Just traded for an Avalon L32....

[Bltprf502]

I had a Huss & Dalton D-RH dreadnaught that I just traded even for an Avalon L32. My first question is.... Did I get hosed? I noticed the retail prices on the Avalon Legacy series are quite stout. But, in fact the selling price is much lower... I was ready for a change from my H&D, but now I am wondering who got the short end of the staff. The L32 is in mint condition along with the original Hiscox Flite case. I had to change the strings and she sings quite well... Hard to even compare sound with the H&D, but more on comparing value I suppose. The guitar will take some getting used to as the sound is much more different than anything I have now. Do the Avalons hold value as well as a Lowden or McIlroy? I don't know why I am in the mind set... The Legacy seems to be a top quality guitar. Any feedback or help would be appreciated. Yes I am new to the forum and have several memberships elsewhere. This sees to be the place for Avalon questions. Thanks a bunch!

[Bltprf502]

Oh and by the way.... I live in the U.S.A. but am currently in the U.K. on business. I am in Mildenhall, Suffolk and then on to London tomorrow. What a nice stay I must add!

[mutley2209]

the L32 is a solid choice when it comes to an avalon well chosen , i think when it comes to resale value an Avalon is less known than say lowden however when it comes to bigger names such as that, you often pay that bit extra for the name rather than the guitar itself, know what i mean? personally i find Lowdens a bit overhyped not that impressed by them to be honest, when it comes to a sale of a guitar the sound of the guitar should say it all, if its in good nick, and it sounds and plays as good as the price your asking for then it'l be worth every penny id think you could get £1300 for a year or two old one and should hold the price assuming its well kept, though JB should know more

[frankhond]

I got my A25 2nd hand for just under 1300 euros (give or take a few with the currency instability). Not sure what the resale value of a H&D is. But you get the Avalon sound, which is very different from most guitars. I would *never* trade my A25 for a H&D. It's the other guy that got hosed.

[singlereed]

Welcome to the world of Avalon! I wouldn't worry about values and so on - the list price of the two guitars is about the same over here and I think you get better value from a UK produced guitar as there is less tax, shipping cost etc. than with a US produced guitar. I don't know much about H&D guitars, but most of the other big names (Martin, Taylor, Collings etc) are factories given over to mass production whereas Avalon is a small workshop. I just don't think you find this quality of timber, finish, attention to detail in mass produced guitars - they can't buy that quality of timber in sufficient quantities for a start. As soon as you take any instrument out of a shop, you've lost something but the most important thing is the value to you - this should be an investment for the long term. I reckon when you get back to the USA with it, if you ever do want to sell it you should be OK as there are fewer Avalons over there and quite a following of Irish made guitars from Lowden and its off-shoots. Enjoy playing it.

[Walesy]

I'd say in real terms your H&D is worth more than the L32, but due to a couple of factors you probably haven't 'lost out'.

Firstly the fact that you're going to take it back to the USA where Avalons aren't easily available should claw you back a few dollars. Secondly the fact that Andy Mckee used an L32 on tour for a year or so seems to have increased interest in the L32 among 'wannabees', making them more desirable and therefore worth a tad more in the second hand market. Like him or not, he's certainly raised the profile of fingerstyle acoustic playing, and of certain handmade guitars

Regarding whether Avalon hold their value as well as Lowdens etc, i'd say at the moment they probably don't. There still seems to be a fair bit of snobbery around concerning Avalon and Lowden, I recently spoke to a luthier about having my guitars set up and was amused when his reaction to me telling him I had an Avalon was "Oh, those fake Lowdens?" - It seems that some people can't take each guitar on it's own merit, needless to say I won't be taking my guitars to him!. I also think that some people view the fact that Avalon make/sell cheaper more mass produced guitars as a bad thing, somehow cheapening the brand name (this certainly is not my view, but it does seem to be some peoples!)

Ultimately though, if you like the guitar as much as (or more) than the H&D you swapped it for then the value is immaterial

I think once you've given yourself a bit of time to become accustomed to your new guitar, you'll be blown away by it, whether it's worth more than the H&D won't be an issue as the L32 won't be for sale

Enjoy the rest of your trip to the UK, and have a safe journey home with your Avalon!

EDIT - Ah, I see while I was typing, singlereed made most of the points I was trying to make

[stevemac]

I recently spoke to a luthier about having my guitars set up and was amused when his reaction to me telling him I had an Avalon was "Oh, those fake Lowdens?"

I had a similar experience at the Cheltenham Guitar Show last year when the type of guy we in Ulster would call an eejit bounced on to the stand with his mate and said in a loud voice "Oh, these are the fake Lowden's". I asked him which guitars he was referring to and when he surveyed the guitars on show - the Americana's, the D320CMB Bevel, custom slope dreadnought in black and the new Joycean parlour model - I watched as he tucked his tail between his legs. Verdict: don't worry about it - the Avalon luthiers are doing some innovative and pioneering stuff.

As for comparison with H&D, in terms of value, the L32 will hold up against the H&D - supply and demand dictates that and without knowing the exact spec of the H&D you traded, compared to their standard dreadnought spec, you'll have several enhancements on the L32 - abalone rosette, additional purfling detail, a bi-flex truss rod, Gotoh machineheads and a lifetime warranty (if you bought it new from a dealer). Welcome to Avalon!

[Bltprf502]

Thanks for all of the feedback... I should clarify that I actually traded in the States prior to leaving for the UK. I have only spent one day with the Avalon. I think I got my feathers ruffled when I came to the UK and had spare time to surf the net. I then found the prices of the Avalons were less than what I would price the D-RH I had. The D-RH for those that don't know is a take off fron the Martin HD-28 but made in a small shop. Not exact, but similar. I am not big on mass produced guitars... I currently own a Webber Round body, a SCGC H-13 custom (adi/Mahogany), Breedlove SC20, a Gibson AJ and a Larrivee walnut parlor. Not to mention I have the quintisential Martin dread in the closet I never play. I just sold a few and this is now my current collection. With that said, I did the trade sight unseen and took a chance on the Avalon. It is MINT without a scratch and has quite a bit of character in the woods. It actually has gold Grover tuners with black buttons on it. If it is a 2005 model, would that be correct to spec It had 13-56 D'Addarios on it when it came in and they were just wrong for the guitar. I put a set of Curt Mangan 12-54 PB on and it livened up a bit. Very jangly and sparkly which I currently did not have. The SC would have been the closest to that description, but more American traditional in sound with the scalloped bracing. Is this Avalon more than likely going to shine in the alt tuning dept? I kind of though the Webber I have wihich is also sitka/EIR was a bit louder due to the scalloped bracing with a bit more growl. I obviously don't want all of my guits to sound alike. But I need to classify this one so I'm not constantly searching for a reason to keep it. With all of this said, I feel maybe I have cleared up some misperception. I appreciate the warm welcome and have enjoyed my stay in the UK. FLying back tomorrow. Curious to see if the Avalon has aclimated more to the climate of my home. I played it right out of the box with no real time to adjust to the humid climate I live in in the South Eastern US. Cheers to all. Thanks again!

[Bltprf502]

After trying some different strings, I have found that the new formula EXP's in 12-53 work great! I also put a new saddle in and took mout the shim which I did no know was there.... What a difference that makes! She lounds louder and fatter trebles and deeper bass. Its amazing what A set up will do.