Lowden S-23 Red Cedar / Walnut

[@daveyjoweaver5183]

Beautiful guitar and fine playing Matt! Thank You Kindly! Love, Light, Peace and Music! DaveyJO in Pa.

[@johnbeloe]

I played a lowden for the first time today and was blown away. I can't stop thinking about it and this is reminding me why! WHAT a sound

[@ina9354]

This guitar sounds like a whole orchestra 😍 Full and warm sound ❤ it's Magic!

[@igor-grudinin]

Where is the full sound there? Low G is too weak and A is wolfing. The sound is 3 of 5, though, it's probably OK for small body guitars and with time it may get better, but it's definitely NOT perfect.

[@SuperEdge67]

Nah, it sounds like one guitar, and not an especially good one.

[@henry1237]

Beautiful work Matt - your playing is wonderful

[@miggybassfreak]

Sounds so beautiful

[@DjNikGnashers]

Had my 32se for about 16 months now, and it is opening up nicely. I absolutely love the quality of finish, the balanced & beautiful tonal qualities, and the fact I can tune it to allsorts of different tunings and the string height doesn't change a fraction due to the super-stiff neck.

[@ina9354]

Beautiful 😍❤ could listen to it the whole day!

[@paddyoneill3243]

I bought my s23 as a birthday gift to myself last year and it comes everywhere with me I love everything about it I still find myself admiring the work that goes into the bracing still

[@eddiesguitars]

Nice! These are indeed inspiring instruments.

[@benmiddleton9984]

Beautiful tone and clarity!

[@jasonnye1436]

This model will be my next guitar purchase. No doubt in my mind! Beautiful!

[@markusmilianmuller]

Very nice guitar, and a charming video, too! Love the little nod at 4:03, when you hit the low string. That's what guitar playing is all about, I guess :)

[@kanngaechuu]

It's natural, rich & gentle sound. and have originality design, graceful.

[@TheSWRProject]

Thanx Matt... This review help me decide... I now own a beautiful S23c... And she sounds awesome... :)

[@DownUnderBlues]

Cool little tune there! Cheers!

[@davidbyers7246]

Wow, so bright plus such rich bass! You know when I first saw photos of these guitars I didn’t like the shape of them or something but that sound, oh my God! Also seeing it being played in a video it looked much better than in a still photo. Yes I know looks are not everything but they are something.

[@jonmelkerson6414]

Purchased a used O-23 (larger body) it is the most amazing acoustic guitar I've played - pawnbroker/ musician of many years. If you are seriously thinking about one of these masterpieces this video is an excellent description and audio demo.

[@paulcollingridge8387]

I hace a 1993 O23c... Simply amazing

[@mbouman]

You really bring out what is distinctive in the voicing of those small Lowdens.

[@eddiesguitars]

Thanks Michael, I've really been loving the voice of these special instruments. Cheers!

[@billsiopes4533]

Matt, your reviews are excellent man. Hoping to make it by the store someday!

[@kevingreene6893]

Like the sound and build quality of the Lowden guitars... however, I chose an Avalon Guitar instead. It has a more complete sound overall and the tonal range is just that bit crisper and a little less rounded. These guys were once the same crew of luthiers but split and went their separate ways. I now own 2 Avalon Guitars, a larger jumbo model with a Sitka top over East Indian Rosewood back and sides. Having a smaller stature, after playing it for a couple of years I found the right arm overarching to be a bit of an issue so a I recently had another built for me by Steve and the team at Avalon - a Ard Ri 325ce 12-Fret, small body model with an abalone shell Celtic rosette and a beautiful three leaf inlay in MOP on the 12th fret. Stunning sonically and visually and so comfortable to play...

[@donnachamcgowan]

Avalon stole George Lowden designs..

[@robdonell9915]

Are the Avalon’s made in Korea ?

[@kevingreene6893]

Hi Rob, they are made in Newtownards, near Belfast in Northern Ireland :)

[@gillesserrigny6324]

@@donnachamcgowan Yes. Ex strings makers team of George Lowden.

[@nellatrab]

Ahhh....a guitar builder not trying to be a Martin...YAY!

[@derekcain9885]

Well said sir, my thoughts exactly!

[@vasocreta]

Lowden is by far my favorite sound. I love Martin too but for different reasons. It would be silly for anyone to not appreciate the distinct and unique voice that Lowden guitars project.

[@pappyodanial]

Meh, I can see what it hasn't sold. I think only Ed Sheeran fans like these because they like him. I don't hear $4,500 tone at all. Even though Matt's playing is amazing as usual.

[@ancientslav4863]

I have a Takamine TAN15C - cedar/EIR - its really nice, like the sound, tho cant seem to find suited strings and tried almost all and nothing makes me smile. Gonna order some John Pearse 200L. Anyway, whats the best sounding guitar youve ever heard? IMO its any Godall, never like taylor or Martin. Is it weird?

[@alanhowell3646]

Will Mac Martin’s don’t even come close to the sound from a Lowden. I’ve had a Lowden since 1985 and today played a £5200 D42 & a £4295 OM28. Neither of the Martin’s came anywhere close to my Lowden or any new Lowden I played recently.

[@derekcain9885]

Stunning. Lucky enough to own two, Lowden's are wonderful guitars. Great review Matt.

[@eddiesguitars]

Good for you! I've found these to be very inspiring guitars. Cheers!

[@tweedguitar9103]

Always beautiful music Matt. I'm growing fond of these Lowden guitars Matt..thankyou for introducing them. Obviously very good for open tunings..DADGAD in particular i imagine.. the low D is sonorious and the fretted notes are clear. Could you please do a lowden demo using an Open C or C6 tuning please , so I can hear how it works please in the C register ? thankyou matt

[@robdonell9915]

What is a C6 tuning from low to high string ?

[@hellrazer38]

Nice playing dude! You are starting to resemble Saruman in his prime! Nice!

[@Tashunkawitco]

Saruman The Sunburst ;)

[@michaelp8856]

i read on their site that the nut is 43mm which is less than 1 3/4

[@legmaker50]

I don't know how you can sell that wonderful instrument. To hear you play it and see the expression in your face, just beautiful. You need to take that one home.

[@WaitDer]

I couldn't really see much of his face tbh

[@paddyoneill3243]

Michael Robinson I have one for sale now

[@Jam-m7m]

I love walnut back and sides, I bought a Gibson J-15 that love the sound of

[@uncaskillet]

Hi Matt, I had one of the original S23 Nick Webb models with green abalone rosette...I loved the late Nick Webb, he was one of my heroes. I met Greg Carmichael too...this was a lovely guitar & recorded several songs with mine, some in DADGAD where I think it excels. You do a marvelous demo here Matt. The walnut is so meaty for phat, round trebs when combined with cedar...your the best bro! ...eric

[@eddiesguitars]

I honestly was not familiar with Nick Webb... Listening to him now. Very tasteful player, right up my alley. If you have any recordings you'd like to share please send to [e-mail] - I'd love to listen to more of your tunes. Thanks as always buddy!

[@uncaskillet]

Glad you like Nick & Acoustic Alchemy, their melodies are so lovely...your a gifted guitarist Matt & very original. I'd be happy to share more tunes & would love to buy a copy of your CD if it is available. Cheers! ...eric

[@scottmackie2821]

Matt, can you do an A/B with the S25? Thanks.

[@silentdwak]

wow

[@ericcollins1561]

Beautiful playing! What's the tune? S23... definitely amazing guitar.

[@TheBEATPARK]

Amazing Tone and amazing player. Congrats!!. What is the name of this song? It is beautiful. Thank you!

[@bensherman1977]

Matt, when you record your album of all your masterpieces - what guitar(s) will you choose??

[@ThatGuy-jn9hc]

Wow I can't stop listening it's so beautiful. What is the name of this song? I must know!!!

[@bogart5131]

Are you using condenser mic?

[@startreker8591]

The bridge…I could buy if they can remodel imo(:

[@tomokra]

I bought a Lowden from Elderly? in Boston in the early 90s? A jumbo, traded a Stelling John Hartford banjo for it I think ... they told me the Lowden had been made in Japan ... it wasn't great but it was the best guitar I'd had up until then ...

[@gillesserrigny6324]

During the 80's, the business was difficult for George Lowden. He makes a deal with a Japanese factory. During around five years the George Lowden guitars of a good quality have been made in Japan and George Lowden with a small team has been continued to make artisanal high quality guitars in his country. After this complicated period, he regained the control of the fabrication of all the George Lowden guitars models in North Ireland.

[@andorrasrevenge1683]

Hey buddy, what's the body depth like on these lowdens? Thanks

[@eddiesguitars]

They range from about 4" - 4.5" Fantastic guitars!

[@646oleg]

better sound then f50

[@zoemeow7677]

Woohoo!✨✨✨🎶🎶🎶🎻💞💋❤💞✨🎶⭐

[@001mladen]

nice...... unfortunatly I will never have money to buy it. :(

[@paddyoneill3243]

I'm lucky enough to have one but you know there are second hand models about that are more affordable

[@brannonevans3685]

What can ya say, its a Lowden....

[@crabtreewoodworks]

Really nice guitar but they’re way too expensive

[@dreamtimej]

Classic Gibson shape with refreshing upgrades.

[@stephanhaeke589]

?

[@beasheerhan4482]

For my taste the cedar top makes the acoustick guitar lose a lot of it's ice wintry feel, which, to me, is it's principal charm. This sound is very close to a classical guitar, like the kind made by Alvarez. In that case, better to play classical, because they have more versatile tonal palettes. By the way, I enjoy your demos. You play with the guitar, instead of acting upon it - something which most guitarists (men) your age, just do not seem to do, sad to say.

[@beasheerhan4482]

No, Dear Mr. Snipes - neither of the twain. The spelling I prefer to employ is mid 18th century English and which was standard fare for our Southern Forefathers.

[@beasheerhan4482]

Thank you, Sir - we do our best to maintain the highest standards of polite candour that bespeaks the tradition.

[@marklandis5794]

Bee Sherman And convincingly incorrect.

[@imtiyanger7385]

No missionary for this guy😀