While the annual NAMM show in California in January this year saw the launch of Lowden’s first solid bodied electric guitar – drawing the sort of gasps of appreciation and surprise you might expect – a slightly lower key launch was enjoyed by a guitar that will almost certainly become a mainstay of the Lowden acoustic range in future years – a 12 fret to the body design called, not surprisingly, the Lowden 12 Fret.
The 12 Fret Lowden is based on George Lowden’s S size body. While the scale length (630mm) remains the same as that on the regular 14 fret S model, the bridge has been relocated and the soundbox uniquely voiced: ‘…to create a guitar that offers something different to anything else in the Lowden range,’ the maker says, adding: ‘The location of the bridge on the soundboard increases the guitar’s midrange punch and despite its more compact feel, the 12 Fret offers projection and vibrancy more akin to a guitar with a much larger body’.
In the usual Lowden style you can have any from the 50 series woods on offer (check the website for permutations) but the basics are the S-35C 12 Fret which features cocobolo with an Adirondack spruce top and the S-35 12 Fret which features walnut with a red cedar top. The rest of the specifications show typical Lowden attention to detail and use of the best materials, including an abalone and rosewood rosette, figured maple binding, maple, rosewood and mahogany purfling, figured maple or rosewood back centre seam, five piece neck with mahogany and rosewood splices, ebony headstock overlays and Gotoh tuners.
Other than materials, further options include a cutaway, soundbox bevel, custom necks, a shallow profile neck – hand carved lower profile – and a Fishman Matrix Infinity Pickup.
Information:www.lowdenguitars.com
