Lowden F25C nut

[Will T]

Hi,

I'm sorry to bother the Avalon forum with a question about a Lowden guitar! I've been gigging with an acoustic line up which includes a guitarist who plays a Lowden 010. My problem has been none of my acoustic guitars could compete volume and tone wise with this Lowden, and in fact, couldn't keep up with the other quality instruments in the line up either e.g. violin, banjo (the best acoustic guitar I owned at this point was a 1983 Ovation Anniversary). After trying out and liking my friend's 010, I looked around and found a second-hand Lowden F25C in excellent condition, and bought it. Well, it sounds great and has should certainly address the band balance issues!

On looking around the web for more information on Lowden guitars, I became somewhat confused because most links were referring me to the Avalon site! After asking around a bit, no one seemed to know the complete story, but it seems Avalon took over Lowden in relatively recent times, then Lowden subsequently started up again, operating from a different address in NI. I also heard that many (most?) of the original luthiers are now in fact with Avalon. Is all this correct? Any info welcome!

So, onto my question. My F25C was in urgent need of a re string as received. After removing all the old strings, I then had a shock when the nut fell out! Now, I've never seen a guitar (acoustic or electric) where the nut wasn't lightly glued in, or certainly a very tight fit. Is this right? Or should the nut have had a couple of dabs of mild adhesive to hold it in place?

Sorry, one other question if I may. The F25's action is rather high for my style and certainly way higher than my friend's 010 (although he has had the bridge saddles and nut changed to graphite and had the action lowered at the same time). There are no shims beneath my saddles, so would you guys recommend altering the originals, or buying shallower replacement saddles, assuming they're available?

Maybe I'll get to try an Avalon some time! - I gather they're similar in tone to the Lowdens.

TIA,

Will Thomson
(mainly an electric player, but working on developing the acoustic side!)

[JB]

Hello Will and welcome to the forums

Brief Company History .... and I mean brief.

We as a company made all Lowden guitars from mid 1989 until the end of 2003. At this point we handed back the license for the Lowden brand and concentrated fully on our new range.
We are the same company making our own label guitars "Avalon" and the same core of the highly skilled, long-serving luthiers are still here doing the job they know best.
Our comanys name was originally "Lowden Guitars Ltd" but has been changed to "Avalon Guitars Ltd"
Same factory, same details, same address, same luthiers, same desire ... to make hand-made guitars as best we can.

The bridge saddles are never glued in place, there's no need, string pressure does all the work for you.
Personally speaking, I never take all the strings of my guitar at once when changing to a new set, I much prefer changing one string at a time, thus helping to keep a constant tension on the neck .....

All our saddles are shaped and height adjusted for each individual guitar so it's nigh impossible to buy a set of saddles that will drop in place with out some sanding work needed ... your choice really.

Hope this clears a few things
Jim

[Will T]

Thanks for the interesting info - it's nice to think that I may be communicating with the guys who made my guitar!

> The bridge saddles are never glued in place, there's no need, string
> pressure does all the work for you.

I was actually referring to the nut not being glued in place, as opposed to the saddles (which I know are never glued in). On my F25C, the nut fell out as soon as the strings were removed, so I was wondering whether it is supposed to be loose, non-glued fit, or if it's a case of the original glue losing it's integrity. If so, should I put a couple of dabs of wood glue on the nut to secure it?

TIA,

Will

[JB]

sorry Will, thats what I get for speed reading again ... doh ! ...

yup, the nut is glued in place, just a few "small" drops of super glue or wood glue will suffice.

cheers
jim

[Will T]

Thanks for the reply, Jim. I'll use some wood glue next string change!

Will