Oh dear Taylor. Lowdens got you beat

BigLicks67

I've played a few Lowdens & Mcilroys and I've liked them all, light and responsive and ideal for finger style stuff. I'd say they have a European sound to them. I'm surprised that more steel string guitars are not built with cedar tops as it gives a lovely warm sound.

BowynMadley

Just to throw another log on the fire. One of the toffee nosed punters that were hanging around whilst i was trying these guitars said "lowdens are NOT made to be played with a plectrum"

So after I'd played them all with and without a plectrum I decided they suited both styles so up yours cock face!

richardhomer

BowynMadley;1030074" said:

Just to throw another log on the fire. One of the toffee nosed punters that were hanging around whilst i was trying these guitars said "lowdens are NOT made to be played with a plectrum"

I didn't realise for years that I shouldn't finger pick my Martin D28....

Moe_Zambeek

BowynMadley;1030074" said:

Just to throw another log on the fire. One of the toffee nosed punters that were hanging around whilst i was trying these guitars said "lowdens are NOT made to be played with a plectrum"

So after I'd played them all with and without a plectrum I decided they suited both styles so up yours cock face!

I must be doing it wrong then! I use a pick all the time with mine:)

Bluesman1989

I don't know how to, or if you can tag people into posts but MikeDearing was thinking of selling an older Lowden. I'd reccomend a 90's one if you can get it

BowynMadley

@MikeDearing

Gassage

 I'm sorry but I'm a huge Lowden fan and I'd suggest this is like comparing a BMW with a Bugatti Veyron.

I'd say that they're not even competing in the same niche of the market.

BowynMadley

Gassage;1030284" said:

 I'm sorry but I'm a huge Lowden fan and I'd suggest this is like comparing a BMW with a Bugatti Veyron.



I'd say that they're not even competing in the same niche of the market.

Hmm I'm unsure. The Taylor I played was an 810ce priced at £2850

Lowden O25 was priced at £2650. That's pretty close and I don't mean to over egg this but I wouldn't cross the street to play the Taylor again

ICBM

It's just personal preference. There is no "better" at this price level.

I'm not a big fan of Taylors but I prefer probably every Taylor I've ever played to every Lowden I've played. (Not counting the Baby models.) It doesn't mean they're better, just that they suit me more.

I never use a pick with any guitar so if that was important I would supposedly prefer Lowdens, but actually I prefer Martins and Gibsons. And Guilds for that matter, which are archetypal pick guitars.

I detest the Taylor Expression system too, although I haven't played the new version yet. Not only because I don't like the sound but also because they fail far too often and the parts are unique to Taylor. Other people love it...

musicman100

For my taste the taylor 816 GS i had up to recently was better than any lowden I've played, for some reason they just down float my boat n it's the same with martin apart from the EC models which I like. But I'm a big fan of collings tho. As it's already been said it's all down to personal taste. Once you get to a certain level there's no such thing as good or bad, just different taste. I do think that taylor get unfairly bashed a bit tho. The 816 I have was an outstanding guitar. I have got rid of it now but only because of a personal reason plus I have a collings om2h which is smaller n easy to play.

BigLicks67

Gassage said:

 I'm sorry but I'm a huge Lowden fan and I'd suggest this is like comparing a BMW with a Bugatti Veyron.

I'd say that they're not even competing in the same niche of the market.

I'd agree with this - Lowden's are made in small numbers and start at a higher price point. Taylor are factory produced and cover a massive spectrum in terms of price range. Therefore, I suggest you would be subconsciously expecting more from a Lowden given its starting price point and reputation. 

AuldReekie

Feel Lowdens are overpriced, good guitars but def prefer my MciLroy to any Lowden I have played. Had a Taylor dreadnought - it was the first quality acoustic I owned - and frankly wish I had taken a bit more time and tried other makes before jumping in and buying it. After the initial honeymoon period, realised I just didnt like it and have never liked any Taylor I have played, find their sound a bit one dimensional and no subtlety in their tone.  The Taylor was replaced by a Santa Cruz dreadnought which was a great guitar provided that you hammered it, no use for gently playing. Build quality was superb and it was a great guitar, just not the right one for me.  Around the same time I discovered Larrivee and now own three.  A TSB SD50 12 fret dreadnought replaced the Santa Cruz and it is simply awesome.  I tried a Collings 12 fret not long after getting it and would not swop my Larry for it.  My two others are a C09 -Larrivees own jumbo model, spruce rosewood with a Florentine cutaway and an OM09 - spruce/rosewood orchestra model.  The three Larry are fine instruments - not fat behind the MciLroy for quality- and IMHO superior in every way to Taylors and I also prefer them to Martins.  

My Nigel Forster acoustic is different class though and if you are willing to spend Lowden type money, than a custom build might be the way to go

Wazmeister

@auldreekie - interesting write up mate, thanks for that...

I must admit I fancy a change acoustically. Since my pedal gas has been reduced, I know find it's acoustics and amps that draw my attention !

Ive loved my Taylor. It's a very rare Tobacco Sunburst 614ce Ltd (Fall) Edition 30th Anniversary. I custom ordered it from new.

But Ive always fancied a Lowden (I guess inspired by Richard Thompson). The sustain and chime on some of them sounds incredible...

ICBM

Wazmeister said:

I must admit I fancy a change acoustically. Since my pedal gas has been reduced, I know find it's acoustics and amps that draw my attention !

Ive loved my Taylor. It's a very rare Tobacco Sunburst 614ce Ltd (Fall) Edition 30th Anniversary. I custom ordered it from new.

But Ive always fancied a Lowden (I guess inspired by Richard Thompson). The sustain and chime on some of them sounds incredible…

Make sure you play a Lowden properly before before you sell your Taylor, if that's necessary.

I loved hearing John Renbourn play a Lowden too, he was one of my favourite players. I had nearly the same model (O10, his was an O12), but it really didn't work for me. At all.

mgaw

there are numerous other luthiers making sensatioal Acoustics you know.........and due to 2nd hand prices being low for them, they can be a bargain...obviously i use that term loosely...

heres a few suggestions perhaps...

Vintage gibson  check out Fairbanks....tone for days.......one of these went for £1200 a while back on Ebay why i didnt buy it i will never know

Greven.......

http://www.dreamguitars.com/sold-guitars/4425-greven_000_2150/

Franklin Guitars

Tippin Guitars

too name a few

ourmaninthenorth

Lowden's are A frame braced, making them sound different to their American counterparts. It's difficult to make a meaningful comparison, and as always, it boils down to which you personally prefer. Fwiw I think every Lowden I've owned or played has been a masterpiece. 

Wazmeister

My GAS is strong for a Lowden... Methinks my beloved Taylor may be sold or p/x

west

I have an incredible F35 c koa back and sides spruce top , i was playing with a mate with his taylor 614ce maple back and sides last night , the taylor pales acoustically and electrically , its slightly easier to play ergonomically ....

ourmaninthenorth

Wazmeister said:

My GAS is strong for a Lowden... Methinks my beloved Taylor may be sold or p/x

Just to help you along the way...my old 035 Bastogne Walnut and Cedar...

Slightly more subtly voiced than my personal favourite the 025, which I sold to buy the 035. Once played, for me at least, nothing else will really do..believe me I've wasted a lot of time trying...

west

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1290445020969854&set=pb.100000131046063.-2207520000.1460804671.&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1290445380969818&set=pb.100000131046063.-2207520000.1460804671.&type=3&theater

not sure if these links work ...... when i had some work done on it george told me it used to be a wardrobe lol could have been blarney though ....