NGD - Patrick James Eggle

ICBM · August 2022

Jake Bugg signature Parlour model.

I'd been looking for something very different from my Gibson Dove - which is my all-time favourite acoustic, but sometimes a bit 'too much' soundwise - I did have a Vintage mahogany 00-size a while ago, which was good but not quite right, although I knew it was in the right area. A friend had this Eggle, and although it was probably more than I really wanted to spend on a 'second' guitar (more than the Dove cost me, although that was a few years ago), I decided it really was worth it... it's truly amazing as a guitar. It doesn't have the big powerful boom of the Dove obviously, but it's fantastically warm and barky, and yet still responsive and detailed. While being midrangy, it's also got a lot more bottom-end than I expected - the body is quite deep for this size.

I love the plain, understated appearance and the sheer quality of the wood, which the lack of any binding or trim just makes more obvious. Interestingly, the nut width is 45mm, which I don't like! But I do... on this one. The neck is actually a very shallow C - not that skinny, but the back radius is very large so it doesn't come to anywhere near 'square' at the sides of the fingerboard, if that makes sense. Combined with a slightly narrower actual string spacing than normal, it doesn't feel any wider than a normal 43mm neck to me.

I also like that although it is the Jake Bugg signature model - and I'm a fan of his - it doesn't say so anywhere on it. The difference between it and the standard Parlour model is the slotted headstock, and the fingerboard and bridge are ebony not bocote (apparently!).

It also has a pickup system - LR Baggs Anthem SL.

While the control box is fairly subtle - but would be better if it was black - I'm still not sure I actually like built-in electrics. It does sound quite good - once I'd set the incredibly fiddly mic trim control (which hopefully won't need adjusting for different amplification), anyway... but I will have to be convinced. I'm not sure I like loading such a beautifully simple instrument with a battery pouch and internal cabling either, it detracts a bit from the almost 'antique furniture' vibe the guitar has. I can probably remove it if it annoys me too much though!

Early days yet, but... keeper, I think. It's taken me long enough to persuade my friend to sell it

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Tannin · August 2022

That is an amazing bit of timber! I presume it is mahogany, but it looks for all the world like Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta) - that speckle is really special. It looks like a keeper for sure.

ICBM · August 2022

Tannin said:

That is an amazing bit of timber! I presume it is mahogany, but it looks for all the world like Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta) - that speckle is really special. It looks like a keeper for sure.

Honduras mahogany according to the spec.

Jake Bugg’s own one has a much more striking grain pattern, but which looks a bit too ‘70s sideboard’ to me! I prefer this more subtle look.

Winny_Pooh · August 2022

That looks like a great guitar. It's funny how you can shop for specs, but the right guitar often goes against expectations. Good to treat yourself.

jellyroll · August 2022

Very elegant. Enjoy.

ICBM · August 2022

Winny_Pooh said:

It's funny how you can shop for specs, but the right guitar often goes against expectations.

Yes, I’ll admit to being wrong about the nut width - it’s the width *and* the profile that matter, I think. I would have sworn it was probably 43 and definitely no more than 44mm until I measured it - in fact, it’s just on the high side of 45mm. The string spacing is only 40mm, or just slightly under. I think it’s the profile at the sides that really counts though - it’s the opposite of ‘rolled edge’… the widest part of the neck is the top edge of the fingerboard, by some margin. Those edges somehow fit into the fold of my hand so they just disappear - it’s amazingly comfortable to play, even for hours. (Which I have, of course!)

Dave_Mc · August 2022

ICBM said:

Tannin said:

That is an amazing bit of timber! I presume it is mahogany, but it looks for all the world like Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta) - that speckle is really special. It looks like a keeper for sure.

Honduras mahogany according to the spec.

Jake Bugg’s own one has a much more striking grain pattern, but which looks a bit too ‘70s sideboard’ to me! I prefer this more subtle look.

It does have a bit of that "shimmer" (I think there's a technical term for that which I've forgotten!) that Honduran tends to have. (Probably more in real life, too, hard to show up in the photos!)

Looks absolutely killer, I'm sure it's a brilliant guitar

I've never tried his acoustics but his electrics are great.

mgaw · August 2022

Love the look of that!! Do you know what the bracing pattern is?

Soupman · August 2022

I like understated. Very nice. Pity about the slotted headstock ...lol only joking!

tone1 · August 2022

Looks fab! I would have initially passed on it with the 45mm width too….You just have to play something first before you know….

Mellish · August 2022

+1 for width *and* profile. It took them both to make me sell my Martin HD-28 Re-imagined.

Great guitar but they combined to take me out of my comfort zone

ICBM · August 2022

mgaw said:

Do you know what the bracing pattern is?

Exactly the same as this as far as I can see, but more scalloped.

https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/the-internal-bracing-of-an-acoustic-guitar-under-news-photo/479870083

Kalimna · August 2022

I think the term for wood grain shimmer is 'chattoyance'.
Gorgeously understated guitar, btw.

roberty · August 2022

That looks superb. I know what you mean about a full sized acoustic being too much at times. This looks like it'll fill a little room up nicely

Dave_Mc · August 2022

Kalimna said:

I think the term for wood grain shimmer is 'chattoyance'.
Gorgeously understated guitar, btw.

Yeah I think that's it. I could have gone and looked it up on wood database but I was too lazy. Of course, now I've had to go to look it up to check anyway, so it was largely pointless

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NGD - Patrick James Eggle

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