As I approach my 73rd birthday, I can see that my days of playing will come to an end in the not to distant future. So I've thought about my ultimate guitar. As I come from N Ireland my thoughts turned to Lowden and Avalon. I already have a number of rather nice mid range guitars and my current preference lies towards OM sort of sized guitars which have a nice well defined bass and a forward mid range.
I have searched about and found what I think are the optimum range of wood and construction I might like and I now seek advice (apart from go and play them - not so easy in the COVID ravaged times).
Avalon: Seems the Ard Re 1 - 330 with cedar top and walnut body in an orchestral cutaway would be my choice. Right size, right materials and good sound from what I can gather on the net. Cost is just over £4k and I'd like a pick up as well which adds another £400 if I go for the Baggs anthem fitted from new..
Lowden: F23C fits the same bill and there are some in sensible traveling distance. Materials are the same although I'd need to get a pick up fitted for what I want. What I've heard on the net I find attractive. The price is about £3 - 400 cheaper than the Avalon.
My playing varies a lot (and not just the quality). I strum a lot and also play lead (the tune), I pattern pick and even sing. So I need a pretty versatile guitar although much can be controlled by technique and choice of strings/ pick.
Has anyone experience of these 2 guitars or something very like them? I'd appreciate feedback and if someone has one for sale, I could be interested but it would need to be in the Northwest - I live in Merseyside.
Comments
I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to
I don't know whether or not the Avalon OM size is aiming for the traditional flavour of that body size so it's hard to say how it would compare, however, none of my OM size guitars ( I have 6 or 7 ) do what the Lowden F does, while it in itself is very much that Lowden DNA, while not being the big harmonic wash of my old O32 ( if anything the F records easier for all that ).
As an all rounder, it would be great if you get get your hands on an F32 for comparison. While I love Lowden's use of cedar, the spruce/rosewood combo will give more flat picking headroom and is very versatile.
All the best with the search and enjoy.
Simple - availability, Need to try before I buy.
Thought about that. But that's not cheap either and we've very few direct family remaining there - to many have passed.
McNally are great guitars and I must declare in the interests of full disclosure that Ciaran is a personal friend. He aims his sound slightly mid Atlantic, not quite as celtic as the Lowden or Avalon sound. And yes he is a one man shop, so does everything himself including finishing. If you could manage to try one of his guitars in a shop it might be worthwhile.
Not that it probably has much meaning for you but the Lowden will most likely have the best resale value.
But!!.....another very kind FB user let me play his Emerald late last year and I was mightily impressed. Several intelligent design features. Sounded just like my OM28 and was a thing of great beauty and quality. Not pushing them but carbon fibre instruments can be much more than merely utilitarian if you just stop thinking that guitars have to be made out of wood. And no I didn't buy one because my main factor in buying a guitar is tone. I know its subjective etc but, honestly, shut my eyes and I could have been playing a fairly up market traditional acoustic.
Really hope you find your new guitar. As regards last? Never say never!!