Looking to buy a not-too-expensive avalon...help!

[flautless]

I'm looking for an avalon acoustic guitar. I wouldn't mind having an electric pickup for it (so an electro-acoustic), but I'm not sure how much this adds to the general price of one, and if it's a lot more then I'd be just looking for the acoustic. Being a student I haven't got all that much money, but I'm looking to spend around £400 on a guitar, and really like the sound of my friend's avalon...I think it was in the CE200 range. Maybe my budget is too low to afford one, but I can't seem to find prices anywhere really, and the ones I CAN find the prices of are in the £1000+ mark. Surely there must be cheaper, yet still very very good quality guitars out there? If anyone could give me some info or advice I'd be very grateful ...oh also, as I live on the Isle of Man, does anyone know if Avalon guitars are stocked anywhere in Liverpool...like Dawsons music shop, as I'll be going over there at the end of the month, cheers

[Colin Johnston]

Hi
You MUST check out the Avalon Silver Series - they're right in your price range and they're superb for the money!!



MODEL BODY SELECT TONE WOOD £ LIST

AS100 A MAHOGANY/SOLID SITKA SPRUCE 399
AS100CE A MAHOGANY/SOLID SITKA SPRUCE 550
DS100 D MAHOGANY/SOLID SITKA SPRUCE 399
DS100E D MAHOGANY/SOLID SITKA SPRUCE 550
AS101 A MAHOGANY/SOLID RED CEDAR 399
AS101CE A MAHOGANY/SOLID RED CEDAR 550
DS101 D MAHOGANY/SOLID RED CEDAR 399
DS101E D MAHOGANY/SOLID RED CEDAR 550
AS200 A ROSEWOOD/SOLID SITKA SPRUCE 450
AS200CE A ROSEWOOD/SOLID SITKA SPRUCE 599
DS200 D ROSEWOOD/SOLID SITKA SPRUCE 450
DS200E D ROSEWOOD/SOLID SITKA SPRUCE 599
AS201 A ROSEWOOD/SOLID RED CEDAR 450
AS201CE A ROSEWOOD/SOLID RED CEDAR 599
DS201 D ROSEWOOD/SOLID RED CEDAR 450
DS201E D ROSEWOOD/SOLID RED CEDAR 599

MICRO MUSIC
286 Smithdown Road Wavertree Liverpool L15 5AJ

MM MUSIC
286 Smithdown Road Wavertree Merseyside Liverpool L15 5AJ
Tel: 02380 339668

[crofty]

Hi
If you can go the extra Soundcontrol(national chain) have gold models
A100/A101 for £650,this is a great deal.I would think a internet search
would find you a silver series for under £399,get a copy of Guitarist
and check out the ads.I think Unplugged do them at a good price.
Regards
Crofty

[flautless]

Thanks very much for the advice...I'll try to find the shops you mentioned Colin...and thank you for the good list of guitars you gave me!
This next question isn't really related to Avalons..but has anyone played the Yamaha electro acoustic guitar APX 5a? And if so, what does anyone think of it? I played one yesterday, priced at £350, but I don't know if Avalons generally have a nicer tone/are easier to play etc...was just wondering if anyone had made the comparison...

[Colin Johnston]

Hi
I've played both and although the Yamaha is a good wee guitar with a neck which feels a bit like one of their electrics - I'd take the Avalon every time!

[flautless]

Thank you all very much for your help. I visited Dawsons in Liverpool last week. I played on a few guitars in there, and although they only had a few avalons there I found one hiding away with a beautiful tone! Just gorgeous. It's one of the ones in the silver series, an electro acoustic. It hasn't got a cutaway, just the wiring inside and the controls on the side. It's pretty plain to look at, but as I said before, it has a beautiful tone. I can't remember the type of hand, but I'll edit this to put it on. I was so overwhelmed by it, I gave it a hug in the shop...the man serving me laughed