dowina pure - Richards Guitars Of Stratford Upon Avon

Your Purchases are Making A Real Difference

Beyond natures constructs - what you experience every day is the result of someone's thought. Actions follow thoughts and every action has an impact - for better or for worse.

Thinking of buying a guitar?

If you buy from us - the impact will be a guitar received setup to perfection, personally recommended based on 29 years industry history & research - you wil avoid buying a guitar you regret - you'll help remove.a plastic bottle from the ocean, £1 will go to butterfly conservation, you'll receive a tree to plant & you will be contributing to the £100 a month we forward to MIND mental health.

As I say, thoughts lead to actions which will have impact - for better or for worse :)

Ocean Bound Plastics

Butterfly Conservation

Mental Health

RE Forestation

Daily Insta Pics

A great WaY to Stay Connected

Subscribing to our Instagram will bring you the pics & reels I create but checking them out here will give you so much more context with additional detail available on the product pages - and of course you can click on chat and discuss anything you see appearing, and i'll be happy to give you the back story behind the recommendaton.

Just click on an image to learn more!

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.

Buy Godin Guitars Online

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.

Buy Valenti Guitars Online

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!

View Our Valiant Guitars

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.

Buy Vintage Brand Guitars Online

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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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.

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!

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.

Outstanding guitar, exemplary service

The sheer depth of tone from this smaller bodied guitar is staggering. I admire the precision with which it has been made, and the attention to detail, but the tone is to die for. Lush, warm, yet with a clarity that transcends this wood combination (Cedar/Rosewood).
A huge shout to Jake, whose customer engagement was brilliant; quick to respond, attentive, and with the lively sense humour I've conducted to expect from the Richards family

Lovely guitar and amazing service

I’m so pleased with the guitar and so pleased with the decision to buy from Richard’s. Beautiful and unique nylon string which has a nice hybrid setup without being too slim-necked or electric feeling. Plays wonderfully and sounds great. Arrived yesterday and I’ve already gigged with it and was really impressed with the sound quality from the pickup and mic blender. The technician at Richard’s has done a great job setting it up and provided exactly what I asked for. And the communication throughout the process from my initial enquiry
asking for advice, through ordering and along the shipping process has been brilliant. As a teenager from Manchester I used to drive past Richard’s when visiting my grandma in Stratford and I always wanted to stop in because it looked amazing. I’m delighted to have bought from them all these years later. I will definitely be back! Thank you folks

Beautiful guitar with a lovely tone

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!

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