Why don't Avalons get the respect they deserve?

[ChargerBill]

I have heard of many Taylor and Martin guys converting over to playing Avalons...and it's not even a hard sell. So then, why don't they get any respect in the mainstream? Is it that they are still so new compared to Taylor, Martin, Takamine, etc...? Is it because of brand loyalty? I know some Taylor guys that won't even dare TRY an Avalon...are they afraid of what they might find out?

Also, just curious...everyone talks about their Taylors and Martins being "investments"...I wonder, will Avalons ever be considered the same way?

[Colin Johnston]

Think of it like this - we're the cognoscenti - we're "in the know". We love Avalon because we're bothered to pick them up and play them and discovered how great they are. If other folks like other brands (brand names??) that's up to them. I love guitars and I'll try anything - others are more blinkered - their loss!

What do you mean by the mainstream? If you mean that you don't see so many in guitar magazines then that's probably more to do with advertising budgets than the great quality of Avalon.

I think Avalon is as much of as investment as any other brand. Who knows what the supply of tone woods will be like in 10 years never mind 30 or 40. A beautifully made instrument will always be desirable.

[ChargerBill]

What I find amazing is this - every friend I have introduced to Avalons and who have had a chance to play one have become instant converts - three of them so far. For all the others, I guess ignorance is bliss...LOL

The only exception is a friend who was given a Petros to record his first CD with...you can't get him to let go of that guitar...and I don't blame him a bit, but I bet that a top end Legacy would look and play just as nice as his Petros any day.

[Cringer]

I expect that Petros will peter out eventually.... sorry - that was begging for it!

As far as I'm concerned the reason I want an Avalon and not anything else is that I've seen them being made. The thing that sets Avalons aside from anything else is the manner in which they are made. There's real love that goes into each model. A lot of places can't reproduce that. Also the idea of it being Irish conjures up the romanticisms of the Celts and I love Celtic music.

As has been said - anyone who won't pick up an Avalon refuses to do so at their own loss.

[tim almond]

Why don't Avalon guitars get the respect the instruments merit? Well... let's not overlook that because the coming into being of Avalon and the split with Lowden is shrouded in a certain amount of uncertainty and rumours of unpleasantness... that fact alone will give Avalons a debit mark in the perception of some - particularly those who would naturally be interested in the 'higher end' range, which is in more direct competition with Lowdens...

Sad but inevitable... but such should pass with time... perhaps statements of reconcilation, apology etc would hasten that passing... but who knows if how or by whom such should be made...

[Colin Johnston]

Sad but inevitable... but such should pass with time... perhaps statements of reconcilation, apology etc would hasten that passing... but who knows if how or by whom such should be made...

As a guitarist and consumer of their products I have no interest in this - it's none of my business & it makes no difference to my opinion of Avalon or their products.

As has been said, anyone who refuses to try an Avalon when given the chance is missing out!

[CampMonkey]

I'm sorry I have to throw the other point in here. Avalon guitars are simply well over-estimated over-priced pieces of wood. I have to say that most of the one's I've play I simply haven't been happy with. Not saying everyone agree's but a good majority of people do including a good few guitar magazine reviews I've read through.

Just like lowden's you either get an amazing guitar which seems to have divine properties or something you'd probally rather use as firewood!

[Colin Johnston]

Interests: Random Mayhem

Nice profile!











Don't feed the trolls

[CampMonkey]

Right, so i'm a troll just because I have something 'orginal' in my profile and I said something bad about the guitars.

Thanks

[JB]

As with most things musical in life it's a matter of taste, you either like a sound or you don't.

There will always be artists, amateur and professional who have a preference to one make of guitar or another .... to one type of sound or another we as a company will always try to do our utmost to make the best sounding guitars we can

[bing4sons]

we as a company will always try to do our utmost to make the best sounding guitars we can

And you're doing a fine job too. Keep on keeping on!

[rdet]

One reason may be what I have axperienced - a great difference in quality between same make and model guitars. I'll explain in another thread.

[Son of Thunder]

Hello. I'm new to this board, but this seems as good a place to jump in as any. I'm the owner of a Lowden O10c, kind of an 'entry-level' Lowden.

Having made the decision to step up to a quality guitar, I sat in a guitar shop and played everything I could get my hands on - Taylors of all stripes, and even a Langejeans (sp?). Prior to this, I'd played a Taylor owned by Brett Williams, as well as Bob Bennett's Lowden. So I was interested in a Taylor, but open to anything. When I'd played them all, it was the sound of the Lowden that called me back, and that's the guitar I ultimately walked out with.

I believe the real answer to your question is that there is something of a herd mentality with people, perhaps that is why the Lord refers to us as sheep. From what I've seen of sheep during my stay in the UK, that's hardly a complimentary term!

For example, when I tell people that I ride a motorcycle, people automatically assume it's Harley. In fact, I ride a Honda Goldwing, because it fits my needs and tastes, and I find it to be a superior machine in every respect that matters to me.

There will be some who buy Taylors and Martins because they've compared it to the Avalon and genuinely prefer it. But I suspect that the bulk of them have never bothered to pick up an Avalon.

I'm always getting compliments and inquiries about my Lowden after church, and believe me, it's not because of my playing!

[Colin Johnston]

Hi - I have an O10 too - no cutaway on mine. I'd consider it only "entry level" in terms of price - the quality of design, materials & workmanship are second to none.

[Son of Thunder]

Hi - I have an O10 too - no cutaway on mine. I'd consider it only "entry level" in terms of price - the quality of design, materials & workmanship are second to none.

I agree, Colin; the O10 is a fine instrument. I've heard it in the hands of a 'real' player, and was amazed.