Article: Vintage Guitars Showroom Experience In Practice: Meet Howard!

Feb 22, 2023Electric Guitar Advice

Vintage Guitars Showroom Experience In Practice: Meet Howard!

Howard was one of the first customers to be told about our new development - providing our Vintage brand guitar customers an experience I would like to believe is unique in the industry

Howard was actually looking to buy his first ever electric guitar some months ago - before the showroom was ready, but due to his own personal circumstances (which I think many of you will connect with), he felt it would be an experience worth waiting for - and I am sure he wouldn't mind me concluding it was!

This isn't the first guitar Howard has purchased through us, and is the proud owner of a beautiful Dowina Mahogany GAC (an upgrade from his earlier purchase of an Eastman PCH1 OM ).

Howard's acoustic guitar journey, with us alongside guiding him to some beautiful instruments along the way, epitomizes the relationship we aspire to grow with our customers. Its a lovely thought to know he has trusted in us - and we have repaid his trust with genuine benchmark quality guitars that he can play and love for a lifetime.

So! With this being his first trip into the electric guitar world, he felt safe in the thought that we could help him work out what guitar would suit him best. He didn't want to spend a fortune on his first electric (just like when he bought his first acoustic - which he then upgraded later when he felt he was more informed of his own needs).

What better way to explore all the guitar styles than in our dedicated Vintage Guitar showroom!?

The beauty of Vintage is they provide most instrument styles at sensible, affordable, mid-range prices - ensuring our customers can explore the widest possible range without breaking the bank. Perfect!

Vintage guitars however are not just "affordable" - they are GORGEOUS, packing more "Mojo per pound" than any instrument on the market. (Mojo is that "something" you just can't put your finger on - but all great guitars have it.)

Vintage Guitars Showroom

Howard was well aware that every guitar on display had been upgraded to our Custom Pro standard, which removes any doubt from the experience. The guitars are playing to their best - guaranteed - enabling Howard to focus on what styles of guitars he likes rather than second guessing whether a guitar would be better with the setup later.

Well today was "D Day"! All the guitars he had specifically requested were put out for him (A V6, VSA500, and V100) and as you can see from the picture he was able to enjoy total privacy - until the point where I asked if Howard would mind having his photo taken!!! (Sorry Howard.... You are an important part of our history now!)

Howard In our Vintage Guitars Showroom

Interestingly, Howards experience as a first time electric guitar player with the V100 did echo my words from my video on what guitar I wouldn't recommend to a first time electric guitar player :) but remember - its about what is right for you - not me - or Howard - but the advice and guidance is here should you want or need it.

Howard finally plumped for the VSA500 which I think he felt was a nice natural move from the acoustic guitar - and I think he made a fine choice.

Vintage VSA500 Walnut

Before leaving, Chris (my trusty tech) made further final adjustments to suit Howard before making his journey home in Nottingham. Chris even reluctantly left the safety of his workshop for this rare glimpse of him on camera with Howard - I think its fair to say he's more comfortable in the workshop than he is in front of a camera! :)

Howard and Chris

I am so grateful Howard made the 1.5 hour trip from Nottingham, and I feel blessed that he felt it was worth the effort. There are a lot of shops between us and him - as there are when people travel from Birmingham or London - but I promise you faithfully that we will make it worth your while and give you a day to remember - that is literally the ultimate motivation for living this life with guitar - to make Howard, and you, happy!

I can't thank Howard enough for allowing me to blog about his morning at Richards Guitars and for waiting as he did for us to get it all prepared for him.

If you fancy a similar experience, please just get in touch and we can get you booked in!

Buy Vintage Brand Guitars Online

Check out this video I did comparing the Vintage VSA500 to a Gibson ES335!

Written by Richard Cholerton

2 comments

Hi Richard,what a great video, love your playing by the way! It’s such a strange thing I have a Custom shop 137 which is beautiful,as soon as upu pick up it feels amazing & sounds fabulous,I bought a Korean Tele with birds eye maple neck & Seymour d.pick up same, looks & feels great bit I actually prefer playing my squire. I bought ladt year a Epiphone gold top (£350)which honestly I think sounds the best of all of them & is lovely to play, there’s the rub, is it because I play these guitars more, is it because they are different makes & styles & to me I just prefer them I don’t honestly know but I think you ate right you can’t really go wrong with the Vintage all things considered bit I must admit that unclipping the case & holding a Gibson is something of a joy! All the best & I look forward to coming to your shop, Paul.

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Vintage Guitars

Vintage Brand Guitars UK Central Showroom Now Open

UK Guitarists now have, for the first time, a Centrally located UK Showroom dedicated to their needs and requirements. With all our recommended models on display, feel free to contact us before you...

Vintage Guitars

Our Vintage Guitars Dedicated Central UK Showroom Experience Reviewed...

Thank you so much Jon Richardson for taking the time to review your recent experience visiting Richards Guitars. I am so proud to offer guitar players such a dedicated experience -whether you are s...

For me - there is no difference between "personal" and "business" life - It is all "my life". Interconnected and therefore highly personal. Every guitar I sell (EVERY) is one I can tell you the backstory - about the people who make them - the ethos of the brand and how they align with my own - they are a genuine personal recommendations based on 28 years in the industry.

With the industry dominated by marketing, hype, and "blinkered" brand loyalty - retailers focus on what they get asked for - with little effort in raising awareness of guitars that are better than the one you asked about. This leads to a lot of poor buying decisions!

Here is a quick introduction to the brands I often refer to as "my babies" but really you could simply refer to them as "benchmarks". Check the prices - check the specs - check the quality and back story - and find me a brand that does it better - or even close. The fact is you cant buy a bad guitar from Richards Guitars - you will only find the best - set up to your personal requirements.

My "Personal Collection"

Art Meets Craft - Artisan - Unique

Hand Made In Slovakia

I have the honour and privilege to be Englands exclusive dealer for Dowina guitars. A completely unique approach to guitar building that blends passion, art and craft producing the most inspiring and wondrous acoustic guitars that represent so much more than the materials they are made from.

Dowina is more than just a guitar - its an experience that you will appreciate and remember for a lifetime.

Buy Dowina Guitars Online

Detail - Clarity-Power-Resonance-Beauty

Furch Changed Everything...

I introduced Furch to to the UK over 20 years ago - with my good friend Keith Twine who has since retired.

At the time I was a leading supplier of brands such as Gibson, Martin & Taylor. Experiencing Furch guitars made me realize there is what you "know" and what you "should know". Just because you DON'T - doesn't mean it doesn't exist!

What does all this mean? Forget what you think you know and open your mind to the possibility that you can find better - and we will guarantee you an experience you will never forget - with help from Furch and my other personal finds from over the decades.

Buy Furch Guitars Online

Inspirational quality, tone & feel at a price you never thought would be possible.

A Benchmark British Brand

With an incredible Back story - A Truly Brtiish yet global brand utilising the shared skills of the Gordon Smith Team in England and a small boutique workshop in China - The result? Unbelievable quality that far surpasses that of recognised mass produced brands at the same price.

Buy Auden Guitars Online

Hand Made - Standard Setting - Affordable

We Were The First UK Dealer for Eastman Guitars...

....and continue to be their largest and most experienced dealer in the UK supplying Eastman guitars throughout Europe.

Originally known for their extraordinary quality, hand made arch tops - produced by violin makers - as their reputation spread they developed into the World of electric and acoustic guitar production which continue to be made by hand.

Eastman have now become a hugely dominant force in the Guitar World producing the "best in class" in any guitar genre they opt to focus on.

Nobody knows them better or can provide you a better experience.

Whether you decide on the showroom experience or buying online you could not be in safer hands.

Buy Eastman Guitars Online

Quality - Versatility - Innovation

Canadas Finest

I have specialised in Godin guitars since 1995.

Godin have been solving problems for performing acoustic and electric guitar players for over 30 years, producing the most divine instruments which are stylish, of the highest quality whilst serving the practical needs of the modern performing professional

You could say Godin is the antithesis to Gibson! Godins reputation is built largely on the word of mouth of professionals and session musicians who need their instruments to be highly reliable and consistent night after night.

Get one in your hands, and you will soon understand their unique contribution to the evolution of the guitar.

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Perfection

Hand Made In Italy

I have to thank Stuart - Director of UK Distributor Selectron for thinking of me when he made a very special find in the guise of Luigi - A man building what can only be described as playable works of art. An extraordinary man - extraordinary guitars and I can only thank Luigi & Stuart for thinking of me as a perfect fit to help represent Luigis work in the UK.

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Hand Made In Ukraine

Valiant Guitars

Breathtaking guitars made by men who continue their passion literally in a war zone.

The human story is inspiring but no less than the impeccable, meticulous qualitywith an enormous dash of the secret ingredient so many guitars can never find - MOJO!

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The most comprehensive collection of affordable electric guitars money can buy.

We will help you find The best playing - Affordable electric guitar

I have been promoting Vintage brand guitars since the day they were "born" some 20+ years ago! In this time they have just got better... and better... and better! Not just that but the range has just become EPIC. Something for everyone!!

In the past couple of years ProShop has become one of the mmost exciting UK hand built guitars- using the Vintage range as the building blocks to create wonderful and exciting guitars that would normally cost thousands of pounds.

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Hand Made Ultimate Luxury Leather Guitar Straps

You will see so many marketing stories and false claims of hand made guitar straps in the UK - often with a massive premium price tag added.

TRUST ME - THESE ARE...

The finest hand made leather guitar straps money can buy

Hand made in Walsall using traditional tooling methods by own of the UKs greatest horse sadlers.

Memory foam insert ensures premium comfort - These straps will last you a lifetime.

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

Great case, well made good VFM

A good set up, guitar plays well

Excellent service

I've waited a while to write this review. It's too easy after a new guitar purchase to get over excited and try to justify spending a sizeable chunk of money on an acoustic that doesn't have Taylor or Martin on the headstock.

My advice to those that have a sizeable chunk of money to spend - don't buy a guitar with Taylor or Martin on the headstock. Buy a Dowina. Full disclosure - I own a Taylor.

The build quality at this price point is what you should expect. No excess glue permeating the bracing etc, neck smooth as butter, first class tone woods and absolutely on point when it comes to the detail.

Dowina has this in spades and then some. Blows the water out of Martin and Taylor at this price point, it's no contest. This guitar is so responsive, you can make it whisper, you can make it shout out loud - in every scenario it is perfectly voiced. If I had to choose one word to describe it, it would be....

Incredible.

As an aside to the guitar review, let's talk about Richard's Guitars and the buying experience.

These guys are special. In the current climate of buy fast and buy cheap they are beacons of what customer service and quality products should be. They are wonderful individuals, the absolute best. I can't find enough superlatives to describe these folks, but what I will tell you is that they know their guitars, they recognise quality, understand how personal a guitar choice is and will always do what is best for you not them.

Why bother have a phone number

Rang numerous times, no one answers, tried to purchase Furch Red Deluxe twice and not in stock but on the wedsiteand still waiting for notification of availability,

Do you think it would be possible for me to discuss the issues you have had?

I really do feel an explanation would put your mind at ease and help us help you.

I will try and convey my sincerity as follows:

I introduced the brand to the UK market over 20 years ago
I am the UKs largest dealer and have been for 20 years
I know the products like the back of my hand - every single one set up to perfection to your requirements
I personally spend hours and hours revising, calculating, forecasting stock to try and ensure the very best balance of models in stock at all times, ensuring all my favorite models are either in stock or about to arrive shortly.
I currently have 67 models in stock in the building
I have 30 guitars allocated in stock at Furch
I work tirelessly to provide the very best personalised service - as a dedicated specialist.
I employ just 2 other people in sales to answer calls - it is a workshop environment and we are incredibly personal in our service.

Sadly - this means that sometimes - especially if someone is off sick - we may be stretched to reply to every phone call in real time but we always have an answer phone and we always return calls.

Life is a balance - we try our best - its not always going to be a perfect scenario but its how our customers treat us - and how we treat them in response - that ultimately ends up with the majority being overwelmingly happy.

I never take any sale for granted and I also ensure my success helps incredibly positive projects - which may or may not be of interest - so I wont bore you with that side!

I would love to help you further

Richard

A well made ,great sounding and high quality guitar

Sometimes buying a guitar online can be a disappointment ( I've been there on a few occasions) but not this time. The guitar is everything I expected and more . Even better , my guitar teacher was most impressed. A great sounding guitar. It came with a set of 12's but I changed them to 10's as they suit me better. Nice low action . Sustain was better than my Taylor 324e . All said and done a good purchase and was recommend Richards Guitars! Case was great too!
SPA a great sounding pick-up .

One of the best purchases I have ever made. I was helped from start to finish helping me choose the right guitar then setting up and delivering. The guitar made me a beginner sound good. Thanks

Dream Guitar and a Well Deserved 5 Stars.

Just picked up my beautiful new Kremona Sofia ST-C classical guitar from Richards Guitars in Stratford upon Avon.

What a sensational instrument!

Great build quality and materials, and a sublime sound. I can’t believe how these instruments can be sold for such a competitive price. It plays beautifully after being set up by Richard’s team.

A personal thank you to Jon for his advice, guidance and sharing is detailed product knowledge.

A happy customer and a great purchasing experience.

Very good guitar

Son très rond, bon sustain, j’adore, ma meilleure OM

Vintage Guitars Showroom Experience In Practice: Meet Howard!

Buy Vintage Brand Guitars Online

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