Lowden/Flambeau Guitars

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Alf
Date: 04 Jul 21 - 04:13 PM

I have a LFW-1-12 in mint condition. It is very interesting finding out a bit about them, especially how rare they are, even if the brand isn't that well known.
I can't remember what age I was bought mine. I started secondary school (UK) in 1980 & joined the school's guitar club. It was run by my Chemistry teacher, Mrs Vandevever! I started learning on a classical guitar, but a few years later wanted a guitar for my birthday. And I was after a 12 string. It was before 1986 (as that was the year my dad disappeared in the West Indies on holiday). I can't recall which music shop in Belfast, Northern Ireland, my dad brought me to, and I have vague memories of trying out a few other 12 strings, but WOW the sound of this guitar was SO beautiful it was an easy choice. It's now 35 years since my dad's disappearance & my guitar is invaluable to me. I don't play it regularly unfortunately. It's still in it's hard case & is in immaculate condition. My 12 year old daughter is learning on a travel sized dreadnought acoustic & I can't wait to pass it onto her & listen to it sing again.

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 18 - 10:58 AM

George Lowden designed the Flambeau for the Rose Morris Company in Japan. This was post guitar litigation period, when Fender and Gibson were suing guitar manufacturers in Japan for selling knockoffs of the telecaster, Stratocaster, and the Les Paul. Rose Morris company in Japan commissioned George Lowden to design guitars that were of high quality at a price point that would compete with the American made guitars. There's a hard and fast rule in the marketplace however, you can't spend more than you receive. Flambeau was built from the finest quality materials on the market, but selling in the economy range of the market. So they finally went under. I bought mine in 1980 and played with it on stage for nearly twenty years. It was one of the great joys in my life. Every morning before I left for work I played it for at least an hour. One morning I stood up to watch my children get on the school bus and the guitar strap disconnected and my Flambeau hit the floor. It cracked where the top meets the sides. I've had it repaired in a professional shop, but it's never returned to it's former glory. Five years ago I decided to get a Gibson Studio Pro. I played it a half dozen times and gave it to my granddaughter. My Flambeau and I have too much history to divorce now. I've realized we've both been through a lot, and really I don't sound as good as I used to either. M.y guitar is 38 years old and I am 63, to get mine you'll have to wait and pry it out of my cold dead hands

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 16 - 08:50 AM

Ressurecting a thread from the dead here I guess but I have had a Lowden O23 for years and was lucky enough to recently pick up a Flambeau LFW-3C for £60 ($100)...result....I am sure that the pawn shop didn't have a clue about what they had.

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Carl
Date: 20 Jul 14 - 08:04 PM

What type of undersaddle pick up do I need in my LFW-5? Wide or narrow?

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Ian E.
Date: 09 Jan 13 - 09:00 AM

I've just got a Flambeau LFW-5, I would like to know what woods were used in its construction, ad any other info. about this model.

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: Willie-O
Date: 31 Dec 12 - 07:20 PM

You got lucky, GUEST!
I am considering dealing mine out since I'm not playing it, but it's not going cheap cause I know what I've got, and who played it and loved it!

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Dec 12 - 05:22 PM

Greetings from Alberta, Canada. I just picked up a LFW-4 (serial number 84170) from a pawn shop for $120.00. I think it was made in 1984. Solid spruce top, highly figured tiger-stripe solid back and sides (Ovagkol wood I think). Multi-ply wood bindings with a 3 ply stripe down the middle of the back. Dark wood neck binding. J-50 sloped shouldered dreadnought shape. 16" wide at the lower bout. 5" thick at the lower bout, 4" thick at the upper bout. 25 1/4" scale length. Pinless bridge. Hand carved martin style x-bracing. Georgeous guitar. One of the nicest fingerpicking guitars I've ever heard. Wouldn't sell it for the world.

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: Tally Ho Man
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 05:51 AM

Hi,

I saw this one, identical to mine, for sale for £625

http://www.ripleyguitars.co.uk/index.php/flambeau-lfw1.html

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 10:01 AM

Have you tried listing it on eBay? IF you do, send a link. People would no doubt like to see photos, etc.

SRS

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,badsun79
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 09:31 AM

hey all cool site
I have a flambeau lfw1-12 guitar but i know nothing about it other then they were designed by the great george lowden for production in japan, and few were made i have taken this to 6 different shops and nobody knows a thing.HELP PLEASE! any help please send it my way its a 12 string in near mint condition with org hardshell case. hit me up at
[e-mail] thanks a million......

21 jan 12
i AM LOOKING TO SELL THIS GUITAR I ANY INTEREST PLEASE E-MAIL ME. I have one in college and well as you all know it's beyond expensive so some herd thinning is required. Please send me fair offers no lowballers i'm an honest guy trying to do the right thing by my son . thanks gang

Subject: Flambeau Guitar HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From: GUEST,badsun79
Date: 19 Dec 11 - 05:43 PM

hey all cool site
I have a flambeau lfw1-12 guitar but i know nothing about it other then they were designed by the great george lowden for production in japan, and few were made i have taken this to 6 different shops and nobody knows a thing.HELP PLEASE! any help please send it my way its a 12 string in near mint condition with org hardshell case. hit me up at
[e-mail] thanks a million

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I moved your post to this thread -- hope it helps. --Mod

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Didsy
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 04:24 PM

Hi. My next door neighbour just give me a Japan made Flambreau LFW-1 yesterday. It has a few dings and is missing four machine heads but it seems solid and straight. Some moron has added a pick holder on to the side of the body though, I hate those things!

Im a bass player myself so have no real use for it. Anyone what it? If so gimmie a shout at [e-mail] I'm in Ireland so postage may be a small but hop overable barrier.

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: ollaimh
Date: 12 Nov 10 - 08:19 PM

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!!!

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,JP
Date: 12 Nov 10 - 07:10 AM

Update:
I received a second message from Johnny - he has been talking with his dad - there is (as we suspected (knew?)) a link.
I have forwarded a photo of the mystery label for consideration.
The signature looks like "T. Iwai" to me.

I have restrung with Ernie Ball Earthwood Medium strings and it is beginning to come alive again.

Regards to all
JP

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Bob Smith
Date: 11 Nov 10 - 09:39 PM

Hi All,
Nice to see a Lowden-dedicated thread. I live in the greater Ottawa area and am interested in picking up a used Lowden. Can't seem to find any online. Anyone here able to give me a lead? (Pref. with a pickup).
Thanks,
Bob
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: ollaimh
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 04:49 PM

i remember a guy i knew played a flambeau back in the eighties. he was a rythym player in a celtic band and it seemd fine. i had never heard of them back then. i am interested to find they were designed by lowden. thanks

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,JP
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 01:41 PM

I have a Flambeau LFW2 which I bought new in the early eighties from Ivor Mairantz (as best as my memory serves).
I play it occasionally - with long gaps between intense sessions.
I MUST put some new strings on now.
I am sure I used to use D'Addario XL Red strings but they seem to have vanished now.
It has a rectangular label but where serial number should be is just a signature. Is this significant?
I recently emailed Lowden guitars to be (politely) informed by Johnny Lowden that he has no knowledge of any past connection between Lowden and Flambeau.
How strange.
Any suggestions?
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Willie-O no cookie
Date: 03 Oct 10 - 10:05 AM

What are you wondering, windpoison?

W-O

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,windpoison
Date: 02 Oct 10 - 04:20 PM

I have a Flambeau LFW-3cp, just wondering about it

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Kevin
Date: 17 May 10 - 08:31 AM

I live in Ottawa, Canada and have a Flambeau LFW-2 for sale. If anyone is interested, or would like more information, contact me at [e-mail].

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Gary
Date: 04 Jan 10 - 07:51 AM

There is a Flambeau on Ebay UK now sale ref 220535125832. Its a 12 stringer.

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: Goodboyshep
Date: 16 Dec 09 - 06:29 AM

My partner has a Flambeau that looks like a J50 with a venetian cutaway. It's mint with it's own case. Nice sound and VERY lightwieght body. Quite a bright and complex tone, with that flat wide Lowden neck. I think she wants to sell it if anyone interested. Email [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Matt
Date: 17 Jul 09 - 01:38 PM

I'm just been given a flambeau lfw-1-12 for absolutely free, it sounds great and I'm pretty sure I've just hit real lucky lol

Can anyone give me a general rundown about the guitar and what its worth?
I've been playing about 5 years but I was never interested in following guitar brands/who plays what.

Subject: RE: Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,mike healey
Date: 05 May 09 - 04:43 PM

hi

I believe the back and sides are a wood called Ovankol.I have got a 12 string which I'm restoring L-F-W-12 .One went on ebay in July 08 for 500 quid. Made in Japan from a design by George Lowden.

hope this helps


mike

Subject: RE: General Thread about Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Shirley
Date: 03 Jan 09 - 03:39 PM

Just found this thread while searching for info on Flambeau guitars. I have a classical Flambeau, Model LFG-4.
Not sure what the wood is. The top looks, to me, like cedar but it has what looks like saw marks running against the grain. The back is a wood I've never seen before. Very yellow looking with straight black grain.
Would love to know more about this guitar. I bought it new in 1986 when I knew next to nothing about guitars. All I know is everyone in the music store loved the sound of it so I bought it.
It has a few flaws and I think it was considered a second.

Subject: RE: General Thread about Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Warwick Slade
Date: 13 Oct 08 - 09:12 AM

I bought a new Yamaha in about '83 and it came in a case marked 'Flambeau' which I had never heard of up until now.
Just thought you'd like to know!

Subject: RE: General Thread about Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Evangeline
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 02:46 PM

Ohhh, I haven't quote got the hang of this have I! I thought I had posted to different messages, but I seem to have posted to the same message 3 times, sorry!

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Some of your messages were moved in here. Please feel free to pick the most appropriate thread to post your advertisement once. ~Admin

Subject: RE: Rick's Old Lowden Rocks
From: GUEST,Evangeline
Date: 11 Oct 08 - 11:52 AM

Hi there, I am looking for Flambeau guitars, does anyone have one that they may be interested in selling? If so please email me at [e-mail].

I have also created a yahoo group for the flambeau guitar if anyone would like to join and be my first proper member! I wanted to find other flambeau owners and find out more about them.

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/flambeauguitars/

Subject: RE: General Thread about Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Evangeline
Date: 11 Oct 08 - 11:48 AM

By the way, I have just created a yahoo group for the Flambeau guitar in the hope to find more owners and more info about them. please come and join if you would like to chat Flambeau! http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/flambeauguitars/

Subject: RE: General Thread about Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,Evangeline
Date: 11 Oct 08 - 11:26 AM

Hi everyone, I have just found this thread after searching for Flambeau guitars. I am interested in building a collection. I currently have an LFW-5 model so am looking for any others. If anyone has one that they may be interested in selling it would be great if you would get in touch. Thanks, Evangeline. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: General Thread about Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: GUEST,dick
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 09:38 AM

sweet. i got a lfw-1 myself, which is bought by my dad around like 20~ years ago, or even more. the thing is i could not search for any evidence or information of the production proof of this guitar. Its pretty cool now since i found this thread and found that quite few of us owns a Flambeau. I personally think its a very durable guitar, i meanafter so many years, nothing has happened to it. No changing of the setup or anything, totally sweet. Also the sound is awsome, although i think its quite hard for begginers to start of with. Its a relief to see that a few owns a flambeau. hoped that more and more would show up and tell us about this guitar.

Subject: RE: General Thread about Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: Zen
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 07:43 PM

As a former Flambeau owner I seem to remember that they were made in Japan under the supervision of George Lowden from about 1980 to 1985.

Zen

Subject: RE: General Thread about Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: michaelr
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 07:12 PM

Thanks, Jeri!

Subject: RE: General Thread about Lowden/Flambeau Guitars
From: Jeri
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 05:18 PM

As near as I can tell from Google, George Lowden designed the Flambeau which was made in Japan for a couple of years.

Subject: RE: General Thread about Lowden Guitars
From: michaelr
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 03:32 PM

So just what IS the connection between Lowden and Flambeau?

Subject: RE: General Thread about Lowden Guitars
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 07:39 AM

Obviously not.

Subject: RE: General Thread about Lowden Guitars
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 19 Aug 08 - 08:05 AM

Couldn't an Elf change the title to 'General Thread About Flambeau Guitars'?

Subject: RE: General Thread about Lowden Guitars
From: michaelr
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 09:02 PM

So just what IS the connection between Lowden and Flambeau?

Subject: RE: General Questions about Lowden Guitars
From: GUEST,Neil Hastilow
Date: 18 Aug 08 - 08:33 AM

Thanks posters - Its good to final get to the bottom of the source of my strange but marvelous guitar - I have a Flambeau LFW-1 which was bought for me by my parents as my 1st 'proper' guitar circ 1985. As non-musos they went to a shop in Portsmouth (UK) and asked for a nice guitar!
So they couldnt tell me anything about it -they were told by the shop that it was a sub brand of yamaha!?!

After 23 years Im pleased to say it is in mint condition despite going to school/ collage/ uni/ camping etc previous posters are spot on - the non gloss finish is very classy and boy is it loud! The only changes are strings and a new nut (it came with a nasty plastic one that crumbled afer a decade of so).

Cant speek of its market price but its priceless to me!

Cheers all

Neil

Subject: RE: General Questions about Lowden Guitars
From: GUEST,George
Date: 03 Aug 08 - 06:27 PM

Mint condition Flambeau LFW-5. I'll entertain offers. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: General Questions about Lowden Guitars
From: GUEST,George
Date: 03 Aug 08 - 06:04 PM

About the mint condition Flambeau LFW-5. Doubt I will check this site to often, so email is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: General Questions about Lowden Guitars
From: GUEST,George
Date: 03 Aug 08 - 06:02 PM

I have a mint condition Flambeau LFW5. And I do mean mint. I would consider offers.

Subject: RE: General Questions about Lowden Guitars
From: Grab
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 09:29 AM

Per George Lowden's own site at this page, a buff label means it was made in Japan between 1980 and 1985.

IIRC, the old G7 model is roughly equivalent to the present O32 - both have spruce tops, but G7 was ovangkol back/sides where the O32 is East Indian rosewood. Lowden currently want around £2500 for a new O32-12. Last time I saw one of those mentioned on the Cult of Lowden, they wanted around £1800 for it - certainly a stock O32 in very good condition would be worth £1500, and a 12-string would be worth a bit more. It's difficult to guess a price for a Lowden 12-string though, because there are so few around.

If I had a few more quid spare, I'd definitely be in the market for it! Trouble is, I've recently been building up on PA and recording gear, so I don't know if I could get that pas Mission Control. ;-) Plus we're in the process of buying a new house. Still though, if you're in the UK then sling a post on here when you've got an idea how much you'd want for it, and I'll see how I'm set then.

But as ThreeSheds says, the Cult of Lowden is definitely the best place to ask. You might also find yourself a buyer on there, since there are a few "completists" on there who have just about every model ever made!

Graham.

Subject: RE: General Questions about Lowden Guitars
From: GUEST,Albie
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 05:23 AM

My e-mail address is [e-mail]. If you would be kind enough to get in touch, I'll forward some photos

Subject: RE: General Questions about Lowden Guitars
From: ThreeSheds
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 09:47 AM

This may be the best place to ask

Subject: RE: General Questions about Lowden Guitars
From: theleveller
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 08:21 AM

Albie, I don't know the model you've got; can you give a bit of a description - woods, size etc? I've got a 1995 010C that I wouldn't part with for love or money but it's insured for £1500, which I think is pretty much its maximum replacement value. You could try offering it to a second-hand guitar dealer, see what they offer you for it, then add, say, 30 - 50%. Then put it on ebay with that as a reserve.

I don't think it would be made in Japan 'under licence'. George Lowden moved production over there and they were made by experienced luthiers under his direct supervision. He moved production back to Ireland in, I think, 1994.

Subject: RE: General Questions about Lowden Guitars
From: GUEST,Albie
Date: 04 Jul 08 - 07:23 AM

I (sadly) have to sell my Lowden G7-12 as I am moving to Thailand and I don't think the humidity would suit it. I've had the guitar since approx 1990 when I bought it second hand. I don't play it much now as my playing days are over and it now lives in its original Lowden hard case in my pantry. Its in perfect condition and without a doubt the best guitar I've ever played. Can someone give me an idea of what would be a reasonable price to ask. Will happily sell it for what its worth but don't want to be ripped off. It has a buff coloured label which I believe means that it was made in Japan under licence. Cheers.

Subject: RE: General Questions about Lowden Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 08 - 06:33 AM

When I decided to take up guitar again, about 12 years ago, after a gap of 25 years, I went into a local guitar shop and spent a happy couple of hours playing every acoustic in the shop. When I picked up the Lowden it was love at first pluck. There was no way I was going to leave that shop without it. It's a 1996 010C, made in Ireland just after George relocated production back there and it gets compliments wherever I play it. It's the guitar equivalent of Guinness - dark, rich, full-bodied and very moreish. I've played other guitars I'd love to won (an early Ralph Bown, in particular) but I'll never part with my big, curvey beauty.

Subject: RE: General Questions about Lowden Guitars
From: GUEST,Jon in Oz
Date: 03 May 08 - 02:01 AM

Hi all,

I'm another googler who found this thread and not much else. At least one of these guitas found its way down under. Mine is a flambeau LFW-5 that I bought for A$300 from a bluegrass picker who had had the holes in the bridge bored out so it would take heavy strings, such was his style of playing. However it wan't enough and he bought a martin instead. The Flambeau however, (now with light guage stringsas intended) rocks on. And man is it loud!I've played jazz, blues, country and even a bit of rock and roll with it. It stays in tune on and off stage, sounds great for delicate fingerpicking and packs a punch when you wanna ACDC it up.

Subject: RE: General Questions about Lowden Guitars
From: GUEST,Rick Hayes, Scotland
Date: 28 Mar 08 - 07:43 PM

Hi guys, just found this whilst googling, hope you still see it.

I am another Rick with a Lowden G7 that rocks!
I must have tried 200 guitars the length and breadth of Britain (I had a job in which I travelled a lot then) and then finally happened upon what used to be a hole in the wall outfit called Roadshow Music in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling.   The great Ted was very patient with me as I pottered about with all the usual Ymahas and drooled over an old Gibson at £400 (too much). He finally said why don't you try this one and handed me the G&. It was like putting your hand into a glove, such a comfortable fit, light and sleder neck, verye asy action and superb tone. We haggled amiably for an hour or so and were down to £310. When I asked him for the tenner off for a belt buckle mak where someone had tried it before his answer was "Have a heart!" so we did the deal. I have never met a guitar that stays in tune so well. That must have been about 1983 and if anything it sounds better than ever. Shortly after I made friends witha couple from the Borders who turned out to have the G7 12 string, awesome sound. Keep pickin'.
Rick