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The guys told me it was built for stage use (i.e. stiffer braced than a normal classical), to avoid stage feedback, and I underestimated the effect this would have on acoustic volume, which was not ideal for me, since I rarely amplify guitars. Nevertheless the reason I sold it on was because I found that I didn't like playing nylon strings on a narrower fingerboard for classical-style pieces.
It was very well constructed, I would have no hesitation in buying one with a radiused 2 inch wide fingerboard, with normal, non-stage light fan bracing
If they ran a shorter scale length on the small bodied steal strings they do, I’d go that way, but pretty sure they’re 650mm like the rest of their models.
Regarding Steve at Avalon I agree is very helpful and seems very straight. My concern was that I believe that Avalon have once before entered administration(post the Lowden split) but having dealt recently with Steve I can't believe he would do a Trump style fraud on his customers.
Lowden's marketing has been very effective since the split
Ironically, back in the 80s GL ran into lots of problems with the business side of things, and AFAIK basically retreated to France in 1989 leaving the Lowden guitar co (i.e. Avalon) to build the brand
However, in the 2000s, Avalon experimented with offshore-built "Lite" ranges for a short time, which may have undermined their Irish branding temporarily, i.e. the Silver series.
I can see that the 50 series are damn expensive, but the normal range aren’t that far off Avalon’s prices on their website. And considering the price of a Fender custom shop at £3500, i don’t see them as overly expensive for something made in the western world and not of bolt on neck type design.
Lowden are hardly like a Martin or Taylor corporation.
Avalon has been through some challenges over the years, but has righted the ship! Several of the finest luthiers on earth are still doing their thing at the Newtownards NI shop, the 'Spiritual Home of Irish Guitar Building'!
PM me for details.
-Bill-
"I have been in touch with Steve at Avalon and had an extensive email exchange with him the week before last, before I left on an overseas trip. On Fri Sept 28, the company came out of liquidation with a new investor, and hired back several key luthiers and was set to begin building again on Oct 1. I will be talking with Steve within the next few days, now that I am back. This new investor is real and it looks as though the company is in a better position than it has been for at least a few years.
True, what has been said in this thread, that a more expansive dealer network would be in order. Easier said than done, that: capacity to build the number of guitars needed to support such a network is challenging to say the least. Avalon has not invested in "productivity technology" such as CNC equipment, using its skilled work force to do the basic components, essentially by hand. There's a lot to be said for CNC, but by choosing to invest in quality luthiers with long experience, the outcome is a guitar that has a soul that one with more machine built content oftentimes seems to lack. "Soul" is difficult to measure, but anyone who has played an Avalon, and who has a better vocabulary than I do, should be able to describe it to you!
Fanned frets, sound ports, you name it. Very nice.
and English bog oak, that's 5000 years old I think
Ive got Bog Oak on my Lowden. Looks stunning and love the fact it’s so old, they carbon dated it to 5300 years old. Crazy! It’s wasn’t something I’d gone to look at either, but it was the one that spoke to me so to speak, so the back story was something I found out after the purchase. First time I’ve not had a normal combination of wood (RW/spruce or hog/spruce), and it’s nice to not have an expected tone in my mind when I’m playing it if that makes sense.
As a pro performer who has owned both brands, and also as an ex-colleague in a business which sold high-end guitars, I have taken an interest in both of these brands right from the start. (I am old, lol). Both of these small companies have made business mistakes over the years, but my view is that Lowden deserve their relative superiority purely on the consistency and excellence of their instruments.. Avalon have had more ‘ups and downs’ regarding quality, consistency and design. Currently their instruments are excellent and consistent.
It is a matter of opinion whether Avalon have ever managed to improve on the original Lowden designs, which they legally inherited and made under the name ‘Legacy Series’. There is no doubt that the real design genius and innovation of both brands is down to George Lowden himself. In recent years I have owned, coincidentally, first an Avalon and now a Lowden in the exact same design and materials. The Lowden cost more and it is clearly better to my ears. I have kept it but sold the Avalon. But we all have different ears and playing styles!
As a pro performer who has owned both brands, and also as an ex-colleague in a business which sold high-end guitars, I have taken an interest in both of these brands right from the start. (I am old, lol). Both of these small companies have made business mistakes over the years, but my view is that Lowden deserve their relative superiority purely on the consistency and excellence of their instruments.. Avalon have had more ‘ups and downs’ regarding quality, consistency and design. Currently their instruments are excellent and consistent.
It is a matter of opinion whether Avalon have ever managed to improve on the original Lowden designs, which they legally inherited and made under the name ‘Legacy Series’. There is no doubt that the real design genius and innovation of both brands is down to George Lowden himself. In recent years I have owned, coincidentally, first an Avalon and now a Lowden in the exact same design and materials. The Lowden cost more and it is clearly better to my ears. I have kept it but sold the Avalon. But we all have different ears and playing styles!