Post by Martin on Apr 18, 2013 14:33:11 GMT
I feel a bit of a fraud posting a review of this as I only owned the guitar for a relatively short period of time. I bought it from Keith here on the forum, but when I needed to release some capital for the new guitar I'd ordered, I sadly had to sell it on again. Fortunately just as it was about to depart, Keith decided to bring her home 
Manufacturer & Model: Lowden O25 acoustic guitar
Year Purchased: 2011
Sound:
The sound is unlike any other guitar I've had.
It's full, rich and resonant, with a huge rumbling bass and very sweet trebles.
The separation is very good, and fingerpicked, this guitar is clear and responsive. The clarity of the strings means that it's only a so-so strummer, but it manages just fine.
Sound Rating: 9
Setup:
The guitar was perfectly set-up when I received it, having just undergone a professional fret-dressing by Jonny Kinkead, and the action is medium to low, with no buzzing.
Setup Rating: 9
Appearance:
The guitar is HUGE. A massive lower bout and very deep, making it the biggest jumbo I've ever played let alone owned.
I've always shied away from the typical Gibson jumbo shape, but the shape of this guitar is somehow more appealing.
It has a very dark, mature cedar top, which looks gorgeous, though marks easily, and it is full of characterful dents and scratches.
The dark indian rosewood back and sides are beautiful and relatively unmarked, and the laminated mahogany neck is stunning.
Appearance Rating: 8
Reliability:
The gotoh 510 tuners are excellent, the guitar feels rocks solid, and only the soft cedar top feels at all vulnerable (not the guitar's fault - that's cedar for you!).
Reliability Rating: 9
Components:
The very best quality woods (cedar, rosewood, mahogany) have been used to produce a remarkable tone, and they look very purty too. Great detail has been put into the attractive bindings and top purfling, and the carved rosewood bridge is a work of art.
Components Rating: 10
Pre-sale Customer Service:
I was sent the guitar for an indefinite approval period, with no money asked up front and a guarantee to take it back if I didn't like it - above and beyond the call of service IMO.
Keith also sent me numerous photographs, sound clips and even video of the guitar being played.
Buy used from people you know (even virtually) - you are certain of a more satisfying deal.
Pre-sale Customer Service Rating: 10
Post-sale Customer Service:
My friend Keith (the seller) has since kept in close contact asking how I am enjoying the guitar and providing me with information about it's provenance and construction - marvellous.
Post-sale Customer Service Rating: 10
Overall:
The guitar was approximately 14 years old when I acquired it, and felt/looked half that age. It plays beautifully, and for the money is it an outstanding purchase.
It is a top quality, professional level instrument that can only bring out the best in a player trying to make music with it. Despite it's age and the recent fret dress, it will still be some years until the guitar requires a re-fret, and going by the saddle height/string break angle, will probably never require a neck reset.
The best guitar I have ever owned up to this point (2011) without question.
Manufacturer & Model: Lowden O25 acoustic guitar
Year Purchased: 2011
Sound:
The sound is unlike any other guitar I've had.
It's full, rich and resonant, with a huge rumbling bass and very sweet trebles.
The separation is very good, and fingerpicked, this guitar is clear and responsive. The clarity of the strings means that it's only a so-so strummer, but it manages just fine.
Sound Rating: 9
Setup:
The guitar was perfectly set-up when I received it, having just undergone a professional fret-dressing by Jonny Kinkead, and the action is medium to low, with no buzzing.
Setup Rating: 9
Appearance:
The guitar is HUGE. A massive lower bout and very deep, making it the biggest jumbo I've ever played let alone owned.
I've always shied away from the typical Gibson jumbo shape, but the shape of this guitar is somehow more appealing.
It has a very dark, mature cedar top, which looks gorgeous, though marks easily, and it is full of characterful dents and scratches.
The dark indian rosewood back and sides are beautiful and relatively unmarked, and the laminated mahogany neck is stunning.
Appearance Rating: 8
Reliability:
The gotoh 510 tuners are excellent, the guitar feels rocks solid, and only the soft cedar top feels at all vulnerable (not the guitar's fault - that's cedar for you!).
Reliability Rating: 9
Components:
The very best quality woods (cedar, rosewood, mahogany) have been used to produce a remarkable tone, and they look very purty too. Great detail has been put into the attractive bindings and top purfling, and the carved rosewood bridge is a work of art.
Components Rating: 10
Pre-sale Customer Service:
I was sent the guitar for an indefinite approval period, with no money asked up front and a guarantee to take it back if I didn't like it - above and beyond the call of service IMO.
Keith also sent me numerous photographs, sound clips and even video of the guitar being played.
Buy used from people you know (even virtually) - you are certain of a more satisfying deal.
Pre-sale Customer Service Rating: 10
Post-sale Customer Service:
My friend Keith (the seller) has since kept in close contact asking how I am enjoying the guitar and providing me with information about it's provenance and construction - marvellous.
Post-sale Customer Service Rating: 10
Overall:
The guitar was approximately 14 years old when I acquired it, and felt/looked half that age. It plays beautifully, and for the money is it an outstanding purchase.
It is a top quality, professional level instrument that can only bring out the best in a player trying to make music with it. Despite it's age and the recent fret dress, it will still be some years until the guitar requires a re-fret, and going by the saddle height/string break angle, will probably never require a neck reset.
The best guitar I have ever owned up to this point (2011) without question.
Jo whoever he is.
