Avalon folding?

[pkelecy]

Rumor has it Avalon is going out of business. Is this true? I hope not, but very sad if so.

[boombox]

This is very sad news indeed. Just checked out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=batkBM-YYBI

Jim/Steve? Was it poor sales? I guess the recent offers were the last hurrah then - just trying to get something back on the stock. What will happen to the tools/jigs etc? Are you hoping to find a buyer or is Avalon really dead?

[JB]

These are sad times!

The news is true, we stopped production on Friday, we were all made redundant
Only time will tell if this is the end of the Avalon brand, it may continue in another form, it may rise again but for now all building has ceased in our workshops here in Northern Ireland.

A big thanks to all you forum members, without you guys this forum wouldn't exist.

Jim

[Ross A]

I'm very sorry to hear this. I hope Jim and the guys are all ok and that perhaps you can rise again and start to make fantastic instruments as you always have done.

Best wishes to you all.

[pkelecy]

I am very sorry to hear this as well. I hope you were given some forewarning, and it wasn't a total surprise. That would be really sad (and bad) if not.

Anyway, best wishes to everyone there, and my hope for a speedy transition to a new job and new life. You'll be in my prayers.

Pat

[Thez]

This is so so sad to hear this news and hopefully you guys will "reform" and I pray you all get a breakthrough with jobs etc. Thankyou all for the wonderful instrument you created for me it will certainly have even more of a special value to me.

Warmest Regards

Mark

[Dr.Dirk]

this is very sad news. Was planning to come over to the Avalon HQ in summer. I really do hope you will all find a way to continue building fantastic instruments in some way.

Cheers,

Dirk

[riverdog]

I am really sad about this as I have come to really like Avalon in many ways. The friends and fellowship with John, Mike and Boom; to the always helpful and kind JB, and some of the finest guitars ever crafted. You guys rock! My hope and prayer is for JB and the gang and your families to all be blessed and have income and provisions for your future. I hope Avalon in some way will resume at some point.

I recently posted a video on my YTC called Celtic Palm as I posted on this forum under the Artist section. I did not know that Avalon was closing, yet how ironic that I felt led to honor them in this video a few weeks ago with this original featuring Ava with her new palm tree on the headstock!

Well cheers to you guys and fellow forum regulars, I wish you all the best. Thankyou Avalon for a great guitar and all you have done to promote quality and craftsmanship and your contributions to the music world; you make us sound better!

God bless,

eric aka riverdog

[the greypicker]

I always got the feeling that Avalon guitars were built by people who were proud of what they did, and tried to make each guitar something special.

The luthiers were always keen to innovate and showed their talents building jazz, blues, bezels, Zemaitis-style etc, in addition to developing umpteen wood combinations of the classic L, A and J shapes.

They have left behind a few thousand wonderful guitars that will be increasingly sought after in a future lacking the skills to make anything as good.

As a company, the Avalon people were always focused on the customer. They were quick to respond, genial in their engagement, and in Jim Black, had the perfect interface with customers and the Avalon owners' club. Buying and owning an Avalon was and is a special thing.

The Forum was small, but supportive and had none of the trolling cynicism that usually afflicts on-line discussion groups. The membership was truly international. Friendships were made.

In our one-size, constricting, corner-cutting, volume-spewing circle of Hell, Avalon's dedicated, warm and willing team wore it well for all us who wanted life to be something a little more rich and variable. Ultimately, it was Avalon's commitment to quality that priced itself out of a cut-priced world.

Right now our thoughts should be for Jim and the team who are out of work in the midst of a deep recession. They deserve much better than this. Let us hope that they and their familes come through OK.

Long may they strum!

John

[Classe]

Really sad times. You have done a sterling job with my two babies.
Claes

[pkelecy]

Interesting. This was just posted on the Lowden-L forum:

"not true. i called avalon this morning and they confirmed that they are still open, they have stopped production at the moment but are still in business..."

So did they change their mind? Lets hope!

Pat

[boombox]

Much as I would want this to be a glimmer of hope, I fear not. If Jim says he's been given the push, the worst has definitely happened. (Though what I don't understand, is the facebook has been recently updated with a feature on Monterey Cypress ).I really hope something comes up for you Jim, your advice over the past year and a half has, on a personal level, been excellent and much-appreciated. As John says, we've been a small community, but have forged some new friendhships - thanks for your input to the process.

I notice too that the Avalon merch store has vanished, just when I was going to order an Avalon cap for this summer too. I thought what better way to advertise our great guitars? The irony too is that the only thing left to buy on the site is that D300 'in production', but who is going to finish it?

[stevemac]

The story is factual concerning the manufacturing activities of Avalon Guitars Ltd.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18207130

We will make a more detailed statement in due course, but for now, whatever the future holds, my thoughts are for 6 incredible guys whose skill, talent, creativity and loyalty could not be surpassed.

[the greypicker]

Thanks for letting us know, Steve.

It is right that we remember the craftsmen who are now seeking other work, but I would like to pass on my very best wishes to you, too. You have spent so many years leading the efforts to build up the Avalon reputation after the Lowden rescue. You must be feeling as gutted as anyone right now.

Years ago we dealt with each other personally over the purchase of my Jacques Stotzem guitar. You offered it as a replacement for a lesser model that was damaged by couriers and at no extra cost. I was really impressed by your care and concern for a customer (and by the guitar, too!). And, of course, it was your pm that alerted me to the new Avalon Eclipse which has been my main guitar and loyal partner for the past six years.

Please accept my best wishes for the future to your family and yourself. I hope your next venture brings you success and happiness.

Very best wishes

Long may you strum!

John

[boombox]

Customer service like John and the rest of us have had? Wouldn't get that from Martin and Gibson - and wouldn't get the consistency of quality either.