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Richards Guitars Of Stratford Upon Avon

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Welcome!

Proudly providing a unique guitar buying experience with an approach unlike any other guitar store - For 30 Years

For our customers its all about what we do - not what we say we do...

5 Facts, Unique To Richards'

£225 of Added Value with Every Guitar

Unique to Richards Guitars but core to my service for 30 years. Based on basic life principles to give the service, kindness and respect that I would hope to receive, not just from a business but anyone who I communicate with.

Our setup & support package we give free with every guitar is symbolic of what you can expect from dealing with us.

Total peace of mind.

Every Guitar Demonstrably A Benchmark

Uniquely - Every brand you see is personally selected by Richard on the basis that it is a benchmark in the industry -and represents the finest guitar at the price point. . Truly recommended based on 30 years research with thousands of customer testimonials to back up the recommendations.

After years of specialisation, we are the UKs leading specialist in all of the brands we dedicate our time to - so if you need help - you could not be in safer hands

Take me to the guitars!

For 30 years I have been using the internet to help raise awareness of wonderful guitar finds - and live chat has been integral to that service since the day of its conception!

I love helping my customers whenever and wherever possible. I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to do something I truly love - and motivated only by the happiness of our customers.

I am often chatting with customers at all hours of the night - Never apologize for interrupting me - you are most likely getting me out of doing the dishes!

Continuity In Our Recommendations

How many websites do you visit where one week they are promoting one guitar and the next, its another? A constant re-invention of recommended lines based on the deal of the week and which brand has the biggest carrot for the dealer.

That NEVER happens here.

There is reason - and often a story - behind every single brand we sell and we will only ever show you guitars that are specifically relevant to you - based on your personal needs and requirements and the guitars we show you are being shown because they ARE THE BEST - and no other reason.

Whether you speak with Jake, Jon or myself, you will be warmly welcomed, always supported and never sold to.

Honesty & Transparency

In the guitar industry, highlighting the anxst of my earlier years (where I realised fairly rapidly so much of the industry is "smoke and mirrors") - well.... It doesn't buy you many friends!

It does however, build a level of trust and respect from customers with whom you have introduced to World Class benchmark instruments - whilst saving them a small fortune in many cases!

There is always an exciting story developing and if you join my mailing list I can keep you posted on all the exciting developments - like Valiant for example! Hand made in Ukraine, producing World Class boutique rock guitars with almost as much mojo as Hendrix at Woodstock!!!

Meet The Team

Don't Take our Word For It

But I hope you will take the time to read the thousands of 5 star experiences that have been shared by customers before you - as this truly reflects who we are and what we do - far better than any promises I can make you.

As the UKs leading specialist in all the guitar brands we specialise in - you could not be in safer hands.

Based on 3345 reviews
91%
(3037)
6%
(200)
2%
(62)
1%
(21)
1%
(25)
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Dowina Walnut (Sol) GAC
Steve Amann (Colchester, United Kingdom)
Dowina sol GACWalnut

I' wasn't expecting that! I'm completely blown away. A truly amazing guitar. Beautiful and beautifully made. A real pleasure to play. I used to play sporadically, I now play every day, I cannot put it down and my playing has improved tenfold. Thank you Dowina and thank you Richard.

Unbelievable Guitar

This is an unbelievable Guitar for the price point. Highly recommended even for experienced players.

T
LAG Sauvage Electro Acoustic Travel Guitar
Tim Costelloe (New Plymouth, New Zealand)
Fantastic Service & a Beautiful Instrument- Aotearoa - New Zealand

Outstanding service from Richards Guitars. Seamless from payment to delivery .
I have had my eye on Sauvage Brankowood series since they were introduced. They are not available in N.Z.
The team at Richards Guitars meticulously setup the guitar, they were almost ready to send it when they discovered a slight flaw so they rejected the original instrument and started again with a new one. It arrived on my doorstep in pristine condition. The cardboard box took a bit of a hit somewhere on route, however the super high-quality Lag gig bag protected it from any damage.

It looks even better than in the photographs. The textured sides and back give it a very pleasing and tactile appearance. It visually stands out from the crowd. It has a beautiful warm tone and if you need to create some noise it can crank out the volume, no problem. It's smaller size make it easier take places.
I am really enjoying playing it. I've been sitting outside in the warm summer evenings, playing it on the balcony, doesn't get much better.

It will be an heirloom to pass on to the grandchildren.
So thanks to Richard & Jon and the team. Really appreciate your passion and dedication.

Not an Entry Level Guitar

After spending a good 3 hours playing various Furch Eastman and Dowina guitars available in the shop I kept returning to two. A lovely Dowina (Moon spruce/ Paduak) and what I eventually bought, the Furch Blue Oc cm.
Now I’d given myself a budget of up to £2000 which meant there were good choices open to me, the aforementioned Dowina unfortunately was a little over that.
But, what if had in mind before I’d even arrived at the shop was to looking to buy a Furch with the new CNR ACTIVE system in place and find out how Furch guitars sounded and played with my own ears, and fingers.
So here is my opinion on the Furch Blue Om c/m.
This is NO entry level guitar, this guitar is built to such a high standard, even without any glitzy bits, this has a beauty all its own, and sounds and plays so beautifully…. Any professional/studio musician would be happy to be playing with this fantastic tone instrument.
Also the absolute friendliness and professionalism I received as a customer at Richard’s Guitars was a delight, and special shout out to Jake who with only the information of me wanting an Om size guitar Pulled the guitar I ended up buying out of the fresh deliveries and set it up ready for my arrival with another 4 or 5 similar ones.
What can I say other than it will be a cherished memory that I hope to repeat in the near future.
Mark

Great service

The guitar is great, and the shipping and availability of the staff was very nice! Thanks team!

A
Furch Blue Deluxe Gc-CM
Alex Hamilton (Oban, United Kingdom)
Excellent guitar for the price 😀

This is my first Furch guitar and I’m delighted with my purchase. This is one in their low/mid price range but sounds as good (or better) than my Taylor 614ce and quite definitely plays better straight out of the box. In the past few years having also purchased Eastman instruments I have come to the conclusion that US manufacturers just don’t offer anything to justify their pricing.

J
Dowina Walnut (Sol) JC
John Browne (Merthyr Tydfil, United Kingdom)
Surpassing all expectations

This guitar is absolutely unique in its design and playability.

It has no right to be so articulate and soothing while still retaining such resonance.

The team at Richard’s Guitars have excelled themselves as have Stan and his gang at Dowina.

I cannot thank everyone involved enough.

You are class acts and this guitar is way beyond anything I could have hoped for in even my most optimistic of dreams.

Thank you SO much John. I am blessed in many ways - From the wonderful guys (Jake & Jon), to the guitars & the people who make them. I would struggle to do what I do without any of them around. The fact you appreciate all of this so highly is of course the icing on the cake and what makes it all so worthwhile. Thank you John. Also! 1. I still havent done it yet but I need to put a reminder somwhere to post a pic of YOU (I want to see my customers for my memory box!) and also - your birthday so we can send you something when it comes around (you should be able to update this in your customer admin area). Anyway - THANK YOU!

A
Kremona M15-M
Andrew williams (Swansea, United Kingdom)
Kremona m15m

Received my new kremona m15-m this morning, and what can I say bt wow,sounds amazing and the fit and finish is flawless, I was a little nervous buying a brand I had never heard of blind but I needn't have been, its a fantastic guitar and kremona are firmly on my radar now, this is now my 9th guitar in 7 years I have purchased from Richard and there is a reason I will always go back!

P
Dowina Walnut OMG Cedar. OM Body Acoustic Guitar
Pete Cymbalak (Fitchburg, United States)
Worth the wait!

I purchased a Dowina Cedar /walnut OMG! I really love the cedar warmth and sweetness together with the super articulate and fundamental sound of the cedar and walnut combination!
Richard and his staff were great to work with…especially Jon! Great follow up and communication!
I would definitely recommend Richard and his staff and especially the Dowina guitars! Great guitars and amazing value!

T
LAG Sauvage Jumbo Cutaway Electro Acoustic Bass Guitar
Tim Horsley (Haverfordwest, United Kingdom)

Brilliant , excellent value for money , I am chuffed , my wife bought this for my birthday . I have tinkered (I am not that good ) with bass for 45 years . Never had an acoustic , wanted something different and boy this delivered .I could not be more pleased ,beautifully set up , looks so much better than the pictures that cannot show its true beauty .Very powerful both unplugged and amplified If you are looking , go on you wont be disappointed. I am going to buy the six string guitar for my wife and son to share and I might just have a go myself . Thanks to all at Richards Guitars

Fabulous guitar, fabulous service

Guitar arrived safely today and it was in tune! What a thing of beauty it is. Action, sound, build and overall playing experience are all beautiful. So much guitar for such an affordable price. Jon, Richard, Chris and the team were amazing and so helpful, and kept me updated throughout the search and sale; expert advice and personal service that was second to none. They also fulfilled my request to deliver early as the guitar is a present for my daughter. Thank you very much and I'll definitely be back for more! I can't recommend this wonderful shop highly enough.

Fantastic guitarBass

Hello everyone, I want to thank all the staff at Richard's for the professionalism, kindness and efficiency of their work. I bought this bass vi and it is perfect. Really an excellent setup of the instrument. Thanks again! Alessandro Terlizzi

M
Guild A-150 SAVOY
Michael Oliver (Leicester, United Kingdom)
A beautiful guitar

I've had my eye on a Guild A150 for sometime then this one popped up at a very attractive price. I received it just after the new year and it's my Christmas present to myself. It was nicely setup, and plays extremely well. I couldn't find a blemish of any kind on the guitar and it was absolutely perfect. I've never bought a guitar that was so good on delivery. I will definitely buy again from Richards Guitars

P
Furch Blue Deluxe Gc-SW, Acoustic Guitar
Paul M. (Birmingham, United Kingdom)
Furch Blue Deluxe Gc SW: my new best friend.

I had three Furchs in my collection already: Yellow GcCR, GN4 Nylon and Little Jane. I also have a McNally OM, Dowina Merlot BV, Larrivee Baritone and Brook Lyn. I kept thinking this is far too many, especially as I am now retired and might need to reduce the flock to raise funds. But I then realised that I love every one, dearly…but could not, obviously, buy any more. I was however a bit obsessed with the walnut guitars I’d heard…something in the tone that was so different to what I had. I’d heard Blue Series walnut offerings played on You Tube reviews and they sounded so bright and distinctive. So, when tempted by a reduction on the Blue Deluxe GSW I yielded to temptation. I am sooooo glad I did. In short, I absolutely love this guitar. How can a guitar sound this good at this price point? The point of listing my other guitars is to show that I have some pretty decent ones (the house is falling to bits but I have nice guitars…which seems the right priority to me)…yet, it is now this guitar that now comes out more than any other. It came perfectly set up for me and my predominantly fingerstyle preference…as have the other three guitars I’ve bought from Richard. Jake was extremely helpful right through the purchase process and the guitar arrived well packed and on time. As soon as I picked it up I was in love: the tone is just wonderful, it plays so easily, despite my best efforts to mangle every note and I love the feel of the open pore finish. It is bright and joyful, clear and articulate but with a real power when you want it. I was also taken aback by the beauty of the walnut back: beautiful and perfectly matched swirls that I’ve only seen in more expensive guitars. How can Furch produce the guitars they do at these prices? At the risk of repeating myself, I love this guitar.

An excellent guitar, plays beautifully, feels great in your arms, for this being a middle range in Furch guitars, I’m really pleased with the quality of this guitar, and of course Richard’s Guitars were fantastic in looking after me in the purchase. I definitely would buy from them in the future.

J
Furch GN2CW Hybrid Nylon String Cutaway Classic
John Browne (Bridgend, United Kingdom)
Articulate, precise, forgiving and beautiful.

This guitar is absolutely sublime. I have had some less than average experience of nylon stringed guitars in the past but I do love their sound and tone.
I sought advice from Jake who had all the time in the world to address my concerns and hesitations.
Having played this guitar I can state, without reservation, that his counsel was absolutely spot on.
The walnut / cedar combination provides a far better tone that I could have hoped for, the articulation is amazing and the guitar is beautiful in every way.
The set up is perfect, when it arrived the outside temperature was just about freezing but after tuning up once the guitar stayed in tune! This is remarkable with brand new nylon strings (which can act like elastic bands).
First class instrument from a team that provide works class service.
Now I need to go and search for a tab for Stanley Myers’s Cavatina!

A
Ibanez AR520HFM Violin Burst (Used)
Alistair

Came really well packed and played like butter straight put of the box.

such a special guitar

This is my second Dowina and I didn't think I could love it any more than my first. But I do. It is a beautiful guitar in every way - lovely wood, beautifully made, little details, really comfortable to play. And the sound is quite special. I'm not a brilliant guitarist but it is such a pleasure to play, and makes me sound way better than I am. The customer service from Richards Guitars was outstanding. From the first question, to sorting out a complex shipping, both Jake and Jon were helpful, friendly and speedy in responding and in making the whole thing a pleasure.

Great guitar!

This is a great and unique guitar. I love the neck and the general playability, the pickups and the variator switch; providing lots of tone options. The tremolo works very smoothly and stays in tune well, and last, but not least: the guitar looks great, with the greenburst finish, the binding and the fretboard inlays. And it's fairly inexpensive too 😊

Great guitar

Great sounding guitar, finish is perfect and extremely high quality. Love the 45mm nut and body size.

Only negative thing is the setup was not good, high action, too much neck relief and scratchy frets.. glad I didn’t pay £90 for the service!

G
Custom Pro Setup Package (Total Value £225)
Guitar Gate Subscription (Bourg-la-Reine, France)
The Pro Upgrade is actually Pro

When purchasing a guitar in store, you generally have a coupon for a setup at a local luthier/tech shop. When purchasing online, we're usually lacking that option... Well thanks Richard's Guitars, having the option makes all the difference. The setup was on-point, the guitar plays nice!

Amazing customer service, quick delivery after order. Set up perfectly. Amazing sounding guitar. 1st class seller

Nice addition to the collection- plays very easily with a good feel to it

Great case, well made good VFM