Adhamh L32 CMB

[adhamh]

Here's a video of me Playing my Avalon L32 CMB Indian Rosewood/Spruce guitar on Balcony TV.

Im not a great guitarist. But everyone couldnt get over the guitar. The sound quality doesnt come across very well on the video as the mic equipment wasnt great. But I hope it gives the general idea of how awesome the guitar is.

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=onkVSy5f1Ng

[JB]

hey adhamh .... brilliant !

[Coen V]

Totally agree with JB, and I'm sure it must be easy for you to make big impression on all the girls, including the one you're singing about, with such a beautiful guitar !

[mgrey]

Well done sir. You remind me of Rob Thomas from Matchbox Twenty (but with your on style, of course). Very nice indeed!

What model are you playing in the following video if you don't mind me asking?

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=tOFpItrFQ8E

Best of luck to you my good man!

Michael

[adhamh]

Ah Yes...That would be my pride and Joy!
Its an Avalon L32c Premier Brazillian Rosewood/Spruce ("Rio" as I affectionately call her). It quite frankly is the most beautfiul guitar I've ever played. Unfortunately that video was taken on somebody's camera. A photo camera, not a proper video camera. So its not the greatest quality and doesnt go near to showing the amazing tonality of that guitar.
I didnt play Rio on Balcony Tv because the tone of the guitar is a little too rich for that particular song.
But when you have two Avalons, deciding which one to play is NEVER an easy task!
I have some photos of the Rio you can find here http://www.avalonguitars.com/phpbb/view ... highlight=.
I'm like a proud Dad.

[mgrey]

I totally understand. I've been the proud new papa of a A32c Legacy Standard for a couple of months, and I have a hard time putting her down. What a dream to play. I was all amped up about getting a new Taylor, but I wanted to do ample research before making a purchase of that magnitude. Unfortunately for Taylor, my research led me to Avalon. So on a leap of faith, I chose the max I could afford (I live in the US, and conversion rates are killer) and had Avalon build and send. Lucky for me, I couldn't be more pleased with the instrument. I've gone back and played the Taylor I was looking at in the guitar shop, and it doesn't hold a candle the the Avalon.

So are you pretty happy with the Ellipse Blend then? I'm thinking of installing one.

[adhamh]

Yeah I love mine.
I know the internal mic is prone to feedback, but I havent experienced this so far in the 9 months I've had one installed. It may be that I've been working with great sound engineers though, and in-ear monitors.
I normally use about 80% undersaddle and 20% mic, which gives it a nice warm sound, but still keeps it nice and punchy, which is what I like.
I too was going to buy a Taylor. I had my heart set on one for years and had started saving towards one. Thank goodness I accidentally came across the Avalon website online one night. And after an impromtu visit to the factory (Im lucky enough to live very close by) I was hooked!
I've played so many Taylors since I got my Avalon, and NONE come close! Not a single one!
What does your Avalon mostly get used for, if you dont mind me asking?

[mgrey]

Mostly for personal use right now. I am in a Praise and Worship band at my church but primarily as a background vocalist. I have played a couple of times, but not with my guitar. I have been polishing some songs to try out in some smaller churches though (just me and my guitar...OI!). It probably wouldn't even require a pick-up given the size of the places I am considering (mine is pretty loud with good sustain as I'm sure yours is). At this point I'm just researching, because I know I'm going to want to hook into a PA system at some point. I've been leaning toward purchasing a soundhole pick-up for starters (LR Baggs M-1 seems to be a pretty good one for holding acoustic sound quality). I'm just a music junky and I've been researching pick-ups much like I researched guitars before taking the final plunge.

I noticed that you had a Lowden in one of your YouTube videos. Given that Lowden's and Avalon's family tree is connected, how would you compare the Lowden to your 2 Avalons. I actually consider purchasing a Lowden for a bit, but I ultimately got a better vibe from Avalon.

[mutley2209]

thats actually the legacy L32C, the premier is the L325C also both are made of indian rosewood not brazillian, plus the premier have a really nice curve to the bottom of the neck by the soundhole . yours appaers to have some custom bits which are nice , like the extra inlay on the twelth

[singlereed]

mrgrey - regarding Avalon vs Lowden. I have a Lowden from 1987 that I bought new having seen Graham Kendrick playing a Lowden on a worship leaders' course I attended. I went up to a shop in Nottingham (no longer there) which had several Lowden models and I chose a S22CP (cutaway pickup) as I liked the feel and sound and also, because it had a nice pickup system with volume and tone controls on the upper bout. In fact, the pickup and preamp were both made by Ashworth, both later broke and have been long since replaced by Fishman which has been trouble free. The Lowden is a large body, despite the fact that the 'S' model designation is now used on small bodied guitars by Lowden and Avalon. It is similar to one played by Richard Thompson back then and indeed similar to Pierre Bensusan's in appearance, although I think he is pictured in his book with a Japanese made one. The Lowden is mahogany bodied, cedar topped and has a five piece neck. My recent acquisition is a Avalon S32 which is a small bodied rosewood and spruce guitar - deliberately, I chose this model for fingerpicking and these woods and smaller body generally have a different sound to mahogany/cedar. I have found the neck feels almost identical between the two guitars and the standard of construction is more or less the same. Both have a fairly organic, tasteful sort of vibe - nothing flashy - and both have a silky finish. I think Avalon's set-up is even better than the Lowden was; I never really had an issue with the Lowden, but after about 15 years use, took it to have its frets re-profiled and the luthier I took it to said they frets had never been perfectly level even when originally built. I think the Avalon is faultless in this regard. Years back, I did need some help from Lowden when the pickup failed, and they had it collected, fixed it and delivered back to me all free of charge. So, that's just my perspective - my experience with both firms and both guitars has been entirely pleasurable. When I bought the Avalon direct from the factory, they couldn't have been more helpful, friendly and efficient. I'll recommend them to anyone who'll listen.

[MIKE 450]

Great song Adhamh very very good--I thought you might have broke your D string you where well into that song. Still the old Elixirs sound great on your guitar--and what a guitar--how did you get your name on it --you must show us a close up pic of that.

If your gigin in Belfast soon let us all know.