Rare Avalon Silver Series Acoustic guitar Korean made

  

Avalon Silver Series acoustic guitar, these guitars were made to Avalon's design and specifications by Cort guitars in Korea in the early 2000's. The initial design/specifications were overseen by Avalon's luthiers.

If you are looking at this guitar, you will probably be aware of the history of Avalon guitars, if not there is a lot of information available online, (not all of it is entirely accurate though). For those who are not familiar with the history, suffice to say that Avalon guitars evolved from Lowden guitars as a new brand, it is fair to say that the designs remained heavily influenced by former Lowden designs, indeed, Avalons were made by several of the same luthiers who had previously made Lowden instruments.

Avalon guitars are still made in Northern Ireland today by a small team of highly skilled and experienced luthiers. As well as the high end, hand crafted Avalon range, the company sought to make a more affordable range of guitars and so outsourced production of the Silver series to Cort in Korea. The range consisted of 12 models, with Spruce or Cedar tops, including 6 and 12 string models. The Silver series range featured solid tops and laminated back and sides, with wood bindings and Rosewood fingerboards, as well as Avalon's unique bracing pattern. These guitars were only made for a limited time and production ceased many years ago, as such the Silver series guitars are becoming quite rare and very collectible.

This particular model is the AS-200 and the serial number dates it to November 2003. Solid Spruce top, a nicely grained laminate Rosewood back/sides, Rosewood fretboard and bridge.

The all wood binding looks like Rosewood, with a simple wood soundhole rosette. The guitar is finished in a high gloss lacquer. Silver Grover tuners with black buttons. The Spruce top is very high quality, solid wood, with a nice cross grain, or "silking", only found on top quality, well quarter-sawn wood. Fitted with a clear plastic pick guard.

This is the classic Avalon auditorium shape, with a deep body, very much an Irish style guitar, you can clearly see the Lowden influence and DNA in this guitar. Sound wise, again it has that Celtic influence, a very nice balanced sound with nice bass notes from the deep body and clear mid tones and trebles.

The nut width is relatively narrow at 42mm, string width is 36mm at the nut from the outside edge of the E6th to the edge of the E1st, increasing to 56mm in the middle of the bridge saddle. Action is 3mm from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the E6th string (see photo), there is some scope for adjustment, a little more could come off the saddle and a truss rod adjustment could take the action down a little, if required, although it plays very well as it is. As you can see from the last photo, a straight edge, resting on the frets is just touching the top of the bridge, which shows that the neck angle is good. Being an 18 year old guitar, it does have some dents/scratches, wear and tear, etc.

From normal use, I have tried to photograph some of these, but there are no major marks or bashes and overall it is in very good condition for a used guitar of this age. The guitar has been fitted with a new set of D'Addario Phosphor Bronze light gauge strings and comes with a new Armourdillo hard foam case. I will try to post a short video of the guitar to YouTube in the next few days. The item "Rare Avalon Silver Series Acoustic guitar Korean made" is in sale since Monday, November 15, 2021.

This item is in the category "Musical Instruments & DJ Equipment\Guitars & Basses\Acoustic Guitars".flywheel" and is located in Belfast. This item can be shipped to United Kingdom.

1. String Configuration: 6 String
2. Model: AS-200
3. Model Year: 2003
4. Series: Silver
5. Type: Acoustic Guitar
6. Fretboard Material: Rosewood
7. Neck Material: Mahogany
8. Handedness: Right-Handed
9. Body Material: Rosewood
10. Brand: Avalon
11. Set Includes: Hardfoam Case
12. Body Type: Auditorium