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Great link, John...Thanks!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I am new to all the in and outs of acoustic guitars (I am truely a bass player that plays some guitar). Prior to a few weeks ago I didn't know about much about Lowden...actually I still don't know too much. From my experience with basses, which I know much more about, it seems that well made basses get hot and they become the brand that everyone wants. I am not sure if it just a buzz that is created from certain artists playing that instrument or just a general awareness. A while ago I was able to play an Olson SJ that friend owned. I was able to compare it directly to a Taylor 910 Limited (I think that was the model) and a Langejans that he also owned. All three were similar but in my opinon I thought the Olson was the best sounding and the craftsmanship was superiour. Ironically I rarely see much posted about Olson guitars, however the Lowden name seems to keep coming up? So here is my questions...are Lowden truely a cut above the rest or are they just growning in popularity which is why everyone keeps seeking to find out more?

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Brad
Avon, OH

Currently there is a Lowden for sale on a very popular online auction site that ends in 12 hours, and it's only at $950.

Good question Brad and to some degree it depends on which side of the pond your on.

The beauty of custom built guitars is that there are as many custom ears out there or more that like different sounds than the next set of custom ears.

I certainly think Lowden's are really starting to be noticed in North America and with guys like Andy McKee playing his the way he does, they are only going to get more popular and desirable.

As far as their price goes though, As Phil was mentioning......They are listed on his site at ? 3,850 which is around $7,600 USD for a "standard, no options" guitar. That's certainly in the ballpark for a great custom built but......

Please lets not get into custom built pricing.....

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$7,600 USD

they better sound good

I printed out an enlarged bracing scheme for inspiration and plan to build one of these and a standard scalloped top and see what the difference may be. Ought to be very interesting.

I noticed on the above mentioned webtour on the Lowden site that George re-braced the S model. Thanks, whoever mentioned that, definitely worth the look, James

someone mentioned how well built Lowdens are......

I kicked one (accidentally honest!!) off a guitar stand onto a concrete flagged church floor once........











not a mark!!!! (which could be proof in the power of prayer, but lets not get into a religeous thing!!)

Lowdens (and now Avalons) are the ultimate aspiration here in Ireland Christian circles. Out of every 10 worship leaders 6 have Avalons, 2 have Lowdens.

My church? 200 people on a good sunday morning.

in the last 5 years we have had......

well lets see....

Robert Irvine Seagull
Robert Graham Lowden (the one I kicked)
AJ Scott Lowden
Karen Grahom Takoma
Adrian Taylor Lowden
Alan Taylor Lowden
Gary Jones Taylor
Alan McGimpsey Lowden
and me. either a Turner or my homemades....

having the factory just a few miles away make seconds a much easier thing to get hold of. In the 80s & 90s, seconds were had for ?400 or less, with flaws that you had to be shown......... Adrian & Alan on the list above both have mid 90s seconds. both still beautiful instruments


here's a pic from last week at our church social.....

the guys did a clancy brothers thing and the ladies did sister act......

from the left, theres me with my mandonaught, Rob with his Seagull and Alan with his Lowden (sorry about the shorts.... the costumes were the organisers idea.......
martinedwards39072.4392013889

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Who cares about the Lowdens, look at all THOSE KNEES!!!

*passes out*





You must be a VERY blessed church indeed Martin, having 5 Lowdens under one roof....

And as for the Ebay link, (?450 for a LOWDEN?!?!?) I have NEVER been so tempted in my life to click for a bid. (Got a Christmas bonus from work..) Only one thing stops me as a leftie, and it's the fact that practically all of Lowden's guitars cannot be converted due to assymetrical bracing.

I nearly missed this in the above picture. This is why we do what we do. Thanks for sharing the pic Martin, this face says it all. James

[QUOTE=Sam Price] Who cares about the Lowdens, look at all THOSE KNEES!!![/QUOTE]
And black socks! The boots are cool, though.

As for asymmetrical bracing and left-hand conversion...I bet it wouldn't really be a problem, since the bridge stays where it is, with only the saddle changing its angle. Remember, there is only a bit over two inches separating the first and sixth strings. They'll likely affect the top in the same way when actuated as they would when strung the "right" way. People have accidently braced tops "backwards" and reported that they couldn't hear a difference from their normally braced tops.

[QUOTE=CarltonM] [QUOTE=Sam Price] Who cares about the Lowdens, look at all THOSE KNEES!!![/QUOTE]
And black socks! The boots are cool, though.



As for asymmetrical bracing and left-hand conversion...I bet it wouldn't really be a problem, since the bridge stays where it is, with only the saddle changing its angle. Remember, there is only a bit over two inches separating the first and sixth strings. They'll likely affect the top in the same way when actuated as they would when strung the "right" way. People have accidently braced tops "backwards" and reported that they couldn't hear a difference from their normally braced tops. [/QUOTE]



Interesting. The trouble is, there aren't enough lefty players around to collect data about conversions. I have also heard that bracing may not make a difference.

I need to know for sure, because if I am ever in the market for a Lowden, I don't want a dead dodo...leftie Lowdens are as rare as those aforementioned flightless birds...

I was talking to someone once about some leftie conversions, and they had the saddle/nut conversions on some high end guitars. Within twelve months, they reported a loss of sparkle in the trebles. Obviously, other factors may be considered, not just the theoretical top stresses being switched.

I have an Avalon guitar I converted, with symmetrical bracing, and it's been fine. Sam Price39072.716712963

OK, Lowdens again....

Spoke to Paddy this morning (who owns custom #0001 circa 1976)

Told him I'd like a few pics if it wasn't too much hassle........

he said I could borrow it for a while if I wanted!!!!!!

Sorry, but THERE IS NO WAY that I am putting a $35,000 acoustic in my $500 car and taking it home to a house with 4 kids under 12 years old!!!!!!!

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Wow!!!

Make it detailed, I wanna see the craftmanship.

[quote]Sorry, but THERE IS NO WAY that I am putting a $35,000 acoustic in my $500 car and taking it home to a house with 4 kids under 12 years old!!!!!!![/quote]

Ahhh, but you have to remember that he was told to insure it for $35,000.....

yeah right, I take it back all scored and dented and say, "Dont worry Paddy, It's insured right?"

Ah well, I played his Koa/cedar McIlroy for a while this morning instead.

yum!!!

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This Paddy, he must be loaded.

I can tell you, if I get the chance to see the Lowden from last Sunday again, I'm jumping at the chance. I might even beg a bit, plus the son has an Avalon to paw over as well.

What was I thinking? Today my head is clear.....

I don't blame you Martin though, it's a real responsibility to take care of a cool guitar like that. Maybe I could move to Ireland? Hmmmm... we were from there once.

[QUOTE=martinedwards]

Ah well, I played his Koa/cedar McIlroy for a while this morning instead.

yum!!![/QUOTE]

You are a very, very, very, very, very , very, very lucky man...

Husband and I VERY nearly moved to Ireland once, we were going to take advantage of the Celtic Tiger era, but In-Laws insisted we stayed on the mainland JUST incase we had kids.... Sam Price39073.4953703704

[QUOTE=Sam Price]I was talking to someone once about some leftie conversions, and they had the saddle/nut conversions on some high end guitars. Within twelve months, they reported a loss of sparkle in the trebles. [/QUOTE]

Well there's the problem! They left the strings on for 12 months! When will people learn that strings need changin' more often than that?

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Don, yer killin' me....

[QUOTE=jamesneunder] This Paddy, he must be loaded.[/QUOTE] semi pro guitarist and retired highschool teacher.

he bought the Lowden new in 76
the McIlroy is a second and cost less than $3000
he has a Larivee that he got in the summer for pennies
a seagull & a couple of Takamines.

he is a stunning musician. he can squeeze a tune out of anything.

Played clarinet in a Jazz band.....

hes not loaded at all, but hes one of these people who I look at and think it's WORTH HIS WHILE having the good gear as he wrings the best out of it.

they'd be wasted on me......

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/\ Hey...c'mon, you're a GREAT guitarist, whaddya talking about?!?

Don't listen to him...

T'was hard to keep up with you at SM06!!

And anyway, anyone who is brave enough to teach highschool kids DESERVES some decent zoot with strings on!!!

[QUOTE=Sam Price] /\ Hey...c'mon, you're a GREAT guitarist, whaddya talking about?!?

Don't listen to him...

T'was hard to keep up with you at SM06!!

And anyway, anyone who is brave enough to teach highschool kids DESERVES some decent zoot with strings on!!!

[/QUOTE]

I agree whole heartedly. Sweetie used to teach high school in a border town. The horror stories I have heard.

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Aoibeann

Gettin' back to Lowdens... anyone else have any pics of bracings or more/different details?

when assessing and forming opinions of instruments labeled "lowden" always keep in mind the changes that brand underwent, i.e., owned and largely produced by him, factory produced under his ownership and supervision, factory produced under corporate ownership with him as a consultant or some such, then him withdrawing his support and name and now building under his full name. comparing the early guitars or the current production to the middle evolutionary phases is a bit of apples and oranges. he withdrew for a reason.

and just to throw a cat among the pigeons.......

anyone ever play a flambeau?

Georges design made in Japan in the 80s.

My Mate Bry has one and while it's not a Lowden, it's not half bad for a mass produced acoustic.......

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[QUOTE=crazymanmichael] when assessing and forming opinions of instruments labeled "lowden" always keep in mind the changes that brand underwent, i.e., owned and largely produced by him, factory produced under his ownership and supervision, factory produced under corporate ownership with him as a consultant or some such, then him withdrawing his support and name and now building under his full name. comparing the early guitars or the current production to the middle evolutionary phases is a bit of apples and oranges. he withdrew for a reason.[/QUOTE]


That's why I always stipulate a 'George Lowden', the ones he makes under his own steam. The current 'Lowden' production guitars are also very, very good.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Am I assuming that a "production line" Lowden for the stores is made by Lowden staff according to his design, and that George makes the customs?