Handcrafted in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, during Lowden’s highly celebrated "Green Label" factory era (1989–2003), this 1999 F-12C is a stellar example of George Lowden’s visionary acoustic design. Revering a lighter, more organic approach to guitar building, Lowden instruments are world-renowned for their complex overtones, piano-like sustain, and magnificent touch-sensitivity. This medium-bodied "F" model with an elegant Venetian cutaway is a dream for players alike.
The F-12 is built around Lowden's iconic pairing of a solid Sitka Spruce top with premium solid Mahogany for the back and sides. Over nearly three decades of natural maturity, this combination has opened up beautifully, delivering a dry, punchy clarity balanced by a warm, woody fundamental note. George Lowden’s unique dolphin-profile bracing pattern maximises top resonance, giving the guitar a highly articulate, balanced voice across all registers and an airy, expansive headroom that fingerpickers crave.
True to the brand's boutique philosophy, the aesthetic is understated and completely natural. The guitar features a hand-carved, multi-piece Mahogany and Rosewood neck with a comfortable, accessible profile, capped with a dark, premium Ebony fingerboard that is left entirely uncluttered by face inlays. It is appointed with Lowden's signature pinless pin-bridge, subtle multi-ply wood purfling, and high-quality gold Gotoh tuners complete with amber pearloid buttons.
As shown in the photos, this 1999 example is in wonderful vintage condition. The satin finish has aged gracefully and buffed out naturally to a light semi-gloss sheen in high-contact areas, exhibiting only minor surface wear, small handling marks, and faint pick marks beneath the soundhole. It remains structurally flawless, with a perfect neck angle, a secure bridge, and excellent fret life.
This guitar has been given a full service by our luthiers at the Vintage Instrument Workshop, and includes a 2 year warranty.
