Sheeran Guitars - by Lowden NAMM

Chris_J · February 2019

Anchorboy said:

Here's a video demo ..
https://www.facebook.com/david.millar.923519/videos/1536148849820808/

Despite the differing construction you can hear the Lowden DNA running through them.

From that demo, even though not mic'd properly, they sound very nice!

I wonder how that clear bell like tone will sit with the intended market?

ourmaninthenorth · February 2019

ourmaninthenorth · February 2019

ourmaninthenorth · February 2019

Andy79 · February 2019

I know it’s difficult to judge over speakers but they don’t exactly blow me away.
Not a great endorsement when described as ‘fun’

ourmaninthenorth · February 2019

I tend not to listen to the reviewers chatter tbh, my ears on the guitar tell me all I need to know.

I'm not that keen on the smaller bodied Lowden's, the O cannons always having been my favourites, so I'm a little pre-biased here. But, I think these are excellent for what they are - a budget/entry level Lowden made guitar. These are no dough at all.

I reckon they'll sound far better in hand, and after a few months, than the videos limitations suggest, but an 035 for 700 nicker they ain't.

But a bonny, well built, and decent sounding guitar for £700 ish they most assuredly are.

Again, well played George - I hope you sell em by the boatload.

earwighoney · February 2019

I saw the very clips and I'd not really not pay much attention to those videos as they were recorded at NAMM, as recording an acoustic guitar can be a tricky thing to do in studio conditions, and a trade show is about as far away as is is possible from such conditions.

Rguitars have a clip as well, but there's only about 15 seconds worth of play and a lot of talking. The guitars sound alright, not full fat Lowden but ok nonetheless.

FWIW, I think even if the sound of the guitars will not be as refined as some other competitors I think it's great to see UK built guitars at under a grand.

Phil_C · February 2019

Considering it's a Lowden, cheapest model @ £595 - Is the quality going to be compromised?

fandango · February 2019

TimmyO said:

blueskunk said:

Lots of hype but will they be a nicer guitar than the taylor mini?

How could they not be - never understood their popularity

Ah! But horses for courses. Am looking for a ‘portable’ acoustic to take with me on business trips. The GS-Mini is top of my list because of its size. Buying guitars at a given price point is about making compromises.

These Sheeran Lowdens could indeed be a worthy consideration.

The question I am asking myself centres around whether a cheap Taylor/Martin/Lowden is better than an expensive Alvarez/Sigma/Takamine.

TimmyO · February 2019

fandango said:

TimmyO said:

blueskunk said:

Lots of hype but will they be a nicer guitar than the taylor mini?

How could they not be - never understood their popularity

Ah! But horses for courses. Am looking for a ‘portable’ acoustic to take with me on business trips. The GS-Mini is top of my list because of its size. Buying guitars at a given price point is about making compromises.

All guitars are portable. Anywhere a Taylor Mini will go, a better guitar will go

fandango · February 2019

TimmyO said:

fandango said:

TimmyO said:

blueskunk said:

Lots of hype but will they be a nicer guitar than the taylor mini?

How could they not be - never understood their popularity

Ah! But horses for courses. Am looking for a ‘portable’ acoustic to take with me on business trips. The GS-Mini is top of my list because of its size. Buying guitars at a given price point is about making compromises.

All guitars are portable. Anywhere a Taylor Mini will go, a better guitar will go

TimmyO said:

All guitars are portable.

But some are more portable than others. And some just need to fulfil a function. If you are suggesting a full size acoustic, maybe I should have made myself clearer.

But back to the Lowden, and the possibility that one of these could tick my boxes is increasing as I look at the alternatives.

fandango · March 2019

When I enquired at my nearest GG, I was told that advance orders for these Sheeran Lowdens had outstripped supply. This has affected the numbers they're being sent such that if they ordered 50 for across their stores, theyd likely only get 10 or so. GG implied that they’ll fly out the door bypassing the showroom, and went on to say that the only way to get hands on one is to secure one with a refundable deposit, as any initial demo stock will be extremely limited. You might get lucky, but if you’re looking to try a few before buying, i doubt you’ll be able to do that in one sitting for a good few months.

Tadragh1 · March 2019

I don't mind the laminate back and sides at all. Not at all surprised by the demand. I'm keenly waiting for some actual reviews.

Tadragh1 · April 2019

Any news on these?

fandango · June 2019

Bumping this thread to say I popped in to my nearest GG a week or so ago, and they haven't had any deliveries yet, and indicated prob late June/July but didn't know why.

ToneControl · June 2019

earwighoney said:

If the guitar is priced as suggested by the article (£600), they'll have no shortage of takers but I just can't see how Lowden can make an instrument at that price.

If it's around that price, I'll pick one up myself though.

what does anyone know about how they can make these at that price in the UK?
is it all CNC machines?
Has anyone played one?

I'm finding it hard to believe that it's possible to match Chinese quality at this price point

Fifty9 · June 2019

Is this a ‘assembled in UK’ rather than actually made from scratch

CountryDave · June 2019

All the blurb I the lead up mentioned a factory in NI.

WindmillGuitars · June 2019

@ToneControl @Fifty9 As @CountryDave says they are building a seperate factory here in Co. Down for production of this new line. George has hired two aerospace engineers to develop the use of CNC and factory production that can illedgidly match his quality goal vs keeping the cost down. So they will be made from scratch not just assembled here.
It's a pretty big undertaking so I'm not surprised there's been a few delays to them hitting the shops.

Fifty9 · June 2019

Interesting to know. I assume then its straightforward to build out larger size guitars there too.

WindmillGuitars · June 2019

@Fifty9 I'd guess their goal is to expand the range to other body sizes in time .. smart move as not everyone can drop £3k+ for a Lowden .. at least this gives a little kudos to buying a UK made guitar at Far East money

fandango · September 2019

Another update on the Sheeran by Lowden guitars:

Dropped in in to my GG this week, and asked what's up. They said that these are due in by the end of the month (from 23rd September 2019 onwards).

They went on to confirm that demand has been intense, hence the delay.

Would be good to read a proper review (not a sales pitch) of the guitar so I can gauge what to expect before I go try it myself.

ToneControl · September 2019

fandango said:

Another update on the Sheeran by Lowden guitars:

Dropped in in to my GG this week, and asked what's up. They said that these are due in by the end of the month (from 23rd September 2019 onwards).

They went on to confirm that demand has been intense, hence the delay.

Would be good to read a proper review (not a sales pitch) of the guitar so I can gauge what to expect before I go try it myself.

Has there been any production-line ones on sale?

fandango · September 2019

ToneControl said:

fandango said:

Another update on the Sheeran by Lowden guitars:

Dropped in in to my GG this week, and asked what's up. They said that these are due in by the end of the month (from 23rd September 2019 onwards).

They went on to confirm that demand has been intense, hence the delay.

Would be good to read a proper review (not a sales pitch) of the guitar so I can gauge what to expect before I go try it myself.

Has there been any production-line ones on sale?

Doubt it. All the online stores are still "pre-order" or similar such status, with Andertons stating next delivery due on 11th November.

malcolmkindness · September 2019

ToneControl said:

earwighoney said:

If the guitar is priced as suggested by the article (£600), they'll have no shortage of takers but I just can't see how Lowden can make an instrument at that price.

If it's around that price, I'll pick one up myself though.

what does anyone know about how they can make these at that price in the UK?
is it all CNC machines?
Has anyone played one?

I'm finding it hard to believe that it's possible to match Chinese quality at this price point

I agree, I can't see how it is possible.

ToneControl · September 2019

fandango said:

ToneControl said:

fandango said:

Another update on the Sheeran by Lowden guitars:

Dropped in in to my GG this week, and asked what's up. They said that these are due in by the end of the month (from 23rd September 2019 onwards).

They went on to confirm that demand has been intense, hence the delay.

Would be good to read a proper review (not a sales pitch) of the guitar so I can gauge what to expect before I go try it myself.

Has there been any production-line ones on sale?

Doubt it. All the online stores are still "pre-order" or similar such status, with Andertons stating next delivery due on 11th November.

so were all the review models hand-made prototypes?

fandango · September 2019

ToneControl said:

fandango said:

ToneControl said:

fandango said:

Another update on the Sheeran by Lowden guitars:

Dropped in in to my GG this week, and asked what's up. They said that these are due in by the end of the month (from 23rd September 2019 onwards).

They went on to confirm that demand has been intense, hence the delay.

Would be good to read a proper review (not a sales pitch) of the guitar so I can gauge what to expect before I go try it myself.

Has there been any production-line ones on sale?

Doubt it. All the online stores are still "pre-order" or similar such status, with Andertons stating next delivery due on 11th November.

so were all the review models hand-made prototypes?

I think we must assume they made a small batch for NAMM and the press to do the grubby mitt thing. Good luck trying to find one of those on sale.

I get the impression that the production is limited in some way, hence the lack of units for sale.

Maybe someone in music retail might shine a light on the situation.......

sticker · September 2019

@DougCoda ... any news you can share ?

WindmillGuitars · September 2019

All a bit of an embarrassing situation for Lowden/Sheeran tbh ..

Billyspuds · September 2019

CountryDave said:

https://guitar.com/news/gear-news/ed-sheeran-and-lowden-collaborate-on-acoustic-guitar-brand/
https://sheeranguitars.com/
"Lowden Guitars and Ed Sheeran have announced a collaboration on a new brand of acoustic guitars, simply called “Sheeran”."
Be very interested to try these out. I love the Lowden range, especially the Wee Lowden, but the price is a little steep for some of us.
Regardless of differing thoughts on his music, this has to be a good thing for the market, as long as the quality is maintained

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Sheeran Guitars - by Lowden NAMM

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