Product: Avalon A800
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
08/20/2009
at
06:00am
by
lni55
Features
:
10
This is a Auditorium model. Top is sitka and body is brazillian rosewood. Everything is connected top notch. No flaws, dings or glue. What you expect from a high end handbuild guitar. The neck is nice and very playable. It reminds me a lot of a classical guitar.
I'm not a fan of "bling" guitars and this one has just the right amount. Discrete but very classy like the headstock inlay. Just right in my book. It's a pleasure just to look at.
Sound
:
10
I've beeing happily strumming away on my HD28 for years, but lately find my self trying to get back to fingerstyle and thus were on the outlook for a high-end guitar, trying to do the chet thing.
I've started on classic guitars so it was also a return to my roots.
So after 1 month with this guitar I think I can say that this is exactly what I've been looking for. This is a Brazilian rosewood guitar and due to all what I have seen this should be way beyond anything else. And it is. It simply is in a legau of it own. Ofcourse sound like food is a question of taste, but compared to my martin guitars ( HD28 and J-40 ) it's simply astounding how much more power and sustain this guitar has. It's just impressive. It's a dark more articulated voice and then again sweet treble. Interesting. If it opens op more over time this is going to be nice.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
It is, as stated before, and as you can see in the review of other avalon guitars flawlees builded. The brazillian rosewood on the back is connected in 4 piece. 2 or 3 are supposed to be the top. Since I have not played other guitars in this league I'm not able to tell if there should be any difference, but I'm happy with what I have.
Also this wood is known to have crack's in mine has some very small minor ones on the back, but you have to be very picky to find and see them. All in all this is top notch.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
I don't consider a high end guitar like this a gigging guitar, but I see no reason why it should not be used that way should you need it.
Everything looks and feels pro on this one, tuners setup e.t.c. is like I like it.
Customer Support
:
10
The avalons guy are realy nice. Since I bought this guitar whitout seeing it I had to get my info through them. There is a lifetime waranty and the papers ( CITES needed when getting a BR guitar is ok ).
Could not be happier, best recommandation: I'll buy another guitar ther next time, no hesitation.
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
30 years of playing for my own pleasure, i finnaly found what I've been looking for. I have owned quite some guitars but this is my first realy high-end guitar (but certainly not the last ).
The A800 is realy great guitar made by som wizards in Norhern Ireland who sure know how to build a guitar ( Maybe they put a little celtic druide knowledge into it ), and I got it straight from them for a faboulus price.
If you are in need for a high-end steel string and been looking over the pond with envy, you should consider the avalon guys and give them a try, you might bee in for a really nice suprise
