How excited should I be about playing/buying an Avalon?

ToneControl · December 2017

I just bought another Avalon

ToneControl · December 2017

here is someone's history of how the Lowden guitar company became Avalon:
http://acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5017951

to summarise from my perspective:

George Lowden ran his guitar factory from 1985 - 1988, and went into liquidation
A new company owned by others (Lowden Guitar Company) bought the company assets, and paid George a royalty on guitars sold
They made all the Lowdens for ~17 years, effectively building the reputation and large numbers of sold guitars out there being used
in 2001 there were disagreements about design changes, and Lowden Guitar Company became Avalon
Avalon's 6 luthiers are some of those who built Lowdens since 1989
Lowden now is a larger factory, less of a workshop, staffed by much younger luthiers, with less experience

My conclusion is that many people underestimate the quality and workmanship of guitars from the Avalon luthiers

digitalkettle · December 2017

So...how do you feel about Lowdens?

VimFuego · December 2017

it did seem to be the case that, 2nd hand, Avalons went to a fair bit less than lowdens, dunno about now tho.

WindmillGuitars · December 2017

A +1 for Avalon... I live 5mins from their workshop and have owned over twenty of their acoustics. Incredible craftsmanship and a nicer bunch of guys you could never meet.

ToneControl · December 2017

digitalkettle said:

So...how do you feel about Lowdens?

Lowdens are great, one of my top 4, exactly the kind of sound I want, but currently they cost more for the same quality level

My potted history of Avalon is intended for the benefit of anyone who does not know about Avalon, personally I think they are ignored by many in the UK, even though they are highly rated in America and Europe.

My personal opinion is that the guys in Avalon contributed a massive part to building the current strength of Lowden as a brand, and yet they do not really benefit from that

preston61 · January 2018

I am still loving mine, completely killed all desire for any other acoustic, which is why I've not been on here much since, just been enjoying playing it. It's been used/gigged twice a week now since I got it and keeps surprising me with the sheer quality it posses.

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How excited should I be about playing/buying an Avalon?

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