Well I finally laid out the money for the 12 string Lowden Flambeau. I immediately replaced the broken string with the D'addario spare that was in the case. Great to play but the sound was left wanting. I avoided the "too bright" D'addario's and optend for some earnie Balls, and it magically came into it's own. It is one beautiful intstument. Solid Cedar top, The back and sides are stunning in what looks like an exotic wood. Apart from some fret wear and some very superficial marks on the soundboard, it is like new.

It is now almost at the top of the pile of my sweet guitars. It has blown away the gibson 12, the Top range Ibanez, and the Spruce maple maple Maton. But my spruce and rosewood cw80 Maton is still at the top for pure midrange sweets. But that has been my companion since the mid 80's, and has travelled with me through various overseas trips, and so that relationship will take some time to break.

The Lowden Flambeau... Simply awesome! Sweet enough to make you cry, fit and finish that would be hard to beat.

Thanks for letting me be a visitor. My earlier note when considering the purchase has been removed. But Hey! I am a visitor.