Lowden

[jklotz]

I stopped by my local pusher, uh, I mean dealer today and they had a used 99' Lowden O25 in stock. It was a little beat up/player grade, but well broken in. I had never spent a lot of time with a Lowden before. I got to say I'm smitten. Trying to resist.

[sakar12]

No need to resist. If it's a good price, what's one more guitar?

[jemartin]

Ha... I have only played 1 Lowden... in the late 90's... an O10 (cedar/mahogany), and It had a beautiful tone and feel to it. I had no money to purchase it, also a players grade Lowden. I have a friend at work who just came back from a trip very near where they are made (Downpatrick, Ireland)… and she and her husband didn't stop and pick one up for me! And they even befriended an old retired chef at the pub in the inn where they were staying, who is a longtime good friend of George Lowden...! Some friends... geesh!

[dodge]

I had a 95 lowden F12c until recently. Very nice instrument I just found the neck profile a little uncomfortable for my hand. The older lowden's have a different profile from the newer ones.

[mercy]

How would you describe the different profiles. Im considering a Lowden but have to purchase it without playing it. That infor would be helpful and Im sure others are interested.

[jklotz]

Originally Posted by mercy

How would you describe the different profiles. Im considering a Lowden but have to purchase it without playing it. That infor would be helpful and Im sure others are interested.

I played 2 today - one was a 1999, the other a newish 2018. They both had a D shape, flat in the middle and on the thin side for my taste. They were both almost identical - must say something about their consistency. Fret board was on the flatter side with a wide nut (1.77" if my memory serves me correctly). In a weird sort of way, they both kind of reminded me of a classical guitar neck.

All that being said, I was able to adapt to it after a few minutes.

[JayBee1404]

My first Lowden was a 1998 O-10, and my current pair are a 2001 O-25 and a 2017 F-23. The necks on all three were/are the standard Lowden profile, which feels thicker and more of a handful than either of my Martins (2010 HD-28V and 2012 D-18), and the nut-width was/is identical on all three at 45mm (1-3/4”). Lowden will build with 43mm or 47mm nut-widths, but they are special-order items (not sure if there’s an upcharge) - their standard width, at least for the past twenty-plus years has been 45mm, 1-3/4”.

The neck on the 2017 feels a tiny bit thinner, front to back, than the 2001, but both are substantial necks when compared to most modern Martin necks, and to the Taylor necks I’ve played.

Not great photos, but here ya go - F-23 left, O-25 right....

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[Quake17]

Good luck trying to resist . I have an O-25c from 2004 and the sound just sort of envelopes you. So different from other acoustics. I don't find it to be a great flat picking or aggressively strummed guitar, but if you are comfortable with the size, it can just mesmerize you.

[Malcolm Kindnes]

Originally Posted by mercy

How would you describe the different profiles. Im considering a Lowden but have to purchase it without playing it. That infor would be helpful and Im sure others are interested.

The thing about hand carved necks, especially where different people are carving them, is that they are not all the same. The differences may be tiny but to some of us this is important, you really have to play first to find out what suits you best or learn to adapt to what you have.

[JayBee1404]

Originally Posted by Malcolm Kindnes

The thing about hand carved necks, especially where different people are carving them, is that they are not all the same. The differences may be tiny but to some of us this is important, you really have to play first to find out what suits you best or learn to adapt to what you have.

Amen to this!

[GuitarsFromMars]

I purchased a slightly beat up (not like Jon Gomm's), first year, 1993 S25 from an AGF member, several years ago. I will not sell it, unless I come up against stupid money. Lowden are nice guitars in most all permutations, there are a very few that are found lacking. George Lowden builds awesome guitars.

[RoseAdi]

jklotz, you needn't resist!


I picked up an F35 back in 2007 while on vacation in Ireland. Twelve years later and I still think "What a guitar!" Mine has an Adi top with EIR. Talk about a guitar that can sound like angels, or growl like a bear.


My neck is a standard carve with a full 'C' profile More of a handful than my McIlroy. I love the neck, or maybe it's just that I have so many hours on it that my hand has grown around it. haha.

[jklotz]

Originally Posted by RoseAdi

jklotz, you needn't resist!

Yea, I keep hearing that. That sound is still haunting me.

This one has a bunch of cosmetic dings and some of the finish was chipped away by an enthusiastic strummer just under the soundhole (probably years ago), but the neck is straight and doesn't appear to be close to needing a reset. Structurally it is sound and there are no cracks on the body. The frets look good, plenty of life left. Action was nice and low with no buzzing. It has a K&K already installed. For a 20 year old guitar, it seems to holding up well.

[jklotz]

BTW - they are asking $3100. I didn't try to negotiate yet. What's a fair price for this guitar?

[JayBee1404]

Originally Posted by jklotz

BTW - they are asking $3100. I didn't try to negotiate yet. What's a fair price for this guitar?

Wow, that’s c. £2,500 in real (i.e. UK pounds) money! My O-25 in in good condition, a few small nicks & dings - used but not abused, no pick-wear, new fingerboard and truss rod installed at the Lowden workshop three years ago (don’t ask!), no visible fret wear, professionally-installed K&K, new Lowden-monogrammed Hiscox case when the FB/TR job was done.

If you were in the UK, I’d be delighted to take £2,500 ($3,100) for it!