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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2015 17:32:09 GMT
On the way down to my gig in Okehampton on Saturday, I popped in to Project music in Exeter. What a wonderful shop this is turning out to be. Didn't get time to play much, and I did have to compete with someone checking out a valve amp at almost full volume (though I was put into a little room which afforded some sanctuary at least!) Only got to play about 3 guitars- first up, a Lowden s23, cedar and walnut, that I had been itching to try. Must say from the outset it was love at first sight/ sound. Beautiful full and throaty sound. Unfortunately my girlfriend came in and said it sounded tinny and brash. I was going full throttle on my 'Road to Easterbrook' piece, and I was amazed at the volume of sound it produced for such a little guitar, but yes it suited gentler pieces a little more (like the Bach BWV 998 prelude) where each note had time to blossom as was the guitar's natural tendency. I explained to her that the horrible elixir strings did the guitar no favours really, and that I could tell that this was a guitar you could seriously spend some quality time with. She then asked me to play a Brook OM that she claimed sounded the best of the bunch (having flicked a casual index finger across a Lyn, torridge, Tamar and Tavy). And I have to say it was not only one of the best OM's I have heard in a while, but certainly one of my top 5 Brooks I have ever heard. Still liked the Lowden though! If I had to choose, the head says the Brook OM, the heart said the Lowden s23. The wallet unfortunately says neither, but if I did have a granny to sell, sorry, it would be the Lowden I would come home with, as it was such a different sound to my Brooks Now if only I had time to play the redwood F35 Robbie
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Post by earwighoney on Jul 13, 2015 17:59:53 GMT
Still liked the Lowden though! If I had to choose, the head says the Brook OM, the heart said the Lowden s23. The wallet unfortunately says neither, but if I did have a granny to sell, sorry, it would be the Lowden I would come home with, as it was such a different sound to my Brooks Rob, I thought this was going to be a NGD post. All the stories of great guitars, Brook and Lowden but no NGD post.... What do the Brook OM's sound like? Are they a bit more 'American' in tone than their other guitars? As much as I love Brook guitars I find most of the guitars I've tried are better suited to players with a lighter touch than myself. I'd love to try a guitar of theirs with straight or tapered braces at sometime.
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mandovark
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Post by mandovark on Jul 13, 2015 18:05:52 GMT
Sounds like a good visit. I'm very happy to hear that the Brook OM was good, as Andy and Simon should be starting work on mine any week now
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Andy P
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Post by Andy P on Jul 15, 2015 9:12:50 GMT
I bought my Lowden S25 from them in February Robbie. You couldn't ask for a nicer, more helpful bunch of people and their after-sales service is outstanding. The manager even offered to open up on Sunday just so that I could drop it off for a settling down set-up whilst I was going away up-country.
By the way, as you say, the S range do not take too kindly to being hammered. I read one review which said don't ever take a flatpick to one. They're far too demure.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2015 10:06:51 GMT
Still liked the Lowden though! If I had to choose, the head says the Brook OM, the heart said the Lowden s23. The wallet unfortunately says neither, but if I did have a granny to sell, sorry, it would be the Lowden I would come home with, as it was such a different sound to my Brooks Rob, I thought this was going to be a NGD post. All the stories of great guitars, Brook and Lowden but no NGD post.... What do the Brook OM's sound like? Are they a bit more 'American' in tone than their other guitars? As much as I love Brook guitars I find most of the guitars I've tried are better suited to players with a lighter touch than myself. I'd love to try a guitar of theirs with straight or tapered braces at sometime. Hi ewh, the OM is, as you rightly guessed, a little more American sounding. In many ways it sounded like a Collins, but less thin and bright sounding. It had a real chimes to the trebles and strong fundamentals
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2015 10:09:04 GMT
By the way, as you say, the S range do not take too kindly to being hammered. I read one review which said don't ever take a flatpick to one. They're far too demure. That must be it! I am longing to try it again, perhaps holding back a little more. I tried some dropped D McManus arrangements first and it was absolutely brilliant. I loved to bits the throaty, voice, and huge orchestral sound Robbie
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Post by vikingblues on Jul 15, 2015 11:02:02 GMT
But yes it suited gentler pieces a little more (like the Bach BWV 998 prelude) where each note had time to blossom as was the guitar's natural tendency. I explained to her that the horrible elixir strings did the guitar no favours really, and that I could tell that this was a guitar you could seriously spend some quality time with. That's a Lowden S for sure - when the notes have time to blossom it comes into its own!
I'm not surprised you are longing to try it again.
You reminded me of my Lowden (S32) v Brook (Clyst) comparison at Celtic Chords. I'd have loved to have come home with both of them. But my bank manager and I wouldn't see eye to eye on that.
There's a demo in the Lowden Every Guitar has a Voice video series where Thomas Leeb says he only learned to like playing the Lowden S when he eased off on his strength of playing - at which point he was a sudden convert.
You're right about the Elixirs - they don't let the S sing properly.
Mark
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Post by Andy P on Jul 15, 2015 19:40:47 GMT
You're right about the Elixirs - they don't let the S sing properly.
Mark
I'm sure you've told us before Mark but which strings have you settled on? My quest for the best for my S25 is still ongoing. Andy
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Post by vikingblues on Jul 16, 2015 18:07:12 GMT
You're right about the Elixirs - they don't let the S sing properly.
Mark
I'm sure you've told us before Mark but which strings have you settled on? My quest for the best for my S25 is still ongoing. Andy I have a feeling it might be strings you don't really get on with Andy. Newtone Heritage 12s. Or maybe it was the Heritage DADGADs you didn't like (I didn't get on with them at all). I think for the Lowden S to sound at its best it needs strings that are not plummy or rounded in sound in any way - it works best for me with strings that have clear ringing sounds. Mark
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Post by Andy P on Jul 16, 2015 20:54:12 GMT
I'm sure you've told us before Mark but which strings have you settled on? My quest for the best for my S25 is still ongoing. Andy I have a feeling it might be strings you don't really get on with Andy. Newtone Heritage 12s. Or maybe it was the Heritage DADGADs you didn't like (I didn't get on with them at all). I think for the Lowden S to sound at its best it needs strings that are not plummy or rounded in sound in any way - it works best for me with strings that have clear ringing sounds. Mark It was the Low Tension Heritage I wasn't too keen on Mark. I can't recall whether I've tried the standard tension version. I should try the Masterclass (but I may have to persuade ocarolan to sell me a set!) I've got Elixir 12s on at the mo. I like them when finger-picked gently but give them a bit of oomph and they sound tinny. I'll keep sampling. Thanks Andy
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