Small body guitar that sounds like a Lowden?

[guitarplayer]

Does anyone make a small body (OM, 000, 00) acoustic that sounds similar to a Lowden for $3500 or less? I love the sound of the Lowden but looking for a more comfortable small body guitar.

 

[royd]

why not a Lowden S which is about a 00 size? or for about the size of an OM, a Lowden F?

 

[Jon C]

Exactly.... my Lowden S12 is a little monster ... a mini-cannon ... and it sounds just like a Lowden!

cheers,
Jon

 

[guitarplayer]

why not a Lowden S which is about a 00 size? or for about the size of an OM, a Lowden F?

Sounds great! I have to admit I'm not very familiar (obviously) with the different Lowden models. I've only seen the larger body models. I've noticed that George Lowden is still making guitars and the "original" Lowden company is still making guitars as well. Are they comparable? Thanks again.

 

[Member 995]

Lowdens are pretty unique sounding guitars and there really aren't many other builders that have that sound. If I were shopping, I'd find a used F model, probably with a cedar top and rosewood back/sides. I find the S model to be too small for me.

I play an O25, which is a jumbo model. I absolutely love it, but it is a big guitar.

 

[guitarplayer]

Lowdens are pretty unique sounding guitars and there really aren't many other builders that have that sound. If I were shopping, I'd find a used F model, probably with a cedar top and rosewood back/sides. I find the S model to be too small for me.

I play an O25, which is a jumbo model. I absolutely love it, but it is a big guitar.

Does Lowden guitars (www.lowdenguitars.com) still make the F model? I didn't see it on their web site. Thanks!

 

[Member 995]

Does Lowden guitars (www.lowdenguitars.com) still make the F model? I didn't see it on their web site. Thanks!

As far as I know, yes. I think they pretty much stick to three sizes: S, F, and O, ordered in increasing size.

The S is 373 mm wide (a bit over 14.5 inches). The F is 403 mm wide (almost 16 inches). The O is 420 mm wide (almost 17 inches).

 

[AnthonyL]

www.mcilroyguitars.com

Dermot was a former production manager for Lowden. His guitars are exceptional. Check out his AS model.

 

[Jon C]

'97 Lowden S12 -- IMO Lowdens must be played before buying. I like large bodies but they're one of the few where the body size on the large ones can be an issue for me, hence my getting this NOS incredible sounding S12.

 

[guitarplayer]

'97 Lowden S12 -- IMO Lowdens must be played before buying. I like large bodies but they're one of the few where the body size on the large ones can be an issue for me, hence my getting this NOS incredible sounding S12.

Very nice! Looks like it would be a perfect size for me too. I don't see them on the lowden web site and I didn't find many from my google search. Do you know what they're selling for and if they're still making that model? Thanks.

 

[msr13]

Very nice! Looks like it would be a perfect size for me too. I don't see them on the lowden web site and I didn't find many from my google search. Do you know what they're selling for and if they're still making that model? Thanks.

The website link doesn't change when you move around inside it, or I would simply paste the two links, but here is where the pages are located:

Go to http://www.georgelowden.com/
Click on Catalogues in the main ribbon at the top.
At the bottom of the left side, click on specifications. That will open up a page for all his models and their respective specs.

Lowden differentiates size (indicated by the letters) and numbers (indicating the woods and any other differentiators). For an explanation of the woods-- different model numbers, go back to the main page.
Click on catalogues again.
On the right side, bottom, click on standard and you will see a list of the different model numbers.

They list new for about $3700, but you can probably get it for $3500. Unless you are lucky enough to find a used one.

FWIW, I just got an S-32. It is fantastic. It is the size of a classical with the sound of an OM. I am no good, so be kind, but if you want, I posted a recording of it on youtube. Just me fingerpicking. Clean, non-amplified into a Zoom recorder.

 

[royd]

Sounds great! I have to admit I'm not very familiar (obviously) with the different Lowden models. I've only seen the larger body models. I've noticed that George Lowden is still making guitars and the "original" Lowden company is still making guitars as well. Are they comparable? Thanks again.

George is building a few guitars as an individual builder. They are very expensive and rare. Then, there is also the Lowden guitar company which is a small shop building guitars under his direction. I think they make about 500 guitars a year. Obviously there is a difference between the guitars George personally builds and those built in the small shop... but the shop guitars really are wonderful and certainly compete in their price range. The current shop is building some wonderful guitars.

 

[guitarplayer]

The website link doesn't change when you move around inside it, or I would simply paste the two links, but here is where the pages are located:

Go to http://www.georgelowden.com/
Click on Catalogues in the main ribbon at the top.
At the bottom of the left side, click on specifications. That will open up a page for all his models and their respective specs.

Lowden differentiates size (indicated by the letters) and numbers (indicating the woods and any other differentiators). For an explanation of the woods-- different model numbers, go back to the main page.
Click on catalogues again.
On the right side, bottom, click on standard and you will see a list of the different model numbers.

They list new for about $3700, but you can probably get it for $3500. Unless you are lucky enough to find a used one.

FWIW, I just got an S-32. It is fantastic. It is the size of a classical with the sound of an OM. I am no good, so be kind, but if you want, I posted a recording of it on youtube. Just me fingerpicking. Clean, non-amplified into a Zoom recorder.

Thanks much! Very nice tone and playing too! Totally love the sound. The only down side to the Lowdens I've played is they feel a little big and uncomfortable to me. I'm very excited to know that he makes the smaller body guitar and it seems to sound every bit as good as the larger bodies! Thanks again for posting this!

 

[royd]

there is an F23 for sale on the agf http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173027

again, the F is the middle size with this one being cedar/walnut

 

[alvinjismyl]

Avalon would be a perfect if you like Lowden but not pay the same amount. Both Lowden and Avalon had similar origins and you would notice the similarity in design as well. Both Irish made. Food for thought.

 

[facesfan]

www.mcilroyguitars.com

Dermot was a former production manager for Lowden. His guitars are exceptional. Check out his AS model.

I have a Mcilroy A25c cedar/walnut and believe me, you'll forget about wanting a Lowden if you play one of these. I've had many a Lowden in my day....all the sizes...and I love them don't get me wrong. But, Mcilroy has surpassed them in sound and playability.IMHO