Avalon folding?

[Pure]

Very sad situation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18207130

Incidentally, greedy banks have caused this. Has anyone seen a bank fold yet?


Something is very wrong when craftsmen are surplus to the requirements of a society yet greedy bankers that have caused this are hailed a solution to the problem and are bailed out left right and center!

------------

Chunkymark has the solution

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2KeBfy34mQ


*Chunkymark says bad words!*

[Johnny C]

Just got back from a week abroad. Only heard the sad news from a friend who rang me earlier.
What can I say? For us its the demise of a wonderful guitar manufacturer, but for the skilled craftsman involved its their jobs and livelihoods!
I visited the factory 2 months ago and purchased an L32 which I shall cherish all the more now.
Here's hoping they can continue in some way as it would be a terrible waste for all that skill and craftmanship to just disappear.

[mutley2209]

will the forum continue?

[JB]

will the forum continue?

that's currently unknown mutley

[Rick Jones]

So sorry to hear this. I shared a stage with 'Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly' on Saturday night, and they told me, but I thought they had it wrong.

Truly gutted, I've never had a company treat me so well, and never played a guitar I like as much.

I hope the lads all find security and happiness soon, and hopefully stay in the industry, where in my mind at least, they are the very best.

My thoughts are with you Jim, if there is anything I could possibly do to help, please let me know.

[the greypicker]

Update:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/guitar-maker-g ... 58249.html

Well said, Rick.

[boombox]

will the forum continue?

that's currently unknown mutley

Nice to see you still checking in, Jim - hope you get some sort of positive outcome to all this.

I have to admit it would be a shame to lose the forum - I don't 'do' facebook, though have an account just to access band pages etc., and prefer the closeness of makers boards like this and the Collings board, rather than the AGF.

Speaking of other forums, I notice some are already speculating about whether buying up an Avalon would be a good investment - vultures always circle, don't they?

[Fletch]

Really sad news, I heard it yesterday from a someone at work who also owns/plays an Avalon. You are an amazing group of people and I hope and pray that the factory will be re-opened and you all get to do what you do best. Thanks for sharing your craft and passion with so many and for so long. JB, a special thanks for all that you have brought to the Avalon Community/Forum.

[JJK]

Very very gutting News. Difficult times for everyone.

Sadly whilst others see owning an Avalon Guitar as a luxury, many of us believe it is a necessity. It is sad to think that there will be people out there who will not experience the incredible customer service, dedication and passion that is so evident when going into the Newtownards factory. It is probably little consolation and does certainly not pay the bills, but you guys were truly excellent at what you did and no so-called financial brain can take that away from you.

It is rare that the true extent of ability is appreciated during an artists lifetime, however there are a lot of appreciative people who own and cherish their Avalon Guitars.

Yours, scanning the horizon for a phoenix

JJ

[pkelecy]

So what led to this sad situation? Just not enough sales to support the business in this down economy?

[rocksteady]

Wow. Bad news. I was wanting to purchase another one in the future. I will definitely hold on to the two that I have now. I hope the shop resurfaces in the future. the best guitars in the world in my opinion.

[the greypicker]

This just makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time!

Great people! Cruel world!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RJNHK99zs0

[JB]

This just makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time!

Great people! Cruel world!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RJNHK99zs0

I reckon there's a few more videos to follow if I remember correctly John ...

[the greypicker]

I hope so, Jim! You are a very photogenic bunch!

[MIKE 450]

WAKE UP WAKE UP and smell the coffee Avalon. I'm sure most of you will agree, we don't want budget crap from China, we want experience. I can't understand why a company like Avalon should fold, surely someone at Avalon can pick up the baton and run for many years to come.

To have the costumer base Avalon have, which includes EVERYONE who takes acoustic guitar seriously, I would like to think some entrepreneur "Dragon's Den" perhaps someone in the USA could step in and take over an Ulster success storey.

I feel gutted for the workers, I live near the factory, J.B. is one of the most talented HONEST guitar heads I've ever meet.

I've just heard this news, so please forgive the sense of panic, the last time something so big that went down belonging to Ulster, was call The Titanic.