PRODUCTION PROFILE
WWW.MADEIN.IE « JUNE 2020 « 29
and development for Lowden across its
export markets in the USA and Europe.
Due to high product demand following the
launch of Sheeran by Lowden, which saw
Lowden produce a new brand of guitars in
collaboration with globally-acclaimed
singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran – a
partnership which evolved naturally off the
back of the friendship established between
the Lowden family and Sheeran – 2019 also
saw Lowden grow its staff numbers and
continue to develop its worldrenowned
guitar range with
the addition of eight new
models to the brand’s
core collection as well
as the launch of
Lowden Strings and a
suite of Lowdenbranded
guitar care
guitar is hand built
with a talent for focus
and an eye for detail,
with a passionate
commitment to no
products.
Acknowledging the
importance of Sheeran
by Lowden’s success in
making Lowden a household
name, Managing Director David
The Lowden
compromise
Ausdahl said, “Building on the longstanding
reputation of Lowden as an
aspirational guitar brand sought out by
players around the world of varying
backgrounds, launching Sheeran by
Lowden has introduced our guitars to a
whole new generation of players,
encouraging many musicians on-the-rise
to dedicate themselves to reaching their
highest potential in guitar playing.”
Looking back on this year of signifi cant
growth and success for Lowden, David
added, “The whole team is pleased to
congratulate George Lowden on this truly
special commendation which recognises
his dedication to continued growth while
maintaining the outstanding reputation of
the Lowden Guitars brand. The long
judging process began last year, and we are
delighted to have been notifi ed of our
award win.”
Now in its 54th year, the Queen’s
Awards for Enterprise are the most
prestigious business awards in the
country, with winning businesses able to
use the esteemed Queen’s Awards
emblem for the next fi ve years. The
awards celebrate the success of exciting
and innovative businesses which are
leading the way with pioneering products
or services, delivering impressive social
mobility programmes or showing their
commitment to excellent sustainable
development practices. MADE
CHORD
build Lowden guitars by hand using
Japanese chisels, planes, knives and
spokeshaves,” says George. “We are
currently building a state of the art jig and
tool department to ensure our craftsmen
can fi ne tune their skills and
understanding of wood, and in so doing
create guitars which feel and sound like
individual ‘works of art’.”
Talking about the award, he says: “It has
been a milestone moment for Lowden
Guitars to be included by the Prime
Minister and Her Majesty the Queen on
the list of businesses in this year’s Queen’s
Awards for Enterprise,” said George
Lowden, Founder, Lowden Guitars, about
its recent recognition. “It has taken a lot
of hard work, patience and determination
during the last 45 years and we are
delighted and humbled to be among other
home-grown companies and brands on
this prestigious list.”
2019 was marked by signifi cant growth
About Lowden
Guitars
Based in County Down,
Northern Ireland, the fi rst
Lowden Guitar was built by
George Lowden in 1974. “I
learned everything the hard
way,” says George. “I had no
one to teach me how to avoid
the obvious pitfalls. I tried new
shapes, bracing designs and
many other ideas and gradually
emerged from the ‘hard school’
of self-taught guitar making.”
With a focus on
craftsmanship and quality,
every Lowden Guitar has a
unique voice that develops over
time in combination with its
player. The same is true for the
story of each Lowden Guitar
– acoustic or electric – which
begins with the provenance
of the materials, design and
workmanship and carries on
through the music that is made
with the player.
The Lowden guitar is hand
built with a talent for focus
and an eye for detail, with a
passionate commitment to no
compromise. Lowden have built
a team of real craftsmen who
produce Lowden guitars by
hand using Japanese chisels,
planes, knives and spokeshaves.
Unique design, high
quality craftsmanship and
uncompromising selection
of tone woods are hallmarks
of Lowden guitars, as is the
passion to constantly improve
in every aspect of guitar
making out of respect for those
who will play them.
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