Hi and Cheers!

[Jimbo]

I've just received my A200c and I've managed to put it down for long enough to come and post on here. It's quite an amazing instrument, what gets done to the legacy's and the premiers to make them better I don't know!

I have 2 critisisms (small ones!) 1) there is no second strap button as standard. I like to pose so it's essential for me! Also I find it easier to sing standing up. 2) I can't leave it alone so I've absolutely shredded my fingers! You want to be careful or someone might take you to court! If the woman who thought cruise control would drive her car can do it anyone can!

I was wondering if I could trouble JB for some info? The serial no. is A00947 meaning it's Irish, but the guy I bought it off (I think I may have spotted him lurking on here!) said it was a custom model. Basically it's got a finish upgrade and possibly a non standard top wood.

Avalon seems to be a well kept secret in most places. Do you guys feel like your living in Lowden's shadow? Personally there was no way I could afford a Lowden but why would I want one when you can get such a quality Avalon for much less? The price I paid for my Avalon would have gotten me a Martin with laminated sides and you can forget about rosewood!

Thanks again.

Jim Rafferty.

[Jimbo]

Hi John,

I think POONA is a spot on diagnosis! Fingertips have gone kinda numb now!

There is a certain smugness factor in knowing that your guitar was crafted by hand and there isn't another one quite like it on the planet! Of course, that wouldn't mean a thing if it sounded like nails on a blackboard. I'm pretty sure that my A200 is customised though. The finish is satin as opposed to gloss (having said that though, I can't find a reference to the finish on the website, although the pictures do look quite glossy! ) And the top was quoted as being alpine spruce as opposed to sitka.

I was wondering how detailed the records they keep are, like specifically what woods are used etc. I know on the lowish series Taylors they quote the tops as being sitka but they use either englemann or sitka with no alterations to the thickness / bracing pattern etc. I was considering a Taylor before I settled on an Avalon and I was surprised to learn that Taylors are almost completely made on CNC machines. Give me a human touch any day!

Right. Back to the lump of wood in my sitting room! The neighbours are out, the baby's in bed and I'm going to make some noise! Perhaps there should be an Avalon's Anonymous group

[JB]

Livin' in anyones shadow ... naaa, we don't think that way, after all we were the ones making Lowdens from the late 1980's onwards until a couple of years ago.

You'll have the satin steel-wooled finish that we use on the Legacy models, we prefer it that the gloss.

The top is more than likely Alpine. Just for a bit of clarity, Sitka, Alpine, Englemann Spruce can all be fantastic or bland depending on the quality of the cut and stiffness, same goes for cedar, if it doesn't meet the grade then it doesn't get used as a top.

All our struts are hand-carved and made from Alaskan Sitka, this really helps.

And finally ... welcome Jimbo to the forums, glad to have you on board
cheers
Jim

[Jimbo]

Livin' in anyones shadow ... naaa, we don't think that way, after all we were the ones making Lowdens from the late 1980's onwards until a couple of years ago.

Thats a very good point, I suppose the Avalon brand is a lot less well known than Lowden though. Curiously enough though, the warranty card says the warranty is provided by the Lowden Guitar company, a subsidiary of Avalon guitars

Thank you very much for the info. It's a lovely instrument that seems to sound better every time I play it - it's a real credit to all of your workmanship. The only bitter point is that I know I am fairly unlikely to ever own a better guitar, but I can live with that!