I get what you say about a guitar having a little bit of magic in it. I’ve been fortunate enough to play dozens of Lowdens and they are truly great instruments but even then, there are Lowdens that are “great among the great”. I’m lucky enough to own one of those and I can safely say you’ve got one there too. I’d say the truly magical Lowdens are one in a hundred, so hang on to that one. It’s incredible that they can make a hundred guitars exactly the same way, the same craftsmen and similar materials and out of those hundred guitars, one or two turn out to be something special. Mine will outlive me and become an heirloom for my son who also plays. I couldn’t think of any better legacy, to be honest. Thanks for the video!
I grew up musically with Lowden guitars in Northern Ireland and owned one almost identical to your review instrument from 1995 to about 2003 . It was a thing of wonder. Foolishly, I sold it after 18 years and have regretted it ever since. I was moving into more electric playing and it seemed the right thing to do. One of my fellow band members has Lowden No. 10 and another has Lowden No.26. They are amazing guitars and even in the early 70s it was clear they were just a great instrument. George even in those days gave a lifetime warranty to them. Northern Ireland is lucky in that there is never a problem with humidity as the climate is very stable. I understand that in Canada this is a problem in winter...we don't really have winters...jut cool and damp. Interestingly, one of George Lowden's luthiers, Dermot McIlroy, now makes his own line of guitars and they too are wonderful things. Another Lowden luthier, Sam Irwin started a guitar making school inn Belfast and there are a lot of guys now making quality insytrumrents of all genres. A huge debt of gratitude is owed to George for his vision and persistance in creating such a legacy.. Thanks J.P. for giving airtime to Lowden. I agree with everything you say.
Hi J.P. and many many thanks for all the entertainment and wisdom over the years. I live in Northern Ireland and have been playing since the mid 1970s. The best money I have ever spent was £30 I paid for a second-hand Yamaha red-label FG180 when I was a skint student . I still have it and still play it when I'm not playing my Lowden F32c. It took me thirty years to find a guitar that I liked as much as my Yamaha. I tried a few Martins and thought they were super guitars but not for me and my addiction to DADGAD and open tunings. Lowden did it for me and I'm delighted it is doing it for you It is a great time for us. You're dead right. All the builders seem to be making really good standard instruments at present. Rab from Belfast
What a glowing review. I couldn’t agree more. George is an incredible builder. Always looking to perfect what he does. He also happens to be a lovely fella too. He lent me a guitar when I toured Ireland a few years back. Had the privilege of getting a factory tour and chatting with the man himself. Thanks for shining a light on Lowden’s again. Certainly building better guitars than the bigger companies these days.
Beautiful guitar, wonderful tone, and of course, brilliant playing. I love the Irish approach to the guitar, which is unique in the world. I have a jumbo Avalon which is closely related to Lowden. I agree with everything that you say about Lowden, and it applies equally to my Avalon. Yellow cedar and walnut -- it can sound sweet and gentle, and it can roar. Fingerpicking, flatpicking, bluegrass, folk, acoustic rock, DADGAD, it can do it all. This video sure makes me itch to try and O22, though. Thanks John!
Holy POOP Just before he hit the first note I closed my eyes and was instantly transported to my secret happy , Thank you JP for making a decent day into a great day…
Sounds awesome! I bought an S32c last year, but Ill be looking for an F-bodied Lowden soon. I live down the street from Guitar Haus, and they've been great. ❤
Lowden guitars are on some of the legendary Celtic albums and famous songs and artists of all time , unique sound and soul of traditional music accompaniment
When you hear a guitar that good, it just makes you grin (nice playing to) - I had to have one after missing out on one back in 1988...when I was a few hundred short... 36 years later, I finally got an 022 and its just stunning ;-) Mine has that extra magic to !
Hi J.P., I really appreciate all of your reviews and discussions. I agree with your assessment of Lowden in general and that one in particular. I own one now, and. first ran into one at Rudy's in NYC. I tried out thee of them there and decided then that I just had to have one. I did a lot of research before buying and prefer the jumbo O series, but with a bad neck, needed a smaller body guitar for comfort. I now own an F 35C made of Madagascar Rosewood and Alpine spruce.... it's simply magical to play and sounds like nothing else. I'm pretty sure that most bridges are made of rosewood (except for a few specialty models), and the necks are typically mahogany with rosewood. On their website, Lowden states that rosewood is lighter than ebony and allows the top to vibrate better, thus the rosewood bridge. Thanks once again for an insightful review and your awesome playing. You make that Lowden sing like no one else can.
I think that this guitar is way beyond excellence. I have never heard such sound coming out of a guitar. It's hard to believe that a guitar can sound like this one does. I am at a lost for words. WOW, WOW,WOW!!!
JP, love your videos. I am a jazz guitarist who's been working on becoming a bluegrass/fiddle tune player for the past two years and your videos provide me so much inspiration. Hope to get to hear you in person sometime!
I've been watching your videos because I love your style of playing. I played bluegrass for 10 years here in North Carolina. I played the Grand Ole Opry in 1975. I've been around a lot of Martin guitars with some of them that were already 25 and 30 years old. I must say the Yamaha L series sounds remarkably like those old Martins.
I tried a lefty Lowden many years ago in a Music shop in Birmingham UK.. Must a been a good 30 plus years ago... £1000 back then reduced.. Omg... I wished I bought it then.. Don't think I've ever found another guitar that played and sounded so amazing....😁
I was waiting until you would pick one up. I was really curious about your opinion. And here it is thanks man👍👍👍 it was my choice guitar but there are so many good ones and I have no money to buy more I do it just with 1 lowden o32c so this helps me a lot. Again thanks man
Bridges are Rosewood - Love their pinless bridge. I've had three Lowdens and the last - an O-35 was unbelievable! Sadly, it was a bigger guitar than was comfortable so was happy too run into an OM Gallagher that has much of the Lowden sound.
I've thoroughly enjoyed decades of Richard Thompson playing on a Lowden. His model comes with a ziricote b&s. Wonderful review! BTW....don't shortchange McIlroy guitars from Ireland. Worth a play and a review?
I have a less common model, the D12. ( No longer made ). Any opinions on it ? Lowdens best for fingerpicking IMHO. I had to add the strap button and also I added fret markers.
Just came across your site, I heard about Lowden's but never saw one up close. I see one on EBAY for 4400 or so. Do you have any posts on Soundcloud by any chance? I have 421 tracks there now, acoustic folk tune compositions and trad tunes. I have a 1945 Martin 0-18 done over by a luthier named Fisk near me. It sound if frapping credible but I would give my eye tooth to have an 022!
Hi JP - are you going to update Master Music Method or come up with some other teaching format - would love a new learning program from you, your tops!
Lowden? They are amazing! I own several: L25 serial n. 180, S32-12, O22-12, O23, O32c and O50c (btw. that was the cause of my divorce🤦🏻♂️). But the most crazy thing about Lowden is that no matter wich model you buy, from 4k to 20k, they all sound great and difference among them is not that huge, that’s why a model like the one you play (O22, entry level) sounds “similar” to an O50. George Lowden is a genius🙏❤️
Reminds me the SG-163 a lot... same volume...their difference is that Lowden is more "mellow" general tone, as Boucher is a little bit more bright.... Steinway vs Bossendorfer kind of.... 🙂 Humble opinion...both GREAT guitars.... Greetings from Greece JP!
Could you review a Hsienmo, a high-end boutique brand from China? They only make 30-50 guitars a month. I have an OM with bear claw sitka and rosewood and I think it is pretty amazing
Greetings & Hello! Do you happen to own a Hsienmo? Or several? If so, which model/s and tone woods? Because I own 4 of them. ( I live in Florida, USA ) My personal Hsienmo experience/journey/story goes like this: Last November ( early November, 2023 ), I was just about to pull the trigger on a Yamaha LL16D, when I stumbled across Hsienmo's youtube channel. I was quite blown away by practically every model/video & began watching every Hsienmo review I could find from other channels with actual owners & dealers, and saw/heard nothing but great things. So I bought my 1st Hsienmo ( it was still early November. ) It's the Medium Jumbo with cutaway: German spruce top, IRW back & sides ( all of their guitars are solid woods of course ), with the solid McPherson style floating mahogany neck.....price: $1350 US. Hell, it was priced less than $200 more than the Yamaha, but getting SO much more for the money. I bought it factory direct, as I did all of mine. Loved it SO much, I went crazy ( LOL ) and bought 3 more Hsienmo's over the next 7.5 months. ALL 4 OF MY HSIENMO'S came already available from their custom shop. My next 3 models are: Grand Auditorium with their top-grade Adirondack top w/Honduran rosewood back/sides, single cutaway, ebony arm-rest, 5 pc laminated flamed maple/rosewood neck, with the beautiful abalone vine all the way up the fret board.....price:$2450 US. Next, a D-45 clone with top grade Adirondack top (aged yellow ) & Honduran RW back & sides.......built exactly like a pre-war D45, including the forward shifted X-bracing also made of Adirondack, with all the abalone bells & whistles including the gorgeous fancy abalone inlay over the headstock w/gold open gear tuners..........price: $2500 US. And my 4th Hsienmo is another medium jumbo WITHOUT a cutaway, with a gorgeous red cedar top and some of the most beautifully figured cocobolo back & sides I've ever seen on ANY acoustic guitar, barr none......and it also has the killer 5 pc flamed maple/RW neck.......price: $1890 US. All 4 of my Hsienmo's were featured on video of the exact guitar that I actually own, on their youtube channel, and can still be seen listed on their custom shop web-page as either "SOLD OUT" or "available on back-order". Damn, what FINE instruments FOR THE PRICE. ( You would have to go with the Boutique builders that cost so much more, to beat these Hsienmo's. ) They will smoke the factory Martin's, Gibson's, and Taylor's costing twice as much or even more. ( I bought & installed the Journey Tek EP001K pickup system in 3 of them, and also bought a BOSS Acoustic Pro Singer amp, 120watts. ) I am extremely pleased. You???
@@howabouthetruth2157 I just have one, an Autumn OM in bear claw sitka/rosewood. I think it cost me around $950 (their prices have gone up like everything)
@@bostonbesteats364 They still offer most of their models with Sitka top and IRW for right at $1000. Some of the body styles do require more due to difficulty of build of course, just as the more exotic tone woods hike the price up as well. How do ya like yours? Thanks for the reply by the way. ( I'm willing to bet ya love yours. )
@@bostonbesteats364 See my latest response......."PS"......I forgot to mention: Hsienmo founder/owner Li Chen told me personally via an email that they build no more than 400 acoustic guitars per year. Judging by the incredible attention to detail & quality inside & out, and great playing action right out of the case, I believe him. Most of their guitars are sold out........or they don't remain available for very long. I would love to buy just 1 more Hsienmo: an OM45. But that might lead me into buying yet a 5th Hsienmo: an F model with sinker redwood top and African blackwood back/sides.
I live 5 miles from the Lowden factory but I can’t afford one😊do u think heismo guitars sound like a Lowden as they are really inspired by there f50 model
It was the simple drop D tuning: only the big E string is dropped down to D and the rest remains in standard tuning. If ya watch carefully AFTER he plays that first bit, the only string he changes is the big E string, raising the pitch back up from D to E, and then he immediately plays a standard G chord.........or soon after only a few licks. The last tune, he had dropped the big E string back down.
@@SamHollidayV Hey, the guy simply wanted to know WHAT TUNING he used in that opening riff. So I told him. By the way, no matter HOW great an acoustic guitar is, certain open tunings used for various tunes have no substitute. Sure, you can play the same tune in a very similar fashion in standard tuning, but it won't sound anywhere near as good as the alternate open tuning. Example: choose any fine acoustic guitar ya want, and play "the Rain Song" ( Led Zeppelin ) in standard tuning. It will sound downright dead & wimpy compared to using the original DGCGCD open tuning that Jimmy Page used for the original studio album/version. Even mediocre acoustic's sound much better in an open tuning if the tune calls for it....vs standard tuning.
I know plenty of the guitars are on loan for review, but between the review guitars and your own collection how do you not have option paralysis when you want to just play something for yourself, lol? Great guitar!
Ive been building my own style of acoustic guitars and would love to send you one of my drednought style guitars to review. If not a review just keep it for a week and play it and give me your thoughts.
Yes. I just looked at one of your instruments online. I would be happy to review what you're doing. you can email me at jpcormier38@gmail.com Look forward to hearing from you!!
You want a guitar that can do anything, the Larrivée L-05, or L-09 would probably out play just about any Lowden you put it up against. J.P, I have never understood why you haven't reviewed one.
Beautiful and very articulated sounding Guitar with its own footprint! Love it....
THATS THE BEST SOUNDING GUITAR IV'E EVER HEARD!!!
I get what you say about a guitar having a little bit of magic in it.
I’ve been fortunate enough to play dozens of Lowdens and they are truly great instruments but even then, there are Lowdens that are “great among the great”. I’m lucky enough to own one of those and I can safely say you’ve got one there too.
I’d say the truly magical Lowdens are one in a hundred, so hang on to that one. It’s incredible that they can make a hundred guitars exactly the same way, the same craftsmen and similar materials and out of those hundred guitars, one or two turn out to be something special.
Mine will outlive me and become an heirloom for my son who also plays. I couldn’t think of any better legacy, to be honest.
Thanks for the video!
That thing sounds like a damn grand piano ! Gorgeous.
We are in the Golden Age of guitars! Acoustic, electric, boutique, factory, it doesn’t matter. Almost not enough time to keep up with it all
That is the most beautiful sounding guitar that I've ever heard. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
I grew up musically with Lowden guitars in Northern Ireland and owned one almost identical to your review instrument from 1995 to about 2003 . It was a thing of wonder. Foolishly, I sold it after 18 years and have regretted it ever since. I was moving into more electric playing and it seemed the right thing to do. One of my fellow band members has Lowden No. 10 and another has Lowden No.26. They are amazing guitars and even in the early 70s it was clear they were just a great instrument. George even in those days gave a lifetime warranty to them. Northern Ireland is lucky in that there is never a problem with humidity as the climate is very stable. I understand that in Canada this is a problem in winter...we don't really have winters...jut cool and damp. Interestingly, one of George Lowden's luthiers, Dermot McIlroy, now makes his own line of guitars and they too are wonderful things. Another Lowden luthier, Sam Irwin started a guitar making school inn Belfast and there are a lot of guys now making quality insytrumrents of all genres. A huge debt of gratitude is owed to George for his vision and persistance in creating such a legacy.. Thanks J.P. for giving airtime to Lowden. I agree with everything you say.
Me to bro I live 5 miles from the factory there wonderful guitars 🎸
Hi J.P. and many many thanks for all the entertainment and wisdom over the years. I live in Northern Ireland and have been playing since the mid 1970s. The best money I have ever spent was £30 I paid for a second-hand Yamaha red-label FG180 when I was a skint student . I still have it and still play it when I'm not playing my Lowden F32c. It took me thirty years to find a guitar that I liked as much as my Yamaha. I tried a few Martins and thought they were super guitars but not for me and my addiction to DADGAD and open tunings. Lowden did it for me and I'm delighted it is doing it for you
It is a great time for us. You're dead right. All the builders seem to be making really good standard instruments at present.
Rab from Belfast
Thats.....amazing man. I cranked the volume in my car just now and it filled my car solidly, perfectly, with its sound.
What a glowing review. I couldn’t agree more. George is an incredible builder. Always looking to perfect what he does. He also happens to be a lovely fella too. He lent me a guitar when I toured Ireland a few years back. Had the privilege of getting a factory tour and chatting with the man himself. Thanks for shining a light on Lowden’s again. Certainly building better guitars than the bigger companies these days.
I just love the warmth & attack of a really good red cedar top.
Yes me too, every solid Cedar top acoustic I played has ( in my opinion) a much nicer tone than s/ Sitca top acoustics - slightly more depth 😊😊
Beautiful guitar, wonderful tone, and of course, brilliant playing. I love the Irish approach to the guitar, which is unique in the world. I have a jumbo Avalon which is closely related to Lowden. I agree with everything that you say about Lowden, and it applies equally to my Avalon. Yellow cedar and walnut -- it can sound sweet and gentle, and it can roar. Fingerpicking, flatpicking, bluegrass, folk, acoustic rock, DADGAD, it can do it all. This video sure makes me itch to try and O22, though. Thanks John!
Holy POOP Just before he hit the first note I closed my eyes and was instantly transported to my secret happy , Thank you JP for making a decent day into a great day…
Best most honest reviews on RUclips. Thanks JP!
Sounds awesome! I bought an S32c last year, but Ill be looking for an F-bodied Lowden soon. I live down the street from Guitar Haus, and they've been great. ❤
Lowden guitars are on some of the legendary Celtic albums and famous songs and artists of all time , unique sound and soul of traditional music accompaniment
Wow.....that thing is unreal...one of the best on your channel for sure.
Guitar Haus is hands down the best Acoustic Shop I have ever been to !!
I must agree. That is the best sounding guitar I have ever heard.
When you hear a guitar that good, it just makes you grin (nice playing to) - I had to have one after missing out on one back in 1988...when I was a few hundred short... 36 years later, I finally got an 022 and its just stunning ;-) Mine has that extra magic to !
Beautiful guitar. I have an 025- Cedar over walnut. I've owned it for over 20 years. Its a special guitar....
I am loving that you are reviewing some acoustics with cedar tops - love well made acoustics with cedar tops myself. Rock on JP!
Hi J.P., I really appreciate all of your reviews and discussions. I agree with your assessment of Lowden in general and that one in particular. I own one now, and. first ran into one at Rudy's in NYC. I tried out thee of them there and decided then that I just had to have one. I did a lot of research before buying and prefer the jumbo O series, but with a bad neck, needed a smaller body guitar for comfort. I now own an F 35C made of Madagascar Rosewood and Alpine spruce.... it's simply magical to play and sounds like nothing else. I'm pretty sure that most bridges are made of rosewood (except for a few specialty models), and the necks are typically mahogany with rosewood. On their website, Lowden states that rosewood is lighter than ebony and allows the top to vibrate better, thus the rosewood bridge. Thanks once again for an insightful review and your awesome playing. You make that Lowden sing like no one else can.
I think that this guitar is way beyond excellence. I have never heard such sound coming out of a guitar. It's hard to believe that a guitar can sound like this one does. I am at a lost for words. WOW, WOW,WOW!!!
Holy-smoke, what a wonderful video. 😊
Good lord that sounds wicked !!!!
Sounds incredible looks gorgeous
dream guitar
If we are name dropping (John Doyle) don't forget the grand dad of all Lowden players, and the grand dad of DADGAD.....Pierre Bensusan
JP, love your videos. I am a jazz guitarist who's been working on becoming a bluegrass/fiddle tune player for the past two years and your videos provide me so much inspiration. Hope to get to hear you in person sometime!
I've been watching your videos because I love your style of playing. I played bluegrass for 10 years here in North Carolina. I played the Grand Ole Opry in 1975. I've been around a lot of Martin guitars with some of them that were already 25 and 30 years old. I must say the Yamaha L series sounds remarkably like those old Martins.
Awesome sound. Perfect for that type music or folk
Very nice ! Loud and Proud !
Richard Thompson comes to mind.
Yesssss and check out Paul Brady
That does sound good, very unique, dry, smooth, round, with harmonics. It's loud. No breakup.
Big sound awesome video .
That is the sound I hear when I think of the best recorded acoustic guitars.
Just wow...
I tried a lefty Lowden many years ago in a Music shop in Birmingham UK.. Must a been a good 30 plus years ago... £1000 back then reduced.. Omg... I wished I bought it then.. Don't think I've ever found another guitar that played and sounded so amazing....😁
Beautiful rich full sound. Wish I could afford one. 🎸
Always loved Lowden . . . hope that was juice you were swilling in the intro. Cheers.
Dont think so…
@@jasper_north
I agree and Captain Morgan is a, well…
a sort of Rum, I suppose.
@@robm.4512 it is all about the alcohol… at the end of the day it is not so much the flavor. (Dry for years here)
ricky scaggs use to play them in the 80s,, great playing by the way jp
Man, that thing is ALIVE!
Sounds like a J-200 with more bass and mids, with that nice dark bass and round trebles you get from a cedar top.
I was waiting until you would pick one up. I was really curious about your opinion. And here it is thanks man👍👍👍 it was my choice guitar but there are so many good ones and I have no money to buy more I do it just with 1 lowden o32c so this helps me a lot. Again thanks man
I remember my 022c as more bassy. Yours sounds magical.
Bridges are Rosewood - Love their pinless bridge. I've had three Lowdens and the last - an O-35 was unbelievable! Sadly, it was a bigger guitar than was comfortable so was happy too run into an OM Gallagher that has much of the Lowden sound.
JP crushed that Morgan!
LOWDEN tone is amazing - never heard a bad one...
Holy cow does that sound good.
-
I've thoroughly enjoyed decades of Richard Thompson playing on a Lowden. His model comes with a ziricote b&s.
Wonderful review!
BTW....don't shortchange McIlroy guitars from Ireland. Worth a play and a review?
Being Irish, I love Irish guitars. Have you ever reviewed an Emerald carbon fiber guitar?
I see them on stage from time to time (I believe Mr. Gunning plays one?). I've never actually played one - thanks JP for another awesome review. 👌
Martin taking notes furiously 😂 beautiful guitar
WOW!!
I have a less common model, the D12. ( No longer made ).
Any opinions on it ?
Lowdens best for fingerpicking IMHO. I had to add the strap button and also I added fret markers.
Just came across your site, I heard about Lowden's but never saw one up close. I see one on EBAY for 4400 or so.
Do you have any posts on Soundcloud by any chance? I have 421 tracks there now, acoustic folk tune compositions and trad tunes. I have a 1945 Martin 0-18 done over by a luthier named Fisk near me. It sound if frapping credible but I would give my eye tooth to have an 022!
I liked that Dylan tune you played! Would love lessons from you.
Definitely a boom box, but pretty sweet guitar! I'd keep her.
I have an F 35, sinker Redwood over EIR. Wonderful.....
Hi JP - are you going to update Master Music Method or come up with some other teaching format - would love a new learning program from you, your tops!
That is a piano! Damn
I just got a '96 O25c this weekend, rosewood b/s. Which strings do you prefer on yours to get the most warmth out of the cedar top?
Lowden? They are amazing! I own several: L25 serial n. 180, S32-12, O22-12, O23, O32c and O50c (btw. that was the cause of my divorce🤦🏻♂️). But the most crazy thing about Lowden is that no matter wich model you buy, from 4k to 20k, they all sound great and difference among them is not that huge, that’s why a model like the one you play (O22, entry level) sounds “similar” to an O50. George Lowden is a genius🙏❤️
Holey cow! I just about fell off my chair when the rum bottle showed up! Thanks for the info on Lowden guitars, I'll pass on the rum!
Fine Irish Artillery
Semper Fi
Reminds me the SG-163 a lot... same volume...their difference is that Lowden is more "mellow" general tone, as Boucher is a little bit more bright....
Steinway vs Bossendorfer kind of.... 🙂
Humble opinion...both GREAT guitars.... Greetings from Greece JP!
the best sounding guitar I ever played was a Lowden, but that 50mm nut width is torture for my little hands
Standard Lowden nut width is 45 mm.
@@nickpearsonuk god, seemed wider - I like as close to 40mm as possible
Do you still have and play the Emerald X-20?
Could you review a Hsienmo, a high-end boutique brand from China? They only make 30-50 guitars a month. I have an OM with bear claw sitka and rosewood and I think it is pretty amazing
Greetings & Hello! Do you happen to own a Hsienmo? Or several? If so, which model/s and tone woods? Because I own 4 of them. ( I live in Florida, USA ) My personal Hsienmo experience/journey/story goes like this: Last November ( early November, 2023 ), I was just about to pull the trigger on a Yamaha LL16D, when I stumbled across Hsienmo's youtube channel. I was quite blown away by practically every model/video & began watching every Hsienmo review I could find from other channels with actual owners & dealers, and saw/heard nothing but great things. So I bought my 1st Hsienmo ( it was still early November. ) It's the Medium Jumbo with cutaway: German spruce top, IRW back & sides ( all of their guitars are solid woods of course ), with the solid McPherson style floating mahogany neck.....price: $1350 US. Hell, it was priced less than $200 more than the Yamaha, but getting SO much more for the money. I bought it factory direct, as I did all of mine. Loved it SO much, I went crazy ( LOL ) and bought 3 more Hsienmo's over the next 7.5 months. ALL 4 OF MY HSIENMO'S came already available from their custom shop. My next 3 models are: Grand Auditorium with their top-grade Adirondack top w/Honduran rosewood back/sides, single cutaway, ebony arm-rest, 5 pc laminated flamed maple/rosewood neck, with the beautiful abalone vine all the way up the fret board.....price:$2450 US. Next, a D-45 clone with top grade Adirondack top (aged yellow ) & Honduran RW back & sides.......built exactly like a pre-war D45, including the forward shifted X-bracing also made of Adirondack, with all the abalone bells & whistles including the gorgeous fancy abalone inlay over the headstock w/gold open gear tuners..........price: $2500 US. And my 4th Hsienmo is another medium jumbo WITHOUT a cutaway, with a gorgeous red cedar top and some of the most beautifully figured cocobolo back & sides I've ever seen on ANY acoustic guitar, barr none......and it also has the killer 5 pc flamed maple/RW neck.......price: $1890 US. All 4 of my Hsienmo's were featured on video of the exact guitar that I actually own, on their youtube channel, and can still be seen listed on their custom shop web-page as either "SOLD OUT" or "available on back-order". Damn, what FINE instruments FOR THE PRICE. ( You would have to go with the Boutique builders that cost so much more, to beat these Hsienmo's. ) They will smoke the factory Martin's, Gibson's, and Taylor's costing twice as much or even more. ( I bought & installed the Journey Tek EP001K pickup system in 3 of them, and also bought a BOSS Acoustic Pro Singer amp, 120watts. ) I am extremely pleased. You???
@@howabouthetruth2157 I just have one, an Autumn OM in bear claw sitka/rosewood. I think it cost me around $950 (their prices have gone up like everything)
@@bostonbesteats364 They still offer most of their models with Sitka top and IRW for right at $1000. Some of the body styles do require more due to difficulty of build of course, just as the more exotic tone woods hike the price up as well. How do ya like yours? Thanks for the reply by the way. ( I'm willing to bet ya love yours. )
@@bostonbesteats364 See my latest response......."PS"......I forgot to mention: Hsienmo founder/owner Li Chen told me personally via an email that they build no more than 400 acoustic guitars per year. Judging by the incredible attention to detail & quality inside & out, and great playing action right out of the case, I believe him. Most of their guitars are sold out........or they don't remain available for very long. I would love to buy just 1 more Hsienmo: an OM45. But that might lead me into buying yet a 5th Hsienmo: an F model with sinker redwood top and African blackwood back/sides.
@@howabouthetruth2157 It's a great guitar!
I live 5 miles from the Lowden factory but I can’t afford one😊do u think heismo guitars sound like a Lowden as they are really inspired by there f50 model
Piano
Got a little Captain in ya, I see. #GoodStuff
Wondering: could you take this Lowden to a bluegrass festival?
They’re amazing guitars. It’s kind of funny every guitar you feature are from brands and models I’m a fan of. Should try a Froggy Bottom some time.
14:45 I notice you say "huge" as "yuge", which hey .. is not a bad thing.
❤
What tuning was that first riff? Life changing
It was the simple drop D tuning: only the big E string is dropped down to D and the rest remains in standard tuning. If ya watch carefully AFTER he plays that first bit, the only string he changes is the big E string, raising the pitch back up from D to E, and then he immediately plays a standard G chord.........or soon after only a few licks. The last tune, he had dropped the big E string back down.
@@howabouthetruth2157 sounded more complex to that, probably the guitar!
@@SamHollidayV Hey, the guy simply wanted to know WHAT TUNING he used in that opening riff. So I told him. By the way, no matter HOW great an acoustic guitar is, certain open tunings used for various tunes have no substitute. Sure, you can play the same tune in a very similar fashion in standard tuning, but it won't sound anywhere near as good as the alternate open tuning. Example: choose any fine acoustic guitar ya want, and play "the Rain Song" ( Led Zeppelin ) in standard tuning. It will sound downright dead & wimpy compared to using the original DGCGCD open tuning that Jimmy Page used for the original studio album/version. Even mediocre acoustic's sound much better in an open tuning if the tune calls for it....vs standard tuning.
@@howabouthetruth2157 I’m learning that with my attempt to cover Hank Jr: country boy can survive, also drop D.
Greetings from Halifax sent you an email about buying you a beer while we are here. Have a great day.
I know plenty of the guitars are on loan for review, but between the review guitars and your own collection how do you not have option paralysis when you want to just play something for yourself, lol? Great guitar!
I see what you mean by woody. Super woody but with clarity and volume.
Captain Morgan Rum, the breakfast of champions and amazing guitar players.......Slàinte Mhath....
Don"t tell them about McKibbin"s black rum Jack. The Newfies will come and take it off us.
A friend of mine has one. I don't find it really comes to life unless it's tuned in open d or dadgad
Wow, it sounds like you play.
Ever play a Bedell?
@@Al-yf7tm last week's review was a bedell.
@@JPCormier my bad.. and I watched it too - I am losing it.
Had one and sold it to a friend over 12 years ago to put money on a Gibson 175 regretted it ever since.
Ive been building my own style of acoustic guitars and would love to send you one of my drednought style guitars to review. If not a review just keep it for a week and play it and give me your thoughts.
Yes. I just looked at one of your instruments online. I would be happy to review what you're doing. you can email me at jpcormier38@gmail.com
Look forward to hearing from you!!
JP, it might have taken 30 years to find "it" or the one, but at least you found the one before you died!
Nice and they sound better tuned to drop d
It definitely has that extra. Talks to you
That thing is very hoggy! NICE!👍
It’s a Lowden and sounds good, but I have to say to me the Bedell you just did earlier has a better sound overall. Just my opinion.
Absolutely valid. Every guitar hits the players ear a bit different. That’s why guitar is so awesome. There’s one for everybody!
Rum is the reason……..😂
Erin go Brah’ski
You want a guitar that can do anything, the Larrivée L-05, or L-09 would probably out play just about any Lowden you put it up against. J.P, I have never understood why you haven't reviewed one.
Definitely sounds special it probably has a bunch of drunken leprechauns in there pedaling?
Lovely sound...but the B string is a titch flat.
Its official… you are an alcoholic now😂