George Lowden Luthier O Style Electro Acoustic Guitar 2002 - Rio/Sitka

George Lowden has a team of skillful craftsmen producing Lowden guitars, but he also continues to build guitars personally. These guitars bear the name 'George Lowden Luthier' and are not only very rare, with up to four guitars being made per year, they are also absolute masterpieces made exclusively by the master himself. This ‘O’ style electro acoustic was made entirely by George Lowden himself in March 2002 for his friend and neighbour, who has owned the guitar ever since, and it surpassed even George’s masterful expectations at the time. In his ledger, George describes the finished instrument: “Final sound was quite simply superb - one of the best I’ve made! Great bass, full treble, bags of sustain + volume” If you are interested in or have a question regarding delivery please get in touch, this will be by arrangement only. The body features a beautiful Sitka Spruce top, figured Rio Rosewood back and sides, George’s standard ‘O’ bracing, and is tastefully appointed with Abalone and Maple rosette inlay and gorgeous Flame Maple binding. The neck is a 5-piece laminate of Mahogany & Rosewood, with Rosewood Fingerboard. The headstock features front Rosewood veneer with elegant Abalone custom inlays. The Fishman Rare Earth soundhole pickup was originally supplied by Johnny Roadhouse Music and fitted by George Lowden during the initial build. It is supplied with the original Hiscox ‘Lowden-O’ hard case and a handwritten letter from George, dated 1st September 2023, in which he enthusiastically remembers how happy he was with this particular guitar. With the passage of over twenty years from this astonishing starting point, the tone of this guitar is now mesmerising - open and mature, while crisp, deep and phenomenally resonant. As a twenty-one year old guitar that has been played, it naturally does have a few signs of age and usage - though we are happy to report that the most noticeable of these are consigned to the back of the body. There is little to no fret-wear to speak of, and the very few bumps and scratches are relatively minor and only obvious under close inspection. Specifications: Width (at lower bout): 420mm - 16.5" Depth (at lower bout): 123mm - 4.8" Back and Sides Material: Solid Rio (Brazilian) Rosewood Top Material: Solid Sitka Spruce Bracing: Standard ‘O’ Bracing Body Details: Flame Maple Binding, Abalone/Maple Rosette Neck Material: Mahogany/Rosewood Fingerboard Material: Rosewood Nut width: 45.5 mm - 1.79" Scale Length: 650 mm - 25.5" Bridge: Rosewood Tuners: Schaller M6, Gold Pickup: Fishman Rare Earth Case: Original Hiscox ‘Lowden-O’ Liteflite hard case