Hi all. I played guitar to an intermediate level many years ago. Then work, kids etc got in the way and I didn’t play for a long time. I picked up a guitar again before Christmas and have become somewhat obsessed! I have a 2002 Les Paul and a 1995 Martin DM and I’m playing 95% acoustic these days.
I’d like to buy another acoustic, something higher quality and a little different to the Martin. I had my heart set on a Lowden, I’ve always loved them - in particular the variety of tone woods and the craftsmanship.
I’ve played a few and really like them, I’m just somewhat concerned that I’d be a bit limited if I bought one and should I buy something that’s a bit more well rounded. The Lowdens I played were fantastic for finger style but not so much for strumming. I play a combination of strumming, finger style and flat picking, so I’m pausing for thought to see if I should consider something else.
In terms of alternatives, I’m getting a little bamboozled because there’s so much variety. A D18 and J45 seem to be ubiquitous excellent guitars, but would they be too similar to my current Martin DM (albeit higher quality)? Then there are brands like Larriveé and Yairi that I’ve been reading about and look really interesting. I don’t care about having a big brand name, I’m more interested in the quality of the guitar.
Would appreciate any advice/suggestions from the so many learned member here. Budget is ~€6k. Thanks!
Comments
No idea what your nearby guitar shop options are, but I'd be looking at travelling a few hundred miles to visit a few shops to try out a decent range of options, including ones that I'd not normally have considered.
More risky option is to trust one of the established builders to make something for you.
I'll happily extol the virtues of my Atkin and Bourgeois because they do the "reissue an old USA-build thing from the 40s" thing so well, and that works for me - but it might not be what you need. At that sort of investment your first step should certainly be to get to a couple of big dealers and try LOADS of things to establish exactly what you like and what you don't. Guitar Village & Coda would be my pick of destinations within the UK.
Take a look at their websites to get an idea of who makes what in that price range, spend some time down the YT rabbit hole, prepare your shortlist, check which retailers have got which models in stock, plan the trip ... and then buy something completely different because it talks to you when you play it
* Lowdens are the real deal. They are very dear, but 100% of the one examples I have played were simply outstanding. So far as picking a quality instrument goes, you'll be very safe.
* The Lowden sound - I am assured that the one I played was representative - is very distinctive indeed. I don't see why you couldn't flatpick one at a pinch, but strumming might be a bridge too far.
* I can't really see owning a Lowden and staying happy with the Martin DM. I mean you might, but you may equally well find yourself feeling dissatisfied with it and not playing it so much one you start to really appreciate the qualities of a Lowden-standard instrument.
* For €6000 you'd be close enough to buying two Brooks! Order anything you like, they'll make it for you.
* There are about six other makers working pretty much along the same lines as Lowden. @TheMadMick has already mentioned Avalon, I'll add Mcilroy. This might get you to round-about the same place and save you a penny along the way. The Mcilroy I tried was very Lowdenesque but not quite so extreme - i.e., rich and full of harmonics like a Lowden, but a couple of steps away from that and back in the direction of "normal guitar". (Whatever "normal guitar" is!) In my boots, having several quality guitars already, I preferred the Lowden as it was very different to my existing instruments - anytime the Lowden got a bit wearing and over the top, I could pick up the Guild or a Maton or something. But as an only guitar, I'd prefer the Mcilroy as it was more easy-going and more versatile.
* If I was UK based and wanted something in the D-18 or J-45 style, I'd look to Atkin. I've never played one and don't really intend to as I prefer European and Australian-style guitars, but I don't think I've ever heard anyone say bad things about Atkin. Even the Americans respect them. If I was leaning more in the D-28 direction, then Lakewood. (But either way, if you buy a Lowden, you won't have any spare change for an Atkin or a Martin.)
Other than that, your best and most convenient options are Moloney Music in Galway or Someneck in Dublin.
Send me a message if you want to get in touch.
Still, if you have more work than you can cope with, why waste time on advertising?
Do you know if Ciaran McNally sells anything directly from his workshop or is it all through dealers? He’s not a million miles from me.
So work out what you like and go try some stuff as you say Dublin or London. I am not sure whats left in London these days sure someone can advise good acoustic places last time I went I was very disappointed and all very RRP offers.