The first guitar George built for Pierre Bensusan, lovingly known as the "Old Lady," was crafted in 1978. Despite its years of wear, it still sings beautifully today and has featured in many of Pierre's recordings.
Over the decades, Pierre and George have collaborated closely, from adding a cutaway and widening the neck in 1999 to designing a new signature model in 2009. The new guitar blends the cherished tonal qualities of the "Old Lady" with enhanced comfort for long hours of playing and composing.
Pierre requested a soundbox bevel, and George carefully adjusted the guitar's geometry and soundboard bracing to maintain uncompromised tone. Featuring Honduras Rosewood for its texture and tap tone, paired with an Adirondack Spruce top for clarity and warmth, the guitar delivers brilliance, projection, and a three-dimensional tonal quality.
George is thrilled with the result, confident it will only improve with age and use—something Pierre will undoubtedly ensure. This collaboration celebrates their four-decade relationship, perfectly timed with Lowden’s 40th anniversary. Reintroducing Pierre’s original 1978 guitar, minus the years of play, honors the legacy of the "Old Lady" while continuing to inspire new music.
