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REVIEWS
A river runs through
it: the sinker redwood
soundboard features a
subtle abalone rosette
Here it’s particularly present on the wound
strings. The bass response is present too but
not overwhelming, which is to be expected
given the slight closing off of the soundboard,
an inevitable consequence of incorporating
arm-bevel designs of this nature.
This F-35 sounds full and rich even when
played gently with bare fingers. Although a
delicate redwood soundboard would not be
our first choice for heavy strumming, the
clear scratchplate provides some protection
and, when digging in with a pick, another
of the more readily identifiable aspects of
redwood instruments comes into its own: no
matter how heavy your attack, the guitar’s
voice remains clear and precise. Rather like
using a limiter in the studio, there’s a point
at which the output just won’t increase no
matter how hard you wail on the thing.
All these characteristics add up to a clear-
voiced and articulate instrument that excels
when you give it some room to breathe.
Wildly figured ebony has been hugely
popular choice for the back and sides of
luthier-built guitars for many years and
its present fundamental characteristics
provide the perfect backdrop for the high
upper-partial content of the soundboard.
The carved rosewood bridge, though an
aesthetic mismatch given the abundance
of ebony on this model, doubtless adds
another dimension to the sound.
In standard tuning, the rich overtone
content brings shimmer and sparkle to chord
work and single-note lines. Things get raw as
you approach the neck join but this is a new
instrument and you can expect it to mellow as
the wood gets used to its new job as a guitar. Turnstone TG £7,000
Call to arms: this F-35
features a Tasmanian
blackwood forearm bevel
Open and altered tunings are arguably
the natural habitat of Lowden instruments
and this F-35 immediately springs to life
in DADGAD and CGDGCD, where it’s
especially impressive. While it’s true that
the distinctive Lowden sound may be most
closely associated with spruce and cedar,
this novel combination of ebony and sinker
redwood has unlocked in the maker a bevy
of beautiful new textures.
For guitarists looking for
8/10 sophisticated and expressive
instruments with a sparkling voice,
this should be a strong contender
LIKE THIS? TRY THESE…
Taran Tigra Beag £10,000, Fylde Oberon £3,500,
GUITAR MAGAZINE 93