Sheeran Guitars - by Lowden NAMM

Billyspuds · September 2019

Dave, I have the s4 on order, there have been delays, I’ve spoken to George louden, he has assured me, they will be dispatched 23sept, I,m really anxious to get it, I will give my opinion when I’ve, played it.

fandango · September 2019

... and i have have an S3 on reserve. Am wondering if there might be a choice (depending on whether GG get several) or if it’s take it or leave it.

fandango · October 2019

... and another update, prompted by an email to a certain GuitarGuitar branch this week ....

"Thanks for your email - we have just started to see some of these arrive, so far we have not had S-03 models but as soon as they are in stock you will be contacted, thank you for your patience these guitars have been massively popular and we have allocations from Feb."

I assume that's Feb next year (2020). Sigh.

Sounds like GG are just waiting to see what they get after placing a generic order. Surely, it would have been better if retailers were advising Lowden of customer specific reservations, so they get customer-centric deliveries? It seems I've got to wait another 5 months. Barking.

Anyone else have better news? Anyone from GuitarGuitar or ANOther retailer like to comment?

Kelltic · October 2019

Hi there, clichéd long time lurker first time poster here. Just thought I'd add that I picked my S01 up last Monday from Matchetts here in Belfast. Think they got the first shipment. It came with a few goodies in way of apology for the delay - a t-shirt, leather strap and some plectrums.
Guitar is terrific btw

fandango · October 2019

Kelltic said:

Hi there, clichéd long time lurker first time poster here. Just thought I'd add that I picked my S01 up last Monday from Matchetts here in Belfast. Think they got the first shipment. It came with a few goodies in way of apology for the delay - a t-shirt, leather strap and some plectrums.
Guitar is terrific btw

Did Matchett's get enough in to present you with a choice?

Kelltic · October 2019

I didn't ask them, they pulled out a box with my name on it, so I am guessing they only had enough for preorders, no extra. They did say this was the 2nd batch but that George Lowden recalled the first batch due to QC.

Tadragh1 · November 2019

Give us more details @Kelltic ! Anyone else with a Sheeran / Lowden already?

WindmillGuitars · November 2019

Just an update for anyone on these. I have spoken to a couple of different Lowden employees in the last week who have all commented that Lowden/Sheeran are having big QC issues with the new line of guitars.. Producing a "handmade" (albeit with CNC machines) guitar on a low budget was always going to be a challenge - but I get the impression Sheeran didn't realise just how much of a challenge it would be!

GTC · November 2019

I pre-ordered one from Project Music out of curiosity and to see if they really exist. I'm not holding my breath.

Andy79 · November 2019

Shambles

fandango · November 2019

Anchorboy said:

Just an update for anyone on these. I have spoken to a couple of different Lowden employees in the last week who have all commented that Lowden/Sheeran are having big QC issues with the new line of guitars.. Producing a "handmade" (albeit with CNC machines) guitar on a low budget was always going to be a challenge - but I get the impression Sheeran didn't realise just how much of a challenge it would be!

Kelltic said:

I didn't ask them, they pulled out a box with my name on it, so I am guessing they only had enough for preorders, no extra. They did say this was the 2nd batch but that George Lowden recalled the first batch due to QC.

It definitely looks like they are taking the QC seriously. Despite Sheeran being a sub-brand, they are inextricably linked with Lowden, and i suspect Lowden doesn't want poor QC to affect his own guitar brand.

I’m thinking it bodes well, unless (until?) they raise the prices to allow for better manufacture and/or extended QC.

fandango · November 2019

PS - GG yesterday again confirmed Feb 2020 as earliest for my S-03.

ToneControl · November 2019

fandango said:

Anchorboy said:

Just an update for anyone on these. I have spoken to a couple of different Lowden employees in the last week who have all commented that Lowden/Sheeran are having big QC issues with the new line of guitars.. Producing a "handmade" (albeit with CNC machines) guitar on a low budget was always going to be a challenge - but I get the impression Sheeran didn't realise just how much of a challenge it would be!

Kelltic said:

I didn't ask them, they pulled out a box with my name on it, so I am guessing they only had enough for preorders, no extra. They did say this was the 2nd batch but that George Lowden recalled the first batch due to QC.

It definitely looks like they are taking the QC seriously. Despite Sheeran being a sub-brand, they are inextricably linked with Lowden, and i suspect Lowden doesn't want poor QC to affect his own guitar brand.

I’m thinking it bodes well, unless (until?) they raise the prices to allow for better manufacture and/or extended QC.

I heard that they plan to move production of all Lowdens to that factory at some point, so I assume they would have to ensure everything works as planned

TimmyO · November 2019

It must be a good thing that they are maintaining a high standard of QC, but frustrating for folk who were expecting one.

I guess any "reviews" that were done of pre-production ones are now moot - be interesting to see what the end result is like

Universal8 · November 2019

It’s good that they are fussy about quality but worrying that they can’t get it right

ToneControl · November 2019

Universal8 said:

It’s good that they are fussy about quality but worrying that they can’t get it right

didn't someone say they'd given up on normal finishing, and decided to oil them instead?

TimmyO · November 2019

Whatever the issues, it's the Brexit of product launches

dindude · November 2019

TimmyO said:

Whatever the issues, it's the Brexit of product launches

Nah, the Diamond Memory Lane Jr Dlx is about to enter into its 3rd NAMM show without actually being launched yet - still gonna buy one though if it ever comes out.

GTC · November 2019

I am beginning to think getting your hands on one of these is less likely coming face-to-face with a live leprechaun. However, I saw that there was a user review at Richards Guitars (02/11/19) for an S04 saying the guitar was worth the wait.

Eric_C · November 2019

I’m sure after the initial set up issues they are having they'll be knocking them out in no time.

fandango · December 2019

Well ... well ... well .... I get a call out of the blue from GG today..... to tell me that the S3 I 'ordered' back in April has finally landed. So as luck would have it, today I'm a quick hop away from GG, so dropped in to give it the once over ..... and my initial thoughts are ...

Very very well made ... not a blemish anywhere
Intonation is spot on, with perfect relief to the neck
Sound projection is very good, both for the player, and for an audience
Great balance between highs, mids and lows
Played through an acoustic amp it brings out a wonderful depth in tone
Size-wise perfect ...
... a smidge larger than a Taylor GS-Mini, and ...
... a smidge smaller than a Taylor 317e/Taylor 322ce
Comfortable to play, and good enough it shows up my flawed playing

It's not mine just yet for a couple of reasons, so can't report a NGD.

Encouraging, or what!!

ToneControl · December 2019

fandango said:

Well ... well ... well .... I get a call out of the blue from GG today..... to tell me that the S3 I 'ordered' back in April has finally landed. So as luck would have it, today I'm a quick hop away from GG, so dropped in to give it the once over ..... and my initial thoughts are ...

Very very well made ... not a blemish anywhere
Intonation is spot on, with perfect relief to the neck
Sound projection is very good, both for the player, and for an audience
Great balance between highs, mids and lows
Played through an acoustic amp it brings out a wonderful depth in tone
Size-wise perfect ...
... a smidge larger than a Taylor GS-Mini, and ...
... a smidge smaller than a Taylor 317e/Taylor 322ce
Comfortable to play, and good enough it shows up my flawed playing

It's not mine just yet for a couple of reasons, so can't report a NGD.

Encouraging, or what!!

ooh...
did it have an oiled finish?

Phil_C · December 2019

fandango said:

Well ... well ... well .... I get a call out of the blue from GG today..... to tell me that the S3 I 'ordered' back in April has finally landed. So as luck would have it, today I'm a quick hop away from GG, so dropped in to give it the once over ..... and my initial thoughts are ...

Very very well made ... not a blemish anywhere
Intonation is spot on, with perfect relief to the neck
Sound projection is very good, both for the player, and for an audience
Great balance between highs, mids and lows
Played through an acoustic amp it brings out a wonderful depth in tone
Size-wise perfect ...
... a smidge larger than a Taylor GS-Mini, and ...
... a smidge smaller than a Taylor 317e/Taylor 322ce
Comfortable to play, and good enough it shows up my flawed playing

It's not mine just yet for a couple of reasons, so can't report a NGD.

Encouraging, or what!!

Sounds good! I'm really torn on ordering one but at this rate I'll be waiting until 2021!!

fandango · December 2019

ToneControl said:

fandango said:

Well ... well ... well .... I get a call out of the blue from GG today..... to tell me that the S3 I 'ordered' back in April has finally landed. So as luck would have it, today I'm a quick hop away from GG, so dropped in to give it the once over ..... and my initial thoughts are ...

Very very well made ... not a blemish anywhere
Intonation is spot on, with perfect relief to the neck
Sound projection is very good, both for the player, and for an audience
Great balance between highs, mids and lows
Played through an acoustic amp it brings out a wonderful depth in tone
Size-wise perfect ...
... a smidge larger than a Taylor GS-Mini, and ...
... a smidge smaller than a Taylor 317e/Taylor 322ce
Comfortable to play, and good enough it shows up my flawed playing

It's not mine just yet for a couple of reasons, so can't report a NGD.

Encouraging, or what!!

ooh...
did it have an oiled finish?

It feels likely to be a very well executed satin finish.

TimmyO · December 2019

I think we will only hear great reviews about these - either because they are great and deserve it, or because they are not and everyone had to buy unseen and will want to sell them on at a decent return.

Hopefully they can ramp up production and get the distribution wider than their more expensive stuff.

fandango · December 2019

TimmyO said:

I think we will only hear great reviews about these - either because they are great and deserve it, or because they are not and everyone had to buy unseen and will want to sell them on at a decent return.

Hopefully they can ramp up production and get the distribution wider than their more expensive stuff.

Order unseen - yes.

Buy unseen - no.

Everyone collecting from a shop has the opportunity to walk away and get deposit back.

GTC · December 2019

I've just been told by Project Music (Exeter) that the W01 I pre-ordered at the end of October arrived today out of the blue!

GTC · December 2019

GTC said:

I've just been told by Project Music (Exeter) that the W01 I pre-ordered at the end of October arrived today out of the blue!

It should be delivered tomorrow. I went for this base model as, not having electronics or the body camber, it should be more suitable for a lefty conversion. I'll provide an update when I get time - warts and all.

Nogoodboyo · December 2019

GTC said:

GTC said:

I've just been told by Project Music (Exeter) that the W01 I pre-ordered at the end of October arrived today out of the blue!

It should be delivered tomorrow. I went for this base model as, not having electronics or the body camber, it should be more suitable for a lefty conversion. I'll provide an update when I get time - warts and all.

I take it there are going to be no left handed options on any of these models?

GTC · December 2019

Nogoodboyo said:

I take it there are going to be no left handed options on any of these models?

I asked this question and was told (over a year ago) there might be sometime after the initial launch but there were no definite plans. I guess they are gauging reaction to the right-handed models first.

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Sheeran Guitars - by Lowden NAMM

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