Furch vs Gibson

[catfish]

Originally Posted by onaclearday

Thank you for answering. What is you don't personally like about the Furch guitars you've played?

I have a certain respect for Furch as a factory producer of lightly built guitars but tone wise they do not speak to me. I am after the tone, and I love the Martin signature tone which is present even in all of their guitars, even in their 15, 16 and X series, and I love the Gibson signature tone in their main models, like for example J-45, J-200 and Hummingbird. I do not find much of the tone I like in Furch guitars I played. Nothing wrong with their guitars, just my personal 'hearing'.

For example, in 2016 I played three Furch mahogany dreads in Vintage series, the cheapest was D30SM, then there was 32 and the most expensive I do not recall either 33 or 34, but all three had mahogany back and sides, tops was spruce. There was nothing in common in their sound, as if all three were made by three different guitar makers. Yes, I know they have new color lines now...

[malcolm kelt]

In some ways you are comparing different guitars not brands. What kind of guitar do you want ? A short scale 00 with different body shape/size or a longer scale OM with slightly bigger body etc. Your choice will be influenced by type of music you are playing.
I have played a few Furch guitars and have been impressed, I have owned a few Gibsons, including L-00's, and also fine guitars but can vary quality wise. If you can't play before you buy make sure you have a good return option/guarantee.
The other make I would consider in Europe would be Eastman, they produce both 00's and OM's and I have been impressed with the guitars I have played.

[pbla4024]

Originally Posted by catfish

For example, in 2016 I played three Furch mahogany dreads in Vintage series, the cheapest was D30SM, then there was 32 and the most expensive I do not recall either 33 or 34, but all three had mahogany back and sides, tops was spruce. There was nothing in common in their sound, as if all three were made by three different guitar makers. Yes, I know they have new color lines now...

Furch 33 and 34 has rosewood back and sides, only 30 and 32 are hogs.

https://furchguitars.com/en/instrume...-models/30-sm/
https://furchguitars.com/en/instrume...-models/31-sr/
https://furchguitars.com/en/instrume...-models/32-sm/
https://furchguitars.com/en/instrume...-models/33-sr/
https://furchguitars.com/en/instrume...-models/34-sr/

[Wrighty]

Originally Posted by onaclearday

Thanks for answering! What do you mean by very different? I cant really tell as I've never played any of them and moreover I've been mostly an electric guitar player.

I’m sure some of this has been covered by other replies, but essentially the signature tone of both manufacturers is different, and as such their guitars (in general terms) tend to be chosen by different styles of players.

Furch had two series - one modern in sound and one more traditional but generally Furch are favoured by those looking for a fingerstyle guitar with a fair amount of resonance and openness. Gibson tends toward a more traditional American tone and I have certainly never heard any Gibson sound like a Furch regardless of style or wood.

Play one of each if you can and you will hear it for yourself.

[rokdog49]

I have heard many positive comments about Furch guitars and it appears they are well-built.
That being said, if you are seeking the “Gibson” voicing, buy a Gibson.
It may be a little more of a challenge given your location.
As far as build quality goes, I don’t pay much attention to the naysayers about Gibson. My experience has been otherwise.

[catfish]

Originally Posted by pbla4024

Furch 33 and 34 has rosewood back and sides, only 30 and 32 are hogs.

https://furchguitars.com/en/instrume...-models/30-sm/
https://furchguitars.com/en/instrume...-models/31-sr/
https://furchguitars.com/en/instrume...-models/32-sm/
https://furchguitars.com/en/instrume...-models/33-sr/
https://furchguitars.com/en/instrume...-models/34-sr/

I do not remember exactly, did not write it down anywhere, it is possible that the 3rd dread, the most expensive, had rosewood b&s. In any case, what I do remember well is that all three did not have anything in common tone wise. And none impressed me.

[onaclearday]

Originally Posted by jklotz

I don't know if I'm qualified to answer. I've got a J-45, but I've never played a Furch, but I've listened to quite a few online demos. To me, it seems like Gibson's are more vintage voiced and Fruch is more modern. Wouldn't the answer start with the type of sound you were going for?

That's a good question to which I should have an answer. But I played almost electric guitar exclusively and own only one acoustic(my first guitar a cheap Epiphone). I can't figure how a vintage acoustic guiar sounds and how a modern one does. What I mainly want is a "sweet" sound, not boomy like a dred, without too much emphasis on the bass, but which is pretty well rounded.

[rokdog49]

A Gibson J15 might be a good option.

https://www.gibson.com/Guitar/ACC3YP...ntique-Natural

[pieterh]

Originally Posted by onaclearday

That's a good question to which I should have an answer. But I played almost electric guitar exclusively and own only one acoustic(my first guitar a cheap Epiphone). I can't figure how a vintage acoustic guiar sounds and how a modern one does. What I mainly want is a "sweet" sound, not boomy like a dred, without too much emphasis on the bass, but which is pretty well rounded.

A Furch OM should fit that description!

[Dbone]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

I have heard many positive comments about Furch guitars and it appears they are well-built.
That being said, if you are seeking the “Gibson” voicing, buy a Gibson.
It may be a little more of a challenge given your location.
As far as build quality goes, I don’t pay much attention to the naysayers about Gibson. My experience has been otherwise.

You can find some good ones, and some not so good ones. That’s the thing with Gibson. A high degree of variability in both build quality and sound. Furch is very consistent on both in comparison. On 2 different ends of the spectrum really.

Having said this, I do agree with the assertion that desired tone should be front and center. If it is Gibson tone one is looking for then go there and sift through the pile for a good one. If it is Furch order it sight unseen and enjoy. You will not have a problem.

[catfish]

Originally Posted by Dbone

You can find some good ones, and some not so good ones. That’s the thing with Gibson. A high degree of variability in both build quality and sound. Furch is very consistent on both in comparison. On 2 different ends of the spectrum really.

Having said this, I do agree with the assertion that desired tone should be front and center. If it is Gibson tone one is looking for then go there and sift through the pile for a good one. If it is Furch order it sight unseen and enjoy. You will not have a problem.

Current Gibsons, say from 2010 on, are very consistent both in build and tone. There may be some cosmetic imperfections, like extra glue visible where it should not, or imperfectly slotted nuts, but yet it is not often and after one strum one forgets about these imperfections, enjoying the tone.

[Laughingboy68]

Originally Posted by Mbroady

If you find one of the Good Gibson’s, it’s a beautiful experience. Same goes for Furch, but from my experience, Furch are more consistent from guitar to guitar, and you are more likely to get a “Good” One. In fact I never played a Furch dud. But I have played several Gibson’s that were duds. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it

This. Can’t say it any better.

[Dbone]

Originally Posted by catfish

Current Gibsons, say from 2010 on, are very consistent both in build and tone. There may be some cosmetic imperfections, like extra glue visible where it should not, or imperfectly slotted nuts, but yet it is not often and after one strum one forgets about these imperfections, enjoying the tone.

I’ll accept your knowledge of 2010 being a demarcation point of some sort in terms of sound consistency. I wasn’t aware of this. I can only speak of my experience with many of them in stores over the last 5 years or so. I have personally seen a lot of variability in the sound, and certainly build.

Again, having said this, perfect Gibsons exist. I have seen them and was tempted. I just wasn’t ready to lay out the money at the time when I had come across the really nice examples.

For anyone who has to own a Gibson, I say do it. They have their own place in the guitar world for sure.

[catfish]

Originally Posted by Dbone

I’ll accept your knowledge of 2010 being a demarcation point of some sort in terms of sound consistency. I wasn’t aware of this. I can only speak of my experience with many of them in stores over the last 5 years or so. I have personally seen a lot of variability in the sound, and certainly build.

I'm not an expert on acoustic Gibson guitars, I own J-45 Standard 2015 and played several J-45 Standard, J-45 TV, J-35, J-15, LG-2 American Eagle, Hummingbird and J-200 in the shops, all were past 2010 and all sounded and looked good. But that's about it.
I do not think I have enough experience to set a 'demarcation point' -- there are people on AGF and the Gibson forum who have much more knowledge than myself. I was just telling my own opinion.

[Dbone]

Originally Posted by catfish

I'm not an expert on acoustic Gibson guitars, I own J-45 Standard 2015 and played several J-45 Standard, J-45 TV, J-35, J-15, LG-2 American Eagle, Hummingbird and J-200 in the shops, all were past 2010 and all sounded and looked good. But that's about it.
I do not think I have enough experience to set a 'demarcation point' -- there are people on AGF and the Gibson forum who have much more knowledge than myself. I was just telling my own opinion.

If I was to buy a Gibson it would be a J45 Standard. Something about em’.