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Post by surfguy13 on May 30, 2022 7:08:51 GMT
I am in the process of trying to decide whether to buy an Avalon Dreadnought made back in 2006. My only slight concern is the bracing which is described as:
"Lighter braced on the back than newer Avalons and more akin to the ‘Dolphin’ Lowden bracing, so nigh on the spec of a Lowden D32 also made in the Newtownards factory a few years previous."
I know little or nothing about bracing but am aware how important it is. I wondered if anyone is aware what 'dolphin bracing' is and whether it will have an effect on the bass response? The above description suggests it may have. The main reason for considering a dreadnought again is for a deep and rich bass response and don't want to compromise. This particular Avalon D has a spruce top and rosewood back and sides.
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Post by Vinny on May 30, 2022 21:22:48 GMT
Hi surfguy13 The dolphin bracing is very slim and tall and is still used by Lowden. Avalon used it until a few years ago. They only changed the bracing on the guitar backs, as far as I’m aware. I have a Lowden O32 spruce rosewood and an Avalon A380 spruce cocobolo, both with Dolphin bracing and a jumbo Avalon cedar rosewood and an Avalon dreadnought spruce mahogany, both of which have the newer Avalon bracing. The new bracing is lower profile and thicker, more like Martin or Guild bracing. Bass is probably least prominent in the mahogany dread, probably more because of the mahogany than anything else. The dolphin bracing certainly doesn’t inhibit the bass in the Lowden jumbo or the Avalon auditorium. Avalon and Lowden guitars, TO MY EARS, are more balanced than the Martin or Guild guitars I’ve played. I find the American guitars have a more scooped midrange, which possibly makes them more suitable for accompanying vocals. I’m obviously a fan of Lowden and Avalon, so maybe not impartial enough,
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Post by surfguy13 on May 31, 2022 8:09:24 GMT
Hi @vinny
I really do appreciate this information! Given that you have both Lowdens and Avalons, and with a variety of wood combinations, it seems like the Dolphin bracing isn't going to give me significantly less bass. That really was the million dollar question.
It's interesting that the Dolphin bracing is tall and thin; my Oxwood OM has very tall and thin chamfered bracing which sounds very similar to your description of the Dolphin bracing and has the most wonderful bass, particularly given that it is mahogany/spruce.
I had a 010 way back when in the really early days of Lowden and didn't get on with it so well but that was probably more to do with the physical size of the body and also that it was spruce /mahogany. I doubt that would be an issue now. I briefly had an S23 too, also in the distant past, and likewise didn't get on with it so well and I suspect that was because it was the first cedar top I had ever had on an acoustic. I now quite like cedar!
It's interesting that you have a Avalon with spruce/cocobolo.....I was quite recently offered an F series Lowden with redwood/cocobolo and what an amazing depth of sound it had. Not sure how much was to do with the redwood top, another first for me, or the cocobolo back and sides but was extremely impressed.
Are any of your Avalons the older models with the original logo? This Avalon 32D is 2006 and has the old logo. Not sure whether that makes any difference at all?!
Thanks again for clearing up the question of Dolphin bracing, sounds like it is no better or worse, just different.
Guy
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Post by Vinny on Jun 1, 2022 21:56:33 GMT
I think the rationale behind the dolphin bracing is to make it as light as possible but the height still gives enough strength. Probably takes much longer to profile them. The tops are still done the same way, just the back braces have changed on newer Avalon guitars. Mine are all new logo. Lowden necks (45mm) are slightly chunkier than Avalon (44.5mm), but I prefer the Avalon profile. I’ve played a Lowden like the one you mentioned - very nice but pricey. I can WhatsApp you photos or videos if you want to private message me? Can do so tomorrow, but will be away for a few days from Friday.
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Post by surfguy13 on Jun 2, 2022 11:50:01 GMT
I think the rationale behind the dolphin bracing is to make it as light as possible but the height still gives enough strength. Probably takes much longer to profile them. The tops are still done the same way, just the back braces have changed on newer Avalon guitars. Mine are all new logo. Lowden necks (45mm) are slightly chunkier than Avalon (44.5mm), but I prefer the Avalon profile. I’ve played a Lowden like the one you mentioned - very nice but pricey. I can WhatsApp you photos or videos if you want to private message me? Can do so tomorrow, but will be away for a few days from Friday. Sent you a PM......
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