The 2007 Avalon L-326 is part of the high-quality Legacy Series and was handcrafted in Northern Ireland. The instruments in this series represent classic European guitar craftsmanship at a very high level, combining high-quality tonewoods with a unique design and an unmistakable tonal character. Early Avalon guitars, in particular, are relatively rare on the used market today. <\/p>\n
The story behind Avalon is particularly interesting. The company\u2019s roots are closely tied to the history of Lowden. For many years, Lowden guitars were manufactured under license at the Northern Irish facility. After this collaboration ended in 2003, guitar production continued under the name Avalon with experienced staff and luthiers from that era. As a result, the early Avalon instruments in particular have an interesting connection to the Northern Irish guitar-making tradition while also possessing a distinctly unique identity. <\/p>\n
The Legacy Series was one of the manufacturer\u2019s high-end lines and was crafted using carefully selected materials and a great deal of handwork. The Avalon L-326 offered here dates from 2007\u2014a time when Avalon had already been operating under its own name for several years, yet the artisanal roots of its earlier production were still very much evident. <\/p>\n
With its large L-Body shape, the L-326 is visually striking even as a steel-string guitar. The voluminous body offers plenty of resonance and, while its dimensions are reminiscent of a jumbo, it features the distinctive shape characteristic of Avalon. Combined with the long scale length of 648 mm, the result is a guitar that offers both a powerful foundation and a clear, well-defined tone. <\/p>\n
A special visual highlight of this Avalon L-326 is its solid Sitka spruce top. The top features a beautiful and distinctly pronounced bearclaw figure, which gives the guitar a unique appearance. The striking, almost three-dimensional patterns in the spruce are beautifully accentuated by the understated satin finish, making the top a real eye-catcher. <\/p>\n
Solid East Indian rosewood was used for the top and sides. This gives the L-326 one of the most proven wood combinations in high-end steel-string guitar making. The solid Sitka spruce ensures a dynamic and clear response, while the rosewood contributes a powerful bass foundation, pronounced overtones, and clear highs. The fingerboard and bridge are made of ebony, underscoring the instrument\u2019s high-quality standards. <\/p>\n
The entire guitar is made of solid wood. After nearly two decades, the instrument has had plenty of time to develop its tone and break in. This is particularly appealing in a large, all-solid steel-string guitar with a spruce top and rosewood body, as this classic combination is a perfect match for the powerful yet nuanced character of a large body shape. <\/p>\n
Sonically, the Avalon L-326 impresses with a rich, powerful, yet very balanced sound. The L-body shape delivers a full-bodied bass foundation and plenty of volume without the sound ever sounding muddled. The treble remains clear and present, while the rosewood gives the instrument a beautiful spectrum of overtones and a pleasant tonal depth. <\/p>\n
The excellent string separation is particularly impressive. Even with fuller chords, individual notes remain clearly distinguishable, and the sound retains its transparency. At the same time, the guitar responds very dynamically to different playing intensities. With subtle picking, it can be played with nuance and control, while with vigorous strumming, it can showcase its impressive volume. This makes the L-326 by no means just a powerful accompaniment guitar, but a truly versatile instrument. <\/p>\n
The 45 mm nut width offers a comfortable amount of space for the fretting hand and is particularly well-suited for players who prefer a bit more room on the fretboard. Combined with the good string separation, this makes the Avalon a very appealing option for fingerstyle and more demanding picking techniques as well. At the same time, the long scale length and large body ensure that there is ample power reserve even with a more forceful strumming style. <\/p>\n
Visually, the L-326 has a pleasantly understated and elegant appearance despite its large body shape. Rather than overly elaborate ornamentation, the focus is on the high-quality woods. In particular, the bearclaw figure of the Sitka spruce top and the solid East Indian rosewood define its appearance. The matte satin finish beautifully highlights the natural grain of the woods and complements the instrument\u2019s artisanal character. <\/p>\n
Overall, the guitar is in very good condition. It has a few minor dings and scratches, as well as signs of wear and use consistent with its age. However, for a guitar from 2007, it is very well-maintained. Technically, the instrument is in perfect condition. The frets are in very good to nearly like-new condition. <\/p>\n
The guitar comes with a high-quality Hiscox hardshell case, in which the instrument can be safely stored and transported.<\/p>\n
We carefully set up every guitar. We adjust the neck radius and string action to ensure that the guitar plays cleanly, comfortably, and without buzzing across the entire fretboard. <\/p>\n
The string action is 2.2 mm on the low E string and 1.7 mm on the high e string, measured at the 12th fret.<\/p>\n
Specifications:<\/strong><\/p>\n Model: Avalon L-326
\nSeries: Legacy Series
\nYear of manufacture: 2007
\nTop: Solid Sitka spruce with bearclaw figure
\nBack and sides: Solid East Indian rosewood
\nFingerboard: Ebony
\nBridge: Ebony
\nScale length: 648 mm
\nNut width: 45 mm
\nBody shape: L-Body \/ Jumbo
\nConstruction: All-solid
\nFinish: Satin
\nOrigin: Northern Ireland
\nCase: Hiscox hardshell case<\/p>\n