Furch dreadnought

[mikealpine]

Played two Furch dreads today at a shop in NJ. The first was the one I went to see, a “Green” with a cutaway and pickup, Sitka/Rosewood. It was very nice, but not a standout. There was a Taylor 210 Plus that sounded better to me, at about 60% of the cost of the Furch.

There was a very pretty non-cutaway on the wall. It was a “Yellow“, Cedar/Rosewood. Holy cow!! It was loud, smooth, with more crispness and power in the bass than I expected. The high were rich, but really clear. I was so surprised! I always think of cedar as not having anywhere near the clarity of spruce. This guitar was lush and clear. If it had a cutaway, it would have followed me home. They are going to price one out for me.

Has anyone had that experience with Furch (or Stonebridge, I guess)?

[TBman]

Furch guitars are lusted after on this forum by many, including me. The cedar topped Yellow is at the top of my GAS list.

I'd want a cutaway also

Where in NJ? If its near me I could sneak over and play it.

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by TBman

Furch guitars are lusted after on this forum by many, including me. The cedar topped Yellow is at the top of my GAS list.

I'd want a cutaway also

Where in NJ? If its near me I could sneak over and play it.

O’Dibella Music
456 S Washington Ave, Bergenfield, NJ 07621

This is the guitar: https://www.odibellamusic.com/p-1239...llow-d-cr.aspx

I spoke with Tom. I brought along a RainSong Black Ice WS to offer in trade if I found something I liked. Nice shop. Was hoping to compare to a Martin or two, but they are not a dealer.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

O’Dibella Music
456 S Washington Ave, Bergenfield, NJ 07621

This is the guitar: https://www.odibellamusic.com/p-1239...llow-d-cr.aspx

I spoke with Tom. I brought along a RainSong Black Ice WS to offer in trade if I found something I liked. Nice shop. Was hoping to compare to a Martin or two, but they are not a dealer.

Ok thanks, I had family that lived in Bergenfield, I know it well.

[Mbroady]

The furch Yellow series which use to be the Stonebridge 23 series is their best seller worldwide. I am considering ordering a Yellow G 12 string.

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by Mbroady

The furch Yellow series which use to be the Stonebridge 23 series is their best seller worldwide. I am considering ordering a Yellow G 12 string.

I wish they didn’t go to color coding. I always liked the look of the “23” guitars, but thought they were always grand auditoriums. The dread I played was really stellar! Where’s your preferred shop?

As an aside, I know they’ll do custom builds, and am curious if they’d add an arm bevel to a dread. And maybe a redwood top. I could be in real trouble here!

[Shadowfox]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

I wish they didn’t go to color coding. I always liked the look of the “23” guitars, but thought they were always grand auditoriums. The dread I played was really stellar! Where’s your preferred shop?

As an aside, I know they’ll do custom builds, and am curious if they’d add an arm bevel to a dread. And maybe a redwood top. I could be in real trouble here!

Just look at their rainbow configurator!

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by Shadowfox

Just look at their rainbow configurator!

I did! I'd need some help walking through it, though. If I recall, they reference style numbers on things like fretboard inlays, but no images of what those are. Even with that, by the time I was done I was around $5500. I'd be better off doing it with a dealer so that I am only adding the few thing that I really want.

Edit: Just went through the configurator and it doesn't look like a bevel is offered on a dread. Even so I pumped up the cost to $6500. Ha!!

[Mbroady]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

I wish they didn’t go to color coding. I always liked the look of the “23” guitars, but thought they were always grand auditoriums. The dread I played was really stellar! Where’s your preferred shop?

As an aside, I know they’ll do custom builds, and am curious if they’d add an arm bevel to a dread. And maybe a redwood top. I could be in real trouble here!

I was also a bit bummed about the transition to the color coding, but putting aside the cosmetic changes they are the same great guitars. Like the number coding all color designations come in the basic shapes: Dread, Grand Auditoriums, OMs, etc....

in regards to my go to dealer ........Sent you a PM

[TBman]

Uh oh. I see they have the Yellow cutaway in cedar too (probably the old G23C). Dare I go......

My retirement is coming up in 3 months and first my wife said, "we'll see" and then she said "you deserve it"

[mikealpine]

Originally Posted by Mbroady

I was also a bit bummed about the transition to the color coding, but putting aside the cosmetic changes they are the same great guitars. Like the number coding all color designations come in the basic shapes: Dread, Grand Auditoriums, OMs, etc....

in regards to my go to dealer ........Sent you a PM

Thanks Matt! Hope all is well!!

Originally Posted by TBman

Uh oh. I see they have the Yellow cutaway in cedar too (probably the old G23C). Dare I go......

My retirement is coming up in 3 months and first my wife said, "we'll see" and then she said "you deserve it"

I would be grateful if you did! I would love to get your thoughts on the Yellow dread. My goal is to get something loud for e(en I play with others, yet not lose the sweetness and richness. I was really surprised and the crisp-yet-sweet tone of the lows and highs. I regret not playing the one you referenced. I am looking for a dread so I didn’t think to pick it up. I spoke with a nice young man named Tom and introduced him to RainSong. Please let me know if you go and what you think of both guitars.

[KCharlesD]

I've played the Yellow Cedar/Rosewood dread (was D23 CR then) and could have taken it home a couple of years ago, but I chose a Stonebridge Spruce/Maple Jumbo 24 series, my main go to guitar now. If any model is the classic Furch it's the Yellow G- CR-C. I thought it sounded great in the dread shape but they didn't have the G model in my local shop in Manchester, England. Best cedar top guitar I've played. Either shape would be a fantastic guitar.

[TomB'sox]

I hear lots of very good things about them, but if the spec was coming to 6500.00 I would be looking at getting a custom built from one of the AGF luthiers or picking up a used one. There are lots of very high end guitars for under that price in the classifieds right now. That just seems like an awful lot to me.

[Mbroady]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

I hear lots of very good things about them, but if the spec was coming to 6500.00 I would be looking at getting a custom built from one of the AGF luthiers or picking up a used one. There are lots of very high end guitars for under that price in the classifieds right now. That just seems like an awful lot to me.

I agree. A lot (but not all) of the custom upgrades are not worth the added cost. On paper customizing a Furch can get pricey fast and one should consider a custom Luther build. But if you can find a standard Furch already in stock that fits the criteria one would be hard pressed to beat the value. I think the 23 series (now the yellow series) fits the bill. And finding a used one can be an amazing bargain

[TBman]

I'm going over on Monday. I'll report back.