Adi top hence K&K!



John is building some of the best guitars out there.

[jim777]

That koa binding is exquisite, really looks great!

[Queequeg]

Beautiful.
 
A lot of really pretty wood coming out of Indonesia.
I always like a pyramid bridge.
Rare combination of slothead and 14-fretter.
I have only played a Northwood once, many years ago. The memory lingers in a good way.
Congratulations.

[guitarman001]

Thanks, guys! I obvs posted this on another forum, too... because I think John deserves max coverage!


I'm not usually big into looks, but these guitars really do look superb.

I'm going to have to learn how to restring a slot head :)

[jweave69]

    

[teh]

Congratulations on a great discovery that will offer you many years of enjoyment.

[guitarman001]

Thank you - you are all such a great and supportive bunch!
 
I tuned this down to Eb this morning (at 6:30am as was dying to play it!) and it sounds great.

Usually I play standard tuning with 11s but 12s and Eb is also pretty good... not sure which I prefer.

Eb is a darker sound (and the overall tension is less - maybe too slack) but most songs are in E...


I really like the alternative rosewoods on bigger (basically.. the softer ones, which fill out the mid-range).
I'm very keen to try Madagascar.

Really enjoying this one, which I am calling the "cello" due to its woody timbre in the bass.

[guitarman001]

I think this, in a very short time, has become my favourite guitar.

I'm a massive fan of the soft rosewoods. They tame the highs and lows and add mids. I'm also now a huge fan of John's stiff engelmann. Soft sound laden with harmonics yet strums well. The entire package looks, plays and sounds incredible (very woody and ethereal). This is a world class guitar.

I must do some sound clips.

[teh]

The attention to detail in those photos is evident. I even noticed that the Phillips head screws on the open tuners are even lined up symmetrically so it's safe to assume that the same precision was applied throughout the entire build process.

FWIW, I feel the same way about my 00-24 but I have started working the rest of my guitars back into the playing rotation so they don't get jealous.

[Silence Dogood]

That's a beautiful guitar with some unusual appointments.  I bet it sounds and feels great.  Play it in good health for many years to come!

[guitarman001]

Thank you, all!
Wow, good spot re the attention to detail.....!
I'll bet that OO24 is amazing -> especially on the OO with bridge moved down.

[StringPicker6]

Those are some beautiful pictures!!! Congratulations, they must sound heavenly!

[guitarman001]

They're certainly "different" which is my goal -> though makes anything harder to move on!
I don't think I'll ever move on these Northwoods or most of my present crop.
Engelmann and this rare Borneo rosewood is a winner. The sound is really unique.
The deep bodied adi / hog with lower bout placement is gold (I think I prefer sitka to adi, but it's cool and different)

Thank you!

[guitarman001]

I'm really fancying another OO but struggling to think what wood combo. Incoming Halcyon is gonna be Lutz & Tassie blackwood but Halcyon OO doesn't push the bridge down like Larrivee/Northwood (which is cool - will probably settle on an OM).

I reckon John can do a good one, maybe not deep body like the one pictured above (just for variety.. but that adi/Honduran hog is a beast). I absolutely love the wintergrain engelmann - full of harmonic richness, there is bass (sometimes lost/lower-volume on softer woods but not here) and it strums incredibly well - the wintergrain stuff is brilliant. Lots of "punch" which I've discovered I really like in a guitar (delivering a physical sensation {oo er!} which drives the sound waves forward)

Even layman's tell me that the tone is "different" and "rich" - I look forward to getting this back in my hands after holiday.

[StringPicker6]

I recommend a forum VII 00 guitar. 

[guitarman001]

Might be my eternal regret to not go for one; combination of too many already + 60th anniversary coming up + lack of demos and having questions on redwood but not wanting to piss anybody off with my questions!