Lowden vs Martin

[FrankS]

Here is a great comparison between the American sound and the European sound. It is a Collings vs Lowden and the thread comes from the Collings Forum (sorry for the cross post but it is a worthwhile video for all).

One is not better than the other but they are quite different. I like the Lowden for some songs and the Collings and Martins for others. All good choices depending upon your likes.

Here is the thread: http://collingsforum.com/eve/forums/...3920015366/p/1

Here is the link to the video: http://youtu.be/kJAA3cw9hmE

Frank Sanns

[good_hillbilly]

Originally Posted by Hey_day

I have been looking at some lowden s sized guitars. They seem to be very close to a 00 body. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the lowden S bossy and how it compares to martin or any other guitars that are a little more common.

I have never played one but I've heard them up close: those Lowdens sound absolutely out of this world. Visually the bridge looks wierd to me -- I'd rather just have a normal bridge -- but the sound is absolutely as good as it gets!!!

[cspencer]

Funny, when I was looking for a Martin dread to replace my 20 year old J45 copy, I compared a Cedar top Takamine and a Lowden. I bought the Martin

[davwir]

They really are kinda different to compare. While I think a lot of builders take many of their design cues and tonal aspirations from classic Martins, I think George Lowden really has a bit more of an original and unique voice and design in the space. Really, what anyone else prefers should have little influence. Play as many as you can of both, and find what you prefer.
Or, as others noted, it's wonderful to have both in your stable if possible!

[Jim]

I think that the Collings vs. Lowden YouTube video that Frank posted is very helpful and worth listening to. Both makes are great choices, but for my ears I much prefer the Collings tone because to my ears is comes across as having much greater clarity, note separation, and complexity. It is also a better comparison than Lowden vs. Martin since Collings and Lowden are both small shops and put in the same amount of hand crafting (neither is an individual luthier operation). Also, most people, including me, experience Collings as being a Martinish type sound if Martins were made by a small shop where each guitar received much more attention and crafting and wood selecting and voicing than a large factory operation like Martin can put into their guitars.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by FrankS

Here is a great comparison between the American sound and the European sound. It is a Collings vs Lowden...

Hi Frank,

Although I enjoyed the video, I find the idea of any acoustic having an American or European sound silly. The Collings OM used in the video is basically a Martin clone, a guitar designed by a German, think European luthier. I mean if George Lowden decided to move his operation to California would that change the Lowden tone to American? I can see the ad now, "For that laid back California tone, choose Lowden".

[zmf]

Originally Posted by Ted @ LA Guitar Sales

Although I enjoyed the video, I find the idea of any acoustic having an American or European sound silly.

I'm a bit surprised you think that, Ted.

How about an American and Irish (or Celtic) dichotomy? Would you buy that?

IMHO, the Lowdens, Avalons and McIlroys have a sound that's quite distinctive.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by zmf

...How about an American and Irish (or Celtic) dichotomy? Would you buy that?

I would not.

[FrankS]

Ted,

The video was not mine. I simply restated the title.

I do think the classic twangy and slightly boxy sound of a Martin might be construed as the quintessential guitar in the US even though many may consider a Gibson or some other manufacturer that. I will stay away from the semantics and just say that it is a nice comparison of two very differently build and voiced guitars. I think they are both winners no matter what you call them.

Frank Sanns

[royd]

Originally Posted by Ted @ LA Guitar Sales

Although I enjoyed the video, I find the idea of any acoustic having an American or European sound silly.

Do you have another descriptor you would use to differentiate between those two fairly different sound families?

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by FrankS

Ted,

The video was not mine. I simply restated the title.

I do think the classic twangy and slightly boxy sound of a Martin might be construed as the quintessential guitar in the US even though many may consider a Gibson or some other manufacturer that. I will stay away from the semantics and just say that it is a nice comparison of two very differently build and voiced guitars. I think they are both winners no matter what you call them.

Frank Sanns

Hi Frank,

Yes, it was clear the video was not yours.

Originally Posted by royd

Do you have another you would use to differentiate between those two fairly different sound families?

Hi Royd,

Yes, I would call it a comparison between a Mahogany/Adirondack Lowden Grand Auditorium and a Rosewood/Adirondack Collings Orchestra Model. Two fantastic, but very different guitars, not only in their voicing, but also in size, shape, and tonewood combination.

[mercy]

True the tonewoods are different but I believe you can hear the classic American sound, focus on fundamental, and Irish, more overtones. Whatever woods you use the difference is there. When you look inside a Lowden and look inside a Martin, opps Collings, you see differences which = a different sound.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by mercy

True the tonewoods are different but I believe you can hear the classic American sound, focus on fundamental, and Irish, more overtones. Whatever woods you use the difference is there. When you look inside a Lowden and look inside a Martin, opps Collings, you see differences which = a different sound.

Your opinion might hold true for Martin vs Lowden, which is what the OP was asking about, but it certainly does not cover all American and European guitars, which is what I'm talking about. The notion that there is an American or European sound is pure nonsense. Play a McPherson alongside a Stonebridge and then tell me which one has more overtones, the American or European guitar.

The voice of a guitar comes from the builder, not the location of the shop.

[fregly]

In the Collings Lowden camparison in that video the Collings came off much better. You can only tell so much from quick samples like that. Of those the Collings was quite a ways superior.

[bbrunskill]

Interesting how opinions differ! I thought the Lowden sounded better, even though the Collings was wonderful