For Sale: Lowden S23 Cedar/Walnut *SOLD*

VTGUY · #1 03-11-2018, 09:16 AM

Hi AGF friends. After holding out for my dream guitar, I can say these two things: 1. George Lowden lives up to is reputation as a world class luthier with his design, craftsmanship, unique tone, and bracing that allows deep bass and great sustain on this small body guitar. 2. The understated elegance and build quality makes this a timeless instrument that will last a lifetime with proper care. The guitar was built in 2000 under the green label and is in excellent condition. The inspiration for the S body size (similar to a 00) was inspired by a request from Nick Webb of Acoustic Alchemy.

I have decided that I'm am moving to only short scale guitars and need a little wider string spacing...I only play fingerstyle mostly sitting and love the comfort of a shorter scale and the extra room between strings.

Specs:
Figured Walnut back & sides
Red Cedar top
Pear bindings
5 piece laminated neck
Abalone rosette (emerald look to it)
Nut: 1.75"
Scale Length: 25.5"
String Spacing: 2 3/16"
Upper Bout: 10 3/4"
Lower Bout: 14 1/16"
Depth: 4 1/16"
Clear pickguard
Split saddle, rosewood, pinless bridge
Lowden (Schaller) Gold tuning machines with amber pearloid buttons buttons
Lowden branded Hiscox Case (Pick compartment needs attention...loose fabric)

I'm asking XXXX plus shipping and PP friends and family. You will be hard pressed to find a Lowden in this condition for less.

ChrisN · #2 03-11-2018, 12:32 PM

You might consider measuring/including your guitar's nut and saddle spacing.

I can't find firm specs, but it looks like custom (narrower) neck specs are available - http://www.lowdenguitars.com/guitar-spec-original-wa-23

Per this Eddies' ad text, the S23 has 1 3/4 and 2 1/4: "The S23 is the first small bodied steel string I designed. I adjusted the soundboxgeometry and voicing to accentuate bass - I knew in a concert sized body the treble would be good anyway. The S23 with its medium hard AAA walnut back and sides and cedar top is warm, very loud and well balanced." George Lowden

Other specifications include:

Figured Walnut back & sides
Red Cedar top
Figured Maple bindings
5 piece laminated neck
The wooden rosette is rosewood, maple, walnut & mahogany
Clear pickguard
1 3/4" Nut
2 1/4" Bridge
Split saddle, rosewood, pinless bridge
Gotoh Gold tuning machines with Ebony buttons
Hiscox Case

Jamie9 · #3 03-11-2018, 10:39 PM

Aaaaaarrrrhhhh - this is killing me. I don't know why I look at the adverts on AGF. I would jump on this if I wasn't the wrong side of the planet.

nwapoolguy · #4 03-12-2018, 08:00 AM

I would still measure the bridge string spacing. In my quest for this very guitar I ran across the majority from this era to be 2-3/16”. Many folks, including myself, are fussy about their bridge string spacing. 😁 Beautiful instrument btw!!

PierreM · #5 03-12-2018, 11:53 AM

You could consider a current S model: shorter scale (630mm) and the available options are fingerstyle neck (45/60mm) and shallow profile (the narrower neck is available too)!
All you need is in the new S (or a Wee of course!)

v32 finish · #6 03-16-2018, 08:01 PM

Would jump on this in a heartbeat if the timing were right. Saving now for a 614ce... this almost makes me want to abandon ship on that, and go this route. I'm pretty sure that after I get the Taylor, the next guitar on my list will be a Wee.

Very Nice, stellar looking guitar at a very good price, so Im giving it a courtesy bump-- good luck with the sale. I sure wish the timing were better. (hate when you see a guitar and it almost makes you run to go list your others)

Feste · #7 03-20-2018, 03:42 PM

looks like a pretty special Lowden.
Good luck with the sale!

VTGUY · #8 03-21-2018, 08:18 AM

Thanks Feste! Yes, it’s a special one indeed.

VTGUY · #9 03-24-2018, 06:51 AM

Giving this gem a weekend bump.

noledog · #10 03-24-2018, 07:10 AM

* Bump for a lovely guitar! ...I'm a huge Nick Webb/AA fan and had one of the first Nick Webb editions which has the emerald pau rosette vs the multiwood on the standard and flamed Claro walnut.

** I never met Nick as he passed before my chance to see AA, but I did a meet and greet with Greg Carmichael, very nice chap!

*** The guitar records well too as I did part of first CD with one as well as a Lowden LSEII. It also sounds fabulous in DADGAD! ...I eventually sold mine too, but wow such a lovely instrument! Best wishes on your sale.

eric

Methos1979 · #11 03-24-2018, 08:12 AM

Beautiful guitar. If the scale was shorter and the bridge spacing wider I'd be all over this! But then if that was the case I guess you probably wouldn't be selling it either!! GLWS. A Lowden S is my 'someday' guitar.

hifivic · #12 03-24-2018, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by v32 finish

Would jump on this in a heartbeat if the timing were right. Saving now for a 614ce... this almost makes me want to abandon ship on that, and go this route. I'm pretty sure that after I get the Taylor, the next guitar on my list will be a Wee.

Very Nice, stellar looking guitar at a very good price, so Im giving it a courtesy bump-- good luck with the sale. I sure wish the timing were better. (hate when you see a guitar and it almost makes you run to go list your others)

No offense but you already own a Taylor along with THOUSANDS of other's! In the end you'll have 2 very similar sounding guitars ........."the Taylor sound" but with a Lowden you'll have a totally different sonic signature something unique and very special!

v32 finish · #13 04-02-2018, 12:23 PM

hifivic- thanks for those words! no offense taken. I've already thought that same thing myself.. definitely some validity there. I may heed that advice in the long run as I've been questioning that very thing after my last couple trips to the shop to play various 600-series.

thanks again.. we'll see what happens.. seems like you always know when it's right. good luck OP, was not trying to railroad your thread

VTGUY · #14 04-10-2018, 07:22 PM

Open to reasonable offers.

jazzguy · #15 04-11-2018, 03:15 AM

Good luck on your sale. Stunningly beautiful guitar! I too have moved to short-scale guitars. I don't know if selling this was a difficult decision or not for being such a lovely guitar. I had a very special Taylor all Koa GA-K that I absolutely loved for aesthetics, sound and sentimental reasons. But at the end of the day, I was not playing it and I did not want a wall art guitar. All that to say, I affirm your decision. Playing what is comfortable and what sounds great is a good strategy for playing more guitar.