Very happy with the result of the set ip which made the guitar much more playable
Thanks
Very professional, friendly, personal service. Would definitely shop here again.
Was very fortunate to get a limited edition Furch red series on promotion. Great deal for a great guitar - but equally importantly the service in terms of making sure the guitar was set up how I wanted, great comms all the way through, and just plain dedication to quality and helpfulness from everyone in the Richards team was absolutely top notch.
I’ll start with the service. Richard’s Guitars has some of the friendliest and knowledgeable staff I’ve had the pleasure to buy things from. I have bought several guitars, new and used, from them over the years and always been really well advised.
I bought the FGN T style as a gigging backup for a Fender Custom Shop guitar. So, how come it’s more ‘in tune’ all over the fretboard, sustains better and has a superb range of tones from the pickups ? It’s excellent value and even came with a heavy duty gig bag. Delighted!
I generally prefer passive pickups, as I'm not a big fan of that 'piezo quack', but the Element VTC has a much cleaner tone than most piezos, and has some nice inbuilt compression that really smooths out the tone.
As a singer I find the Anthem a bit superfluous because I usually have to turn the tru-mic down to help avoid feedback, which leaves me effectively with an Element VTC, so if I'm going for an active pickup, this delivers.
As a massive Furch fan, and owner of several of their instruments, I'm biased. That said, I have been playing for 51 years and have hone through the best part of 100 guitars looking for 'THAT' tone;, and in Furch, I've found it.
This Pioneer ER is a real powerhouse, with genuine depth and clarity in its tone, and the booster soundport really does enhance the experience for the player. I was surprised just how much difference the Englemann top makes; it seems really warm and woody, yet with a soft clarity that shines.
As one would expect, the build quality it superb, though I would always prefer a bone / bone substitute saddle to Tusq; just mh personal preference.
It plays wonderfully, as always a testament to the craftsmanship of guitar tech, Chris. If he had hair and a beard I would call him Gandalf as what he can do with a guitar setup is nothing short of magical.
If you want a go-to /travel guitar that requires no assembly then I'd recommend you try a Furch Pioneer - all solid woods, innovative neck systems and the booster soundport, it leaves other big brand travel guitars for dead.
This is a really beautifully made guitar; the woods look like much higher quality than one might expect on a Vintage 1 series - some bearclaw in the Sitka top, and the Rosewood back and sides have lovely silking - the sides in particular have really nice figuring.
That said, it's the tone that's paramount, and this little guitar is sweet and articulate, and really projects - it is so LOUD, and not just for its size. It plays really comfortably - a testament to the perfect setup by brilliant guitar tech Chris. The service at Richards is exemplary; it doesn't get any better than these guys, who have grown to feel more like trusted friends.
One last note: this guitar came with Furch's new T-line case, which - being a Hiscox fan - I was somewhat apprehensive about. I needn't have worried - the case fits like a glove and is well padded, with good quality latches. I might not trust airline baggage handlers with it as it's definitely lighter and less crush resistant than the Hiscox Pro II, but for pretty much anything other than flying,the T-Line case is more then good enough - and it looks pretty cool, to be honest.
I spent a long time looking at different shops and also trying to understand what guitar would probably suit me best. I lost count of the number of times I was drawn to Richards Guitars website and it soon became pretty clear from the various videos and testimonials that this was the shop I wanted buy from. The experience was excellent. Based on my detailed emails, Jake selected six grand auditorium guitars for me to try from Furch and Auden. The studio was mine for three hours. They were all fab in their own way, but when I picked up the final guitar I knew within minutes this was the one for me. I had expected to be walking away with a Furch blue with a spruce top, but the mellow sound of the cedar and mahogany combination on the Blue Gc-CM was beautiful - to my ears at least. I was keen on the bevels for comfort since I sit to play much of the time, so Jake found the deluxe version to play and it was perfect for me. They added a pick-up with free fitting, as well as giving me a two-way humidity control pack. Although the courier had a slight hiccup in delivery, Jon and the team kept me informed every step of the way - nothing was too much trouble. Thank you guys - I am looking forward to visting later in the year for the free check up.
I was given excellent advice regarding choice of guitar to buy. My preferred model was not in stock but was happy to wait and Richards team kept me regularly updated on progress. set up and delivery were perfect. All round great experience. Thanks
The people were so helpful and friendly and the way they go about things takes the stress out of choosing a guitar.
I now have a fantastic guitar, which I love playing.
Hi
Thank you SO much for your kind words. It means a lot. The Furch Blue D CM Deluxe is a gorgeous guitar so I do hope you are enjoying it as much I believe you may be!! :). We are always here for you should you need us. Thanks again.
I love playing my Darmina guitar, the more I play it, the more I want to play it
Hi David!
SO glad to hear this! A guitar made with love by special people. Visiting their workshop was an experince I will never forget and was a clear reminder how there is so much more to an acoustic guitar than the sum of its parts. Dowina guitars are very special indeed. Maybe we will see you for your 6 month check / reset should you decide to take the opportunity to visit. Thanks again.
The guitar strap is actually a present for my Granddaughter, so I haven't used it at all.
I was fascinated by the evident quality of the Walsall bridle-leather straps and the range of colours. The video , detailing their manufacture by skilled artisans, from premium leathers, sold me on the idea of buying one as a present and chose one in the Leaf Green colour. Although the birthday is some months away, I decided to order immediately. ( FOMO? 😄🤦♂️ )
On receipt of the strap, I was not disappointed. This is a top-quality, British handmade product, which should give many years of service, and of which I'm sure my Granddaughter will be well pleased.
Thank you Michael - Indeed they are a special gift for, no doubt, a very special person. I do hope this strap stays with her for life as it will certainly last that long :) Anything your grand daughter needs - let her know we are here for advice if she needs any.
I’m so pleased with the work done on my guitar. I was given really helpful and informative advice about which pick up to get, and it has been fitted perfectly, including a set up. Thank you to the team at Richards! 😊
Just picked up my new Cort 250 CR yesterday, tried it out at our local guitar club last night and “wow” I was blown away.
In fact the others at the club were also suitably impressed. The best guitar I have ever purchased, and the service I received from Richard Guitars was first class, from ordering to discussing my requirements regarding set up and delivered perfectly to me on time . Couldn’t ask for anything more, apart from improving my playing that is 😎, thank you all at Richards Guitar Stratford.
Hey John!
THANK YOU!! What an amazing bit of feedback. I really do appreciate it. I am sorry we couldnt do anything about your playing but hopefully the setup should help in that regard? lol. Thank you so much for supporting us with your purchase and you know where we are should you need us again (do remember you have the 6 and 12 month check and reset you can take advantage of along the way should you wish to pop back).
Very happy with my new Furch guitar. Was given a good range of guitars to try before purchase and enjoyed the experience. Am already playing this guitar much more than the previous one.
Mike! THANK YOU for providing a photo of you with your guitar!! This is exactly WHY I ask people to do this - because now I know - We met briefly in the shop right? You had built your own guitar and been playing it for many years I remember correctly? It was so lovely to meet you and wow - your guitar played great!!! You should be very proud of it! However - the new one... wow. The Furch Blue series really are second to none. You can play an open G chord on one of these and if you sit and listen to it ringing out its like a chord you have never experienced before!!! Well... thats how they make me feel anyway :). Thanks again and so grateful for your visit & purchase.
Thanks Jake....Customer Support above and beyond what I have previously experienced elsewhere… it makes all the difference! So, many thanks for making that whole process enjoyable and simple… Very Pleased with the OM-1 S/R and looking forward to creating some new songs
Hi Andy
So grateful for your kind words and I hope your awesome new Furch brings you the inspiration you are looking for. We are here for you for the long term so dont forget you 6 and 12 month check and reset - and anything you should need - you know where we are. Thanks again.
Absolutely fanastic guitar, wonderful build quality, great action and set up - thanks so much Richard and team for another wonderful instrument. Great customer service as always!!
(Dont be mad Rob - I copied and paste this from your shop review which I am gratful you posted too - thank you x)
Hi Rob! How lovely that you posted the face and guitar pic! I am so grateful because as you know it helps me literally put a face to a guitar and I recognose yours! THANK YOU so much for your purchase but omg..... what a guitar right? I am totally - utterly - spell bound by these guitars and your model inspired my precious metals collection concept that I am working on currently. I dont think it would be an exageration to say your exact guitar is one of the most memorable instruments in my time in retail? I just felt it was perfection. Anyway - its not mine.... Although I wish it was!! Enjoy!! Thank you so much for this purchase - it means so much and thanks for the pic. Lovely to see you!
The strap is of very high quality, the perfect accompaniment to my new Gordon Smith stat
Really pleased with my new purchase. Love playing it!
Jon and Jake were so helpful, thank you.
I upgraded my acoustic and at the same time had my two existing guitars serviced. When you buy a new guitar, the value of the pro set up can be overlooked because if you bought online like I did, you never see the pre condition. Having my existing guitars set up changes that. Beyond the 6th fret buzzed, my PRS also didn't play as well as I'd like. The acoustic now sounds nearly as good as the upgraded guitar. And the PRS is way more enjoyable to play. Great job on both.
I'm not sure who or what to praise more here: a stunning instrument, or the stunning service! Both were/are totally awesome, and I would recommend both this instrument and Richard's Guitars with complete confidence, trust, enthusiasm and gratitude. A huge thank you.
Hi Gary. I cannot thank you enough for the kind words of support and appreciation. Our service is very much a mirror of how I would wish to be treated personally. I feel the World is become more and more detached so I suppose I seek to replace what I feel is being lost around me. Jon, Jake & Chris are all wonderful and integral parts of the jigsaw that makes up our personalised service - so it is them who I must thank for enabling the dream to contiunue - and of course yourself for your belief in us - and appreciation you have shown subsequently. I am glad we were able to live up to what it says on the can!! If you can ever upload a pic of you with your guitar - It helps me put a face to the name :).









































































![Buy Gordon Smith GS2 Deluxe Export 2019 [used] A1 Condition](http://rguitars.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/gordon-smith-gs2-deluxe-export-2019-used-a1-condition-4323398.jpg?v=1772186690&width=1072)
![Buy Gordon Smith GS2 Deluxe Export 2019 [used] A1 Condition](http://rguitars.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/gordon-smith-gs2-deluxe-export-2019-used-a1-condition-9502671.jpg?v=1772186690&width=899)


![Buy G&L USA Made ASAT - late 80s/early 90s [Used]](http://rguitars.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/gl-usa-made-asat-late-80searly-90s-used-1091932.jpg?v=1772186325&width=1378)
![Buy G&L USA Made ASAT - late 80s/early 90s [Used]](http://rguitars.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/gl-usa-made-asat-late-80searly-90s-used-7964817.jpg?v=1772186327&width=1828)
![Eastman AC630 - SB [Used] - Richards Guitars Of Stratford Upon Avon](http://rguitars.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/eastman-ac630-sb-used-5743157.jpg?v=1760421581&width=1080)
![Eastman AC630 - SB [Used] - Richards Guitars Of Stratford Upon Avon](http://rguitars.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/eastman-ac630-sb-used-2967411.jpg?v=1760421593&width=1569)
![Fender American Standard Telecaster 2012 - Natural [Used] guitar for sale uk](http://rguitars.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/fender-american-standard-telecaster-2012-natural-used-4379607.jpg?v=1760421498&width=1614)
![Fender American Standard Telecaster 2012 - Natural [Used] guitar for sale uk](http://rguitars.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/fender-american-standard-telecaster-2012-natural-used-1429240.jpg?v=1760421497&width=1512)
![Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster - Dark Night [Used] guitar for sale uk](http://rguitars.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/fender-american-professional-ii-jazzmaster-dark-night-used-6840250.jpg?v=1760421430&width=1602)
![Fender American Professional II Jazzmaster - Dark Night [Used] guitar for sale uk](http://rguitars.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/fender-american-professional-ii-jazzmaster-dark-night-used-4375294.jpg?v=1760421432&width=1476)











![Buy Furch Red Pure Gc-SR 43mm [Used]](http://rguitars.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/furch-spectra-plus-omc-er-maranello-red-4850167.png?v=1773311595&width=1080)











