my new Avalon

[Johnny C]

I don't know if anyone's interested but I am visiting the Avalon factory next week to do the tour and to spec out my new guitar.
Unless I change my mind when I'm there it will basically be (and I know the numbers wrong) an A320 but with Brazilian Walnut back and sides and a Sitka spruce top.
I saw a L330BW (Brazilian Walnut) at last years Acoustic Guitar show at Olympia and just knew that was the wood for me! It was just amazing to look at.
I know its going to take a while to get built, but I can't wait.
I will post some pictures when I get it.

[boombox]

Welcome to the board, Johnny and congrats on your forthcoming new axe. I remember the pics of said Braz Walnut guitar - the boys at Avalon certainly know how to pick their woods.

Don't forget to come back and post some pics - don't be a stranger. We are a somewhat select group here: not many regular posters, but very friendly, all the same. It's always nice too that jb will post with useful info from the horse's mouth, as it were.

[the greypicker]

Hello Johnny.

I am drooling with envy!

I have English walnut on my McIlroy A25c (and South American walnut on my Richard Beard bouzouki). They both look amazing and the sound is mellow and resonant. My McIlroy has a cedar top, but I think it would be great with spruce.

Like BB says, let us in on the building process by sending lots of pictures!

Lomg may you strum!

John

PS Apparently a shop near the factory sells great cake - ask Jim!

[Johnny C]

Thanks for the interest.

I will try and post more often but will certainly put any pics on when I have any.

oh, and thanks for the info about the cake shop. I will have to try it out when I'm over.

[riverdog]

Welcome Johnny C.,

Hope you enjoy the journey of your purchase and as my previous Avalon alumni said, I too look forward to some pics and maybe some sound bites too!
Sounds like an amazing guitar, but then again its an Avalon which ARE amazing!

riverdog

[Thez]

Hi Johnny
I too made the visit to the Avalon factory and must say it was one of the hi-lights of the year for me especially as I was able to see my guitar towards the end of production and it was just in the spray shop. Once you know the order is nearly ready and the excitement is building looking forward to the delivery day - Im sure JB gets the same call all the time - "Is it ready yet????" Certainly, Avalons are not quick off the shelf robot produced etc etc and these masterpieces we all possess will have worked our patience Im sure- you cant rush a good thing! All the team are wonderful and and to see these craftsmen at work is really something to marvel. I hope you enjoy your visit as well as your new guitar!

Mark

[Johnny C]

As per previous post I visited the factory yesterday and what a day I had.
The factory was not as I had imagined it to be but what a place.
Everyone was so friendly, but one of the highlights was watching the skills of one of the craftsman using a chisel to shape a top brace. He had such control of the tool he didn't need to use a hammer or anything. Amazing.
I must also thank Jim (JB) who spent a lot of time with me to ensure that I had all the information that I needed in order to make the right choice.
I was originally going for a Brazilian Walnut back and sides, but I also liked Mahogany, but in the back of my mind I kept hearing the old adage of 'buy with your ears not your eyes' .
Anyway, after I fired numerous questions to Jim and earlier to Mark who did the tour, and with other information that they gave me I felt I was much better placed to make the right choice.
Among other guitars that I tried was a newly finished L32 which as you know has an Indian Rosewood back and sides but this one had a bear-claw spruce top.
To be honest originally I just thought it was a nice guitar but the more I played it and looked at it the more I knew what I was going to do.
Yes, that's right, I am now the proud owner of that L32 (or will be when its delivered next week. I can't wait).
Assuming I can work out how, I will post pics as soon as I can.
Once again thanks to Jim and Mark and everyone at the factory.

[boombox]

Nice one, Johnny - another L32 owner to add to the ranks. I believe it's (understandably) the top selling Avalon and once you play one, it's hard to go back. I took a punt on a bearclaw-topped L32C direct, without even playing it, having tried a Lowden O32C and seen the Andy McKee vids. Rick here on the froum is probably one of the best ads for their versatility too. And just wait till it opens up in a year or so.

[Thez]

Nice...... Sounds like what I did, I too came away with an ordered L32C bear claw!

Mark

[the greypicker]

Great news, Johnny C!

Rosewood and spruce! The classic combination without a doubt! You will have that lovely rosewood smell whenever you take the guitar out of the case. Can't wait to see how much bearclaw you have - photos eagerly awaited!

You will be in a rush to start playing immediately, but don't forget to let it warm up in the case if it is delivered on a cold day and you have a warm lounge.

BTW did you get directions to the cake shop in Newtownards?

John

[Johnny C]

greypicker ...
There was so much going on in my head I didn't make the cake-shop.
I think my wife was (almost) more concerned on missing out on some cakes than on how much money I mIght have spent!
Trying it out at the factory it sounded great , which makes it easier to wait a year or so for it to open up.
Pics when I can.

[Lentin]

Welcome and congratulations.
As Boombox said at the top, we are not regular posters, but yes, we are very friendly, . And I guess there are many, many readers not posting.
Enjoy your new piece of art.

Cheers.