Advice on my (probably) final guitar

Mellish · February 2022

Six weeks will soon pass, Mick. Then, hopefully, she's a good 'un

danishbacon · February 2022

Great news

Steve is a pleasure to deal with and the Avalons are superb.

TheMadMick · February 2022

Thanx guys. Trusting all will turn out for the best. And Steve has the patience of a saint. I used to be a safety regulator and I'm used to asking questions. Steve answered each promptly and politely. But think I'll quit that while I'm still ahead!!

Smellyfingers · February 2022

TheMadMick said:

Thanx guys. Trusting all will turn out for the best. And Steve has the patience of a saint. I used to be a safety regulator and I'm used to asking questions. Steve answered each promptly and politely. But think I'll quit that while I'm still ahead!!

He's great, he even sent me pictures of the guitar in progress, which helped with the patience problem and provided reassurance about the end product.

TheMadMick · February 2022

I tried to e mail Steve to get a progress report on my guitar last week and had expected a response by now. So I phoned a few minutes ago and got the messaging service. Hope I'm not panicking but they have my £1k deposit. Fortunately it's on a credit card!

By any chance does anyone know what's going on or is it just they have shut down for a time because of the weather?

Mellish · February 2022

@TheMadMick ; easy to say, but I wouldn't worry mate. I totally get your desire for an update (I'd be the same) but I'm sure all will turn out well

ToneControl · February 2022

GTC said:

TheMadMick said:

GTC wrote - "The sound is magical - unlike any other acoustic I've played"

Would you like to try and describe what you mean. Please remember I'm an old strummer and tune geek.

Difficult to put into words - so I picked it up and gave it a rare (nowadays) outing. A complex tone - almost like a 12-string, particularly on the trebles but with the the main notes clearly sounding through - and fantastic sustain. Greater clarity than the Lowdens I've played. Sinker redwood is notorious for taking a long time to break in and it has been wonderful to hear such a lovely guitar getting better and better with time.

I should mention that I am a fingerstyle player. I've heard people say that Avalons have a more American sound than Lowdens due to the bridge construction - perhaps more suited to a strummer / flatpicker.

Well, this brief outing with the Avalon playing a few classical-ish things has been enough to convince me that I must be mad to be thinking of selling it.

I hope this helps - and good luck with your decision

I think the "American sounding" Avalons were the D300, S320 etc that were designed to sound more American, and have different bracing
I have a D300 and it's very different to the normal Avalon sound
Americana | Avalon Guitars - Handmade acoustic guitars, hand crafted in Ireland

Those ones have less complex harmonics, and can work better with some arrangements

I'd say the best Avalon guitars for flatpickers would be ones with very stiff spruce (e.g. Adirondack) tops

ToneControl · February 2022

btw - One thing I'd change on the Avalons I custom-ordered
I'd have one-piece saddles instead of the split ones

TheMadMick · February 2022

ToneControl said:

btw - One thing I'd change on the Avalons I custom-ordered
I'd have one-piece saddles instead of the split ones

Would you like to explain why please? I've never had much a preference either way.

TheMadMick · February 2022

Mellish said:

@TheMadMick ; easy to say, but I wouldn't worry mate. I totally get your desire for an update (I'd be the same) but I'm sure all will turn out well

Trust you are right. But I'm a natural worrier.

GTC · February 2022

ToneControl said:
I think the "American sounding" Avalons were the D300, S320 etc that were designed to sound more American, and have different bracing
I have a D300 and it's very different to the normal Avalon sound
Americana | Avalon Guitars - Handmade acoustic guitars, hand crafted in Ireland

Those ones have less complex harmonics, and can work better with some arrangements

I'd say the best Avalon guitars for flatpickers would be ones with very stiff spruce (e.g. Adirondack) tops

I'd heard it was something to do with the fact that Avalons have a pin bridge whereas Lowdens have a through bridge. I wouldn't have thought it would make too much difference though.TheMadMick said:

I tried to e mail Steve to get a progress report on my guitar last week and had expected a response by now. So I phoned a few minutes ago and got the messaging service. Hope I'm not panicking but they have my £1k deposit. Fortunately it's on a credit card!

By any chance does anyone know what's going on or is it just they have shut down for a time because of the weather?

I wouldn't worry - in my experience, communication can go a bit quiet when there's nothing much happening but I'm sure they'll come through soon. Customer communication seems to revolve around Steve himself and if he is diverted for any reason there could be some delays.

ToneControl · February 2022

TheMadMick said:

ToneControl said:

btw - One thing I'd change on the Avalons I custom-ordered
I'd have one-piece saddles instead of the split ones

Would you like to explain why please? I've never had much a preference either way.

I think the intonation on the G string usually sounds better on a single saddlepiece - I think it's one of George Lowden's design ideas, but I think an adjust single piece saddle is a better idea.
Avalon will build it with a one piece if you ask in time- it's the last thing that gets added

Do some research and see who agrees with me?

TheMadMick · February 2022

Took a look on the web and there seem to be 2 non exclusive reasons for a split saddle.

1. Because the intonation is based on the thickness of the string's "core" the thickest one is the B string. However, thickness increases the vibrating length to get the intonation right (it says) so the B string needs to be quite a bit longer than a single saddle will permit.

2. To get even response across all strings with an under saddle pick up, the strings should sit square to the saddle and that can best be achieved with a split saddle.

Can't say whether or not either or both are correct but they sound convincing. I have to say, doing a lot of my playing in a cold church, I tend to tune a few cents sharp to allow for the room to heat up and the warmth from my fingers letting the strings lengthen slightly.

malcolmkindness · February 2022

I think the split saddle is primarily a marketing idea that caught on. If it is done properly a single piece saddle works very well. One thing that does make a difference is the thickness of the saddle.

TheMadMick · February 2022

Gave Avalon another ring yesterday and got the answering service again. Hmmmmmm????

Mellish · February 2022

I'd leave a message asking for an update over your guitar build. Have you got their email address? Maybe email them, asking for same info. But I still think it'll be fine

artiebear · February 2022

malcolmkindness said:

I think the split saddle is primarily a marketing idea that caught on. If it is done properly a single piece saddle works very well. One thing that does make a difference is the thickness of the saddle.

If so, Stefan Sobell and HJ Williams are marketing junkies. Personally, on the guitars that use it that I own, it is a real positive.

ToneControl · February 2022

TheMadMick said:

Gave Avalon another ring yesterday and got the answering service again. Hmmmmmm????

there's not many people there, Steve doesn't sit there all day, don't fret
the luthiers work somewhere else in the building, so wouldn't be answering the main phone

artiebear · February 2022

ToneControl said:

TheMadMick said:

Gave Avalon another ring yesterday and got the answering service again. Hmmmmmm????

there's not many people there, Steve doesn't sit there all day, don't fret
the luthiers work somewhere else in the building, so wouldn't be answering the main phone

Totally with @ToneControl here. Steve is trying to control a business, while being "arms length" polite to each customer. I am very sure that all is well. Imagine a builder who has a 2.5 year build list responding to a question regarding progress ? .......In context I am sure all is well. ( Cannot wait for the finished product to be posted ! )

TheMadMick · March 2022

Well, finally got a response from Steve at Avalon. They have been ravaged by COVID for nearly 3 weeks. Phew!!

It was due for delivery 18 March (the day after St Pat's day) but I doubt that will be met now.

Some pics show the neck is on, the fretboard is on and waiting for its frets, the body is complete. The next activity, I'm told, is spraying and that takes a while (nitro).

Well, I hope it's worth the wait. I'm quite attached to it already and it's not even complete yet.

Mellish · March 2022

Well, good news for sure. If if were me, I'd be chomping at the bit to get at it

. I hope it turns out to be everything you've wanted in an acoustic. Fingers crossed

Vinny · March 2022

Hi folks. Just joined the forum having stalked for a while.
Congrats @TheMadMick on the Avalon. I collected my third from Steve last week, so obviously I’m a fan. Don’t have a walnut one though… yet. He’s been a gentleman to deal with. I’m sure you’ll be pleased with your new arrival.
Vinny.

Mellish · March 2022

@Vinny ; - welcome to TFB

. Admin/Mods are in New Members should you need them. Enjoy!

Smellyfingers · March 2022

TheMadMick said:

Well, finally got a response from Steve at Avalon. They have been ravaged by COVID for nearly 3 weeks. Phew!!

It was due for delivery 18 March (the day after St Pat's day) but I doubt that will be met now.

Some pics show the neck is on, the fretboard is on and waiting for its frets, the body is complete. The next activity, I'm told, is spraying and that takes a while (nitro).

Well, I hope it's worth the wait. I'm quite attached to it already and it's not even complete yet.

Please let us know what it's like, when you finally get it.

TheMadMick · March 2022

Where we were yesterday. Due to go to be nitro sprayed soon.

Mellish · March 2022

Well jealous

TheMadMick · March 2022

Well, it happened again. E mailed Monday for progress but no response until Wednesday - at least I didn't panic. Turns out Steve was in hospital.

The guitar has now had its wash coat of nitro (assume that's a primer coat) and, as expected, the delivery date has gone out - now 8 April. Shame, I was supposed to have it yesterday!

Pity the Good Lord didn't bless me with patience!

Mellish · March 2022

Well I'd be every bit as impatient! But hang in there mate, you'll soon get your hands on her

TheMadMick · March 2022

Progress!!!

Looks good to me. Needs a little more spraying. Should be next week of week after when I get it (I hope).

BahHumbug · March 2022

Don’t you hate it when you add a comment to a thread and then realise it’s quite an old thread and you just commented on the first page. You look to the end of the thread and find that your comment is entirely irrelevant. Oh well.

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Advice on my (probably) final guitar

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