Richard, with all due respect, why you talk so much about the market, your business and being a great dealer - we have no doubts about it, it's a little boring. Why don't you properly mic up some of those beautiful instruments and let us - the world, hear and see their beauty? Let them speak/ring by themselves.
Not everyone does know about my status as a dealer - my history -- or anything about me. In many cases this may be the first time they have ever even seen my face. This video is a doorway to guitarists to open which will help them locate a world full of amazing options that they would be otherwise unaware of. It explains my history - the personal recommendations I have made to customers in the past and shows that my personal gut feelings on what is good and what is not - has been pretty accurate - and has helped many people. I hope the video gives people confidence in my recommendations and integrity. Not every video will suit every viewer but I thank you for the feedback. If you look at the Gordon Smith video I do exactly as you requested, all be it with the mic on the camera. I dont use posh recording equipment because post-production can make any guitar sound like however you want - so defies the ;point of the video which is about straight forward honest conversation.
@@RichardsGuitarshop sure, I hear you, good points. I saw the GS video - beautiful guitar and as you said the camera mic - it didn't give a fair audio representation. I don't think you need a posh/expensive equipment to convey a better sound and you don't need to do any post-production - just put unprocessed audio in the video and it will give a batter than fair representation to the video. I suggest a portable recorder (e.g Zoom H4n) that will provide a great representation and it could be used on all the different instruments as a great reference point, and for us to be able to hear different nuances etc. Not stepping into you pastures 😅 just an idea.
@@RichardsGuitarshop Although I believe @valdazis has a point here, I personally like to hear about the ethos of a guitar dealer, because it helps me understand what information they may have that will help me make my choice about which guitar I will end up buying - are they engaged with the methodology of guitar making? Are they honest (ish LOL) about their profit motive, do they understand my needs as the "user" of a music producing tool, or are they happy to let me get the standard fittings and setup, and figure it out for myself afterwards? To be absolutely transparent I am a customer of Richards Guitars, I recently bought an exquisite Eastman, and given my experience I am perhaps a little bit biased towards giving very good feedback to the guys at the shop, who were amazing (and worth every penny they earn). I also have to admit to being a complete "geek" when it comes to guitars, so I can listen to people talk about the minutia all day! That said @RichardsGuitarshop ( yes I did watch the Gordon Smith video), the mic on the camera does not accurately reproduce the sound in the room, some cameras might have slightly better mics, but in general, and from over 20 years experience producing sound and video based media, you will never achieve a proper representation of the instrument being demonstrated , without taking some very necessary steps, and a fairly long time, to do so. You need to use close mics for amplifiers, and both close and condenser mics for acoustics. These will often be a little "tricky" to set up properly, to avoid sound spill from the environment and get high-fidelity results. Added to the extra time and resources, you would also need to post-produce the audio and add it to the video, not to make the guitar sound different than it actually does, but rather to ensure that it is an accurate representation of that instrument's sound. So, being cheeky, I agree with Mr. Valdazis I would love to hear the instruments "speak for themselves", and if Richard's Guitars is interested, I would love to speak further to them about how I can help them achieve great sound and demonstrations, and how to do it with minimal expense and time! But I am seldom that cheeky, so I shall place this bit right at the end of a really long comment 😄(P.s. You have my contact details - my RUclips name is my real one!)
My Furch Yellow Master’s Choice Gc-CR was my dream guitar purchase and going on three years and two CDs (the second one is in process right now but my main guitar parts have been already recorded) it never ceases to blow me and everyone else away!! I also own three Walden guitars which are designed by Jonathan Lee but built in the Cort factory. Well that handmade I would put the high-end Walden that I have, the G3030RCE, which is around $1200 against any Taylor at any level! Solid Western Red Cedar top. Solid Rosewood back and sides. Flamed maple bevel and binding. Ebony bridge and fingerboard. Low-mass bracing. Graphite reinforced neck. Graphtech ratio tuners. Bone nut and saddle, Fishman Presys blend (under saddle and mic).
@Richard, Great to see your passion on screen for quality guitars that are afordable. Another RUclipsr with such passion is: Daisy Tempest. She is a luthier with great skills and I love her videos about making guitars and such. Check her out, I think you will love what she does. Also, she lives and works in the UK. Have a good one.
If I remember correctly, Eastman aren't entirely handmade, or mostly; They incorporate a lot of cnc machinery, Read this in an article talking about their bourgeois acquisition, "Eastman’s array of CNC machinery will be utilized to produce precision component parts, significantly reducing the amount of direct labor required, while artisans will continue to handle the assembly process."
Yes, the idea that Eastmans are individually hand made is laughable. One look at their website and you see the massive range of models they produce, they would need every Lutier on the Planet to keep up that amount. Great guitars, i own one, but come on, maybe in their infancy they were hand made but now, no way.
@@SaintKimbo Yeah I've read two vastly different numbers of how many guitars they make a year, but they are in the tens of thousands (19,000-40,000), which isn't really feasible handmade like that, Bourgeois make 400 per year.
I have one of the top guys at Eastman joining me soon who will be able to explain better than me where CNC is used in all aspects of acoustic guitar production - where it can be afforded to install. There are key component parts that do not need to be made by hand so for example a neck. Rather than get a block of wood and start chizelling - they will cut the neck by machine to get the shape - to be then finished by hand. If you are genuinely interested in this aspect of their work please subscribe because like I say I will be getting one of the top guys from Eastman on for a video call to chat through how their guitars ae made. Would this be of interest to you?
@@StringsAtHome Eastman have scaled up their production massively. I discuss this in the video. I also explain in the video that the reason why so many people now know about Eastman is BECAUSE they have upscaled their production. This is the exact point I was making which you have demonstrated maybe better than I could. You can buy a hand made solid wood acoustic guitar for £500 from Eastman or £5000+ for a Bourgeois or £1149 for the Dowina in the video. If someone wants to support traditional hand built guitars then you want to be looking at Dowina.
No harm in promoting your business ethos and why you do what you do. It's great to see Richards guitars back. Now to get saving so one day I may be able to you all visit to see these Eastmans
To be fair gordon smith are a perfect example in the electric guitar world - and Eastman also fit in to that genre. I’m proud of my work with Cort and vintage - but most recently at the other end of the price point is valenti - hand made in italy - incredible. So yes agree with you too. It’s just nice talking frankly about what we do and what motivates me in my work
Hi Richard, Thanks for all the info. I agree with you; your explanations have been really helpful for someone like me. After watching your videos, especially those from 5 years ago introducing Eastman PCH and E series and Seagull S 6, i thought you're the right person to trust and get an advice. I'm an adult beginner, mainly playing chords, strumming, and short progressions. My guitar journey has been sporadic due to moving countries for grad studies every few years. Initially, I struggled with an unplayable guitar, but after learning more about the instrument I understood the mistake I made. I bought a Seagull S6, which I adore for its balanced and earthy sound. I daily practice became a joy on it and i adored it so much, i played it everyday for 3 months before i had to move again. However, its large body didn't suit me. In the end, i loved it so much, I didn't want to sell it, so I donated it to a local high school before leaving the country. Now, as I near the end of my studies, I want to pick up the guitar again. I'm looking for an affordable guitar with a great sound, low action, good playability, and suitable for a small person like me (5 feet 5 inches). I've been considering models like the Taylor 110CE and Academy series (i like the sound) and Eastman PCH1 models, and a few Yamahas like FS800. I'd have directly gone for PCH1-GACE or OM, but I felt if it's bit metallic/treble-heavy for my taste. In fact, I'd like little more tang than Seagull S6. My budget is
It really depends on what you are looking for from your guitar. Furch are incredible instruments - they changed my entire prespective of what an acoustic instrument should be capable of and saw the end of my interest in Martin / Taylor / Takamine etc. Thats how profound an effect it had on me. All I can say is I have had the same profound impact experience wise with Dowina - but for different reasons. The fact that you can have your guitar made to your personal specification - choose exactly what woods you require - personalised details - the fact that the people behind the scenes are so incredibly artistic and creative in their own rights and are lookig to create artistic expression (visually) in each guitar is incredible - the fact that Erikas father still travels the World selecting the pieces of wood personally - the list goes on and on. The fact they are made in Europe and the prices are so ridiclously cheap - all adds to the mix. Dowina are so beautiful its the only brand that I show the backs - in the main shot. lol. No other brand would do this - as all guitars look the same these days - not Dowina. They are so special on so many levels.
I tried Furch and Dowina GA and OM’s today in the shop and I was so surprised how different they are even with the same woods. Both absolutely amazing! Different sounds to them and for me I preferred the Dowina. I think it’s a matter of what you like and what sound you have in your head. I honestly went in today determined to buy a Furch and spent a lot of time researching Furch and I ended up with a Dowina 😂 and now I’m on the internet and RUclips researching Dowina 😂😂😂 because im a total nerd and need to know these things. 😅
@@jazzup13 fascinating. I'm super curious now! The only Furch I have is a Little Jane (travel guitar). It is phenominal in comparison to any other - I think I've played them all and owned numerous ones. I took it to Colombia for 2 months and gathered crowds, had invites to dinners and sleepovers etc., I think partly because it stayed in tune, sounded wonderful and made me sound good. I still haven't even touched any other Furch guitars but my Little Jane. Dowina is super interesting to me now too!
I'm still amazed by the number of people who slavishly lust after Fender and Gibson. Distinctly average at best and certainly overpriced for what they are. My favourite acoustic is a Cort which is amazing but according to one expert Cort don't make amazing acoustics. Keep treading the path less chosen Richard. That's where the real gems are to be found.
I just removed the stupid reply someone posted to you - and if you want to know more about the topic you can email me directly richard@rguitars.co.uk . Thanks for the kind words.
⚓️ Thanks Richard 🌈 you have to give credit to the CNC machine 🎶 your message cannot be authentic until the neck & neck base joint are credited to the machine. Without the CNC it’s moot…. A $1K guitar is $1.5K because the machine can do that shaping flawlessly. Nevertheless it needs the hand finishing… but all the macro shaping is completed by the machine. Even in Korea or Indonesia… the machine makes it possible. 🌈
I don’t ever disagree with that point. I think you’re entirely right and a hand made guitar like Dowina or Eastman or Lowden or whatever …. All will use CNC for the basic templates. CNC is used where it’s practically sensible and the hands are used in the same manner. The difference between mass produced and hand made is the level of automation and corner cutting required to make the volume necessary for world markets.
Yairi spoke shaves their guitar necks by hand. They are the most comfortable necks I have ever played. Cnc machines are fine for convenience and precision. But the instruments made by production are boring and can sound boring. Take the soundboard for instance. A production soundboard is pre -production set at a certain thickness. Say 3 mm for example. Every sound board has different characteristics. The sound produced can vary about 30 percent for woos from the sane tree. Production doesn't take this into account. A handmade guitar will have a soundboard with what the maker feels is the best for each individual piece of wood. The sane 3mm production soundboard may vibrate and produce a better sound at 2.6mm. And if course the bracing is the same story. Hand shaved versus cnc wins. Abd a bolt on neck might be great if the guitar needs a beck reset. But it doesn't make the guitar sound as good as a dovetail set neck. Machine and production are there just for convenience, uniformity and cost saving. No different than any other product mass produced. They may be well made but sort of generic. Like comparing a Ford to a Lamborghini. On most cases hand built guitars are always better than production ones. And Dowina is outstanding! The same guitars nade by Martin, Taylor and Gibson would cost thousands more. Just look at the prices of these companies custom made guitars. Tens of thousands for some. Insane!
It’s difficult, no impossible, to believe anyone anymore following covid/AstraZeneca/Moderna/Government/WHO etc. everyone has an angle, self interest, ulterior motive. You’ve gotta go out and study stuff for yourself, don’t rely on anyone else’s opinion, even including the humble guitar.
I’d recommend Dr Jon Campbell on RUclips. I have always seen the guitar industry as a mirror of the wider world and you are quite right to come to the conclusions you do. Where there is profit there is corruption
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
Richard, with all due respect, why you talk so much about the market, your business and being a great dealer - we have no doubts about it, it's a little boring. Why don't you properly mic up some of those beautiful instruments and let us - the world, hear and see their beauty? Let them speak/ring by themselves.
Not everyone does know about my status as a dealer - my history -- or anything about me. In many cases this may be the first time they have ever even seen my face. This video is a doorway to guitarists to open which will help them locate a world full of amazing options that they would be otherwise unaware of. It explains my history - the personal recommendations I have made to customers in the past and shows that my personal gut feelings on what is good and what is not - has been pretty accurate - and has helped many people. I hope the video gives people confidence in my recommendations and integrity. Not every video will suit every viewer but I thank you for the feedback. If you look at the Gordon Smith video I do exactly as you requested, all be it with the mic on the camera. I dont use posh recording equipment because post-production can make any guitar sound like however you want - so defies the ;point of the video which is about straight forward honest conversation.
@@RichardsGuitarshop sure, I hear you, good points. I saw the GS video - beautiful guitar and as you said the camera mic - it didn't give a fair audio representation. I don't think you need a posh/expensive equipment to convey a better sound and you don't need to do any post-production - just put unprocessed audio in the video and it will give a batter than fair representation to the video. I suggest a portable recorder (e.g Zoom H4n) that will provide a great representation and it could be used on all the different instruments as a great reference point, and for us to be able to hear different nuances etc. Not stepping into you pastures 😅 just an idea.
@@RichardsGuitarshop Although I believe @valdazis has a point here, I personally like to hear about the ethos of a guitar dealer, because it helps me understand what information they may have that will help me make my choice about which guitar I will end up buying - are they engaged with the methodology of guitar making? Are they honest (ish LOL) about their profit motive, do they understand my needs as the "user" of a music producing tool, or are they happy to let me get the standard fittings and setup, and figure it out for myself afterwards?
To be absolutely transparent I am a customer of Richards Guitars, I recently bought an exquisite Eastman, and given my experience I am perhaps a little bit biased towards giving very good feedback to the guys at the shop, who were amazing (and worth every penny they earn).
I also have to admit to being a complete "geek" when it comes to guitars, so I can listen to people talk about the minutia all day! That said @RichardsGuitarshop ( yes I did watch the Gordon Smith video), the mic on the camera does not accurately reproduce the sound in the room, some cameras might have slightly better mics, but in general, and from over 20 years experience producing sound and video based media, you will never achieve a proper representation of the instrument being demonstrated , without taking some very necessary steps, and a fairly long time, to do so. You need to use close mics for amplifiers, and both close and condenser mics for acoustics. These will often be a little "tricky" to set up properly, to avoid sound spill from the environment and get high-fidelity results. Added to the extra time and resources, you would also need to post-produce the audio and add it to the video, not to make the guitar sound different than it actually does, but rather to ensure that it is an accurate representation of that instrument's sound.
So, being cheeky, I agree with Mr. Valdazis I would love to hear the instruments "speak for themselves", and if Richard's Guitars is interested, I would love to speak further to them about how I can help them achieve great sound and demonstrations, and how to do it with minimal expense and time! But I am seldom that cheeky, so I shall place this bit right at the end of a really long comment 😄(P.s. You have my contact details - my RUclips name is my real one!)
@@RichardsGuitarshop Love your content bro
My Furch Yellow Master’s Choice Gc-CR was my dream guitar purchase and going on three years and two CDs (the second one is in process right now but my main guitar parts have been already recorded) it never ceases to blow me and everyone else away!!
I also own three Walden guitars which are designed by Jonathan Lee but built in the Cort factory.
Well that handmade I would put the high-end Walden that I have, the G3030RCE, which is around $1200 against any Taylor at any level!
Solid Western Red Cedar top. Solid Rosewood back and sides. Flamed maple bevel and binding. Ebony bridge and fingerboard. Low-mass bracing. Graphite reinforced neck. Graphtech ratio tuners. Bone nut and saddle, Fishman Presys blend (under saddle and mic).
@Richard, Great to see your passion on screen for quality guitars that are afordable.
Another RUclipsr with such passion is: Daisy Tempest. She is a luthier with great skills and I love her videos about making guitars and such. Check her out, I think you will love what she does. Also, she lives and works in the UK. Have a good one.
Daisy is great!
Her guitars definitely aren't affordable haha
If I remember correctly, Eastman aren't entirely handmade, or mostly;
They incorporate a lot of cnc machinery,
Read this in an article talking about their bourgeois acquisition,
"Eastman’s array of CNC machinery will be utilized to produce precision component parts, significantly reducing the amount of direct labor required, while artisans will continue to handle the assembly process."
Yes, the idea that Eastmans are individually hand made is laughable.
One look at their website and you see the massive range of models they produce, they would need every Lutier on the Planet to keep up that amount.
Great guitars, i own one, but come on, maybe in their infancy they were hand made but now, no way.
@@SaintKimbo
Yeah I've read two vastly different numbers of how many guitars they make a year, but they are in the tens of thousands (19,000-40,000), which isn't really feasible handmade like that,
Bourgeois make 400 per year.
Martin guitars are praised on their hand built anecdotes, Eastman are built in a similar way at a fraction of the price 👍
I have one of the top guys at Eastman joining me soon who will be able to explain better than me where CNC is used in all aspects of acoustic guitar production - where it can be afforded to install. There are key component parts that do not need to be made by hand so for example a neck. Rather than get a block of wood and start chizelling - they will cut the neck by machine to get the shape - to be then finished by hand. If you are genuinely interested in this aspect of their work please subscribe because like I say I will be getting one of the top guys from Eastman on for a video call to chat through how their guitars ae made. Would this be of interest to you?
@@StringsAtHome Eastman have scaled up their production massively. I discuss this in the video. I also explain in the video that the reason why so many people now know about Eastman is BECAUSE they have upscaled their production. This is the exact point I was making which you have demonstrated maybe better than I could. You can buy a hand made solid wood acoustic guitar for £500 from Eastman or £5000+ for a Bourgeois or £1149 for the Dowina in the video. If someone wants to support traditional hand built guitars then you want to be looking at Dowina.
No harm in promoting your business ethos and why you do what you do. It's great to see Richards guitars back. Now to get saving so one day I may be able to you all visit to see these Eastmans
I hear and totaly agree with you Richard.
Any chance of doing a similar video on electric guitars that are not well known.
Great to see you again.🙂👍💞
To be fair gordon smith are a perfect example in the electric guitar world - and Eastman also fit in to that genre. I’m proud of my work with Cort and vintage - but most recently at the other end of the price point is valenti - hand made in italy - incredible. So yes agree with you too. It’s just nice talking frankly about what we do and what motivates me in my work
Hi Richard, Thanks for all the info. I agree with you; your explanations have been really helpful for someone like me. After watching your videos, especially those from 5 years ago introducing Eastman PCH and E series and Seagull S 6, i thought you're the right person to trust and get an advice. I'm an adult beginner, mainly playing chords, strumming, and short progressions. My guitar journey has been sporadic due to moving countries for grad studies every few years. Initially, I struggled with an unplayable guitar, but after learning more about the instrument I understood the mistake I made. I bought a Seagull S6, which I adore for its balanced and earthy sound. I daily practice became a joy on it and i adored it so much, i played it everyday for 3 months before i had to move again. However, its large body didn't suit me. In the end, i loved it so much, I didn't want to sell it, so I donated it to a local high school before leaving the country. Now, as I near the end of my studies, I want to pick up the guitar again. I'm looking for an affordable guitar with a great sound, low action, good playability, and suitable for a small person like me (5 feet 5 inches). I've been considering models like the Taylor 110CE and Academy series (i like the sound) and Eastman PCH1 models, and a few Yamahas like FS800. I'd have directly gone for PCH1-GACE or OM, but I felt if it's bit metallic/treble-heavy for my taste. In fact, I'd like little more tang than Seagull S6. My budget is
I have a Furch and i love it. It's not my best, but it fits a niche that others cannot compare to. How does Dowina stack up to Furch in your opinion?
It really depends on what you are looking for from your guitar. Furch are incredible instruments - they changed my entire prespective of what an acoustic instrument should be capable of and saw the end of my interest in Martin / Taylor / Takamine etc. Thats how profound an effect it had on me. All I can say is I have had the same profound impact experience wise with Dowina - but for different reasons. The fact that you can have your guitar made to your personal specification - choose exactly what woods you require - personalised details - the fact that the people behind the scenes are so incredibly artistic and creative in their own rights and are lookig to create artistic expression (visually) in each guitar is incredible - the fact that Erikas father still travels the World selecting the pieces of wood personally - the list goes on and on. The fact they are made in Europe and the prices are so ridiclously cheap - all adds to the mix. Dowina are so beautiful its the only brand that I show the backs - in the main shot. lol. No other brand would do this - as all guitars look the same these days - not Dowina. They are so special on so many levels.
I tried Furch and Dowina GA and OM’s today in the shop and I was so surprised how different they are even with the same woods. Both absolutely amazing! Different sounds to them and for me I preferred the Dowina. I think it’s a matter of what you like and what sound you have in your head. I honestly went in today determined to buy a Furch and spent a lot of time researching Furch and I ended up with a Dowina 😂 and now I’m on the internet and RUclips researching Dowina 😂😂😂 because im a total nerd and need to know these things. 😅
@@RichardsGuitarshop good info - Thank you!
@@jazzup13 fascinating. I'm super curious now! The only Furch I have is a Little Jane (travel guitar). It is phenominal in comparison to any other - I think I've played them all and owned numerous ones. I took it to Colombia for 2 months and gathered crowds, had invites to dinners and sleepovers etc., I think partly because it stayed in tune, sounded wonderful and made me sound good. I still haven't even touched any other Furch guitars but my Little Jane. Dowina is super interesting to me now too!
I have two Auden guitars, lefthanded amazing, I love your passion, I agree what your saying
I'm still amazed by the number of people who slavishly lust after Fender and Gibson. Distinctly average at best and certainly overpriced for what they are. My favourite acoustic is a Cort which is amazing but according to one expert Cort don't make amazing acoustics. Keep treading the path less chosen Richard. That's where the real gems are to be found.
I just removed the stupid reply someone posted to you - and if you want to know more about the topic you can email me directly richard@rguitars.co.uk . Thanks for the kind words.
Thanks.
Sounds like a business opportunity to me
Use an English spellchecker. I think your's is set to US.
I don’t have one but an guilty of using American spelling sometimes
Custom guitars for less than the big name brands
❤
Hopefully you can check out alama guitars from the Philippines. Goodluck :)
⚓️ Thanks Richard 🌈 you have to give credit to the CNC machine 🎶 your message cannot be authentic until the neck & neck base joint are credited to the machine. Without the CNC it’s moot…. A $1K guitar is $1.5K because the machine can do that shaping flawlessly. Nevertheless it needs the hand finishing… but all the macro shaping is completed by the machine. Even in Korea or Indonesia… the machine makes it possible. 🌈
I don’t ever disagree with that point. I think you’re entirely right and a hand made guitar like Dowina or Eastman or Lowden or whatever …. All will use CNC for the basic templates. CNC is used where it’s practically sensible and the hands are used in the same manner. The difference between mass produced and hand made is the level of automation and corner cutting required to make the volume necessary for world markets.
Yairi spoke shaves their guitar necks by hand. They are the most comfortable necks I have ever played. Cnc machines are fine for convenience and precision. But the instruments made by production are boring and can sound boring. Take the soundboard for instance. A production soundboard is pre -production set at a certain thickness. Say 3 mm for example. Every sound board has different characteristics. The sound produced can vary about 30 percent for woos from the sane tree. Production doesn't take this into account. A handmade guitar will have a soundboard with what the maker feels is the best for each individual piece of wood. The sane 3mm production soundboard may vibrate and produce a better sound at 2.6mm. And if course the bracing is the same story. Hand shaved versus cnc wins. Abd a bolt on neck might be great if the guitar needs a beck reset. But it doesn't make the guitar sound as good as a dovetail set neck. Machine and production are there just for convenience, uniformity and cost saving. No different than any other product mass produced. They may be well made but sort of generic. Like comparing a Ford to a Lamborghini. On most cases hand built guitars are always better than production ones. And Dowina is outstanding! The same guitars nade by Martin, Taylor and Gibson would cost thousands more. Just look at the prices of these companies custom made guitars. Tens of thousands for some. Insane!
It’s difficult, no impossible, to believe anyone anymore following covid/AstraZeneca/Moderna/Government/WHO etc. everyone has an angle, self interest, ulterior motive. You’ve gotta go out and study stuff for yourself, don’t rely on anyone else’s opinion, even including the humble guitar.
I’d recommend Dr Jon Campbell on RUclips. I have always seen the guitar industry as a mirror of the wider world and you are quite right to come to the conclusions you do. Where there is profit there is corruption