Avalon Acoustic Guitars

by RB » 27 Apr 2006, 15:54

Hello, Iâ€™m now the proud owner of a new A32C Hybrid Avalon guitar!!
The look, feel, and sound of this guitar is wonderful, many thanks to all at Avalon.
I saw this guitar advertised on E-bay, so for my first forum contact I thought it might be interesting to other folk who are considering using E-bay if I talk about that.
Buying a guitar youâ€™ve not seen or held! I did some research, checked out the feedback for Avalon â€˜Irishguitarsâ€™ on their E-bay site all positive.
Looked at this forum, read the comments and questions that forum members had written, and very important to me was the way these were dealt with by JB Of Avalon. The answers, comments and information given by JB was very good, straightforward, helpful and actually answered the question! I also contacted Jim (Avalon guitars) directly and got good friendly help and advice. So I was confident that Avalon service and aftercare was real (not just marketing).
I also checked (using the internet) Avalon guitar reviews. The one that had a number of Avalon guitar reviews was (I think) an American site Harmony central. The build, sound and quality was rated very highly on a range of models built by Avalon.
So having gathered this information and getting a feel for the Avalon approach to customers, both sides of a deal before and after purchase. I took the plunge and bought an Avalon guitar off E-bay.
The process was smooth, straightforward and I am delighted to own a beautiful Avalon guitar!!!
Ron

by JB » 27 Apr 2006, 16:52

Thanks for the kind comments Ron, we do appreciate yours and everyone elses feedback

Glad you're impressed with your new guitar and hope you find time to write a review once you've had a proper chance to play thoroughly.

Cheers
Jim

by **chris c** » 27 Apr 2006, 17:29

Congrats RB, on your new guitar

You can't go wrong with an Avalon, the trick is to find the one that suits your style best. It's nice to hear that you get full support from the company to find that out when you have no other choice than buying from the internet.
What exactly does "Hybrid" mean ? Is it a nylon-string model ?
Chris

by **Peter R** » 27 Apr 2006, 20:08

Hi RB, and congrats on your purchase. I also purchased an Avalon advertised on e-Bay (a few months ago) - a D-800, and I can only echo all of your comments regarding the excellent service from JB at Avalon.

I knew a bit about Avalon as I already owned a DS-101, and based on the growing reputation that the company has, decided that the risk of buying without seeing/playing was minimal.

I have been absolutely delighted with the guitar, and keep an eye on other models which appear on e-Bay, but I think I will need a bigger house before I buy any more.

Enjoy.

Peter

by JB » 27 Apr 2006, 21:26

We use e-bay to bring attention and sell our non-standard or even exclusive models.

Old growth Brazilian Rosewood is a particular favourite of mine but very few dealers will ever take one as a stock guitar so we thought we'd make some and offer them direct.
I'm glad we did, not only are they selling but players and collectors are getting a chance to own Rio at reasonable prices ..... well actually more than reasonable prices for Brazilian Rosewood !

But then again there are other models we make through the year that again are non-standard, we're a creative bunch over here and like to diversify when we get a chance

but the same rule applies, hardly any dealers take non-standard models so these normal sell direct from the factory showroom, e-bay and our online shop just become an extension of our showroom.

The "Hybrid" model in Ron's case is a real beauty, we had a slight ratio difference between Legacy bodies and Gold necks so we put the 2 together with excellent results, infact the Indian Rosewood Ron's guitar got was actually destined for a premier model originally, hence the amazing figure and grain .. well done Ron, you've a keen eye sir :wink:

by **Sam Price** » 27 Apr 2006, 22:12

/\ I know about the diversification...I watch the Avalon guitars on Ebay and saw a beautiful Eclipse...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Avalon-Guitar-Ecl ... dZViewItem

marvellous.

by JB » 27 Apr 2006, 22:43

oh yea .... that guitar is pretty special and LOUD

by RB » 28 Apr 2006, 00:16

Hi Chris C
My A32c Hybrid is a steel string guitar. It's size falls between the Auditourim and Jumbo range. JB has described the origin of the birth of this guitar, in the forum.
RB

by **Ponyboy-Fission** » 28 Apr 2006, 13:22

Since the quitars you sell on eBay are mostly "one-offs" and are not dealer standards, would you be willing to ship them to North America?

by JB » 28 Apr 2006, 22:24

mmmnnnn .... that's a very good question, let me see if I can get you a very good answer .... I'll research that request :?:

by **Jimbo** » 28 Apr 2006, 23:05

Sam Price wrote:/\ I know about the diversification...I watch the Avalon guitars on Ebay and saw a beautiful Eclipse...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Avalon-Guitar-Ecl ... dZViewItem

marvellous.

This particular instrument was purchased by the greypicker from on here.

I bought my guitar off ebay but not from irishguitars. It was the only way I was going to be a able to afford an irish Avalon. To be honest I wasn't all that fussed about not playing the guitar before I bought it. You know that if your buying from a reputable maker and dealer it's going to be more or less what you're after.

I don't really subscribe to the "I didn't get on with that guitar," opinion. Really I think it's up to the player to get the most they can out of the instrument, slight variations in neck width / thickness shouldn't make a guitar uncomfortable to play for normal sized hands (but what's normal ehh.

)

That turned into a bit of a rant :oops:

Congrats on your guitar RB. I saw that on ebay too and you got a killer deal!

by **Sam Price** » 29 Apr 2006, 11:30

/\ A totally awesome review, and congratulations for owning such a beautifully constructed guitar!! A nine piece neck? Probably the strongest in the world!!

Well, I am aware of the Zemaitis connection, and never would have thought that this was inspired from a Zemaitis. Although the very luthier himself is to be admired (may he rest in peace), starting his guitar making career with a few hand tools and bags of inspiration and creativity, I think that Avalon has got it right with this Eclipse guitar. It's stunning without the bling, very much typical of Avalon and seems a classy way of diversifying in aesthetics.

Keeping to exotic woods and repelling the temptation to use what a friend calls copious of "fish scale vomit" (abalone!!) is a great move too.

Again, I congratulate you on this fine guitar, and hope you have many years of playing pleasure. Is there any chance you could post a sound sample for a simple person such as me? I would NEVER have the financial outlay needed to own such a fine instrument.

by JB » 29 Apr 2006, 16:36

whoa .... that's some review John ... sure you don't write reviews as a hobby ?

many thanks to you for such an honest and full expose on the Eclipse.

by the way ... there is a sneaky "A" on the headstock .... have a look at the truss-rod cover :wink:

but don't tell anyone ... ssssh !

think I'll go read that review again

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