Pre-owned Instruments: Acoustic Guitar
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Bown Guitars, Ralph Bown, 1994 J Model: Ralph Bown is one of the top builders in the U.K. who's instruments are played by the likes of John Renbourn, Clive Carroll and Martin Simpson. Bown Guitars have long been a favorite of ours here at Dream Guitars since Martin Simpson showed us his years ago. We are proud to be the exclusive U.S. dealer for Bown Guitars but we don't get very many at all and most of those presell so we are thrilled to have a rare preowned Bown guitar for you and this one has some voice. It has Ralph's distinct treble strings that are full and vibrant and clear as a bell. This being a J size it has beautiful bass response that is not overpowering but is indeed powerful. The understated beauty is elegant and refined and the playability and condition are superb. These are very rare and very special, if you are after a unique voice that's inspiring and ear-catching, read on... This instrument features:
  • Builder: Bown Guitars, Ralph Bown
  • Artists Who Play Bown Guitars: Martin Simpson, John Renbourn, Clive Carroll, Henry Kaiser, Allan Taylor
  • Model: J
  • Type: Jumbo
  • Hear this guitar played by Al Petteway
    [recorded naturally, close pair of ADK SC-T, no EQ]
  • View a movie of this guitar. Requires Windows Media Player 10
  • Year: 1994
  • Serial #: 119
  • Back/Sides Wood: Indian Rosewood
  • Top Wood: European Spruce
  • Neck Wood: Mahogany
  • Headplate: Ebony
  • Backplate: Brazilian Rosewood
  • Headstock Inlay: Builder Logo and Torch
  • Headstock Bindings: Ebony
  • Fingerboard: ebony
  • Fingerboard Bindings: none
  • Fret Markers: none
  • Frets to body: 14
  • Cutaway: none
  • Bridge: Ebony
  • Pickguard: none
  • Body Bindings: Rosewood
  • Top Trim: violin lines
  • Backstrip: Wood Lines
  • Rosette: Abalone
  • Tuners: Gold Gotoh
  • Case: Calton, Black Lightweight
  • Pickup: none
  • Condition: mint
  • Body Length: 20 in.
  • Upper Bout: 11 1/4 in.
  • Lower Bout: 16 in.
  • Body Depth @ Heel: 3 1/2 in.
  • Body Depth @ Tail: 4 3/8 in.
  • Scale Length: 25.4 in.
  • Nut Width: 1 13/16 in.
  • Strings Spacing: 2 3/8 in.
  • Comments: "We are honored to work with Ralph Bown as his U.S. dealer but we get very few instruments from him. Just one or two per year reach the states and most are reserved long before they arrive. Both of our 2007 guitar presold. So a preowned Bown is a rare item indeed and this one is just wonderful. Ralph's voice is unique, versatile and empowering. You can easily play everything from delta blues to the most beautiful Celtic air and be rewarding with passionate music. The J size is 16" at the lower bout giving you musical 'gears', you can push it hard or play gently and get a lot of tone either way. This guitar comes to us from the U.K. where it was treasured and kept beautifully by it's single owner. " - Paul Heumiller

    "This is one of those great sounding guitars that is perfectly designed for the player that likes a wide fingerboard and wide string spacing, but still likes a low profile neck. The feel and finish is that of a fine instrument. " - Al Petteway


    Abalone Rosette


 Very Classy Headstock Inlay


Gold Gotoh Tuners On A Rosewood Backplate


carved Ebony Bridge

Click on any image to view close ups

View A Movie Of This Guitar


Ralph Bown J Model


Indian Rosewood Back and Sides


European Spruce Top


Beautiful Indian Rosewood


Understated Binding Scheme

Price: $5995 For further information or to purchase please phone us at (828) 658-9795 or email us
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