Just Got My Silver AS-201CE...

[kec]

... and Wow! am I impressed. I stumbled on to the Avalons (and I'm sure glad I did) reading reviews on other guitars. Did some research and ended up here. I went through every page.

As mainly a Gibson acoustic guy - I have a J-45, J-25 and a Gospel (sold), I wanted to try something different. I've always loved the Lowden's but, they were way out of my price range - as are the NI Avalon's. Maybe, sell the Gibby's and get an Avalon

The build quality on these Silvers is really good. I've always thought the Korean's quality was slightly less than the Japanese, but still very good. I have several Japanese Tokai's, Burny's, Edwards and Epiphone Les Pauls that rival or exceed Gibsons.

The action may be a bit too low for my taste, but it plays like butter. The neck is dead straight with little to no relief.

Soundwise, it's fantastic! The low E string is a little less pronounced than I'd like - less volume compared to the rest. Maybe that's normal? Maybe a saddle/nut change is in order?

Thanks for wonderful forum Avalon!

[Dr.Dirk]

Congrats to your Silver Avalon - I have never played one for I am relatively new to the Avalon world. Does anybody know why the Asian Avalons where discontinued ?

[kec]

Thanks Dr.Dirk!

According to wikipedia: "Avalon discontinued all offshore produced models in 2007 to concentrate exclusively on making high-end handcrafted acoustic guitars from its workshop in Northern Ireland."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon_Guitars

[Dr.Dirk]

Oh, yes - I have read this, thanks. But this is not a real reason, is it?

[MIKE 450]

Well done kec, the Avalon 201ce is my main guitar. I live 3 miles from the Avalon factory in N.Ire--I drop into the factory now and then to pluck on some of the beauties on display, great guitars-but I love my 201ce.

I remember reading Guitarist Magazine years ago when they reviewed the 201. They said in the review that this guitar was as good as guitar's 3 times it price --they were blown away!

I think it was 2004 when I found my 201 hanging up in a music shop--they wanted £400 it was like NEW! --a guy had left it in to be sold--I found out he's name and give him a bell--telling him I'd give him £300 cash ---he agreed!

I realy love this guitar-I set it up to suit me--for £300 I don't need to worry about it - the pre amp is second to none--I busk play gigs etc--FANTASTIC GUITAR!

Forget about your other guitars--take the 201 and play it ONLY---A snooker player always plays with the same cue-- after a couple of weeks this guitar will become an extension of you.

I'm 52 I've been to loads of concerts in my time-and it always amused me to see bands/solo/artists with loads of guitar's--I've done my fare share of gigs and I have to say I prefer to play one guitar.

When changing tuning live onstage DON'T PANIC just tell a story/joke---some people are paid to play loads of guitars I'm Not--I hope you realy enjoy the Avalon 201 as much as I have---think youself lucky to have this model Avalon don't make bad guitar's they just make some better than other's -THE 201 WILL DO ME NICELY---THANKS AVALON!