New L310

[namrok]

I just bought used a L310, serial No. L000466, Amazaque/Spruce.
Great guitar, really opening up, as it seems it hasn't been played in a while. I'd like to know when it was built and any specifics about this guit. Is it a Sitka spruce top of European spruce top? Doesn't really matter, just curious. Also, any recs for strings? I play open tunings fingerstyle, mainly. I have owned Lowdens and McIlroys and thi guitar is obviously from the same family tree.... Curious the advantages/differences of pinned bridge vs the Lowden style.

Many thanks! Dave

[boombox]

I have been using the D'Addario True Mediums DADGAD set on my L32 - wonderful they are too. My Avalon is kept permanently in DADGAD or Open C tunings and I find the tension just about right. Previous to that I used the coated D'addario 12s, which were also very good in open tunings.

[namrok]

Thanks Boombox. I'll try them.
The bridge pins that are with the guitar appear to be black ebony with an interesting hole cutout near the top of the pin. I'm wondering if that is typical of the Avalon bridge pins, and if so, what is the reason. I wanted to brighten and thicken up the 1st and 2nd strings , so I swapped out the pins on these strings only with bone, and have noticed a significant improvement. When I switched all the strings pins to bone, the tone wasn't right, maybe just a bit shrill. Sounding really great now, sensitive to a light fingerstyle touch, and can really get loud and clear with a strong attack...

[boombox]

Interesting to hear the bone makes such a difference. I have read lots on the subject with Martin style guitars, but not Irish axes like our Avalons.

[namrok]

I just installed the original bridge pins, running the string through the hole at the top of the pin. These are apparently the original locking pins. Is there any toanl advantage to this type of bridge pin? If I were to replace, what dimensions would I need for the pins. Should I obtain from Avalon?

Many thanks, Dave

"Many years ago we used the pin you mention with the hole, it's a locking pin and requires the guitar to be strung in a different way but it's difficult for customers to find replacements so we decided to only run with them for a short time and revert back to tapered pins."