i do have a japanese made lowden and i used to love it but wshen my house burnt it got a lot of water damage.its ok but the top dropped and the action isn't what it was, however the jaoanese ones were very good guitars.

to heal my broken heart i bought an irish made lowden and love it just as much.

i have noticed that cergtain models are going pretty cheapon ebay. the mahagony onesseem to be not much bid on, which for a finger style player is a mistake. they are fabulous finger style guitars. the mahagony seems to have a more balanced sound so the bass doesn't dxrown out the trebble and is very bright. so look on e bay.

i just bought a fifvties gibson j 45 locally. it has been rode hard, and needs some work but not being a gibson fan i went to look at it just to see if i could flip it and use the money for my dream citern fund. then i played it and didn't ask any question. i can't believe the boom. it rivals the fifties martin d28 i had years ago. sonow i'm hooked . i'll get the top struts reglued and that should bring the action down, and forget about the cosmetics. i like beatters that sound great. old wizzened beat but still sound fabulous--sort of like me!!!