| I don't consider myself a "material person"
but I have to admit that before I shuffle off this mortal coil, I
want ... no, I NEED to own one of Gordon Barry's guitars. It's as
simple as that. OK so maybe I am a material person. So sue
me!
We have just received two Indian rosewood
Orchestra Models from this extremely gifted luthier that serve to illustrate
the dramatic sonic impact of different top-plate tonewoods.
Gordon has made several guitars now using Italian Alpine spruce and is
REALLY getting quite spectacular results! In Mr. Barry's words: "Italian
spruce as a material, is much lighter than Sitka, but retains a surprising
amount of crossgrain stiffness. Its stiffness-to-weight ratio seems
to produce a bassier or darker tonality. Overall I would characterize
each note as sounding 'rounder' with a complex overtone series."
I would have to agree with Gordon's impressions
of this top wood. To my ears, the Italian spruce topped OM
is the perfect instrument for a modern player who needs precise articulation,
response to even the lightest-of-light right hand attacks, manifold
overtone layers but less aggressive "edge". The attack transient
has less "point" but more "bloom" ... slightly less sizzle but slightly
more steak! What is the word I'm looking for? LUSH? RICH?
LUXURIENT? Yes!!!
As prevalent as the Indian-rosewood-Sitka-spruce
combination is in the flattop guitar scene, you will NOT be prepared for
the sound that emanates from this second offering from G.W. Barry.
I am not just enamored with the sound of this Sitka topped instrument
... I want to have this guitar's babies!!! A challenging prospect
on so many different levels but there ... I've said it.
Don't get me wrong. This is not a better
sounding instrument than the Italian spruce OM. They are the Ying
to each other's Yang. While the Alpine spruce emits a gorgeous
multi-dimensional timbre surrounded by a rich round overall tonality,
this Sitka OM is more snap, crackle and POP! They're like comparing
gold to silver. To me, strumming a chord on this Sitka
OM sounds like hitting a seven foot Tibetan gong ... followed by a rifle
ricochet that initiates a fountain of multicolored sparks that positively
LIGHT UP the room!!!! OK, OK ... I'll shut up now! |
