George Bowden guitars

Subject: George Bowden guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 03:34 AM

I own a 1971 George Bowden guitar, labelled as being made by himself in Majorca in 1971 and bought 2nd hand by me in Leeds in 1972. Its journey from Spain to Leeds was in the hands of a Leeds duo who sang professionally on cruise ships - I think they sang as David and Marianne Delmar. I was told by the intermediary who sold it to me that they found it too loud to sing to.

The guitar has a large flat-top body, cedar top, oval sound hole, 3 piece dark good qual. back and ribs, with a 14-fret 2" wide flat fingerboard along the classical line, but with wire strings. Arrow-shaped peghead with geared side tuners.

It's one of the brightest, loudest guitars I've ever heard, and I bought it during my Django wannabe phase.

I've never been able to find anything out about the maker. Does anyone out there know anything about Bowden or his guitars?

Subject: RE: George Bowden guitars
From: Nick
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 04:13 AM

There are a fair number of references on google - eg George Bowden biography and I dare say if you contacted Michael Dunn who is mentioned on the page or Antonio Morales you could find out oodles of stuff

Subject: RE: George Bowden guitars
From: GUEST,Lanfranc the Cookieless
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 07:18 AM

I don't have a George Bowden guitar, but I do have an Appalachian Dulcimer that he made. On holiday in Majorca in 1972, we followed a trail of adverts attached to lampposts to George's shop in Palma.

I played and admired a number of his guitars, and then noticed the dulcimer hanging in a corner. He'd made it from some plans provided by a US Navy sailor, but had never heard it played; so I played it for him.

He sold it to me for the something like the equivalent of six pounds, and I carried it home on the plane among the straw donkeys and sombreros. I still have it today, and although it is a bit unconventional (a narrow fingerboard, only three strings and no cutout in the "strumming zone"), it is a comparatively powerful dulcimer and has a superb tone. The only major change I have made over the years has been to replace the violin pegs with banjo machines to aid tuning.

George and I communicated with the occasional letter and Christmas Cards for a few years, but when we were in Palma a few years back, there was no trace of the shop that we could find in the time we had as we passed by on a yacht.

He was a great guy, a Canadian who chose the wood for his instruments from the growing trees, and I would love to own one of his guitars.

If yours has pups, can I have one?

Alan

Subject: RE: George Bowden guitars
From: Spot
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 07:40 AM

Allo...

             Want to flog it? I remember the David Dalmour duo names but not what they sang.....!!

             Regards to all....Spot

Subject: RE: George Bowden guitars
From: GUEST,Lanfranc the Cookieless
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 09:58 AM

If you do want to sell, Spot and I could end up in an auction!!

Alan

Subject: RE: George Bowden guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 06 - 01:32 PM

Thanks for all that information - I've always wondered about George. Although I don't play guitar much these days this particular instrument has great sentimental value.

I hadn't really thought of selling it. I've no idea what it's worth now - I gave £70 for it in 1972 (I bought it out of Arthur Hunt's North Street shop as a commission sale)- quite a lot of money then - but it certainly earned its keep and owes me nothing. Although I really wanted to be Django, I used it chiefly for playing old-time american stuff accompanying fiddle and banjo in a Charlie Poole inspired band.

If I decide to let it go I'll post a message here.

Thanks again all.

AB