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Garrison
G10 Acoustic Guitar Reviewer: Joe Yammouni Distributor: CMC Music 02 9905 2511 |
Australian Musician Spring 2002
Over the last decade or so, a number of Canadian guitar builders like Godin, Larrivee and Seagull have been leading the way in instrument innovation and design concepts. For instance, the Godin LGX is a 3-voiced guitar that not only looks great and plays well but also allows acoustic, electric and guitar synth access to occur. Another company that has recently been turning heads at the big trade shows and more importantly, via word of moth by musicians worldwide is Canadian manufacturer Garrison Guitars. These guitars feature some truly innovative designs and unique construction methods and aren’t too hard on the eyes either.Garrison G 10…
The Garrison G 10 is the base model in the series and is the guitar I got to road test for this edition. On first appearance it looks like a normal acoustic guitar but close inspection reveals there have been some radical new methods utilised in construction and in its features.
The first and most obvious is the guitar’s internal bracing system. The Griffith’s active bracing system is a revolutionary method of construction. By integrating the binding, kerfing, bridge plate and all braces into one glass fibre component, the top of the guitar is activated by having all parts vibrate in unison. According to the guys at Garrison, this in turn provides enhanced structural stability that would normally take hours to construct using traditional techniques.
Using an injection moulding process, the Garrison guys can knock up a single unit bracing system very quickly and this single unit brace means no matter where you create a vibration inside the guitar, the resonance has an uninterrupted path to travel throughout the instrument.
The neck block is also made of the same glass resin compound and locks into the bracing system. This method achieves two things. First, it allows for significant tone transfer between the neck and body of the guitar and second, it transfers stress. The result is a stronger more stable and consistent instrument.
Garrison believe that not only is this system better, the cost saving for them means that all models in the Garrison series feature solid timber and extra features not normally found in sub-$1,000.00 guitars.
The G 10 uses solid Canadian Birch in the top, back & sides and neck construction. The fingerboard is solid East Indian rosewood with a TUSQ saddle and nut. The heavy-duty machine heads and a laser engraved rosette are other features on the guitar and the satin finish gives the guitar a nice feel and look.
One interesting extra feature on all Garrison guitars is the Buzz Feiten tuning system that certainly adds a new dimension to the instrument. If you haven’t heard about the Feiten system, it’s a simple process involving the nut placement that greatly improves the temperament of the guitar allowing chords to sound more in tune. A lot of players utilise this system, (Vai, Satriani amongst others, have been using Buzz Feiten systems on their guitars) and find it makes a major difference. I don’t know if you need a special tuner for this system but I used a normal TU 12 and tuned normally.
I must say that with all the innovative designs and features in a Garrison guitar you will begin to appreciate the thinking behind the process especially when you start playing one. The G 10 produces a big round fat tone that is very even right across the entire fingerboard. There is a rich vibrant ring to the guitar and the sustain is pleasing to say the least. I imagine this tone to be in a more expensive guitar yet this is the base model in the Garrison range which has got me interested to the point of wanting to investigate the more up-market models to see how much better they actually are. If the G 10 is any indication then there will be something definitely to look forward to indeed.
The only negative I could find with the guitar, and perhaps it’s just a personal thing, is that the action was a bit high but nothing that can’t be fixed in a set up. Overall I must say that the Garrison will certainly compete with anything out there in the same price bracket. It may even out shine a lot of competitors not only from a price perspective but sound and quality as well. The best thing to do is to find out the nearest Garrison dealer and see what all the fuss is about.
There is something definitely going on in Canada and the guitar builders over there are really creating some wonderful designs. If it’s big, bold and beautiful you’re after, then the Garrison range of acoustic guitars should definitely be considered.
What we reckon:
QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
BANG-F0R-YOUR-BUCK
OVERALL