I bought this, my first Avalon (now that sounds ominous: 'first'??) back in January in my quest for a guitar more suited to open tunings than my played-in Collings OM2H. I had never played an Avalon, nor even seen one, but having tried a few Lowdens of differing models and having read a number of reviews, watched various youtube vids (Andy McKee may have a lot to answer for!) and lurked and posted here, decided to take the plunge on an ex-demo model. My initial thoughts can be read elsewhere on the board. Here, I'd just like to make a few observations on how she is now.
Build:
I stand by my earlier post on this. Overall, very well built with just a few minor cosmetic imperfections, but this is a hand-built guitar - if I wanted characterless, I'd buy an Ibanez. However, one of the areas I didn't mention before was the wood bindings, which are IMHO gorgeous and really set off the guitar - true craftsmanship! It still makes me smile too when I open the case and look at the guitar - and how anyone who plays fingerstyle could spoil such a top with a pickguard is beyond me. I am still not quite sure about the action - initially I thought it might have been too low at the nut, but it may have been humidity and I think I have adapted to the neck and body size more now and am playing with the required touch to get the best out of the guitar. Perhaps now I have had it a while, I may take it somehwere to get checked, just to wring out the very best from it.
Sound:
This is what has prompted my posting. When I bought the guitar, JB said it would take 6 months to settle down and 12-18 months for the spruce top to open up. What I own now is indeed a very different guitar to what I had then. I suppose I probably play my Avalon 3-5 times a week, though often only quietly at night, so she has not had perhaps as many hours playtime as others' new guitars might have had. However, in the last few weeks, I have noticed a marked difference in tone and particularly volume. It feels as if I only have to gently stroke the strings to get the sound I want. She has really started to project: pull-offs are far more musical and harmonics especially ring for ages. Not having played for over a week, I was dying for some free time yesterday so I could get her out of the case and give her a good seeing to (Ooh err, missus!
) with some MacLean and Bensusan, as she really has become my go-to guitar for C and D tunings, which is most of what I play out of choice.So, many thanks, JB and all here for encouraging me to take that plunge - next review in 6 months!!
I bought 'er new back then and she's been my workhorse and sounds better than ever. So this brings me to my point, if I didn't have the Lowden, I would be in possesion of an A32c. In fact when I pass this guitar along to my son, and if I'm still goin', thats the guitar on the horizon for me. I might just get it anyway after I'm done payin' for school! I can't handle the L or O sizes with my shoulder like you guys, but boy I'd love an A32c. (I stare at it on the website sometimes... 
)