I love the O-23. It's big, You can get used to it. Let's agree to disagree regarding your comments on the O model being best for laying into. I use specifically because I can figure pick and get all sorts of depth to the tone that smaller body guitars simply lack. I have smaller body ones, and yes, great for sitting on the porch and watching the summer breeze fly by. And small bodies are easier to mic up, but the Lowden O (I have O25) is for me, the best guitar I own.
Bought my F50, Cedar and African Blackwood from Peach just over a year ago...a great buying experience- part exchanged my O25 for it ..... the guitar is a beast...fantastic sustain and overtones...so pleased.
That second S series you featured had such a good sound, leagues above the other. I think most people would agree that picking a guitar is like picking a partner, so many things go into the choice. For me, as a strummer & songwriter, I pick a 12-fret S series but I know most people wouldn't think this is a good choice and go for the O series.
I hear a combination of James Taylor's "Your Smiling Face" and "Carolina in my Mind", and... something else I can't place..! But I agree, sounds beautiful! I hope he'll do a tutorial video for us! 😄
I agree with the comment about mic placement. The mic was pointed at your right hand, instead of the strings, and was on the bridge side of the soundhole, so lots of the richness of the guitars’ individual tone was probably lost. That said, I really liked the commentary and the approach of the demo.
I bought a Lowden S-50 with alpine spruce and ziricote from you in November 2019. It’s a great instrument and the guys looked after me really nicely. I’d travelled about 220 miles to play it. Great shop, staff and variety of instruments
I really liked this comparison. It cleared up the Lowden lineup for me nicely. One comment though, you’re mic location at the base of the sound hole didn’t serve the S models well. They both have more complex tone and harmonic content than the mic picked up. IMHO, Should have been a foot back off the 12th fret. Your review, your mic. Just my opinion
A very nice lineup comparison. If I may,the mic placement on Lowden guitars is crucial to the dynamics represented. Your mic placement is off. Instead of below the sound hole, the placement should have been about a foot away aimed at the 12th fret. You’ve lost a lot of the low end and harmonic projection the way it is minced here.
I’ve had my Lowden S23 since 1996. Simply the finest guitar I’ve ever played. However… I paid $1800 in ‘96 ! I think they’re closer to five grand today. I lucked out!
I’ve had my S23 for over twenty years. Many times I’ve thought about a pickup system. I have an issue with putting something inside of my acoustic and affecting the pure wooden sound that this instrument is known for. I tried a Dimarzio in the ‘hole’ and it tore up the sound hole inlays. I know it’s a pain in da but I’ve found miking the guitar works best. That’s just me!
Thanks bro I live up the road from the lowden factory some of the best sounding guitars I’ve ever heard.. martins sound dead compared to these but to each there own best of luck
My S23 has a clear pickgaurd. You gotta really look at it hard to see it! Why doesn’t everyone do that? Pickgaurds while functional hide the beauty of the top. I take them off of my electrics.
Even factoring in all the comments made about the incorrect mic position (true) they really sound like very treble oriented guitars. A D18 or D28 would never sound so trebly, even with incorrect mic position. Very costly guitars which appear to lack bass.
Strange that you would say that, I’ve been playing them for around 10 years and have always found them to be bass heavy if anything. Maybe it’s the speakers you’re listening to the videos on?
Excellent rundown, and great playing! Thanks for sharing such in-depth detail about the Lowdens!
For those that wish to know more about Lowden guitars, this is the best video out there ! Well done!!
This is really nice! Thank you for making a video like this.
Awesome video! I was having trouble figuring out which size was right for me, but this was spot on. Just picked up a 2017 S32c and absolutely love it.
I love the O-23. It's big, You can get used to it. Let's agree to disagree regarding your comments on the O model being best for laying into. I use specifically because I can figure pick and get all sorts of depth to the tone that smaller body guitars simply lack. I have smaller body ones, and yes, great for sitting on the porch and watching the summer breeze fly by. And small bodies are easier to mic up, but the Lowden O (I have O25) is for me, the best guitar I own.
Bought my F50, Cedar and African Blackwood from Peach just over a year ago...a great buying experience- part exchanged my O25 for it ..... the guitar is a beast...fantastic sustain and overtones...so pleased.
That second S series you featured had such a good sound, leagues above the other. I think most people would agree that picking a guitar is like picking a partner, so many things go into the choice. For me, as a strummer & songwriter, I pick a 12-fret S series but I know most people wouldn't think this is a good choice and go for the O series.
My dude, what song are you playing on that F-35 at 11:05? Standard or an open tuning? It’s v good and I can’t get it out of my head.
I hear a combination of James Taylor's "Your Smiling Face" and "Carolina in my Mind", and... something else I can't place..! But I agree, sounds beautiful! I hope he'll do a tutorial video for us! 😄
I agree with the comment about mic placement. The mic was pointed at your right hand, instead of the strings, and was on the bridge side of the soundhole, so lots of the richness of the guitars’ individual tone was probably lost. That said, I really liked the commentary and the approach of the demo.
Very informative, thank you. You just answered a lot of questions I had.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ outstanding review.
10:04 F model overview
Super helpful! Of course has to be rhe 0 for me although the F35 has my heart visually
I bought a Lowden S-50 with alpine spruce and ziricote from you in November 2019. It’s a great instrument and the guys looked after me really nicely. I’d travelled about 220 miles to play it. Great shop, staff and variety of instruments
Super helpful thank you.
I really liked this comparison. It cleared up the Lowden lineup for me nicely. One comment though, you’re mic location at the base of the sound hole didn’t serve the S models well. They both have more complex tone and harmonic content than the mic picked up. IMHO, Should have been a foot back off the 12th fret. Your review, your mic. Just my opinion
Can you do a WL 50 redwood/african blackwood back and sides
Can I get a catalogue of Lowdens?
A very nice lineup comparison. If I may,the mic placement on Lowden guitars is crucial to the dynamics represented. Your mic placement is off. Instead of below the sound hole, the placement should have been about a foot away aimed at the 12th fret. You’ve lost a lot of the low end and harmonic projection the way it is minced here.
I’ve had my Lowden S23 since 1996. Simply the finest guitar I’ve ever played. However… I paid $1800 in ‘96 ! I think they’re closer to five grand today. I lucked out!
I must add that in twenty years the red cedar top has darkened into a beautiful rich patina… a deep red- brown
Can you install a LR bag system in a 0-23?
I’ve had my S23 for over twenty years. Many times I’ve thought about a pickup system. I have an issue with putting something inside of my acoustic and affecting the pure wooden sound that this instrument is known for. I tried a Dimarzio in the ‘hole’ and it tore up the sound hole inlays. I know it’s a pain in da but I’ve found miking the guitar works best. That’s just me!
Thank you Peach Guitars! Would you say the Lowden S is similar or the same of a classical guitar in size?
I’m looking at my S23 and my classical guitar. Yeah… the bodies are very close in size.
@@ericstrauss432 Thank you!
Thanks bro I live up the road from the lowden factory some of the best sounding guitars I’ve ever heard.. martins sound dead compared to these but to each there own best of luck
Nice comparison. Acoustic demo = glasses on :)
Serious question: could I buy one without the pickguard? I find the pickguard a real turn-off aesthetically
you definitely can, i have 2x S35 12 frets ordered that way, pickguard loose in the case. 35 series also has a couple options you can add too
My S23 has a clear pickgaurd. You gotta really look at it hard to see it! Why doesn’t everyone do that? Pickgaurds while functional hide the beauty of the top. I take them off of my electrics.
Even factoring in all the comments made about the incorrect mic position (true) they really sound like very treble oriented guitars. A D18 or D28 would never sound so trebly, even with incorrect mic position. Very costly guitars which appear to lack bass.
You need to play one to find out.
I did and I’m glad I did. Was simply blown away (I play primarily fingerpicking)
Strange that you would say that, I’ve been playing them for around 10 years and have always found them to be bass heavy if anything. Maybe it’s the speakers you’re listening to the videos on?
If it helps… I use strings with a ‘heavy bottom’ and the bass flows brilliantly through my S23
You stated that the S model = small. I thought the Lowden S model = songwriter. ???