There's Something About An Old Lowden Acoustic Guitar

[@ChrisCardenDrums]

Every lowden I've ever played has pretty much blown me away. They're SO articulate.

[@ChrisCardenDrums]

Like that O model, a guitar that big shouldn't be that dynamic.

[@Brad-gk4jb]

So glad to see you show casing more Lowdens. I'm particularly pleased to see you show casing the same model that Im currently lucky enough to own. I own an 010 from 2001/02. It is the most resonant, responsive and rich guitar I've had the priviledge of playing. The sustain is something else and the tonal width/depth/bredth is so inspiring I can sit playing for hours and I don't tire of the sound. It sounds like Ireland, with a kind of wild, melodic musicality. I love its distinct tone. The playability is silky smooth, buttery goodness and the action is so comfortable its a dream. I love the neck feel, its quite chunky almost classical guitar like but feels so comfy. It has aged beautifully, similar to the one you are showcasing here. The cedar top is a dark redish tone with the mahoganony a lovely deep rich redish amber. I was never drawn to mahogany as a tonewood, however when the Lowden popped up for sale at such a good price I couldn't resist. And boy was I pleasantly surprised. I love cedar over mahogany now, its such a smooth wood combination tonally. Its warm, clear, punchy but not too bass with smooth sweet high and a meaty mid range. Its fingerstyle heaven!

[@dj_617]

Such a wonderful sound. Unfortunately it gets totally lost in a mix. But still a tone to die for.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@dj_617 does it though? I guess it depends on the mix!

[@RByrne]

Ive got my Dads old 1990 O25, and my own 2017 S32c. The S body is fantastic, and started to open up quite a bit, but the O25 sounds beautiful. Im looking for my next acoustic, and its hard to get away from the Lowden brand. I love the F50, and may go for a used one. Others that I recently tried and loved were the Yamaha FS9, and Dowina Masterbuilt(or something like that).

[@kw9172]

I bought that model new in the early 90ies. Its a great guitar with a unique sound for sure and is not goint anywhwere. Really lends itself to lower tunings and is a true workhorse. Between that and my OM-28 style guitar, I have a broad palette of sounds available, so any shortcomings in the music are clearly on me:)

[@daviddkilpatrick]

Love the Renbourn setting for Willy O W. Very much like my 1986 S22 (O22).

[@MichaelWatts]

@@daviddkilpatrick thank you David! Glad you like it!

[@davestagner]

I have an ‘86 S22 as well. What a lovely instrument.

[@JoseIgnacioCordero-l4n]

Un sonido de acústica limpio, con el brillo justo. Siempre me gustaron las Lowden y sus parientes las Avalon

[@howabouthetruth2157]

I've always loved a good cedar top on a well-made guitar. Of the 4 Hsienmo acoustics I own right now, one of them has a beautiful cedar top with gorgeous cocobolo ( all solid ) back & sides. It plays & sounds as great as it looks. Years ago, I used to own a Japanese Takamine Santa Fe that had a nice cedar top with pinless bridge. Everyone loved that guitar.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@howabouthetruth2157 nice!

[@lebe220]

I have a 1983 Takamine, dreadnought, rosewood with cedar top. My first wife told me to sell it. So glad I didn´t.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

@@lebe220 You own a true classic then. Congrats! Did you know that the Eagles recorded the opening/main riff for "Hotel California" using a mic'd up Takamine 12-string? They sure did.

[@lebe220]

@@howabouthetruth2157 No, I didn´t. Thank you for the info. Bon Jovi and many others use Takamine. When I was young I was dissapointed about that guitar because I was looking for a Martin-Gibson sound (the best of both worlds). But now, in my Autumn days, I feel fine with the warmer sound of the cedar top.

[@LegsON]

​@@howabouthetruth2157 Do you really own Hsienmo? The payment systems they use makes them look like huge expensive scam funnel. :/

[@paulboden7850]

Stirred up fond memories of Eire. An old Lowden can do that.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@paulboden7850 ah the old country - the songs will melt your face

[@gianfrancoviola9868]

Yes old Lowdens do that. I had exactly the same experience. They might not look much, but they sound superb. I remember a shootout you did between a Lowden and a Martin a few years back. It literally blew the Martin out of the water!

[@DustinFurlow]

My first love of the modern guitar world…love this!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@DustinFurlow thank you very much Dustin!

[@kanngaechuu]

Natural & so rich sound!

[@alastair6356]

Some great tones being played on the Lowden , I have a 365s Yamaha that I have had since 1978 it has been well played just recently having the bridge shaved to lower the action . The ware is on the ebony fret board and around the sound hole otherwise its pristine. None of my other guitars deliver the sustain volume and voice it has it just matures with age. The lowden is beautiful sounding and could be my dream guitar some great expressive playing going on here.🤩👍

[@MichaelWatts]

@@alastair6356 thank you Alastair, always good to hear from you!

[@declangallagher4740]

I’m the proud owner of a much loved and well played in Lowden F12 (spruce & mahogany) from the same era & workshop (same label on the inside) as well as a very new and pristine O35, I’d prefer to hold off any battle scars on the new one just yet! I wanted something different for the new one and your channel helped me in my research in what I ultimately selected; the bigger body (O) and wood combination (cedar & rosewood); beautiful instruments and a great channel!

[@malcolmwatson3009]

I gig on an old Lowden O10 and people often come up afterwards and ask me about the guitar, having been intrigued by its sound. I've not come across any other guitar with that tone: diffuse, cathedral-like, huge open sound, yet woody, warm but bell-like, and an incredible sustain as well as very loud for fingerstyle. Also, the O model, especially if old, is perhaps the ultimate Celtic folk guitar, but also great for modern fingerstyle, where clarity and string separation are needed.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@malcolmwatson3009 very cool Malcolm! Thanks for tuning in - there’s something rather special about an old O10

[@stickman55100]

Thank you so much. I’ve got my eye on a Lowden and you may have just pushed me over the threshold.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@stickman55100 my pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@cris1186]

You won’t be disappointed. Mine is not battle scarred (I’m a careful whimp), but she’s well played. And the tone is incredible. Mine is an F35c with Madagascar rosewood/alpine spruce. A really clear, sweet tone. But now I have my eye on a mahogany/adirondack.. I love the growl in the base and woody tones.

[@killforaseat]

She’s been with me for a long time, and I’ve kept her well maintained despite being well played. I hope if you do pull the trigger that you’re hugely happy together! Silky

[@Welshblues]

Nice to see the late great Eric Roche get a mention.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@Welshblues Eric was just wonderful. We played together a bit back in the day and I miss his gentle charm. Lovely dude

[@silkythecomedian1135]

I'm glad you loved her, Michael. She was with me for gigs from the Falklands to China... Sorry to be selling her, but needs must. Looking forward to seeing your videos of the others!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@silkythecomedian1135 good to hear from you! This guitar is ready for a loving new home!

[@silkythecomedian1135]

It’s lovely hearing her so well played. It’s appreciated! I think she’s ready to put her feet up and stay home with someone else…

[@leelossi1257]

A great Woody Tone for folk music!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@leelossi1257 it is indeed!

[@JeffLavalette]

Yes. Love my battle-scarred, played-in O25! Great video, mate!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@JeffLavalette thank you Jeff! Rock on!

[@AntonEmery]

Lovely! Great overview of a classic Lowden and sweet playing

[@MichaelWatts]

@@AntonEmery thank you so much Anton!

[@standingbadger]

The overtones and note bloom of that lovely old Lowden are beautiful to hear. Thank you.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@standingbadger you’re very welcome! Thank you for listening!

[@onlyrick]

Some six minutes ago, I had never heard of a Lowden guitar. This might be my favorite acoustic guitar sound. Certainly I've never heard better. Thanks for this and I'll be subscribing and checking out some more of your videos. Be Cool.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@onlyrick thank you very much Rick!

[@roscoe2311]

Thanks for another great video! Honestly most of my instruments scars just came about from the guitar bumping into things by accident haha. With the way I play, I'm not sure I could make a guitar so battered just from playing alone, even after 30 years

[@MichaelWatts]

@@roscoe2311 thank you for watching! Bumping into things is a great start!

[@silkythecomedian1135]

I did play her A LOT, and understand some folk prefer a pristine instrument, but she was my first big ticket purchase, and was a hard working instrument that took me all over the world, from Glastonbury to the Falklands. Paying my bills by playing her and singing songs was no hardship at all.

[@roscoe2311]

@@silkythecomedian1135oh I completely understand, I actually really like that look! I was just responding to what Michael said in the video about how some people might suggest that a guitar without scratches and dings might not have inspired the previous owners. Just because of the way I play it would be hard for me to make the guitar look that way

[@ellenrik]

Wow what a gem and wonderful playing as always. Most of the battle scars on my guitars came with them but that's not to say that they don't get played.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@ellenrik thank you so much for listening!

[@HughKnight-h1f]

Amazing guitar, played equally 👍 well done Michael 👍

[@MichaelWatts]

@@HughKnight-h1f thank you for listening Hugh!

[@cognoscenticycles4351]

I think George Lowden was onto something with that pinless bridge design.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@cognoscenticycles4351 it’s part of the classic Lowden sound for sure

[@brokenoarspodcast3841]

Did Lowden go to the pinless bridge before Takamine?

[@arieltherealify]

Amaizing es guitar

[@MichaelWatts]

@@arieltherealify thank you for watching!

[@digeratadesign]

wow. my favorite sound. cedar top. thx

[@MichaelWatts]

@@digeratadesign glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheCompleteGuitarist]

I have followed Pierre Bensusan for about .... 30 years? The Lowden certainly suits your style. Beautifully deep and rich.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@TheCompleteGuitarist Pierre is a marvel, I studied with him and learned so much

[@jeffhildreth9244]

@@MichaelWatts I attended a concert (40 people) in my home town of Pacific Grove , California in 1982 just above the historic Top Hat Market. There he was, not playing a Lowden but a turquoise inlaid , amber tuning button, creepy inlaid off shore guitar. Amazing what artists will succumb to when offered a "deal". . It was not what I expected . While he was mesmerizing , the guitar was not. I was looking forward to hearing a Lowden. I was bummed. Brilliant but not magical like the guitar in the video.

[@TheCompleteGuitarist]

@@jeffhildreth9244 you should have asked he would probably have dug it out. I saw him live about 7 times.

[@TheCompleteGuitarist]

@@MichaelWatts fantastic. I always wanted to try his courses but couldn't manage to make it happen.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

@@TheCompleteGuitarist He did not have a Lowden at that time. We had a discussion about guitars, and this was his favorite and made no mention of Lowden. That was 1982. No Lowden.

[@DamienDalton]

Willie O’Winsbury sounded lovely on that Lowden

[@MichaelWatts]

@@DamienDalton Thank you Damien, glad you liked it!

[@SuperChrisdonaldson]

Incredible work. Loved this video!!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@SuperChrisdonaldson thank you so much!

[@grantmartin6094]

Man I'm after a very similar model. I was inspired first by Simon Fox's Lowden

[@MichaelWatts]

@@grantmartin6094 it’s a great sound!

[@GEKO1200]

You know what? I’m a huge fan of Lowden, I own S32-12, O22-12, L25, O23, O32c and the holy Grail O50c, but I had years ago to check and old O10 wich was btw the entry level… well, I’m still depressed🤦🏻‍♂️, she had the most beautifull sound I’ve ever heard. Period! It’s crazy, but it can happen❤

[@Miguel4v]

WOW I'm in love with my O23 but I'd love to be able to compare it with an O10 / O22. How do you compare them?

[@GEKO1200]

@@Miguel4v hola Miguel, the O23 compared to the O32 has a bit mellow sound, cedar and walnut have this character, the O32 has more clarity and punch thanks to the sitka and rosewood.

[@Kalamazoom]

❤❤❤

[@paulcollingridge8387]

I have a '91 S10-12 (O-sized 12 string) and a '93 O23 (walnut back&side) both are stunning and sound like a Lowden should. I live in West Surrey if you'd like to try them out (I'm guessing you are East Surrey)

[@MichaelWatts]

@@paulcollingridge8387 that’s very kind Paul but I’m actually in East Sussex!

[@ElMcMeen1a]

Got a 28-year old one I like.

[@terrywright7893]

Man, I miss Eric. I never let him anywhere near my pristine Taylors, mind!

[@MichaelWatts]

@@terrywright7893 he was wonderful and my old Lowden bore the marks of him playing it…

[@terrywright7893]

@@MichaelWatts his old Lowden was a step away from being a Willie Nelson replica guitar. When we first met him, he was an endorsee of Avalon (remember the legal haggling over the “Lowden” branding?) but it didn’t take long for his new guitar to look battle-scarred. Lovely, great playing, guitar-munching man!

[@DavidSmith-sy2bp]

Lowden are my grail guitar.

[@snowfiresunwind]

I'm glad that I'm not the only person who don't think that vintage guitars need to look 'battered and well worn' to warrant a decent tone. I've got a 37 year old hand-built guitar by luthier Nigel Thornbury which is in excellent condition for its age and only a few 'nics' - and it sounds great! Oh and don't get me started on all those Fender vintage look guitars crap!

[@andrewbowen6875]

Went to see Nick Harper last month and he showed me his thirty something year old Lowden that he said he couldn’t afford now. That was walnut and had a hole in it underneath the pick guard

[@ColinMacPhail.]

Has it had its neck reset? Mine needed one (and new bridge) after only 14 years..... It's got that lovely big resonant O series tone though! 🙂

[@MichaelWatts]

@@ColinMacPhail. not that I know of!

[@silkythecomedian1135]

@@MichaelWatts Not while I've owned it (since 1999).

[@jimsanger]

Its a gorgeous natural tone, do you know what strings were on it?

[@MichaelWatts]

@@jimsanger thank you Jim! I’m pretty sure these were Elixir 12-53 PB

[@radioking]

I'm just about to start making a Walnut- WR Cedar Parlour guitar. I have made a few parlour guitars in the past but always with Sitka Spruce. The internet is putting me off using WR Cedar. Lots of negative comments. What are your thoughts on WR cedar for small steel strings? I always think the Lowdens sound a bit muted compared to equivalent spruce guitars. Amateur maker BTW. I'm not a pro

[@MichaelWatts]

@@radioking well, if you truly believe that you can find your sound in a certain wood, be it cedar or redwood or reconstituted skate boards it is entirely in your hands. The internet needs to mind its own business.

[@rdstreets]

Have you ever tried an Auden? Last summer I picked up their Emily Rose Parlor with cedar top and mahogany sides/back and it sort of reminds me of a Lowden…

[@MichaelWatts]

@@rdstreets I have played a couple over the years. I know my mate Ben Smith loves them

[@BenAdam-om2hr]

I used to play with a guitarist who played a wonderful sounding Tremeluc (spelling?) guitar, which he said was the 'original' Lowden. It looked very similar to a Lowden. Do you know about these guitars?

[@MichaelWatts]

I’ve only ever seen a couple and that was many years ago. I know Gordon Giltrap had one but that’s all I really have for you!

[@bobmarlec]

Please google : trameleuc guitar

[@Pinecrest55]

Just stunning playing..You mention "old" lowden...so can you tell me exactly what year this one was made and what year they stopped making the O model and renamed it?

[@MichaelWatts]

Yeah I’m not exactly sure when this was made but The Guitar Showroom may be able to help - ask for James and tell him I sent you!

[@silkythecomedian1135]

She’s at least 25…

[@silkythecomedian1135]

I've checked, and she was made in October 1996.

[@Pinecrest55]

@@silkythecomedian1135 thank you

[@BrianAciper]

The old adage that a guitar has a distressed appearance means it is has been well used due to being an above average instrument can be true, but not in all cases. My 1968 Gibson SJ doesn't have a single lacquer crack, and very few marks, most of which were done hanging in the shop where I bought it new. It's been carefully cared for and cherished for the last 56 years, but a close inspection of the fretboard reveals that it has had a lot of use. The same for my other guitars. There is no reason (assuming that the instrument isn't a tool for a working musician) that an instrument has to be abused, or used in situations or conditions where its finish or structure are exposed to jeopardy, to be enjoyed. Don't get me started on factory distressing .....! Or Martins new printed distressing -seriously?!

[@thanosmits1638]

What is the name of the tune you played right after the introduction? So peaceful...

[@MichaelWatts]

@@thanosmits1638 that’s a new idea that I’m working on at the moment

[@thanosmits1638]

@@MichaelWatts It sounds wonderful! I hope tabs will be released!

[@thanosmits1638]

@@MichaelWatts It's beautiful! Hope it gets tabs soon! What tuning is it in?

[@marcoberini5020]

Are those jumbo frets or am I tricked by the camera’s angle? Btw, when are you going to release your next album?

[@cugir321]

Sounds very vintage....doesn't have the modern overtone sound. Also sounds a bit wolfy which I don't think is a bad thing.

[@don911donny9]

When do you stop buying wonderful guitars, I could quite happily keep going but my bank manager wouldn’t be so happy.

[@MichaelWatts]

@@don911donny9 I think the wisest thing to do is hang on for the ones that really speak to you. This guitar was only here for a sleep over but it reminded me of a Lowden I had many years ago