Avalon vs. Taylor

[J-MAX]

Greetings all,

I'm definitely in the market for a new guitar...to be used mostly in Contemporary Worship Setting.

I'm based in the U.S., therefore I've read a great deal about Taylor guitars, their pros and cons, etc. I've read as much as I can find about Avalon guitars, but do not have any locations near me to actually play one. I'll be in Nashville, TN in January, but won't have much time to shop there...and don't see an Avalon dealer in that area of TN.

I'd love to play an Avalon from the legacy series, as I enjoy what I'm reading about it, but only have about $2,000 for this purchase.

Any information as to differences between Avalon and Taylor (with Expression System), plugged in and unplugged would be appreciated.

[Shaun]

Hi J-Max,
I have been playing in acoustic guitar duo gigging for a few years.My duo partner played a Taylor 400 series.I play(and played)an Avalon L360 and a Lowden 0-10.
My duo partner put an L.R.Baggs I-Beam into his Taylor.I have a Fishman under the saddle pickup(an acoustic matrix I believe)in my main gigging guitar(a Lowden 0-10).We did not use direct boxes with our p.a.as we did not feel they were neccessary with active high quality pickups(although in hindsight our sound would have been easier to control).
One thing I can say is that my Lowden 0-10(which is identical to my Avalon L-360 in terms of build quality and sound,cedar and spruce tops taken into consideration)was easier to soundcheck with the Fishman.We found the L.R.Baggs I-Beam to be often boomy.I think if we would have had a sound man out front mixing our sound this problem would have been easy to eliminate.
My experience is that an Avalon (or Lowden ) fitted with a Fishman will enable you to get a nice warm,clear tone quickly when it matters.
I hope this helps.
Shaun

[J-MAX]

Shaun,

Thanks for the tip. I'll be looking a couple of days next week to try to find just the right guitar. If I don't find it, I'll be a little disappointed, but I'll keep on looking.

Concerning the Taylor's, I've read in a lot of places that they use thinner pieces of woods for their overall guitar bracings. This gives them a good sound, but if you don't keep a humidifier in the case with the guitar, you're asking for trouble. Many local music stores in my area don't even like to sell Taylor's, but they'll order one for anybody who really wants it. (At the same time, I've heard many distress stories concerning wood cracking with many high-end guitars...Taylors just seem to be more prone to it.)

I've had many reccommend getting either a Lowden or Avalon. I'd like that very much, but need to find one in the right price range. If I can't find one, perhaps I'll look for a nice Martin. I'll be playing it week-in and week-out at my church, therefore it has to sound great and hold up for a long time.

If anybody else has any words of wisdom, feel free to share. Thanks.

[Colin Johnston]

I've had many reccommend getting either a Lowden or Avalon. I'd like that very much, but need to find one in the right price range. If I can't find one, perhaps I'll look for a nice Martin. I'll be playing it week-in and week-out at my church, therefore it has to sound great and hold up for a long time.

Sounds like an Avalon will fit the bill nicely! Great guitars and if a Legacy or Gold is beyond your means then check out the Silver series - excellent guitars.

[Shaun]

Hi J-Max,
Colin is absolutely right.Avalon guitars are very roadwothy.
The same luthiers that built Lowden guitars now build Avalons(from the Gold series to the Legacy series).
I remember Woody Mann telling me (Woody is one of the best acoustic guitarists in the world.He travels the world gigging)that Lowden guitars were the most roadwothy guitars,to quote him"none better".
Avalons in are equqlly roadworthy as they come from the same factory and the same luthiers.
I know two people who have had Taylors.One a 400 series and the other a 300 series.Within two years both these guitar needed refretting.I am not exagerating.My Lowden went for six years of playing everday with constant hard gigging before it neded a refret.
Good luck with the guitar hunting.
Shaun

[J-MAX]

Well,

I'm just about convinced...but I'd still like to play one and the nearest city to me which sells them is about 6 hours!

I'm looking closely at the Legacy Standard 25 & 32 series. Sweet looking guitars, and if I'm not able to find anything else suitable, perhaps I'll save for a few more months until I can afford it.

Again, I thank you for your words of wisdom.

[J-MAX]

Perhaps somebody can educate me...

I found an A-200 that I'll be able to try out (hopefully) next week. I've also found a Standard Premier 32 series for about $1,000 more. Of course I realize that they use a different bracing system, probably a little bit better woods, etc., but what benefit would it be fore me to save a little longer and get the 32 series? I could probably get the A-200, and include an acoustic amp and some pre-amp equipment and make it sound really good...but would it be worth the extra thousand dollars to wait?

[barkley_01007]

I'm a longtime Taylor owner and can honestly say they are no more prone to humidity problems than any other solid wood guitar. I love my Avalon S201, but tonally, it is completely different than anything Taylor builds.

It sounds like you've been getting some suspect information on Taylors, I'd encourage you to visit this Taylor Forum to get more info on "thin" bracing and "fret wear"http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=10. You can search specific topics of concern and post for info from other members, just like here.

Either way you'd end up with an outstanding guitar, it just seems like some of the Taylor misconceptions needed to be cleared up. Good luck![/url]

[J-MAX]

Thanks to all who offered information on Taylor, Avalon...and others.

I ended up just ordering a Larrivee L-09E. I played an L-10 last week and was pretty amazed by the sound, but they didn't have one with the pickup, so I ordered the L-09E.

I do wish I could have the Avalon too (badly) but finances just aren't available for that right now. If you've not heard of Larrivee's you may want to check them out. The L Series is they're own body style...the neck is a bit wider than I'm used to (about 1 3/4 inches) compared to some others I checked out. After playing the Larrivee & a Taylor 814ce...I myself preferred the sound to the Larrivee. Just sounded a little fuller...more basey, but still crisp.

Anyway, I just wanted to thank you all again. I'm sure I'll be looking at an Avalon a few years down the road. Take care!

[play2praiseHim]

JMax, I know wher you can pick up a great 2004 L-10 for under $1300. I think it is $1250. Very reputable seller. I can email you if you are interested.For that price, you can have your pickup of choice added and still save$$

[J-MAX]

JMax, I know wher you can pick up a great 2004 L-10 for under $1300. I think it is $1250. Very reputable seller. I can email you if you are interested.For that price, you can have your pickup of choice added and still save$$

Already ordered the L-09E...and for a really good price with the pickup already installed. (Should be here Monday!!!) It's actually probably sitting in a warehouse in my hometown...but UPS doesn't deliver on Saturdays. Ahhhhh!!

I read a great deal about whether or not to get the L-09E compared to the L-10 b/c the 9 model has the barn door cut in the side of it. But from others who have one...they say it still sounds great...barn door or not.

It's already on it's way...or I probably would have taken you up on the offer. The 9 has not as much 'bling' as the L-10...but who needs looks to lead a worship team...it's the sound of the instrument that's important to me & they're essentially the same guitar.

Thanks a great deal though! God Bless!

[ChargerBill]

Glad to hear you ordered one. I was going to tell you about a Gold A-101CE that I know of that is in great shape ( a few VERY minor scratches) still under warranty for $1,200 (msr $2,499) but it sounds like you've got things covered.

As far as Taylor vs Avalon, I've wanted a Taylor 514CE for a very long time, but as soon as I played the Avalon that I just bought, I decided that I didn't need a Taylor afterall. I picked up an Avaolon A-200CE (equivalent of a Taylor 714CE from what I've been told) for an unbelieveable price and love the sound. Have fun...

[play2praiseHim]

Bill, funny that you should metion the Taylor 514. That is the model Taylor that I was considering buying. It was between a Taylor 514, or 510, a Goodall Aloha Standard w/ koa/sitka, or the Avalon L-25 that I ended up ordering on a 48 hr approval. I only had the opportunity to play the Taylors in person. The playability and sound were great. Just not enough sustain and overtone responsivenes for me. But I do love that Taylor shimmer. When I said that I was looking for a lap piano of sorts with lots of sustain, overtones and responsiveness but with great balance, Goodall, Lowden/Avalon were mentioned to me numerous times. I listened to the Goodall and Avalon over the phone, liked what I heard and ordered the Avalon. It won out over the Goodall because of it has more high grade features like wood bindings/tuning buttons, gold hardware etc. Actually the sound was quite similiar to the Goodall with the Avalon having more woodiness to the tone vs hearing the strings with the Goodall. I did play a redwood/rosewood Goodall a few months back. The neck profile was great in my hands. Not quite as comfy as the Taylor, but close enough that I had no struggle or adjustments when playing it. I have heard that the Avalon is more comfy than the Lowdens, but a little rounder than the Taylor neck profile. How would you compare the neck profile of the Avalon vs the Taylor?

[ChargerBill]

Personally I liked the Avalon neck better...just felt "faster" to me. I know that's a subjective answer...LOL. Basically I have huge hands and every guiter neck feels the same to me (well, except a PETROS)... I think the profiles are similar, but I only played the Avalon for 10 minutes before I decided to order one, so my input might be a bit flawed as my recollection is foggy at best.

Now the Petros I played was absolutely incredible to say the least, booming bass that sustains for days, great ringing highs...very clear mids, and you could EASILY play it in front of 200 people without an amp...no exaggeration. It played very well drop tuned and open tuned...strings didn't slap at all. The neck is tapered out away from the fret board instead of at a 90 degree angle to it and the attention to detail, the binding, the inlays, the finish, the woods....unbelievable. By far one of the nicest, if not THE nicest guitar I have ever had the privelege of playing...and absolutely stunning as well. But, what would you expect for a $6K to $7K guitar?...