Query failed: connection to localhost:9312 failed (errno=111, msg=Connection refused). Maple & cedar guitars - Acoustics Discussions on The Fretboard
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UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45

Maple & cedar guitars

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  • TheMadMickTheMadMick Frets: 213
    I've just seen pics of the sound hole rosette and it is superb. I'll try to post pics on IMGUR when I figure out how to do that.

    Happy days.

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  • TheMadMickTheMadMick Frets: 213
    Pics. Please remember, the nitro finish has yet to be applied and the grain will come to life. Looks pretty good as raw wood.


    Enjoy.
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  • TanninTannin Frets: 4394
    Oh yes. Really, really nice. 

    Remind me: as a make that has grown out of the big flowering of Northern Ireland guitar production (along with Lowden and various others) are Avalon guitars broadly similar sound and feel wise to, say, a Lowden or a McIlroy? 
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  • tomjaxtomjax Frets: 59
    edited September 2023
    It's more complicated than that. Avalon  was a management buy out of Lowden, tho George Lowden kept the business name. So I think Lowden and Avalon used to have a lot of overlap. Avalon seemed to have branched out with more diverse ranges and body sizes than Lowden now though, and I'd say have carved their own sound.

    Dermot McIlroy also worked for George Lowden for 10 years or more before setting up on his own. But I'd say that McIlroy guitars definitely have their own sound (I owned a Lowden and a McIlroy at the same time, so speak from experience, though I've subsequently sold the Lowden).

    All are without a doubt fabulous guitars and all owe a huge amount to George Lowden first setting up in Antrim.
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  • TanninTannin Frets: 4394
    Cheers @tomjax I had the pleasure of playing a Lowden and a McIlroy at Project Music recently when I was making the arrangements for my Brook. I don't think we see McIlroys here in Oz, and while Lowdens are around they are uncommon. The Acoustic Centre in Melbourne (20 hours travel from my place, and the same back again) usually has three or four in stock, and one of the main Sydney retailers does also. Most people spending that sort of money in these parts seem to gravitate to the American usual suspects. I have never seen an Avalon advertised in this country.

    I very much liked those two guitars, both cedar-topped over unspecified walnut, American Black Walnut I think. I thought they were very similar but clearly different, and would have been very happy to take either one home (or both!), though I would have picked the Lowden because it was "more different" to my other guitars where the McIlroy was (if I can put it this way) three-parts of the way from a "standard" sound (whatever that is) towards a "Lowden sound" (taking that one Lowden I've played as representative of them all).

    I don't know what I'd play on one of those guitars, what sort of style I mean, they would take me in a different musical direction. That is always a good thing!

    I have sworn off guitar buying. Well, nearly. I'm on a one guitar-per-year ration now. Last year it was the Maton WA May, this year it's my custom-build baritone from all-Tasmanian timbers, next year will be the Brook. I pretty much had 2025 marked down for another Maton Custom Shop guitar to go with the WA May but since head luthier Andy Allen has retired I'm not sure what is going to happen with that. Anyway, where I'm heading with this ramble is that a guitar from the Irish School (if I can call it that) is very much on my radar now. It is good to have different instruments that push you into different musical styles. But not this year!

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  • TheMadMickTheMadMick Frets: 213
    edited September 2023
    Tannin said:
    Remind me: as a make that has grown out of the big flowering of Northern Ireland guitar production (along with Lowden and various others) are Avalon guitars broadly similar sound and feel wise to, say, a Lowden or a McIlroy? 

    In my limited experience, the Lowden and Avalon sounds are very similar. Not really surprising as they sprang from the same factory. I can get more difference on a single guitar by simply changing pick or technique. Don't know anything about McIlroy but I'd expect the same logic to apply. Not sure what is meant by "feel" - most guitars feel much the same to me. Maybe I'm insensitive to that sort of thing.
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  • TheMadMickTheMadMick Frets: 213
    Finally, it's ready to come home! Under string tension for the weekend then off to me. Hope to see and play it Wednesday. Avalon say it sounds marvelous - but they would, wouldn't they.

    Pics:


    First impressions next week - can't wait!!!
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  • thomasross20thomasross20 Frets: 4353
    The back looks excellent
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  • SoupmanSoupman Frets: 172
    What a beautiful piece of work. Stunning looker, let us know how it sounds. Bet you can't wait.  =)

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  • Dr_NecessiterDr_Necessiter Frets: 152
    It looks fantastic but is there a circular crack in the finish by the sound hole? Hope I'm wrong.
    "I've got the moobs like Jabba".
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  • VinnyVinny Frets: 3
    Dr_Necessiter said:
    It looks fantastic but is there a circular crack in the finish by the sound hole? Hope I'm wrong.
    That might be the outline of the clear scratch plate.
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  • TheMadMickTheMadMick Frets: 213
    edited October 2023
    Soupman said:
    What a beautiful piece of work. Stunning looker, let us know how it sounds. Bet you can't wait. 


    To right bro. It's at least a week late already - but I'm afraid that seems to be the way of things      
    Vinny said:
    Dr_Necessiter said:
    It looks fantastic but is there a circular crack in the finish by the sound hole? Hope I'm wrong.
    That might be the outline of the clear scratch plate.

    I think Vinny hit it on the head.
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  • Dr_NecessiterDr_Necessiter Frets: 152
    Phew! Hope you enjoy it! Seriously though, how could you not? :)
    "I've got the moobs like Jabba".
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  • guitarjack66guitarjack66 Frets: 1397
    Every time I see woods specified I think 'Oh oh! Here we go with another tone wood debate.'
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  • TheMadMickTheMadMick Frets: 213
    It’s arrived. 1st impressions:

    It’s loud and has incredible sustain.

    It’s brighter than I expected but that may be the new strings and/or the top running in. However, the balance is much better than my Guild which is just bright by comparison.

    The most unexpected thing was the neck. It’s like glass and really easy to move your hand up and down. Impressive. 

    The fretboard feels slightly flatter than my others but it not something that concerns me.

    The big problem is that all my mistakes show. I only wish I were a better player.

    Happy days.

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  • VinnyVinny Frets: 3
    Enjoy. They make great guitars, I’ve three myself!
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