Bensusan is selling his Lowden!
Mark Gay
I'm just a fan of his but I figure RMMGAers would find this
interesting... I hope that Pierre doesn't mind me posting it.
-------------
Hello !
Both, Pierre Bensusan's name and the Lowden Guitars, have been
intimately associated from the start, when the Northern-Irish company
was only known to
some players. Pierre has been the first international artist to endorse
a Lowden, to record and tour with it all over the world, from 1978 up to
very recently.
He has, more than anybody else, contributed to the sells of thousands of
Lowden guitars worldwide. And if players like Michael Hedges, John
Renbourn,
Dan Ar Bras, Peter Finger, and many others have at some point used the
Lowden guitars, and still are, it's due to Pierre's faithful commitment
to that
company, recordings, videos and thousands of concerts, especially in the
USA since 1979.
The only Lowden that Pierre has ever possessed and played for 20 years
is a S22 model, one of the first models made by George Lowden himself,
in the
Spring of 1978, when the workshop was still in Bangor/Northern-Ireland,
long before it went to Japan and back to N-Ireland. It has a cedar top,
mahogany
back & sides, compensated saddle and a Sanox piezzo pick-up build in.
The cut-away and the extra neck's width were added much later by George
Lowden
himself. Considering the numbers of concerts, tours, flights and all the
rest, the guitar, carried in a Calton case, has remained in superb
condition and its
sound which has been compared to a jewel, is still one of the best
you'll ever hear coming out of a steel-string guitar.
Above all, Pierre's Lowden has been the active player, witness and
symbol of twenty years of Fingerstyle guitar evolution, as many
guitarists even think that
Bensusan is, more than any, the pioneer and still best representant of
modern fingerstyle guitar. Pierre 's S22 model can be heard on all the
Artist's 6 last
albums : "Musiques", "Solilaï", "Spices", "Wu Wei" up until the most
recent "Live in Paris" - whose recording take was strictly
electro-acoustic - and can be
seen on numbers of reviews, magazine's covers, Pierre's 2 instructional
books and 3 videos ("Pierre Bensusan in Concert", and the 2
instructional "Volume 1
& 2") as well as on "a World of Celtic Fingerstyle Guitar", (Volume 1 &
2).
Today, Pierre has decided to turn one page and sell this guitar.
Two residents of Michigan and Utah have already proposed to buy Pierre's
historical instrument for US $15 000.00 ...
Please, make offers to Pierre by contacting us at :
Dadgad Music, BP 232, 02406 Chateau-Thierry Cedex, France,
fax: 33/(0)3 23 70 19 49
e-mail: pbs...@wanadoo.fr
Thank you !
Dadgad Music
Leon C Pereira PhD
What qualities does Bensusan feel this guitar has that the Lowdens don't?
Leon
--
Leon C Pereira PhD, Clinical Psychologist
Owner, Cult of Lowden mailing list
http://www.crisny.org/subscriber/forums/cris_forums/lowden-l.html
Editorial Consultant, PsychNews International
Larry Pattis
lper...@hawaii.edu (Leon C Pereira PhD) wrote:
> What guitar is he using now? I thought I read somewhere that its made in
France.
>
> What qualities does Bensusan feel this guitar has that the Lowdens don't?
>
> Leon
Pierre is using a guitar(s) by a French builder, and I cannot remember his
last name...sorry...Alain Que...something! Pierre had a guitar from Alain
with him for his US tour this spring, and it was a magnificent jumbo. I
recently learned that Alain studied with Bozo Podunavac, possibly when Bozo
had his school in San Diego. Small world, sort of.
Qualities...? Pierre has had his Lowden for a long time. It is in very
good condition, but Pierre simply wants to work with a contemporary
builder, start with a fresh sound and feel, and develop an instrument from
the ground up.
Larry Pattis
Lpattis "at" xmission "dot" com
"It's not the years, it's the miles." (Indiana Jones)
Gerardo
>
> Qualities...? Pierre has had his Lowden for a long time. It is in very
> good condition, but Pierre simply wants to work with a contemporary
> builder, start with a fresh sound and feel, and develop an instrument
from
> the ground up.
>
> Larry Pattis
Shouldn't he keep this Lowden guitar for sentimental reasons? I mean,
how many songs has he written with that guitar? Phil Keaggy gave away the
Olson he had been playing exclusively for more than 10 years only to buy
it back later on because of sentimental reasons. Larry, are you the guy
from "Utah" that has offered the $15,000?
Even if he switches guitars he should just keep this one as a "trophy".
Larry Pattis
<ghe...@cts.com> wrote:
> >
> > Qualities...? Pierre has had his Lowden for a long time. It is in very
> > good condition, but Pierre simply wants to work with a contemporary
> > builder, start with a fresh sound and feel, and develop an instrument
> from
> > the ground up.
> >
> > Larry Pattis
>
>
>
> Shouldn't he keep this Lowden guitar for sentimental reasons? I mean,
> how many songs has he written with that guitar? Phil Keaggy gave away the
> Olson he had been playing exclusively for more than 10 years only to buy
> it back later on because of sentimental reasons.
Well, I certainly can't and won't speak for Pierre on this.
>Larry, are you the guy
> from "Utah" that has offered the $15,000?
Not one chance in hell...even if I could sell the remaining two or three
instruments I've got for sale, 15K is way too steep for me...not that I
don't think that this particular guitar is worth that kind of money as a
collectors item (hey don't flame me for mentioning "collectors item", I
like to PLAY guitars, not "collect" them...but there has to be some value
associated with this guitar)
> Even if he switches guitars he should just keep this one as a "trophy".
True (IMO), but I do know that Pierre is still remodeling his old house in
the countryside, 80km east of Paris. Perhaps he is trying to be practical.
Perhaps he could use the cash to invest in more home improvement projects.
Like i said, practical....
Larry Pattis
> Let's be clear - Bensusan's Lowden sounds good because Bensusan is so good.
> Period. He could make a Hondo sound good. I spent approximately 5 hours
> playing Lowdens and Larivees in two rooms that held about 150 of each in
> Wildwood Music in Ohio. I didn't find a one of them that was a decent
> instrument. When you're talking overrated, you need go no futher than Larivee
> and Lowden.
>
> My guess is that Bensusan took an old friendship / business relationship as
> far as he could. Love to know what he played at home though.
I have played Pierre's Lowden extensively, and it is not just another
Lowden. It is an exceptional guitar.
Larry Pattis
ab...@127.0.0.1 (Larry Pattis) wrote:
> In article <6op43j$2o2$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>, ka...@pobox.com wrote:
>
> > Let's be clear - Bensusan's Lowden sounds good because Bensusan is so good.
> > Period. He could make a Hondo sound good. I spent approximately 5 hours
> > playing Lowdens and Larivees in two rooms that held about 150 of each in
> > Wildwood Music in Ohio. I didn't find a one of them that was a decent
> > instrument. When you're talking overrated, you need go no futher than
Larivee
> > and Lowden.
> >
> > My guess is that Bensusan took an old friendship / business relationship as
> > far as he could. Love to know what he played at home though.
>
> I have played Pierre's Lowden extensively, and it is not just another
> Lowden. It is an exceptional guitar.
I forgot to mention that for all the years Pierre has played that Lowden,
it has (gasp) been the only guitar he owns. Last year when he needed some
fretwork done (during our seminar at his home) he was simply without a
guitar for a few days. So up until just a few months ago, the Lowden *was*
what he played at home...for years.
Don't get me wrong, I am not defending Lowden (I personally don't care
for'em) in general, but Pierre's guitar is pretty durned magical. I think
it is pretty much worth $15K, at least to someone who has that kind of
money to spend.
You're right, Pierre could make a Hondo sound good...but he sounds better
(we all do) with a great instrument in his hands.
timphipps
ka...@pobox.com wrote in message <6op43j$2o2$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>Let's be clear - Bensusan's Lowden sounds good because Bensusan is so good.
>Period. He could make a Hondo sound good. I spent approximately 5 hours
>playing Lowdens and Larivees in two rooms that held about 150 of each in
>Wildwood Music in Ohio. I didn't find a one of them that was a decent
>instrument. When you're talking overrated, you need go no futher than
Larivee
>and Lowden.
>
winter and thought several of them sounded great (and I ain't no Bensusan).
Particularly a Brazillian Larivee and and a mahogony Lowden (O-10). The
sound of that Lowden haunted me so much that three months later I called and
bought it. I have a lot of guitars, including 2 Collings, a Webber, etc.,
and while that Lowden is not my favorite, in dropped tunings (IMHO) it
sounds supurb. Even brings tears to my eyes occasionally. So, I beg to
differ.
Tim Phipps
West Virginia University
Greg N.
(no, not one for $15,000). I have tried more than a dozen cedar Lowdens in
recent years, and to me, they all sounded just wonderful.
Now, I have heard some people say that, while spruce develops its sound over
time, cedar sounds perfect when new. But! The tone of cedar may actually
deteriorate after many years of playing.
Unfounded rumor or fact? Opinions please!
Greg
http://www.geocities.com/Nashville/6777
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chr...@blueridge.net
I think that's unfounded. What I've heard, and experienced, is that spruce
tops continue to improve and sound better, but cedar does not improve as
much. In other words, with a cedar top, it's going to get a little better,
but still what you buy is going to be basically the sound you get forever.
People who like cedar tops optimistically view this as getting your best sound
now rather than having to wait for it to develop.
My only problem with cedar tops is how soft the wood is and how prone to
scratches.
don...@crisny.org
> Now, I have heard some people say that, while spruce develops its sound over
> time, cedar sounds perfect when new. But! The tone of cedar may actually
> deteriorate after many years of playing.
>
> Unfounded rumor or fact? Opinions please!
What a silly idea... just my opinion though. ;-)
Roy
don...@crisny.org
> Period. He could make a Hondo sound good. I spent approximately 5 hours
> playing Lowdens and Larivees in two rooms that held about 150 of each in
> Wildwood Music in Ohio. I didn't find a one of them that was a decent
> instrument. When you're talking overrated, you need go no futher than Larivee
> and Lowden.
>
> far as he could. Love to know what he played at home though.
>
Whooo... now that is a strongly stated opinion. As a loyal Lowden owner for
over 10 years who has played just about everything out there, I'd have to
disagree. For me (and there is the rub), nothing works like a Lowden. It is
a distinctive sound that is unlike any other guitar. Either you like it or
you don't but it will never sound like a Martin, Taylor, etc. It is my
understanding that while Pierre Bensusan was still playing his Lowden, that
it was the only guitar he played. I can't imagine that he would have stuck
with it for recording and touring if he really liked something else better.
George Lowden wasn't lining Bensusan's pockets with money to play his
guitar. Now the $15,000 price on Bensusan's Lowden is downright silly. It
doesn't sound any better than any other Lowden I have played and paying a
$13000 premuim for a guitar just because Bensusan owned it doesn't make a lot
of sense. Spend the money on lessons so that you too can play like he does
(or at least a little closer). Roy
Gerardo
> guitar. Now the $15,000 price on Bensusan's Lowden is downright silly. It
> doesn't sound any better than any other Lowden I have played and paying a
> $13000 premuim for a guitar just because Bensusan owned it doesn't make a
lot
> of sense.
Let's wait for Larry Pattis' take on the price and then decide. I mean,
there are people in the newsgroup (i.e. JeffLiaw) that could have thought
that $15,000 is a great price for a Lowden and they tend to rely on Larry
for the perfect price, anyway.
And for the thread about Cedar sounding worse as time goes on, just ask
Pierre....he's been playing this cedar top guitar for how long now?
Gerardo
mi...@usin.com
new. I have a 22 Martin cedar top 12 string that still sounds wonderful.
Does it sound better or worse than new - impossible to tell but it still has
plenty of good tone left so if cedar has the sound you like I would not worry
about it going away any time soon. I recently bought a new 6 string with
cedar top, ask this question again in 20 years and I'll let you know how it's
doing.
I think any well made guitar will sound better with age as it loosens up and
cedar will be no exception but perhaps more subtle. Anyone have any
scientific information as to why cedar would/could loose it's tone quality
faster than spruce?
In article <6ooue8$pr4$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,
"Greg N." <yodel...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I'm seriously considering to get myself a Lowden cedar top guitar of some kind
> (no, not one for $15,000). I have tried more than a dozen cedar Lowdens in
> recent years, and to me, they all sounded just wonderful.
>
> Now, I have heard some people say that, while spruce develops its sound over
> time, cedar sounds perfect when new. But! The tone of cedar may actually
> deteriorate after many years of playing.
>
> Unfounded rumor or fact? Opinions please!
>
> Greg
> http://www.geocities.com/Nashville/6777
>
> -----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==-----
> http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp Create Your Own Free Member Forum
>
--
Michael Lackey mi...@usin.com
Leon C Pereira PhD
started a mailing list playfully called "The Cult of Lowden." [URL in sig,
below.]
Tom Loredo
I've only had my cedar-topped Olson SJ for 6 years, but to me the
tone has very noticable improved over that period. In the last
5 months or so, in particular, it has just started to sound awesome,
with even more clarity and a more bell-like tone on the top than
it had new. Funny, I was just thinking about this this morning,
because I made the mistake of picking it up to noodle on for a
minute before heading to work. The tone has just become so
incredibly inspiring I couldn't put it down, and that minute became
a half hour (and I was late for work!).
This is the only great guitar I've owned, and I don't know if 6 years
is a typical timescale over which wood changes are noticable, nor
do I have a good sense over whether the side woods mature and have
an audible effect on that period. Hopefully others with more experience
can comment on these issues.
Peace,
Tom Loredo
Tom Loredo
Tom Loredo
Tom Loredo
here that will hopefully be fixed this week....
Peace!
Tom Loredo
Gerardo Hernandez
is the editor of fingerstyle magazine). The guitar has a cedar top and
it's about 6 years old. The thing sounds great, just rings! James
Taylor has owned a Cedar top Whitebook guitar for close to 25 years and
apparently he still loves it and plays it at home. I completely
disagree with the assumption that the sound of cedar will decay
overtime. Everytime somebody tells me that I ask them to show me an
example. It is one of those "urban legends" with no fundaments and no
proofs.
Gerardo
Mitchell D. Strauss
In article <strauss.12...@humec.ksu.edu> str...@humec.ksu.edu
(Mitchell D. Strauss) writes:>From: str...@humec.ksu.edu (Mitchell D. Strauss)
>Subject: Re: Bensusan is selling his Lowden!
>Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 16:50:27
>I am repelled by this... MDS
>In article <35AEA6F9...@pacifier.com> Mark Gay <ma...@pacifier.com>
>writes:>Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 18:20:57 -0700
>>From: Mark Gay <ma...@pacifier.com>
>>Subject: Bensusan is selling his Lowden!
Mitchell D. Strauss
>-------------
>Hello !
>albums : "Musiques", "Solilaļ", "Spices", "Wu Wei" up until the most
Ken Ewing
Tom Loredo <lor...@spacenet.tn.cornell.edu> wrote:
>I've only had my cedar-topped Olson SJ for 6 years, but to me the
>tone has very noticable improved over that period. In the last
>5 months or so, in particular, it has just started to sound awesome,
>with even more clarity and a more bell-like tone on the top than
>it had new.
I've had a cedar-top Olson for just over a year. A few months ago a
friend of mine got an Olson that had virtually the same features as
mine. I brought mine over for a head-to-head comparison. While the
tone sounded very similar on both guitars, my guitar clearly had more
volume and a (how do I say it...) "rounder, looser" tone. While I
can't prove that the difference was due a year's worth of playing-in,
I strongly suspect that this is the case.
Ken Ewing
Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
Beaverton, Oregon
ke...@sequent.com
...!uunet!sequent!kene
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Coop
>
>I've had a cedar-top Olson for just over a year. A few months ago a
>friend of mine got an Olson that had virtually the same features as
>mine. I brought mine over for a head-to-head comparison. While the
>tone sounded very similar on both guitars, my guitar clearly had more
>volume and a (how do I say it...) "rounder, looser" tone. While I
>can't prove that the difference was due a year's worth of playing-in,
>I strongly suspect that this is the case.
Not surprizing to me Ken. The wonderful nature of cedar is its amazing
ability to sound broken in from the get go. My cedar topped guitars all
exibit this wonderful open, loud almost vintage character - and keep getting
better. Coop.
Tom Loredo
>
> I completely
> disagree with the assumption that the sound of cedar will decay
> overtime. Everytime somebody tells me that I ask them to show me an
> example. It is one of those "urban legends" with no fundaments and no
> proofs.
I agree with Gerardo that cedar's sound does not decay, and in fact
probably improves over time. But the "urban legend" may perhaps
have a historical basis. If I recall correctly, Sharon Isbin dealt
with the cedar issue in an old column of hers in *Acoustic Guitar*
magazine. She maintained that cedar used to be dried with a different
process or to a different degree than spruce (something like that!),
and as a consequence did not hold up as well over time. But she also
said that more recently, cedar and spruce have been dried similarly
and both hold up equally well.
Peace,
Tom Loredo