It has been said of owning an Avalon guitar that it's like having a soul mate on life's musical journey -
The company, Avalon Guitars Limited, was originally formed in 1989 as The Lowden Guitar Company Limited. Avalon is a new name in guitars but one with an established history and quality heritage.
The workshops in Newtownards were purpose built to facilitate the traditional approach to luthiery adopted by Avalon (then Lowden Guitar Co. The facility was laid out in the pattern of specialised Japanese guitars makers by the then Technical Manager Mitsuhiro Uchida - now one of Japans foremost luthiers.
Through the years, the company's reputation for producing the very highest quality acoustic guitars was widely acknowledged. The highly skilled team of craftsmen also grew in stature as their experience and know-how developed. Avalon guitars are all about their contribution to the acoustic guitar world and their statement about acoustic guitar design, quality and above all, tone.
Avalon Guitars are played by some of the most famous names in music including Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, David Gray, James Morrison, The Corrs, Teddy Thompson and Albert Lee. Avalon's are used prominently by fingerstyle virtuoso's, traditional players and prominent Christian worship leaders including Chris Tomlin, Tim Hughes and Stuart Townend.
Visitors are very welcome for a guided tour which takes in each stage of the production, showing the transformation of raw timber into an exquisite blend of woods and shapes and sounds.