Handbuilt Royalty: Master-Built Personally by George Lowden
The Guitar Sanctuary is proud to present an extraordinary pinnacle of acoustic luthiery: the Lowden Master Series Fan-Fret in Master-Grade Hawaiian Koa and Adirondack Spruce. What renders this instrument uniquely significant is its pedigree—built personally by master luthier George Lowden alongside his elite internal team of craftsmen in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. Representing the absolute apex of the Lowden Workshop, the Master Series represents no-compromise tonewood selection, meticulous hand-voicing, and unmatched acoustic art.
Built with master-grade Hawaiian Koa back and sides paired with a master-grade Adirondack Spruce soundboard, this instrument exhibits a pristine balance of visual elegance and acoustic horsepower. The Adirondack top delivers immense headroom, dynamic responsiveness, and crystal-clear note separation, while the highly figured Koa adds a rich, woody midrange compression and sweet, shimmering overtones that blossom as the instrument opens up.
The Fan-Fret (Multi-Scale) Advantage: Intonation & Tension Perfection
This Master Series instrument features George Lowden's acclaimed Fan-Fret (Multi-Scale) fingerboard construction, an engineering triumph that solves the fundamental pitch compromises of traditional single-scale instruments:
- Impeccable Intonation Across the Fretboard: By angling the frets across individual string scale lengths, pitch accuracy remains rock-solid from open chords all the way up to the highest registers.
- Optimal Tension for Low & Alternate Tunings: The longer scale length on the bass side provides tight, focused bass response and clear fundamental notes without floppy strings—making it an absolute dream for DADGAD, Drop D, or lower alternate tunings.
- Supple Treble Response & Bending Ease: The shorter scale length on the treble side maintains a sweet, singing tone with relaxed string tension that feels effortless under the fingers.
- Natural Ergonomics: The gentle splay of the frets aligns naturally with the fan-like motion of the human wrist and hand as you move along the neck, significantly reducing playing fatigue.
Sanctuary Expert Note:
"When George Lowden personally puts his hands on an instrument from start to finish, you feel it in the immediate neck response and hear it in the endless sustain. Combined with the Fan-Fret layout, the intonation on complex fingerstyle voicings and lowered tunings is dead-on. This is a forever guitar for the serious acoustic connoisseur."
Product Intelligence & Tone Matrix
- Best For: Modern Fingerstyle, Alternate Tunings (DADGAD/Drop C), Studio Recording, Singer-Songwriters, Elite Collections
- Tone Profile: Explosive Headroom, Perfectly Balanced Intonation, Rich Woody Midrange, Glassy Overtones
- Compared To: Ryan Nightingale, Olson SJ Fan-Fret, Greenfield G1, Froggy Bottom Model K
- Scale Construction: Multi-Scale Fan-Fret Design
- Soundboard: Master-Grade Adirondack Spruce
- Back & Sides: Master-Grade Hawaiian Koa
- Neck: 5-Piece Mahogany / Rosewood
- Finish: Hand-Rubbed Satin
- Case: Custom Ameritage / Lowden Deluxe Hard Shell Case Included
- Origin: Handcrafted in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland
Key Integration & Buying Advantages
- George Lowden Master Build: Crafted personally by George Lowden and his most senior luthiers, ensuring historic voicing and construction standards.
- Master-Grade Tonewood Pair: Exceptional Hawaiian Koa offers striking figure and warm midrange, complemented by the explosive headroom of Adirondack Spruce.
- Complete Professional Shop Inspection: Evaluated, tuned, and set up by our technicians prior to listing to guarantee immediate stage and studio readiness.
- Model: Master Series
- Soundboard: Master Grade Adirondack Spruce
- Back & Sides: Master Grade Hawaiian Koa
- Origin: Handcrafted in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland
- Neck: 5-Piece Mahogany / Rosewood
- Scale Length: Bass Side: 680 mm (approximately 26.75 inches)Treble Side: 635 mm to 640 mm (approximately 25 to 25.25 inches)
- Nut Width: 1 13/16"
- Finish: Hand-Rubbed Satin
- Tuning Machines: Gold Gotoh 510 with Ebony Buttons
- Case: Custom Ameritage / Lowden Hard Shell Case Included
We are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am until 6pm CDT.
Any order placed before 3pm CDT Tuesday through Saturday is processed for shipment the same day. Orders placed Sunday-Monday will be processed for shipment the following Tuesday.
For Free Shipping items, Effects pedals and small goods items are generally shipped via USPS Priority Mail, and Guitars and Amplifiers are generally shipped via UPS Ground.
Due to our central location in the middle of the US, most orders will be delivered within 1-3 days delivery time.
Other shipping methods are available (at an additional cost), including next day air.
Please call us directly at (972)540-6420 if you have any questions regarding shipping for your order.
