Lowden F-Series "Lucky Strike" Limited Edition
This is #4 of only 10 ever made. The key feature of this model is the exceptional "Lucky Strike" Redwood Top (see story below) which is paired with extremely old Brazilian Rosewood for robust, round tones that are full and deeply resonant. The Brazilian is reclaimed and the mahogany neck is from old Church Pews as well, making this entire guitar as 'green' as it is wonderful sounding. Hand written on the back of the headstock is 'Lucky Strike' indicating that all the woods here are from George Lowden's reserve stash of his very best tonewoods. A rare and special sounding Lowden for sure.
From the Lowden Website: " ..... using George's last reserved soundboard sets from the famous 'Lucky Strike' Log . This was a 'fall down' (ie. not felled) log of exceptional quality from Humbolt County. Some say it was struck by lightening! It was given its name by the specialist redwood supplier Alicia Carter . She and her husband (who was himself a luthier) hunted the forests for undiscovered 'fall down' logs. They would then apply to the US authorities for permission to use them - this permission was not always granted . But whenever they did get permission, they would go into the forest and cut the log 'in situ'. Often they gave the log a name according to the nature of what they found when it was cut - The Lucky Strike log was so named because every single soundboard cut from this log was of exceptional quality - the grain of the redwood is superb. The Brazilian Rosewood we use is reclaimed wood, as is our special neckwood from 'Church Pew Mahogany'. The sound is very well balanced and piano-like. It is very loud, very clear and has loads of sustain - we counted 25 seconds!"
Measurements
" Body Size: Medium
" Scale: 25 1/2 in. (647.7 mm)
" Nut Width: 1 3/4 in. (44.5 mm)
" String Spacing: 2 1/8 in. (54.1 mm)
" Body Length: 19 3/4 in.
" Upper Bout: 11 1/4 in.
" Lower Bout: 15 7/8 in.
" Serial #: 16435
" Body Depth @Neck Heel: 3 7/8 in.
" Body Depth @Tail Block: 4 3/4 in.
" Frets to body: 14
Extras
" Cutaway: None
" Pickguard: Clear
" Case: Hiscox
" Pickup: None
" Condition: Mint, super clean.
Woods & Trim
" Back/Sides: Brazilian Rosewood
" Top Wood: Lucky Strike Redwood
" Fingerboard: Ebony
" Neck Wood: Mahogany, 5 Piece
" Bridge: Rosewood
" Rosette: Abalone & Wood
" Binding: Flamed Maple
" Fingerboard Bindings: Ebony
" Headplate: Ebony
" Headstock Bindings: Ebony
" Headstock Inlay: Builder Logo
" Top Trim: Wood Lines
" Back Strip: None
" Fret Markers: Custom
" Tuners: Gotoh 510s
" Tuner Finish: Gold With Ebony Buttons
"
LS "Lucky Strike" Log explaination in the words of luthier, Lance Krangenbrink:
"Craig Carter's now famous log. Craig located this log in north-facing freeway easement through a redwood forest. He estimated it had been down about 30 years. It fell downhill across a small dip, suspending a good portion of the log in the air; thus it cured in ideal conditions. The portion salvageable was about 3 feet in diameter, 60 feet long. (Unfortunately, much of the best part of the log was lost to fence-post hunters.) Craig began to harvest it in Fall 1993; final harvesting was completed by Alicia Carter and neighbors in Spring 1997. Some soundboards were cut by Craig as early as Spring 1994. Soundboards from this log have been made into fine steel string (including arch top) and classical guitars. Smaller billets have produced mandolins, as well. Stiffness to weight ratio is said to be excellent; grain pattern and coloration generally even, very straight, with lots of "silk." Sound characteristics combine the warmth of cedar with the clarity and color of spruce with an added "sparkle". This log set very high standards for redwood soundboards - ones almost impossible to match. Craig cut into over 100 downed logs before he found one - the LS -- that met his exacting standards. He was a classical guitar player and planned to use this wood for his own classical guitar building.
This is a model F guitar with wider, fingerstyle spacing at the saddle. These guitars feature old, reclaimed Brazilian Rosewood back & sides and soundboards in Redwood using George's last reserved sets from the famous Lucky Strike Log.
This was a 'fall down' (ie. not harvested) log of exceptional quality from Humbolt County. The Brazilian Rosewood is also eclaimed wood, as is the special 35 series neckwood from Church Pew Mahogany. This is a Model F with curly Maple body binding. Abalone rosette and abalone leaf fingerboard inlays. Ebony fretboard, bound, with purfling lines. Mother of Pearl headstock logo and MOP "Lucky Strike" on the back of the headstock. Gold Gotoh 510 tuning machines with genuine Ebony buttons. The neck is 5 piece laminate, but the mahogany is the rare, old, reclaimed Church Pew wood. Brazilian Rosewood pinless bridge. The Brazilian on this guitar is very colorful, mainly of the brick red variety, but with many colors of the rainbow in it. The sound is from this guitar is mesmerizing. Shimmering trebles, woody mids, powerful bass notes.