Offical NGD F55E

Rayk

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Well ok so after I picked the lock on the guitar case to reveal its good inside I was pleasantly pleased . The box was quite warm coming off the truck so I had concerns rolling around in my head. The box was packed well with lots air padding or bubble stuff but not bubble wrap its the new bubble wrap :) so it was insulated .

I slow raised the guitar out of the case and as I did a big smile grew across my face . My gaze left the body taking in the fret board and its smooth features , from there to the inlays beautiful and all spot on . My gaze then went to the head stock slowly following its curves closely looking at the binding and then rotating to the back, flawless .

The tuners all shiny and their movement ever so smooth and the walnut center strip saying I'm here too ! looking fine I might say. Now I lower my gaze admiring her smooth long neck and the nice heal she sports , its joint fluid and tight , now she tricks you draws your attention away to the beautiful upper bout , the lines on the sides calling out saying I am beautiful I am strong . I blush , now moving my gaze to the waist and then to the bottom Err lower bout full of the same flowing lines made of gorgeous East Indian Rosewood .

Now we can't forget the back , straight lines showing a species of a very good quality which ultimately highlighted the curves ,nothing but perfection here . back to the fret board ,the frets are smooth properly set with no Binding bumps or push outs and the fret board is level , a fret board that finally meets my standards without having to go through five guitars to achieve.

Nothing is truly perfect though , hence her burst but in truth pictures make it worse then it is and if that is the only thing I can find out of sorts on this guitar then I'm pretty happy I can certainly live with it .

Over all this guitar has great fit and almost perfect finish well no its finish is perfect its just the burst edge alignment thats off . Now keep in mind this was a demo so again small concession.

The case is awesome and very snug even in the closing it is tight but when it is closed it's closed !

This guitar is still off gassing and I assume it's NCL and since its still smells pretty strong this guitar was not out of the case much at all or its newer then i think .
It was said have some signs of player wear but I cant find a scratch on it and the plastic is still on the pick guard.

Now on to playing it , how does it sound ? well pretty darn good ! Now don't take this wrong but in learning about the F150c Westerly collection I read where one description described the guitar as have softer tone then one would expect and with this guitar I find it similar but in no way am i comparing the two to each other .

Of coarse I was finger picking and strumming with no pick haha once I did pick up a pick she perked up nicely.
I find it notes extremely well upon strumming the mids slightly over power the highs to my ear . I'll find out along with the rest you folks if its the same on the Mics and recording side .

Clyde in his review mentioned it sounded a little dry and I was scratching my head at that but he's right and I cant find a better word to describe it. In all actuality best comparison I can make is it resembles My CO-2 Adirondack and Mahogany the Honduran kind I believe.

Her over tones are subtle more like they have not yet matured.

Finger picking she sounds very smooth soothing with no notes fighting to heard as work together as group and are well balanced . Bass notes played high up the neck don't sound overly flat , I'm not sure if thats the right description but it works for me as many guitars fight for bass clarity up that high and the notes fade fast not so with the F55E.

The low end to me is fat and crisp and the top rumbles well agreement. its full without being over powering or boomy

When you strum her haha well she lets you shes here but holding back a bit but kick it up a notch and she will get noticed .

I have a good feeling about this guitar and once she opens up she'll really shine .

The top is thin I noticed that right off the bat . The back bracing is a basic U shape or just around over top edge but their very low on height compared to the more modern standard bracing that usually sport the multi angle top edge.

The Top bracing as shown in Clyde's recent Thread reduces in thickness to something close a 1/8 maybe less as it nears the lining and i have to look again but does it stop short of the lining ?

I find this interesting in trying understand the top stress of the strings and how its equaled out.

One thing I also noticed very quickly was the top vibrating when I strummed a chord , my facial expression was of Spock raising the one eyebrow look . Very nice indeed .

The neck feel/shape is just right for me. I get a full support feeling in chording up the neck . maybe its considered a soft C shape ? I just know that thinner necks make you use what I would call a pinching grip instead of getting a bit of down pressure as your thumb cradles the top of C shape . Umm... more meat to hold on to !

Oh boy I should remove line LOL

Now what don't I like about it ? well nothing but what I'd like to see added would be a Arm Bevel. Many are incorporating that into their lines even on cheap guitars so , since their upgrading the inside why not the outside ?

I will do a audio track demo soon as I can in the mean time here are a few pics


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Rayk

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few more
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CosmicArkie

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At first I thought I was reading a soft porn romance novel.

Then I saw the pictures.

Then I understood.

It was a romance novel.
 

txbumper57

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Congrats Ray! She looks Gorgeous and I am really glad you are happy with it. Looks like a keeper for sure.:encouragement:

TX
 

beecee

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At first I thought I was reading a soft porn romance novel.

Then I saw the pictures.

Then I understood.

It was a romance novel.


I dunno, I'm a tad aroused.

Stunning!

Was hoping to have the UGD (Ultimate) w/the D70 but wowee!
 
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At first I thought I was reading a soft porn romance novel.

Then I saw the pictures.

Then I understood.

It was a romance novel.

Yeah, with prose like this "Her over tones are subtle more like they have not yet matured.", I think Rayk may be in love.
 

Rayk

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Congrats l am glad you like her. Hopefully my dealer will get one in soon.
That would be great but may have to ask them to .:)

Happy Day, Ray - congrats on a gorgeous new Guild!
Thanks

Yeah, with prose like this "Her over tones are subtle more like they have not yet matured.", I think Rayk may be in love.
She’s growing on me . I really like the new bracinging and they even have a little carved brace on the pick guard side of the sound hole .
It’s so cute !

Congrats!!! Gorgeous guitar! There’s nothing like a spruce and rosewood jumbo!

Ah men brother ! ;)
 

adorshki

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Nothing is truly perfect though , hence her burst but in truth pictures make it worse then it is and if that is the only thing I can find out of sorts on this guitar then I'm pretty happy I can certainly live with it .
"What everybody else has said"
:friendly_wink:
This guitar is still off gassing and I assume it's NCL
Yep confirmed by Clydetower.
since it still smells pretty strong this guitar was not out of the case much at all or its newer then i think .
My F65ce kept its smell literally for years because it was stored in case.
Still has traces of scent when opening or if you sniff close to the finish, although granted I have a pretty sensitive nose.
It also slows down the yellowing process way down, and UV exposure (sunlight) accelerates it.
In case you want to go one way or the other.

Love the silking on those top close-ups.
It's my new "thing"
Letting the top yellow up really brings it out, btw.
If I wasn't in love with F40 bodies (guitars not bra sizes) I could get jealous.
 

Rayk

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"What everybody else has said"
:friendly_wink:

Yep confirmed by Clydetower.

My F65ce kept its smell literally for years because it was stored in case.
Still has traces of scent when opening or if you sniff close to the finish, although granted I have a pretty sensitive nose.
It also slows down the yellowing process way down, and UV exposure (sunlight) accelerates it.
In case you want to go one way or the other.

Love the silking on those top close-ups.
It's my new "thing"
Letting the top yellow up really brings it out, btw.
If I wasn't in love with F40 bodies (guitars not bra sizes) I could get jealous.

You should get into the CV-1 and 2 Al if you deal right you can get a good price :)
 
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cupric

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Love the discription and impressions. Also lol at the responses.
Very nice instrument. I'd love to try one. Enjoy!!!
 

geoguy

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Congrats . . . I was feeling a bit warm, while reading your initial description of that guitar. :playful:

I think you should love that guitar, hold it close, & nickname it "Goldilocks". Because after trying a bunch of 'em, you finally found one that was just right.
 

Br1ck

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I keep trying for a description, but all I can think of is pornographic, so I'll leave it at that.
 

adorshki

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I think you should love that guitar, hold it close, & nickname it "Goldilocks". Because after trying a bunch of 'em, you finally found one that was just right.
:glee:
Dang I wish I'd thought of that, and I've named a few for members around here myself!
Ray:
Better grab that moniker while you can!
 

Rayk

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:glee:
Dang I wish I'd thought of that, and I've named a few for members around here myself!
Ray:
Better grab that moniker while you can!

I’m good Al but thanks anyway :)
Buy a CV-1 Al
 
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