What is the difference between a high-end production guitar and a Custom Shop model?

High-end production guitars (such as PRS Core Custom 24 or Gibson USA Standard) utilize advanced CNC precision combined with hand-finishing in standard production runs. Custom Shop models feature lower batch volumes, hand-selected tonewoods, custom hand-wound pickups, period-accurate construction, and master luthier voicing.

Why should I avoid drop-shipped high-end electric guitars?

Drop-shipped guitars are dispatched directly from logistics warehouses without unboxing or inspection. Without a bench inspection and 5-point setup by an in-house guitar technician, you risk receiving an unplayable instrument affected by climate shifts during storage and transit.

What does MusicStreet's 5-point setup include?

Every instrument sold through MusicStreet undergoes a comprehensive 5-point bench inspection: truss rod and neck relief calibration, nut slot depth check, bridge radius and intonation alignment, pickup height and electronic circuit testing, and fretboard conditioning.

Can I try boutique and custom shop guitars in person at MusicStreet?

Yes. MusicStreet operates a showroom at 10 Chequers Court, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, where players can test premium PRS, Fender, and Gibson models through high-end amplifiers in a dedicated testing environment.

Lowden Guitars

Renowned worldwide for their three-dimensional harmonic complexity, whisper-responsive dynamic sensitivity, and distinctive Celtic aesthetic, Lowden guitars represent the absolute pinnacle of contemporary acoustic lutherie. Handcrafted in Northern Ireland by George Lowden and his team of master craftspeople, each instrument features proprietary A-frame dolphin bracing, a pinless rosewood bridge with hand-carved split bone saddles, and natural hand-rubbed satin finishes.

As an authorized UK Lowden premier dealer based in Huntingdon, Music Street stocks Lowden's complete body size lineup—from the resonant O Series (Original Jumbo) and versatile F Series (Mid-Size Modern Classic) to the intimate S Series and portable Sheeran by Lowden / Wee Lowden models.

Every Lowden acoustic includes an authentic luxury Hiscox or Lowden custom hard case, white-glove workshop setup, free insured UK courier delivery, and 0% finance.

Explore Lowden Guitars at MusicStreet

USED Lowden F-35 Acoustic Guitar - Master Grade Cocobolo & Sitka Spruce Top with Hiscox Case

£3,599.00

Lowden F-25C Acoustic Guitar - Rosewood and Cedar Model

£4,499.00

Lowden F-35C Acoustic Guitar - Ancient Bog Oak Back, Red Cedar Top & Gotoh Gold Tuners

£7,499.00

Lowden F-34 Acoustic Guitar - 12-Fret, Solid Sitka Spruce Top, Koa Back & Sides, Maple Binding

£3,899.00

Lowden S-21 Acoustic Guitar - Sitka Spruce Top with Walnut Back & Sides, GL Standard Neck

£3,599.00

Lowden 32 SE Stage Edition Acoustic Guitar - Premium Indian Rosewood & Sitka Spruce

£3,899.00

Lowden S-35C Acoustic Guitar - Premium Handmade 12 Fret Quality Sound

£5,630.00

Lowden O-22 Acoustic Guitar - Premium Sound and Craftsmanship

£3,700.00

Explore Lowden Ranges & Acoustic Gear:

All Acoustic Guitars Maton Guitars Martin Guitars Acoustic Amplifiers Premium Leather Straps Acoustic Cases & Humidifiers Pre-Owned Boutique

Lowden Buyer’s Guide: O vs. F vs. S vs. Wee Lowden & Tonewood Selection

Handcrafted in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, George Lowden's acoustic guitars are celebrated for their unique internal geometry, hand-voiced bracing, and split two-piece saddles. Here is how Lowden's body sizes and tonewood combinations compare:

1. Body Sizes: O vs. F vs. S vs. Wee Lowden

O Series (Original Jumbo): George Lowden's original 1976 design. Features a deep body and wide lower bout delivering cavernous bass headroom, a third-party tool piano-like sustain, and deep acoustic bloom for open tunings (DADGAD).
F Series (Mid-Size / Modern Classic): The most popular and versatile shape. Laser-focused midrange projection, tight bass transients, and articulate note separation ideal for modern fingerstyle, percussive tapping, and flatpicking.
S Series (Small Body Concert): Compact, comfortable body profile with a fast, intimate transient response and warm, woody mid harmonics.
Wee Lowden (WL) & Sheeran by Lowden: 24-inch short-scale acoustic originally designed for Ed Sheeran, packing full-size harmonic resonance into a travel-friendly format.

2. Boutique Tonewood Voicings

Red Cedar & Mahogany (Original 22 / 32): Warm, immediate dynamic response; responds effortlessly to the lightest fingerstyle touch with rich Celtic overtones.
Sitka Spruce & East Indian Rosewood (Original 25 / 35): Bell-like treble sparkle, scooped mids, and thunderous low-end depth with immense dynamic headroom.
Sinker Redwood & African Blackwood (50 Series Custom): Sourced from ancient submerged logs, Sinker Redwood offers the warmth of aged cedar with the high-frequency punch and clarity of spruce.

3. Handcrafted Northern Irish Innovations

Dolphin Profile Bracing: Hand-carved internal bracing voiced individually for each soundboard to maximize vibrational efficiency.
Pinless Rosewood Bridge with Split Saddles: Separate bone saddles for the bass and treble strings provide pitch-perfect octave intonation and eliminate bridge pin string wear.
5-Piece Laminated Neck: Mahogany/Rosewood neck construction offering rock-solid environmental stability and resonance transfer.

The Music Street White-Glove Promise

Boutique handcrafted acoustics demand painstaking bench care. Before dispatch from our Huntingdon showroom, our technicians perform:

Two-piece split bone saddles inspected and intonated to micron precision
5-piece laminated neck relief calibrated for ultra-low fingerstyle action
Bone nut slots micro-dressed to reduce first-fret fretting resistance
Ebony fingerboard and pinless bridge treated with organic luthier oils
Packaged securely inside custom velvet-lined Lowden/Hiscox hard cases

Frequently Asked Questions: Lowden Guitars

Where are Lowden guitars made? +

Every standard and custom Lowden guitar is handcrafted at the Lowden workshop in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland. George Lowden and his dedicated team of master luthiers hand-voice, assemble, and finish each instrument using traditional woodworking tools and master-grade tonewoods.

What is the difference between Lowden Original, 35, and 50 Series? +

The Original Series represents George Lowden's classic four tonewood combinations with subtle satin purfling. The 35 Series introduces premium AAA-grade tonewood selections, abalone rosette inlays, and figured bindings. The 50 Series represents the pinnacle of Lowden Custom Shop lutherie, built exclusively with Master Grade tonewoods, custom wood bindings, extended soundbox bevels, and bespoke appointments.

Why does Lowden use a pinless bridge with split bone saddles? +

Lowden's pinless bridge design eliminates traditional bridge pins, allowing string balls to anchor directly into the rear of the bridge for superior mechanical energy transfer into the soundboard. The two-piece split saddle separates the plain B and high E strings from the wound strings, allowing precise compensation and pitch intonation across all registers, particularly in dropped tunings like DADGAD.

What is the difference between a standard Lowden and Sheeran by Lowden? +

Sheeran by Lowden guitars are precision-crafted in a dedicated workshop facility in Northern Ireland using automated CNC production techniques alongside hand-finishing. Designed in collaboration with Ed Sheeran, they offer genuine Lowden acoustic design, sustainable tonewoods, and LR Baggs electronics at an accessible price point for aspiring players and touring musicians.

Do you offer part-exchange and 0% finance on Lowden guitars? +

Yes. Music Street offers flexible 0% interest-free finance options on all Lowden instruments alongside competitive part-exchange valuations against your existing acoustic or electric guitars. Contact our team at [email protected] to discuss trade-in options.