Japan made 80s: Flambeau LFW-1

[_Tachyon_]

I have an opportunity to buy one from a local pawn shop... I know the history of these supposed Lowden-designed Japan made guitars from the 80s (although there isn't a whole lot of information out there on them).

This one is banged up but does appear to be structurally sound and it plays okay... lots of scratches, dings, an actual small chunk 1/8 of an inch hole left from something going through the side of the guitar... a inch sized piece of the top trim broke off and it's badly glued back into place.... price is only $300 though... what do you think?

[_Tachyon_]

Someone talk me out of it?

[cyclistbrian]

Originally Posted by _Tachyon_

Someone talk me out of it?

One of my fishing tackle boxes is branded Flambeau. Someone might think your guitar is fishy ? Sorry...all I got.

[zztush]

Hi, Peter! Is yours like this one?

[_Tachyon_]

Originally Posted by zztush

Hi, Peter! Is yours like this one?

It's like this one, except it's the LFW-1:





They were designed by George Lowden...

See below from another thread:

Re: [Lowden-L] Dry Lowden

On 8 Mar 2005, at 16:24, Del Vezeau wrote:

> My cedar top Flambeaus sound awful when they are dry... thin and nearly
> unbearable. When they sit in 50-60% RH they sound like they were meant
> to
> sound..

Hi Del,

Interesting!... In fact I designed the Flambeau guitars in the early
eighties as a favour to the Japanese export company I was working with
for the manufacture of the Lowden guitars. Although I had no control or
oversight of the manufacturing of the Flambeau guitars I know the RH of
the factory was rather high typically 50 to 60% and therefore I guess
if they don't sound so good when dry ( say 30 to 40% RH) then that must
mean they are happy when in an environment similar to the factory in
which they were built.

'Wet' guitars for me means ones kept in an environment of 70% or over
RH. Very wet could be 80 to 90% where the guitars would even feel
sticky, be swollen up and definetly sounding tight.

George

George Lowden Guitars
32-34 Down Business Centre
Downpatrick
Co. Down
N. Ireland BT30 9UP

[guitar george]

From what I've read in this thread and for $300.00 I think you could do much better with another Japanese made guitar from the 70's or 80's. Did I talk you out of it?

[_Tachyon_]

Originally Posted by guitar george

From what I've read in this thread and for $300.00 I think you could do much better with another Japanese made guitar from the 70's or 80's. Did I talk you out of it?

You haven't yet... there's also a sentimental attachment to my consideration as this was the same model guitar that I owned when I was a young teen and learned how to play. That one was later pawned off by a "friend" for drug money and I never saw it again...

[personatech]

Originally Posted by _Tachyon_

You haven't yet... there's also a sentimental attachment to my consideration as this was the same model guitar that I owned when I was a young teen and learned how to play.

Well then, what did you think of the one you owned previously?