jmcerlain
04-01-2008, 01:17 PM
I just got my guitar by Micheal Tuttle on Friday and all I can say is Holy Crap!
Now for a real review:
I was introduced to Michael through my friend Steve Blucher. Now first off Steve is a very discerning fellow to say the least and really knows what he is talking about. He and I are equally neurotic (well he's is a little worse) so for him to recommend a builder to me he had to be good. I spoke with Michael and hit it off right away, he is a cool straight talking guy. What I liked was how expressed that there was no voodoo in making a good guitar, you just have to know what you are doing. I liked that. He said he could make whatever I wanted but he did have a two tone 1 piece alder body close to being ready so I jumped on it. Maple neck, 9.5 radius, Callaham bridge, 6100 nickel frets, DiMarzio Area pickups.
Obviously the first thing I noticed was the finish and look of the guitar, excellent burst with a thin nitro finish that you can smell (love that). The work is perfect , the neck is .850 at the nut and feels great and like I have been playing the guitar for years, the fretwork is perfect as well. The guitar has a very friendly feel to it.
Acoustically the guitar is very resonant, loud and well balanced. I can feel it vibrate through the strap. Great lows and punchy highs that aren't annoying. Plugged in the guitar sounded just as good, I find myself playing clean all the time because it sounds so good. More cliches, but it is very piano like, true sounding notes with no clutter in the overtones. The guitar really stays together when hit hard, it doesn't compress and reacts to dynamics. Distorted it is articulate and full but not flubby on the neck. As I said I look forward to what the guitar will sound like in a year or two. Twice while playing the guitar I started laughing because it sounded so good, once in front of a student the other while playing it while watching tv with my wife. I said to her "listen to this thing!" she looked an me a shrugged he shoulders... oh well at least she doesn't complain about me playing while watching tv.
I have had and have some pretty nice guitars but this is really in another class on all levels. I know I'm still in the honeymoon phase a little bit but I do know what to look for in guitars and as far as I can tell, this has it. I am exceptionally happy with the guitar and am already plotting on getting a T style from Micheal. His prices are great for the quality you get and the attention to detail and service are top notch. As I said, I already want another. Damn...
I will post some clips as soon as I can.
www.bestfrets.com (http://www.bestfrets.com)
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j310/jmcerlain/001.jpg
Now for a real review:
I was introduced to Michael through my friend Steve Blucher. Now first off Steve is a very discerning fellow to say the least and really knows what he is talking about. He and I are equally neurotic (well he's is a little worse) so for him to recommend a builder to me he had to be good. I spoke with Michael and hit it off right away, he is a cool straight talking guy. What I liked was how expressed that there was no voodoo in making a good guitar, you just have to know what you are doing. I liked that. He said he could make whatever I wanted but he did have a two tone 1 piece alder body close to being ready so I jumped on it. Maple neck, 9.5 radius, Callaham bridge, 6100 nickel frets, DiMarzio Area pickups.
Obviously the first thing I noticed was the finish and look of the guitar, excellent burst with a thin nitro finish that you can smell (love that). The work is perfect , the neck is .850 at the nut and feels great and like I have been playing the guitar for years, the fretwork is perfect as well. The guitar has a very friendly feel to it.
Acoustically the guitar is very resonant, loud and well balanced. I can feel it vibrate through the strap. Great lows and punchy highs that aren't annoying. Plugged in the guitar sounded just as good, I find myself playing clean all the time because it sounds so good. More cliches, but it is very piano like, true sounding notes with no clutter in the overtones. The guitar really stays together when hit hard, it doesn't compress and reacts to dynamics. Distorted it is articulate and full but not flubby on the neck. As I said I look forward to what the guitar will sound like in a year or two. Twice while playing the guitar I started laughing because it sounded so good, once in front of a student the other while playing it while watching tv with my wife. I said to her "listen to this thing!" she looked an me a shrugged he shoulders... oh well at least she doesn't complain about me playing while watching tv.
I have had and have some pretty nice guitars but this is really in another class on all levels. I know I'm still in the honeymoon phase a little bit but I do know what to look for in guitars and as far as I can tell, this has it. I am exceptionally happy with the guitar and am already plotting on getting a T style from Micheal. His prices are great for the quality you get and the attention to detail and service are top notch. As I said, I already want another. Damn...
I will post some clips as soon as I can.
www.bestfrets.com (http://www.bestfrets.com)
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j310/jmcerlain/001.jpg