This Lowden S25J is freshly set up and ready to play. It plays very well and has a really nice sound. It has spots of finish that were worn through on the top that have been sealed with varnish. It appears to have previously had a pickup system installed that is no longer in the guitar. The guitar comes with the original Lowden embossed Hiscox case.
Weight - 3.6 pounds
Nut width - 1.92 inches (48.8 mm)
1st fret depth - 0.90 inches (23 mm)
9th fret depth - 0.94 inches (24 mm)
Scale length - 25.5 inches (648 mm)
Ships free in the United States. Worldwide shipping available.
The Lowden S25J is a premium nylon-string "crossover" guitar designed specifically for steel-string players, jazz musicians, and those who want the warmth of nylon strings without the difficult ergonomics of a traditional classical instrument.
Part of George Lowden’s "Jazz Series," it is widely regarded as one of the best hybrid guitars on the market.
1. The Core Concept: "The Crossover"
The S25J is not a traditional classical guitar. It is built to bridge the gap between classical and steel-string worlds.
For Steel Players: It features a radiused (curved) fingerboard and a narrower neck than a classical guitar, making chords and barres feel familiar to anyone used to a Martin or Taylor.
For Performance: It is designed from the ground up to be amplified. The bracing and body are stiff enough to resist feedback at stage volumes (a common issue with vintage classicals) while retaining acoustic resonance.
2. Build & Specifications
The "25" in the model name refers to Lowden's most popular wood combination, western red cedar and Indian rosewood.
Body Shape: "S" (Small) Model. This is approximately Concert-sized but deeper than standard, providing significant air volume for a full bass response despite the comfortable size. It typically features a Venetian cutaway.
Tonewoods:
Top: Western Red Cedar (Warm, responsive, immediate attack).
Back/Sides: East Indian Rosewood (Deep, resonant bass and clear highs).
Neck Dimensions:
Nut Width: 1 7/8" (47.5mm). This is the "Goldilocks" width—wider than a steel string (1 3/4") for clean fingerstyle, but narrower than a standard classical (52mm).
Scale Length: Standard 25.5" (650mm).
Fretboard: Ebony, with a camber (radius) for easier playability.
3. Sound Profile
Acoustic Tone: The Cedar/Rosewood pairing gives the S25J a dark, warm, and lush character. It is very responsive to a light touch (typical of Cedar) and lacks the sometimes harsh "bite" of Spruce, making it ideal for moody jazz, bossa nova, or fingerstyle ballads.
Amplified Tone: Most S25Js come factory-fitted with a high-end pickup system (often LR Baggs or Fishman Matrix). Because of the deep body and stiff bracing, it translates well to speakers, maintaining a "woody" acoustic sound without the "quack" of cheaper piezos.
