When I first heard of Goodall guitars, I wasn’t too into the boutique guitar scene. The ultimate acoustic guitar for me was a 7-series Taylor as many worship leaders can attest to. Goodall guitars, like Collings, Bourgeois, Huss & Dalton, MacPherson, and Santa Cruz are all names that I had kind of just brushed aside. “These guys make great guitars but they are out of reach for people like me,” I thought to myself. “They’re nice, but no one really knows about them.” Yes, Taylor and Martin crank out more guitars in one day than most of these boutiques do in a year but that’s just how it is when man goes up against machine in the acoustic guitar building world.
Granted, Taylor and Martin have come a long way in the practice of mass manufacturing quality, high-end guitars but when it comes down to it, both builders will probably admit that a well-crafted, hand-built guitar by a talented luthier has some sort of magic built in. Minute details like ideal bracing patterns, wood selection, and wood thickness vary by guitar due to the unique character of them.
James Goodall is, and has been, building some amazing sounding guitars. He recently moved back to Northern California and closed his shop in Hawaii. Scaling from about 15 employees to 3 (him, his son, and his wife), James will continue to build in May but on a much smaller level. So now, more than ever, I feel very fortunate to even own a Goodall guitar. Not only is she a beauty, but she makes me smile a bit on the inside every time I pick her up to strum around.
Without further delay, here’s the specs and the pictures:
1995 Goodall Rosewood Standard
- Rosewood back and sides
- Sitka Spruce top
- Ebony fingerboard with diamond inlays
- Abalone rosette
- Schaller tuners
- Flamed Koa binding
- Mahogany neck
oooh ebony! what string gauge/brand is it strung with? it sounds like you got it for a great price, congratulations! i like the ebony tuners too
Thanks :) I got her for a really great price! It’s strung with lights but can take mediums too. I don’t know the brand but they were new, un-coated strings that I got from the seller.
I’m thinking about some John Pearse lights. I’ve heard some good things about them. If not, it’ll be the good ‘ole Elixirs or D’Addario EXP.
It’s a cool looking guitar. I’ve been looking at goodalls. Is it a dred?
John Pearse are great strings! I’ve been using them for years…you’ll love them. — John
It’s a Standard actually. It has a bigger lower bout than the dreads. If you’ve been thinking about getting a Goodall you’re in for a real treat!
Where did you get yours? What woods were used for the top & sides?
ooops…I see you listed the woods above. Have you ever played a Goodall Grand Concert?
I have! In fact, the person I bought this lovely Goodall from was selling this Rosewood Standard so he could keep this Koa/Spruce grand concert that he had. It was built in 1985 so it could very well be one of the first 20 guitars James Goodall built probably (maybe even less, I don’t know the entire story of James’ career). Anyway, I remember liking the Standard better due to it’s fuller spectrum of sound. However, the GC sounded awesome as well and is more comfortable to play. One of the better Goodalls I’ve played at Buffalo Brothers was a Walnut back and sides GC. Super loud projection with a tight, focused sound. And of course, it had all the ringing overtones that a Goodall is prized for too.