L25C

[jjamesdday]

Hey avalon fans, I was going to get an A25C but the dealer in New Hampshire is out so i am looking at getting an L25C for the same price, same woods everything the same. I was just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on which they would pick if they could and why. Also JB are the string sizes the same for the L25 as the A25?

[Son of Thunder]

Woods are very much a matter of personal taste. I don't think there's a wrong choice, especially with Avalon.

What sort of playing will you be using the guitar for?

[thetree4U]

I play a combo of flat-picking, strumming, and fingerstyle. I went for the brightness of a spruce top, and the mello-ness of rosewood sides/back. The guitar projects well, and has superb string separation.

The bass on my jumbo L32C was not quite where I wanted it to be, but everyone has said that the instrument will "open up" (basses get richer and trebles get smoother). The bass is initially a little tight, even though it's the best sounding guitar I have ever heard.

Thunder Son has me interested in playing the cedar/mahogany combo. He's right, it's really a matter of tone-taste. I played a slightly used Lowden O25 (cedar/rosewood) at Buffalo Bros. that sounded amazing!

Once again, what kind of player are you? Fingerstyle? Flat-picker? Open tuning? Strumming?

[chris c]

I guess the L will have more bass resonance and a little more volume. The A will be a more focused with more prominent mids and highs, and can be more comfortable to play seated if you're not a big guy. So it depends on what you prefer.

[thetree4U]

My L32C is a jumbo (obviously) but it does not at all feel like it when seated and playing. I am 5'11" with a little bit of a gut, and it does not feel too large. On the other hand I played an Epiphone Jumbo 12-string that felt humongous... like I was playing a yacht with strings!

The A series, is a great shape, great tone, great projection, and a real nice size for playing. It was a tough call for me, but since I played a jumbo Guild F-48 for most of my younger years, I favor the size and sound of a jumbo.

I did find, however, that the mids and highs on my L32C were very well defined and balanced and loud. As well defined as a Taylor without being so jangly. If you are concerned about the low end overpowering the mids and highs, it's just not so... at least not on mine.

As side note, my L32C came in last week with 2 cracks (not sure if just finish or more), and I am sending it back for a replacement new one. It actually breaks my heart to do this, because the guitar just sounds so good. So.... perfect.