GEAR
[ GOPHER WOOD G620EQ / G820 4.5R | Mitch Bohannon ]
While cruising around the NAMM show this changing options. Our research team studied with the sound pillar. The system includes an
past January with my worship leader friend, the principle of the sound post and modified under saddle piezo pickup and a condenser
Marvin Mumford, we ran into the Gopher Wood its structure. We applied a totally new-concept mic mounted on the endpin jack. Soundhole
Guitar Company. The beauty of the guitars with a small tool into the guitar. We failed many mounted controls include master volume, tone,
caught our attention and we spent a good bit times. Most people told me, ‘that is impossible’ and mic level.
of time visiting with the folks behind the guitars. and ‘you are crazy.’ It was just like Noah We met Paul Nam, the builder and designer, building the Ark. However, the South Korean In visiting more with Paul, he was explaining
and were totally impressed with his work. The government showed faith and supported our his newest innovation with the introduction of
guitars are widely known in China and Korea, company. The sound pillar was created as a “roasted” wood. I asked Paul to give me the
but essentially unknown in the USA. I continued result.” details on it… “The roasted woods undergo
to visit with Paul after the show and it worked
out for me to get a couple of guitars to review.
a unique high heat drying process. It has a
Paul is a believer and it was because of the similar level of the water content percentage
similarities to the doubt that Noah faced that with wood that has been naturally dried over
he themed these guitars around the story of a long time. It allows richer reverberation and
impressed with the detail, not only with Noah’s Arc. Gopher Wood is the wood that a more vintage tone. The roasted wood is
the guitar, but even the gig bag was God instructed Noah to build the ark out classified as an exclusive material. However,
top-notch. Starting with the bag… of. On the fingerboard at the 12th fret is we have our own technology developed by our
a dense brown fabric with plenty of an inlaid image of a dove. The soundhole research team for this process. It allows for a
form-fitted padding, a firm neck rest rosette depicts the olive branch that the more competitive price. The combination of the
with Velcro wrap to secure the guitar in dove brought back to Noah and the unique sound propensity of roasted wood and
place, oversized pockets to hold whatever is headstock boldly displays a carved cross. the sound pillar is a strong advantage for the
needed, and extremely comfortable, padded, The back of the headstock also displays the and balanced shoulder straps. The guitar company’s motto: “You are worthy of all the I received is the G620EQ. It’s all gloss with glory.”
When the first guitar arrived I was absolutely
Gopher Wood brand.”
I was able to try the G820 4.5R with roasted
solid cedar top, solid rosewood back, and
wood top to compare with the G620EQ. The
laminated rosewood sides with a rosewood I was most interested in the sound pillar. G820 has a solid roasted spruce top with
fingerboard. A sharp cutaway and beautiful It comes with the guitar and includes five solid rosewood back and sides and the same
flamed maple binding dress the guitar well. different tip options. Each has its own EQ electronics. Compared to the cedar top G620,
characteristic and to test it out, I strummed an the roasted spruce has a balanced warm
“E” chord while watching the sound displayed tone. Playability and craftsmanship on both
something I had never heard on an RTA sound analyzer. I tried each of the are identical. These guitars are fun to play and
of before, is a “Sound Pillar.” different tips for the sound pillar, re-tuned sound amazing.
The
most
unique
feature,
and
I asked Paul about it and he the guitar, and played the same told me, “The starting point “E” chord. You can watch my The G620EQ retails for $870
of Gopher Wood Guitars was test on the embedded video. G820 4.5R retails for $2000
our interest in the sound
The EQ change for each
post. I had heard that
is visibly noticeable on the
there have been many
tries
and
also
RTA.
many
fails to introduce it into The G620EQ is equipped
the guitar. I wanted to with
find out how to make electronics as well. The
proprietary
a better sound with an Gopher
accessory. And I wanted developed the pickup
to make various sound system to work well
52
August 2017
Wood
team
WorshipMusician.com
www.gopherwoodguitar.com