The moment I picked up my Lowden 010C I knew I had to have it. It's a buxom beauty with a tone like musical Guinness - rich, dark but also bright, with lots of sustain and bite. Like me, it's a bit battered now but I've never found a guitar I would swap it for at any price(a few I'd like as well, of course). George Lowden doesn't make them now - the comany has been bought out by employees and is called Avalon. I've never played an Avalon so I don't know if they compare. They cost a fair bit more than I paid.