NGD Update - Avalon Ard Ri - S7-OAKC lefty

GTC · August 2019

I took delivery of this little beauty a couple of days ago.

It is a small-bodied Avalon 12-fretter - Sinker redwood top, bog oak back and sides with a cutaway, 46mm nut width and a tree of life 12th fret inlay.

TIme from order to delivery was around 11 weeks with an updated photo library to keep me informed of progress along the way.

Even as a brand new guitar out of the case it sounds fantastic - with a much louder, more resonant and more complex tone than I was expecting - like no other guitar I've played before.

To maintain domestic harmony I had to part company with my beloved Avalon L2-20 lefty - but this more than makes up for it.

Image: https://en2cjg.db.files.1drv.com/y4myTilVsb3YyqyhSd7063LAEh6t2450UchKIN8TMrxjwk3tq3FU2VUJv8GXVRCmXlp5Fd85DlRDWg5ggPMUwctx-Ce2wREcbDOE3ljc8bZT1C4a1DjiM3-ptIbb3kTB8ZLyMODABSAaSZGwxcsXyZL9trKA5mdFPjDj_zZ7oaOa__X1zld4yl4wkRMLcwaJVuisru77CX9LDIW81vRfuqXnw?width=269&height=660&cropmode=none

ToneControl · August 2019

Looks great
Why did you choose a small body?
And did you consider a Florentine cutaway?

thomasross20 · August 2019

Is there an advantage going for one type cutaway over another?

How do you find it compared to the jumbo?

Looks brilliant!! Sound clips!!

GTC · August 2019

ToneControl said:

Looks great
Why did you choose a small body?
And did you consider a Florentine cutaway?

I thought a small body would feel more comfortable for my light fingerstyle playing. Having said that, my old L2-20 jumbo felt remarkable comfortable for fingerstyle. This guitar certainly doesn't sound like a small body.

Regarding the cutaway, I personally preferred the rounded lines of a conventional cutaway to a Florentine.

thomasross20 · August 2019

it just clicked it's a 12-fretter with cutaway.
Does cutaway really give you better access to the higher frets? @ToneControl was telling me a 12-fretter with cutaway is probably preferable to a 14 fret full body in terms of sound. How do you find it?

I am REALLY surprised just how much sound the L bodies produce. I mean, it's so loud I actually think it could damage my hearing ... !

I want to see and hear more of this!

GTC · August 2019

thomasross20 said:

Is there an advantage going for one type cutaway over another?

How do you find it compared to the jumbo?

Looks brilliant!! Sound clips!!

My choice on the cutaway was purely aesthetic. I've heard some suggestions that a rounder cutaway gives a deeper tone and that Florentine cutaways make it easier to access the higher frets - but most think it makes no difference.

It feels a little different to the jumbo but they are both equally comfortable. As you'd probably expect, this is more comfortable in standard classical position (which I frequently employ using a Neck-up support or a Dynarette cushion).

Sound clips may follow in due course if I'm feeling brave!

thomasross20 · August 2019

Would love to hear - thank you!

So many Avalons lately!

GTC · August 2019

So many Avalons lately!

Northern Ireland's best kept secret methinks;)

earwighoney · August 2019

GTC said:

I thought a small body would feel more comfortable for my light fingerstyle playing. Having said that, my old L2-20 jumbo felt remarkable comfortable for fingerstyle. This guitar certainly doesn't sound like a small body.

Superb NGD.

What is the width of the guitar at the lower bout? Some superb guitar makers coming out of NI right out. I'd say Avalon are quite well known but IMO Ciaran McNally seems to be the best kept secret for now, but I can't see that being the way for that much longer.

thomasross20 said:

it just clicked it's a 12-fretter with cutaway.
Does cutaway really give you better access to the higher frets? @ToneControl was telling me a 12-fretter with cutaway is probably preferable to a 14 fret full body in terms of sound. How do you find it?

12 fret vs 14 frets have their pros and cons aside from the obvious (ie more/less frets). I myself wouldn't put one above another for being better sounding, each design has occasions where it is better or worse suited and it's about finding the one that suits you the best. I have nice 00's in 12 and 14 fret configurations, and I find myself preferring certain guitars for certain pieces.

thomasross20 · August 2019

Just checked McNally guitars.
Man, there are just too many good builders.
I very rarely GAS but when I do starts, I find it hard to stop.

ToneControl · August 2019

GTC said:

thomasross20 said:

Is there an advantage going for one type cutaway over another?

How do you find it compared to the jumbo?

Looks brilliant!! Sound clips!!

My choice on the cutaway was purely aesthetic. I've heard some suggestions that a rounder cutaway gives a deeper tone and that Florentine cutaways make it easier to access the higher frets - but most think it makes no difference.

It feels a little different to the jumbo but they are both equally comfortable. As you'd probably expect, this is more comfortable in standard classical position (which I frequently employ using a Neck-up support or a Dynarette cushion).

Sound clips may follow in due course if I'm feeling brave!

I use a Dynarette with a bit of this on top:
https://4.imimg.com/data4/KF/FN/MY-12342495/phone-pad-slip-mat-500x500.jpg ;

I don't normally use the Dynarette for the Dreadnoughts though!

GTC · August 2019

I use a Dynarette with a bit of this on top:
https://4.imimg.com/data4/KF/FN/MY-12342495/phone-pad-slip-mat-500x500.jpg ;

I don't normally use the Dynarette for the Dreadnoughts though!

For smaller guitars I use a folded towel under the Dynarette for height adjustment. You can't get a lefty Dynarette but it is quite stable just turned round. I prefer the Neck-Up but the simplicity of the Dynarette is so much more convenient when swapping guitars.

GTC · August 2019

earwighoney said:

GTC said:

I thought a small body would feel more comfortable for my light fingerstyle playing. Having said that, my old L2-20 jumbo felt remarkable comfortable for fingerstyle. This guitar certainly doesn't sound like a small body.

Superb NGD.

What is the width of the guitar at the lower bout? Some superb guitar makers coming out of NI right out. I'd say Avalon are quite well known but IMO Ciaran McNally seems to be the best kept secret for now, but I can't see that being the way for that much longer.

thomasross20 said:

it just clicked it's a 12-fretter with cutaway.
Does cutaway really give you better access to the higher frets? @ToneControl was telling me a 12-fretter with cutaway is probably preferable to a 14 fret full body in terms of sound. How do you find it?

12 fret vs 14 frets have their pros and cons aside from the obvious (ie more/less frets). I myself wouldn't put one above another for being better sounding, each design has occasions where it is better or worse suited and it's about finding the one that suits you the best. I have nice 00's in 12 and 14 fret configurations, and I find myself preferring certain guitars for certain pieces.

Lower bout width - 370mm (upper bout - 272mm)

The bridge on 12 fretters is pushed back to accomodate the scale length thereby increasing the string vibration length above the soundboard. This can provided a more rounded tone and improved bass response. The effect is more noticeable on smaller body guitars due to the proportional impact on a small sounboard area. A cutaway certainly improves the access to the higher frets - that 's what it is there for. Personally I can't see any difference in high fret access between a Venetian (rounded) or Florentine (sharp) cutaway

ToneControl · August 2019

GTC said:

earwighoney said:

GTC said:

I thought a small body would feel more comfortable for my light fingerstyle playing. Having said that, my old L2-20 jumbo felt remarkable comfortable for fingerstyle. This guitar certainly doesn't sound like a small body.

Superb NGD.

What is the width of the guitar at the lower bout? Some superb guitar makers coming out of NI right out. I'd say Avalon are quite well known but IMO Ciaran McNally seems to be the best kept secret for now, but I can't see that being the way for that much longer.

thomasross20 said:

it just clicked it's a 12-fretter with cutaway.
Does cutaway really give you better access to the higher frets? @ToneControl was telling me a 12-fretter with cutaway is probably preferable to a 14 fret full body in terms of sound. How do you find it?

12 fret vs 14 frets have their pros and cons aside from the obvious (ie more/less frets). I myself wouldn't put one above another for being better sounding, each design has occasions where it is better or worse suited and it's about finding the one that suits you the best. I have nice 00's in 12 and 14 fret configurations, and I find myself preferring certain guitars for certain pieces.

Lower bout width - 370mm (upper bout - 272mm)

The bridge on 12 fretters is pushed back to accomodate the scale length thereby increasing the string vibration length above the soundboard. This can provided a more rounded tone and improved bass response. The effect is more noticeable on smaller body guitars due to the proportional impact on a small sounboard area. A cutaway certainly improves the access to the higher frets - that 's what it is there for. Personally I can't see any difference in high fret access between a Venetian (rounded) or Florentine (sharp) cutaway

I ordered a Florentine for the appearance, I'm not expecting any other benefits

MichaelWatts · August 2019

Congratulations! That's a lovely looking guitar

GTC · August 2019

I've been asked why I selected this tonewood combination. Well - there wasn't much science or comparison with other options involved but I remembered being impressed with the tone and appearance of a Lowden in similar woods. I also love the mystique and romance surrounding 3,500 year old bog oak - and sinker redwood complements it beautifully. What I've received has exceeded my expectations in appearance and tone.

I wasn't actually looking for another guitar when I ordered this one (I've already got a custom Brook Taw being built), but when I heard Avalon had some nice bog oak sets there was no stopping me.

There was some worry about breaking the news of another guitar to Mrs.GTC which is why I've reluctantly sold my Avalon L2-20 - which is probably the finest all-rounder workhorse I've played, but not irreplaceable like some of my other guitars.

ToneControl · August 2019

I nearly went for the same woods, but then decided to go for cheaper woods that were closer in sound to BRZ

I'm wondering about African blackwood now

thomasross20 · August 2019

Blackwood... doesn't TE use Asutralian blackwood?
Or maybe I'm talking BS.

ToneControl · August 2019

thomasross20 said:

Blackwood... doesn't TE use Asutralian blackwood?
Or maybe I'm talking BS.

they do use that

African blackwood is the next most expensive after Brazilian rosewood
"700" is the code

thomasross20 · August 2019

I did see that in the booklet.. damn.. fine woods..

This is such a compact looking guitar, given the 12-fret nature and the smaller body. OP has gone from a jumbo to an S!
I'd love to try an S-model..!!

GTC · August 2019

Just an update on my S7-OAK lefty demonstrating terrific customer service from Avalon.

I was delighted with the guitar (to put it mildly) but was concerned about some minor scuffing on the oak back. This appeared to have been caused by the case being slightly oversize and the guitar sliding about in transit against the document pack underneath.

I e-mailed Avalon on a Sunday evening about this - before 10 am the next day they had organised a DPD pickup that day for return. On the following Thursday, I had a call to say the scuffing had been sorted and they were returning the guitar to me. The batch of six S-body cases they had received from Hiscox were of the wrong model and the correct replacements had been ordered but they were on a six week lead time. So - the Managing Director shipped the guitar back to me in his wife's S-body case and this is a perfect fit. A swap will be arranged when the new Hiscox cases come in.

It should be noted that both the final inspection and packing of guitars for shipment are normally carried out by the MD, Steve. However, my original shipment was one of the rare occasions when he wasn't able to do this for understandable reasons. I understand that steps have now been taken to ensure something like this doesn't happen again

The guitar is now back with me and looks and sounds even better than I remembered it. Well done Avalon!

GTC · August 2019

I took the guitar in to my trusted tech Dino yesterday (who was blown away by it) to tweak the action to my liking. He was able to turn it round in a day so I was able to pick it up earlier today - and I can now say that this amazing guitar is well and truly mine. It just needed some lowering of the nut slots and saddle - the truss rod was fine.

I've included a few additional photos taken by Avalon - including the tonewoods at the start of the construction.

Image: https://et2v3w.db.files.1drv.com/y4meygQoOutC891eD0vopPYe6-yHnFORtCP41l3-0I7VfpHjQqxy6EpbUd7dXstEFNMKpeVcAaQa_QcmQXNRznYCKRSLkYlREtb4IkVazp06Dv2ta2H1F0oq-M84Jgd5xhMFebJFP1jiwSmn6wWaeuR3eua0Qk5ntULh2_FRKqv-BdeNryZVDErM6L7oUaRTIjOXwG64RulM9LZAlOt9L7dBA?width=384&height=512&cropmode=none

Image: https://ed2v3w.db.files.1drv.com/y4mdsk_cpfnFt_4z5xwG8dvasT03nYiiBRmMgpoZIEOtgjZSX3XOabnnRk-pezsR-_PrWAM0HnNuyjb9GUyxPTWIejjYgSdFxZZCEvLNcJvEVhWwSXlSY3Kgfd0x6d0rrSu2IVOzRgfVUZ_lmOQw9naHOB2ZDvJExtOeSNIn4fYe8ey2i1NPjtp3NcZ-ENsB86YUT_0CJhGyTP7-mlP3iygRg?width=384&height=512&cropmode=none

thomasross20 · August 2019

Looks amazing..

thomasross20 · June 2022

Did yo ever record anything with this?
And how you tried any McIlroy's?

Soupman · June 2022

Wow, congratulations. A stunning guitar - love the bog oak, would love to hear it played!

Mellish · June 2022

Looks a little beauty

Happy NGD mate

GTC · June 2022

Well - it was an NGD 3 yrs ago. It is a magical guitar which seems to get better each time I pick it up. That isn't too often nowadays because I almost exclusively play nylon-strung classicals. I was thinking of selling it - but just picking it up and giving it a rare 10 min play was enough dissuade me.

Sorry - don't do recordings.

There will be a couple of NGD's on the way from me in due course. Ace Glastonbury luthier Alan Miller is currently building me a classical harp guitar with 8 super trebles and 8 sub basses. I'm also in the queue for a custom Brook Weaver (steel strung). I made the mistake of accompanying a friend down to see them and was smitten by Simon's Weaver. This will be rather special with some custom inlays (Jack) on the headstock and around the 12th fret in memory of my wife who lost her battle with cancer on Boxing Day.

Mellish · June 2022

Touching mate. Wish you all the best

TheMadMick · June 2022

That's giving me GAS again and I've nearly run in the first one.

Lovely instrument and I trust it's all you wanted for yourself. Enjoy.

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NGD Update - Avalon Ard Ri - S7-OAKC lefty

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