Irish, Czech check?

[djangojeep]

Hi there,

I just ordered a left handed A200CE from a dealer in the states and have been unable to contact the owner yet, as he is at the NAMM show.

It is serial # A00996, and though I haven't seen it yet, I am told the label says "Made in Avalon". Does that mean the Avalon factory in Newtownards? In a post here in November 2004, Stevemac from Avalon wrote:
"We have begun to draw down Gold Series production here in Ireland as we intend to transfer production to a new facility next year - more about this in the news section later! We're almost at the 1000 serial number for Irish made Gold's - I guess #1000 will be the symbolic final one whenever we reach that milestone!"

Is that how it ended up? Also, in an earlier email, the owner described this guitar as a "prototype". Is that the case? How so if it is made in Ireland, prior to the move? He sold it to me WAY below list, so I am wondering in what ways it differs from other A200CE's.

I am eager to meet this guitar, after all the raves I have read here! I have yet to see an Avalon in the flesh. javascript:emoticon(':lol:')

Thanks for any information!

[JB]

Hi and welcome to the forums

Your A200CE leftie is 100% produce of Newtownards
Definitely one of ours, all serials that look like "A00xxx" are from Northern Ireland.

I hope you enjoy your new guitar when it arrives.
Jim

[djangojeep]

Jim,

Thanks for the speedy response! And thanks for the good news. Can you answer the question about it being a "prototype"? Were new equipment or proceedures being tried? Or was this guitar being built in the same way as previous A200CE's?

thanks again,
DJ

[JB]

As far as I'm aware it should be the same but I'm at home and obviously don't have those kind of details here, I'll check our records tomorrow when I'm back in the factory.

JB

[chris c]

Hi Djangojeep, and congrats for your new guitar. I think you'll enjoy your A200CE. I recently ordered a Jacques Stotzem Signature, which is in many ways similar. Very versatile and inspiring. I also ordered mine from a US dealer at an extremely reduced price. I think some of them have problems selling their Avalons because of the predominance of established US brands... too bad for American guitar players !
Mine says "Made in Ireland" though. "Made in Avalon" sounds a bit evasive to me, as if to conceal where it's really built. I don't doubt it's made in Newtownards since JB says so, but why not mention this straightaway ? There's enough confusion in the public's mind already as to where they are built, the relationship with Lowden, etc., so I think a little more clarity would be a good thing. Not that it matters to me personally, I know how fine these guitars are anyway

[Funat1st]

Response to chris c: I'm glad I'm not the only one who's confused on this issue. It does seem a bit evasive; I don't think that Avalon is doing itself a favor in this respect. It's like Fender having a Squire label - at least you know what you're getting - but even the Fenders have Asian and Mexican models mixed in. Yow!
So if the Silvers are made in Avalon, logically thinking, are we to believe that Excalibur and the Holy Grail might also be located in Korea? Maybe that's why they've been so hard to find.

As far as the American market, in my opinion there are three distinct levels of acoustics sold in the US: less than US$700, $700-2000 and >$2000. The Silver series generally fall into the first category, and there is tremendous competition with other "internationally manufactured" guitars, and the Silvers I have played are hardly distinguishable from the pack.

Not so with the Gold series. There is a quantum leap in sound and tone. Around here they are snatched up quickly. It seems that if you find a Gold and play it, you're probably going to buy it! That was my experience. And many are reluctant to buy a guitar in that price range without actually feeling the instrument.

To djangojeep I say: If your A200ce is anything like my D200ce you are in for a REAL TREAT. Congratulations!