Loudon guitars (Lowden)

Subject: RE: Loudon guitars (Lowden)
From: Grab
Date: 17 May 05 - 02:20 PM

Striking out for sanity...

Jon, the key to Lowden naming is the letter and number. The letter gives the body shape, the number gives the wood type.

Letters:-

O: Largest body, "standard" Lowden. Very rich and loud sound, but large body is harder for small people to play.

F: Small body, with almost the same sound but less depth and volume.

S: Similar size to F, but set up for jazz with nylon strings.

D: Dreadnaught.

Numbers:-

10: Mahogany back, cedar top

12: Mahogany back, spruce top

23: Walnut back, spruce top

25: Rosewood back, cedar top

32: Rosewood back, spruce top

There are then numbers 35 upwards for rare and expensive woods.

I've got an O32. My experience was that the mahogany and walnut didn't have the same depth as the rosewoods. I A/B'd an O25 and O32 for ages, but the O32 just edged it out. The O25 is effortlessly gorgeous; the O32 takes more time to get used to (you do have to practise regularly), but seems to reward with better sound when you've got the feel of it.

Before I bought my Lowden, I played almost every decent guitar in Denmark Street (London), every decent guitar in Coda Music (Stevenage) and the Acoustic Centre (London), and at least one of every type of decent guitar in Elderly Instruments (Michigan). So Fylde, Collings, Martin, Guild, Gibson, Huss & Dalton, Santa Cruz, Larrivee, Seagull, Taylor, etc, etc... But not one sounded better than the Lowdens. The only one I almost considered was an old Guild in Coda which had a beautiful rich bass but was sadly lacking in any treble presence (the right strings might have revitalised it, but I didn't/don't have the money to risk it).

FWIW, I hit London with a couple of friends, one of whom is a rather good blues guitarist who has lusted after a Martin or Gibson just about all his life. He was amazed to find: that they were none of them as good as he had imagined; that in fact that many were worse than the old Yamaha he plays; and that he liked Lowdens more.

There may well be smaller instrument makers like McIlroy (an ex-student of George Lowden IIRC) who make better instruments, but they're hard to find. I'd considered it, but at the time I wasn't confident in the risk of getting a guitar built for me (and it likely would have cost much more). As production instruments go, a Lowden is about the best you'll find.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Loudon guitars (Lowden)
From: GUEST,Mike
Date: 17 May 05 - 02:27 PM

Pierre Bensusan's guitar sure sounds great but its a very old model. I have tried a few newer Lowdens that don't compare to that guitar. I have owned both Martins and Lowdens. I still have two Martins. It is futile to compare Martins and Lowdens though because the sound characteristic is totally different. If you want that American guitar sound you won't get it from a Lowden and vice versa. But it does make an interesting discussion!

Subject: RE: Loudon guitars (Lowden)
From: Spot
Date: 17 May 05 - 02:34 PM

Hello everybody...
          Have to say I agree totally with all of above post, having played my 032 for 5 years or so.I just love it ...Martins, Gibsons. Larrivees, Froggy B's...done 'em all and more...032sRuleOK!! (With my Yam LL11 a very close 2nd!! - sushi board or otherwise!!)

                   Regards to all....Spot

Subject: RE: Loudon guitars (Lowden)
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 18 May 05 - 11:31 AM

I have a W23P - very early serial number; equates to a modern O23, but with Walnut back/sides & Cedar top - predates the split saddle, but being made and signed personally by George Lowden himself makes it a bit special. It even lives in the early prototype Lowden case that Hiscox produced - colour Green. Sound/playability is scrumptious.

There are numerous Martin owners I know who would swap me their guitars in less than a heartbeat.

Subject: RE: Loudon guitars (Lowden)
From: M.Ted
Date: 18 May 05 - 06:27 PM

It *is* a very Richard Thompson sounding instrument--and you can take that like you want.

Subject: RE: Loudon guitars (Lowden)
From: GUEST,Blackford John
Date: 19 May 05 - 07:03 AM

I took my Gibson and Guild for an insurance valuation three years ago. It was an expensive visit as I fell in love with an F32 and could not leave without it. My wife was with me and she reckoned that it was better to have this new love close at hand than have me sneaking off for snatched liaisons in a music shop in Perth.

So, the Lowden and Lorna both share the stage with me at times and it as modern relationships go, it seems to work.

Re the previous comments. It is true that there are guitarists who love their Guilds or Martins and others that will love a Lowden - vive la difference.

Subject: RE: Loudon guitars (Lowden)
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 19 May 05 - 01:03 PM

I love Martins AND Lowdens. And Mrs. Johnny.
S:0)

Subject: RE: Loudon guitars (Lowden)
From: GUEST,Pete Moss
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 02:07 PM

I paid $2250 for an F10 in San Francisco about 5 years ago. I have a Taylor 440 (koa back and sides) as a back up, but the Lowden is my favorite. I love the precision in tone between the wound vs unwound strings resulting from the split bridge. I play the guitars for friends and they always prefer the sound of the Lowden.

Of course everyone knows Richard Thompson is a Lowden player, but I'd just like to note that Justin from New Model Army also plays a Lowden. :)