Is an Avalon the same as a Lowden?

[dsamuel24]

I am ready to purchase an Avalon Jumbo used and I was told today by an objective 3rd party that an Avalon is not the same as a Lowden - that the Avalon is an inferior guitar to the Lowden predecessor. I was always informed that Avalon was just a Lowden with a different name and logo in the headstock, but I was told today that this isn't really true, and that Avalon is "not as good" as Lowden. This used Avalon I am about to buy is beautiful and my local dealer tells me that the new Avalons they sell are as good as the Lowdens they used to carry. Thoughts?

[Jeff M]

As I understand it, Avalon changed the design slightly when George Lowden and they went their seperate ways. Not a lot, just a bit. The bracing a believe.
Having said that, I have heard nothing bad about Avalon guitars, and would have no qualms about purchasing one to go with my Lowden 025C. Still a "top quality" product.

[martinedwards]

Had a long chat with George a few months ago.......

got the legend straight!!!

Avalon has the (mainly) same workers as Lowden HAD.

thier BUILD quality is up to the same standard.

the DESIGNS are different.

I know a LOAD of folks who play NI built Avalons and love them

I also know a bunch of folks who play old Lowdens and love them too.

The NEW Lowdens are STUNNING!!!!!

[jas]

Avalon guitars can be nice... however very few are now made in Ireland.

The Silver series are made in Korea

The Gold series are now made in the Czech republic

Only the Legacy series are made in Ireland.

[Tony Burns]

Im seeing alot of Avalons popping up on the net at bargain prices -Id be carefull - JAS is dead on - personnaly If i had a choice id buy a Lowden -- Ive heard George was unhappy with the company and thats why he basically split - dont assume your getting a Lowden when you buy a Avalon

[dreamsinger]

Let's put it this way; an Avalon is the same as a Lowden, as an Epiphone is the same as a Gibson or a Squier is the same as a Fender.

[mschlack]

I was just at Mandolin Bros. two days ago and according to them, the models in the $4k+ range are pretty much the same. I believe that Avalon did switch from a through-hole bridge to pins, though, for what it's worth.

[Jeff M]

Originally Posted by martinedwards

The NEW Lowdens are STUNNING!!!!!

So are their prices.

[joegator81]

if i were to spend big bucks on a guitar and my choices were between avalon and lowden i would choose lowden every time (if i were choosing on name alone, i.e. blind-buying). but i'm very tempted to get a cheaper avalon as a beater. their entry level guitars play and sound great.

[Jeff M]

Originally Posted by dreamsinger

Let's put it this way; an Avalon is the same as a Lowden, as an Epiphone is the same as a Gibson or a Squier is the same as a Fender.

MMmmm.....not quite.
More like Gibson and Heritage Guitatrs.
Or Gibson and Weber Mandolins
All the folks that actually BUILT the old "Lowden's" are still manufacturing the guitars...under the name "Avalon" (talking about the one's built in Ireland now, not Korea or the Czech Republic).

Run a search on "Avalon" here at the forum. Lots of very pleased owners.

[dsamuel24]

Thanks for the feedback. The Avalon L32 I am looking at was made in Ireland according to the current owner (it is a Legacy series). And based on what I know of these guitars and their guitar shop prices, this one is a real "bargain". So based on the comments above, this one I'm looking hard at seems like a Lowden-esque guitar at a very affordable price, and one I should not pass up. Thanks again - I didn't realize when I originated this post that I would be getting such "inside" information from folks who personally know George Lowden. Cool.

[martinedwards]

that's what happens in this big old international interweb thingy!!

I bet there's 5 people on here who know CF Martin IV to chat to if they met him in Walmart.....

Northern Ireland?

well, every body knows EVERYBODY here!!!

I went to school with one of the main designers in Avalon (Ernie McMillan) and HE was the only one to suggest any real hanges to Georges designs while it was still Lowden at the Newtownards factory.

If you're ever over here arrange a visit vboth to Avalon & Lowden, both do good factory tours and George is SUCH a gent.....

the legal wranglings over the Lowden nave would have broken my heart If it had been me, but now his attitude is "history is history, lets make guitars!!"

[thetree4U]

Here is an Avalon forum site that shows the subtle difference in the AXE bracing structure.

http://www.avalonguitars.co.uk/phpBB...opic.php?t=411

I own a newAvalon L32C with a Fishman Ellipse Matrix Blend, which I really like.

[billv]

Originally Posted by joegator81

if i were to spend big bucks on a guitar and my choices were between avalon and lowden i would choose lowden every time (if i were choosing on name alone, i.e. blind-buying). but i'm very tempted to get a cheaper avalon as a beater. their entry level guitars play and sound great.

Basically what I just did (see my recent comparison thread). I am still lusting after another Lowden though...

[joe tone]

Originally Posted by jas

Avalon guitars can be nice... however very few are now made in Ireland.

The Silver series are made in Korea

The Gold series are now made in the Czech republic

Only the Legacy series are made in Ireland.

Not true, all their high end guitars are ireland made.