Product: Avalon S32
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
03/04/2009
at
02:31pm
by
Steve W
Features
:
10
Small bodied (concert size) rosewood back and sides, sitka spruce top - all solid, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, multiple wood bindings. Satin finish. Abalone rosette and 'A' logo. Gold plated sealed tuners with black buttons (ebony?). Transparent scratchplate. Split bone saddle. 14th fret body join. Hiscox case and Fishman Matrix pickup built in. Made in N Ireland. Immaculately put together, top quality woods; it really cannot be faulted. It might look more impressive in gloss, maybe? Any other 'features' would be unnecessary, so it's a 10.
Sound
:
10
Whoa - this really sings. It has a lovely sweet sound and amazing sustain. It responds to all kinds of playing dynamics, fimgerpicked or strummed. It has as much of a varied palette of sounds as a classical guitar - picking near the bridge, neck etc are really pronounced. It may be a little tight as a new guitar and it does need to be 'played' positively to get the best from it - I think this is a positive thing wth a professional standard instrument. As a small bodied guitar, the electro sound is less boomy and quacky than some lareger models.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
I really cannot find fault witht he workmanship - could it be any better? The workshop discussed set-up before shipping, including action, string guage etc. It plays great out of the case. It is all bookmatched and eeverything is as it should be.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
Well I have a 22 year old Lowden from what was the original workshop that developed into Avalon and it has been fantastic. When the old pickup failed in that guitar, they had it back at no cost for a repair. It is a professional tool and the lifetime warranty documentation encourages you to get out and use it.
Customer Support
:
10
Well it's brand new but the customer care in the buying process (direct from workshop) has been superb and as I said above, my 22 year old Lowden has been no trouble. Lifetime warranty gives confidence. These guys deserve to do really well, they are great.
Overall Rating
:
10
Been playing 30 years plus. Into fingerstyle and anything else that you can do on an acoustic. My older Lowden S22CP is a much bigger animal and is a bit warmer sounding - probably a better bet for flatpicking. I have owned a few other good guitars including a Brook and a Kinkade. I don't have then around for comparison but I don't remember ever being struck by the amazing richness and quality of sound. This also feels so 'right' in the hands. I partly chose it as it was a good deal on an ex-demo model, which sweetens things, but it would easily be worth the normal asking price.
