1985 Lowden S-22

Georde Lowden started building guitars in 1974 in his very first workshop in Bangor, Northern Ireland. From 1980, however, production moved to Japan for several years, where Sadao Yairi was in charge of the workshop in Nagoya. Some 1,000 guitars were built annually under George Lowden's licence, and Lowden's Japanese adventure lasted some five years. This was a big step in Lowden's production, as some 143 guitars had been built in the first period in Northern Ireland up to then.

This Lowden S22 is from 1985 (serial# 4449)and is constructed with mahogany back and sides and  cedar top. Notable is the large body shape which is the O model today, significantly different from the current S which is one of the smallest Lowden models today. The five-piece neck is made of maple and mahogany, and features a C profile that lightens to a soft-V profile.

This instrument has seen its share of use over the years, and one of the reasons it sounds so good is because it has been played!! It has its share of bumps and bruises including a repaired back crack and evidence of a bridge reglue. 

Original case included. Outstanding early Japanese made Lowden!