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#1
08-12-2022, 12:53 AM
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Fingerstyle Lowden build suggestions.
Howdy I'm getting to the pointy end on putting a deposit down on my first Lowden build. I live 1000's of kms away from the nearest dealer so trying them isn't an option.
After listening to hundreds of youtube examples over the last couple of years I'm trying to decide on the tone woods and build. I mostly play finger style exclusively in DADGAD, DAAEAE etc. Influences are Tony Mcmanus, Jean Bandwarth, Pierre Bensusan, Duck Baker, MArtin Simpson , Pat Kirtley, Steve Baughman, Tom long etc. Was able to try out a Pierre Bensusan a month back and while to me the mids and trebles were beautiful, and exquisite the bass side left me wanting more volume. The 60/45 neck though was perfection. My current guitar is a Martin D28. Likes: The scooped tone of it. Heavy bass with sweet trebles. Dislike: The skinny neck. Top of the pile in regards to my Lowden tone wood preferences from youtube examples are. O50c African Blackwood, Sinker redwood (Thunderous Bass though the fella kind of attacked it a little to hard for me get the desired picture) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB0HkMLYDfk O50c African Blackwood, Adirondack (Edit. Bass doesn't seem to get moving much on this one..) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tam637LH7CI F50 African Backwood, Sinker Redwood (Just so well rounded with mids and trebles to die for on one particular guitar) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_EKyaj9Ttg O38c Brazilian, Cedar (They tended to vary allot though one or two stood out as divine) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08ODy4ZvVik Richard Thompson model (Most examples sounded good to me) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnFH70rovR8 F25 Rosewood Cedar. (Perfectly adequate in the sound department) and would have bought only they don't come with 60/45 spacing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2DE3HqG9Q0 My ideal tone is scooped with deep powerful sustained lows along with sweet, present shimmering highs if that is indeed attainable. Volume loud to fill out a room. I generally play with a light touch. Currently living in the wet tropics and not sure if that is a consideration regarding tone woods. Body size: O vs F is a tough one for me not having played an O. Based on my tone preferences I'm hoping you could please recommend. Neck: 60mm/45mm Bevel: Is it really that good? If so I liked the plain black in the Bensusan model. Cutaway: Yes There it's all laid out for you with the accuracy of the length of a piece of string. Last edited by Rirrid; 08-12-2022 at 01:06 AM. 
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#2
08-12-2022, 04:13 AM
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I live in Ireland so I have plenty of exposure to Lowden's and have owned several over the years. I think the high end Lowdens are overpriced so in your situation I would go for the F25, just ask them for the neck you want, it shouldn't be a problem.
Personally, I would not be happy spending that kind of money without trying the guitar first, this is a problem with a custom order. Surely there is someone in Australia who could build you what you want, I could recommend Nigel Forster in Queensland.
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#3
08-12-2022, 05:27 AM
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I don't play finger-style... but I do have on O and an F cut-away. The former is my favourite strummer for full ringing chords, the latter has more precise tones and I like flatpicking melody on it. The bevel on the body is a nice addition.
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#4
08-12-2022, 06:30 AM
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I am a 100% fingerpicker....I have O, F and S Lowdens.
I prefer 00 size guitars (S35) usually but found the O22 to be like a S fingerpicker with a bigger sound, probably why they are so popular. Pierre B’s main guitar is the old version of the O22....O size mahogany/cedar. You didn’t mention budget for your order. Some on your list are going to be getting close to $20K Aus by the time it got to Aus..... I would say to start by buying a more modest but wonderful Lowden O22 but they are slim on the ground as I reply. There is an O23 walnut/cedar in Sydney at Gladesville Guitar Factory. You could try it for a while to see if you like the O size and also see how the cedar likes tropical humidity....no idea myself, it may blow like a balloon. BluesKing777.
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#5
08-12-2022, 06:36 AM
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Quote:
David
__________________
I took up the guitar at 62 as penance for a youth well-spent.
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#6
08-12-2022, 06:49 AM
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Quote:
I live in a monsoon climate. Don't bother with humidipaks. Just get a room dehumidifier to keep the room temp+RH constant. This is the easiest route. I keep mine in my case when I'm done playing. On the plus side, it's humid all year round where I'm from so changes in weather will only yield small RH increments so in a way, it's better because the climate is "stable". Don't know much about the neck profile, sorry. I tried mine out before buying and it was comfortable so that was enough for me. Good luck on your search. Whatever you choose, I don't think you can go wrong.
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#7
08-12-2022, 06:50 AM
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My only comment i is that you make sure the nut width and string spacing are sufficient for your needs. i had thought i remembered that most Lowdens are build with string spacing at the bridge of 2 3/16, which when combined with a nut width of 1 11/16 or 1 12/16 was never sufficient for me as a finger style player.
i’m hoping they have wider string spacing options for you to choose from. i don’t have time to read your full post. so i may have missed these specs. best of luck. stuart
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#8
08-12-2022, 06:53 AM
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I own 2 Fs and love them, one being the Pierre Bensusan model. You didn't mention how tall you are but I would caution you about the O size in terms of ergonomics. It has roughly the same dimensions as the Taylor jumbo I believe. I got very bad tendonitis from overplaying 2 Taylor jumbos I used to own it's because they were simply too large and the lower bout raised my shoulder up too high. I'm 5'8" normal build. In contrast I find that I can play the Lowden Fs for upwards of 8 hours a day and be fine.
And it's not the kind of thing you can tell after playing for say 15 minutes or an hour you really have to spend days or weeks playing for a while before your body starts to tell you what's wrong.
__________________
https://soundcloud.com/99ben99/sets/solo-guitar
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#9
08-12-2022, 11:04 AM
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M experience with the O and F style bodies is that the O seems to have more of a spread-y tone... you feel like you're inside it if you're sat in front of it, whereas the F seem to have more punchy attack and it feels direct and focussed when you're in front of it.
I say in front, because whilst I've found the O style to be louder to the player, the F seems louder to the listener. Indeed when I experimented with recording into a Zoom H8 and watching the meters to dial in that point where I was just before clipping in loud, percussive passages (staccato on the strings, not 'drumming' on the guitar), the smaller F body I was playing hit the red faster than the larger O, despite the O seeming louder to me as the player. The related Avalon L (O analogue) and A (F analogue though not quite the same body shape in later models) are exactly like this too. I've played mostly the 32 variants (EI Rosewood and Spruce) but own an O22, too. I can't detect any loss of bass in the smaller models, but it's got a different attack transient that makes the striking of the note seem brighter and sharper initially. The O is 'rounder'. To be perfectly honest, I don't think you'd find any Lowden, particularly in your price range, disappointing, especially given the musical influences you've listed. I completely understand the desire to get it right, though, and I look forward to you hopefully posting what you end up getting... and hope it is perfect for you!
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Rick Yamaha MIJ CJX32 Avalon L32 Avalon A32 Legacy Lowden 022 Gibson J-185 Takamine TNV360sc Cole Clark Fat Lady 3
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#10
08-12-2022, 12:13 PM
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The F has more projection and punch the O surrounds you in sound. Based on the fact the F is designed for Flat pick, though a great fingerstyle guitar . DADGAD and finger style is more in the O design scope.
Any of the Redwood or cedar top rosewood builds will be lush with loads of overtones. Very dynamic and do the job perfectly. I bought an F off these guys, I don't know if they ship internationally, their service was excellent. Some porn for you. https://downhomeguitars.com/product-...uitars/lowden/
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Steve
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#11
08-12-2022, 12:46 PM
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Quote:
I also own a Bensusan F, and an O-35. All three are different, and I like them all. The O-35 is the most responsive, and probably has the most bass of the three. I used the O-35 for this Acoustic Guitar article: As expected, recording techniques introduce a lot of variability, so I'm not sure how useful sound clips are in evaluating guitars. The F is probably the most balanced of the 3. I've had the privilege of hearing Pierre play his acoustically from a few feet away, and it was stunning, tho no doubt Pierre playing had a lot to do with that :-) I especially love the fingerstyle neck profile on the Bensusan and O-50. This particular O-50 also has a wider nut width, 46mm instead of 45 on the Bensusan. Both have 60mm (2 5/16) spacing at the saddle. Happy to try too provide any other info, or even do a Zoom session with you if you think that would be of any help.
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Music: Spotify, Bandcamp Videos: You Tube Channel Books: Hymns for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), Christmas Carols for Fingerstyle Guitar (std tuning), A DADGAD Christmas, Alternate Tunings book Online Course: Alternate Tunings for Fingerstyle Guitar
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#12
08-12-2022, 04:46 PM
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I see there is a used 2017 Lowden O50 cedar/figured walnut at the Acoustic Centre, Melbourne (Aust)......save waiting for a build? You could drive there in about 3 days if you want to try it first..
 But seriously, even though a long way from you, it is an Australian delivery with no Customs and all those associated expenses and wait time.... BluesKing777.
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#13
08-12-2022, 06:42 PM
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Malcolm Kindnes
The F25 with wider neck does seem like the "sane option". Also I had never heard of Nigel Forster till you mentioned him. His guitars are very interesting and outside the box haha. He deserves a thread of his own for that reason. TobyB Appreciate your input and preferences with the O and F. BluesKing777 Interesting take on comparing the O to the S re fingerstyle. Yeah I have saved up 1/3 of the 20k if It comes to that and given the year long waiting likeliness I should be right if it indeed comes to that.. Maybe I'll settle for an F25c with wider spacing. The the O23 you mention looks the goods minus my desired finger spacing. Deliberate1 Thanks for your Kind words. hatamoto Thanks for your reply and explanation on the tone nuances. The Pierre F model I tried felt perfect ergonomically. My D28 seems to cope fine here apart form mold forming on the neck if i don't clean it during the wet season if I dont wipe it down regularly. stuartb After trying the Pierre F model it really did confirm my preference for the 60/45 neck so will do. Benjo I'm 6ft with long arms, legs and short torso. I did own a Taylor Grand Orchestra 5 years ago until it got nicked and don't remember having an issue with the size of it. Looking at the specs the Taylor actually a quarter inch wider at the lower bout. No doubt I probably wont find the O as comfortable as the F and I am getting older... Thanks for the heads up. Snorse Appreciate the groundwork you put into the technical side of investigating the "sound" and what you say seems to have been echoed previously in many threads that I've previously read. It just cements the consensus whilst not making my decision that much easier because the differing sonic traits are both desirable. slimey Good simple explanation which again follows the consensus. Thanks. Doug Young It's amazing how the same guitar can sound so different when recorded in different situations... To me they actually sound like two different guitars. The first take having more shimmer/top end with your example sounding to me entirely more well rounded or more piano like. Your O35 sounds much sweeter to my ears in the top register with Pierre Bensusan model that you exampled sounding pretty much as the one I tried (beautifully volumed mids, trebles with a less pronounced lower register). Appreciate the zoom offer though I'm still yet to have ever purchased a webcam and It's about time I did. Also appreciate all the advise you have shared on the forum. It was only a couple of days ago I was trawling through many your posts to try to acquire new knowledge.
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#14
08-12-2022, 06:50 PM
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I have an Avalon L32. When I put medium PB's on it, tune it to DADGAD and lower tunings, it's a powerful guitar. With lights on it, not so much. It's still a great guitar, but a bit is missing.
You can go nuts over the guitar's wood specifications when in reality a change of string gauge could rule over them all.
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Barry My SoundCloud page Avalon L-320C, Guild D-120, Martin D-16GT, McIlroy A20, Pellerin SJ CW Cordobas - C5, Fusion 12 Orchestra, C12, Stage Traditional Alvarez AP66SB, Seagull Folk Aria {Johann Logy}:
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#15
08-12-2022, 09:08 PM
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For sure $AU20K plus should get a very nice Lowden, but is there a way you could get a cheap flight to Sydney (1 F, 1 O, 1 S, 1 WL at Gladesville GF) or Melbourne (1 O, 1 F, 4 S at Acoustic Centre)?
Singapore probably take about the same time in the air as Melbourne? Or order your spec and sit back..... Depending on condition, your Martin D28 would sell in seconds. A Lowden O50 would take a long while to sell on...... Off to play my O22! BluesKing777.
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