Rguitars Reviews 991

Great service from Richard and Jon. My Eastman came perfectly set-up, just how I asked for it to be - they even went out shopping for my preferred strings!! They told me that the guitar would take six or seven days to arrive as it had to go in the set-up queue and it arrived in the quoted timescale. Very satisfied overall and will definitely buy from Richard again. Sometimes it takes a little while to get a reply but no doubt they are very busy if my own experience reflects the high quality service they offer. Recommended!!!

I would highly recommend Richards guitars, I am so glad I made an appointment to visit the showroom.
I had already spoken to Jake and asked if I could try Furch, Eastman and Dowina acoustic guitars, these were all made ready for me when I arrived.
I had the showroom to myself with all these wonderful guitars and there was help if I needed it.
I was given as much time as I needed to try and make the difficult choice between 3 amazing guitars.
In the end I chose the Furch Yellow Gc-CR which is fantastic guitar.
From making my decision to the delivery of my guitar the service and communication was above and beyond expectations.
A big thank you to all at Richards guitars, and a special mention to Jake and Jon for their help.

A perfect space for trying out guitars , staff provided just the right amount of help and gave us plenty of space and time to make a decision. The only dificult part was making the choice , I was looking for something special and was not expecting such a choice in the category of nylon crossover guitars, something like 7 or 8 different models, I was torn between 3 of them and between some others not in the category. I was given so much time to make my mind up that I am entirely sure I made the right choice in this Aladdins Cave. Brilliant

I’m delighted with the purchase of my beautiful Dowina guitar and can’t recommend Richard’s Guitars highly enough.

I’d tried a few of the larger shops as well as a couple of smaller names but I didn’t feel comfortable trying stuff out and the quality of advice was sketchy at best.

After some very helpful online chat support, I booked an appointment to try out a Faith model but I was gently encouraged to try a few other options based on my requirements.

When I arrived, a range of guitars was laid out and I was left to try them out in my own time. Jake, who helped me, was excellent. He was on hand, as needed, and offered advice without being intrusive or pushy.

It’s clear there’s a focus on low volume, quality producers and I can see why. In the end, I opted for a hand built, solid wood, rosewood and cedar model from Dowina (who hadn’t been on my radar previously).

To top it all off the service included a full setups. And, despite these excellent levels of quality assurance, the guitar was with me within a couple of days, well packaged and securely delivered.

Overall, excellent! Good job and thank you.

Superb customer service stacked ontop of a great deal on a 2nd hand acoustic guitar. Can't recommend these guys highly enough. Excellent communication throughout, a perfect instrument set-up and a price that was unbeatable elsewhere.

11 out of 10!

From stock enquiry to delivery took less than a week! Much quicker than anticipated, I had asked for it to be rushed if possible..
The guitar arrived perfect, the best acoustic I've ever had (and I've had a few, all the BIG brands) thumbs up top marks on the instrument and the service from Richard's guitars. Well done and thanks, I'll keep this one!

I'm not sure what is better, the customer service I received from richards guitars(big thumbs up to Jake) or the actual guitar I purchased.
I ordered a Furch blue OM CM, I own several other mid priced acoustics a faith naked being one of them and this guitar is on a whole other level.
The guitar was setup to perfection, I literally only have to place my finger on a string to fret it and the sound is just amazing!!! The guitar was extremely well packaged, and arrived in good time. Sure you have to wait a bit for your guitar but setups take time, saves having to have it done after getting the guitar and having the hassle of dropping off the guitar, picking the guitar up and the expense of having it done.
I will definitely be using Richards Guitars for all my guitars need in future.

Two days ago I took delivery of a pre-owned Eastman ACTG-2E travel acoustic guitar from Richard. From my initial enquiry about purchasing a guitar until the hour it arrived, the whole process couldn't have been easier, or more streamlined. I explained exactly what I needed and the team at Richards Guitars supplied me with a list of 4 or 5 guitars which all fitted the bill. After taking my time choosing, I'm a real ditherer, I was kept in the loop during the time the guitar was being prepared to the high standards Richard himself insists on. Before dispatch every instrument is given a personalised set-up by a professional luthier taking approximately an hour and Richard personally tests out every instrument that leaves the shop. The guitar duly arrived and I could not have been more pleased. Although a "used" item, I could find absolutely no sign of any ding, scratch, scrape or blemish of any kind, the only sign of wear being some light sign of usage on the fingerboard.
All in all, I couldn't have asked for a more personal, professional or pleasurable buying experience and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Richards Guitars to anyone looking to buy their first, or tenth guitar as the advice given and the sheer professionalism of the team there is second to none.

A guitar can be tap tuned and still sound mediocre. Happened with my Dowina Ceres GACE SE which I bought in good faith online from Richard. It had a ballpoint "D" written inside the top, a Dowina tradition alledgedly indicating the one who created the top.
The guitar came with the wrong strings, (012 instead of the requested 011) there was no manual for the wrongly installed Fishman Matrix Infinity pick up, and the guitar was twice as heavy as my Lowden 012 wich is almost twice as large, and sounded dead.

There was 2cm space between the recommended Hiscox case and the guitar body, though over the phone I was told it fitted "snugly".
It was just after Brexit and sending the guitar back was next to impossible.
When I protested, I was told (paraphrasing) not to whine, they knew better than Fishman, and that I should be happy to have a hand built guitar at such a great price.
Eventually, the Fishman manual was sent to me.

I lost 900 euro on it when I traded it, in a shop I could actually physically visit, for an Eastman E20D TC . In that shop were also a couple of Dowina Dreadnoughts, for which I initially came.
Lesson: Dont buy expensive acoustic guitars online.

I totally fell for R´s youtube campaign, his friendly and supposedly "honest" demeanor there, even though I should have known better: someone who demo´s guitar sound with a smartphone as the only recording device relies entirely on his good looks and smooth salespitch. He deletes (shadowbans) my comments on his youtube videos, even though I speak totally the truth, which he can not handle.
I have copy pastes of the chat discussion I had with Richard.
He even asked me to delete a negative comment I posted here.
At the time, I was even inclined to do so, intimidated by his relentlessly blaming me.
I showed the guitar to a 50 year experienced acoustic guitarshop owner and will never forget his disappointed look afte striking the first chord.

EDIT: A few hours after posting this, I got an email from Richard. I copied it here in its entirety and then i got another one...and ...

R: Hi Nico

I have managed after some time to find your personal details to try and work out why you would post what you have done on Trustpilot.

I will reply to whatever emails I can find on this system so please expect a few replies as I try and work out what on Earth has happened.

My first comment is as follows....

Your review (nor above) do you mention that you SPECIFICALLY told us not to set up the guitar as your tech would do it.
ME (client):You insisted in the chat on doing a set up anyway, so I expected one.

R:I get the impression time was of the essence and I do also remember at that time we were under MASSIVE pressure due to Brexit.
ME(client).:Yes, thus I was inclined to let it slip, (wrong strings) but then you began to belittle me in the chat, and I "should be glad with a handbuilt guitar", as if that predicate alone was reason to waive all shortcomings.

So, after I discovered that you shadowbanned me on youtube,I decided to do a review on Trustpilot after all and list the problems. Which, btw, I could extend with some more.

Your bizarre email system which never quotes the mail it responds to for instance, thus massively complicating complaints,or general communication, or the fact that YOU control the chats, so anything said or promised there can be deleted at will by you, and forces me to make screenshots or copy pastes. RIDICULOUS.

R: To this day we install the pickup between the strings - centrally as we have done for 20 years.

ME (client): Which is why you did not send the manual with the guitar which clearly shows the mic placed on the treble side near the neck.???(and not the extra set of strings Jon promised me).Petty.
We had this discussion in chat already b e f o r e you sent me the manual, which vindicates me. I had trouble getting good treble tones.

R: Of course you can place a pickip wherever you wish but as we want to place it where we believe it is correct - and where it would make sense to do so for the most balanced tone - we were not at fault for placing the pickup where it was located.

Your review also states it was the WRONG pickup. Can you explain this for me?

ME:I never said that. Wrongly installed. Not installed in the correct way, which is shown in the manual I did not get with the guitar but had to beg for.
cheers, Nico

There were those problems, and after a while I had to admit (with help of an honest friend who dared to say the truth), that which I would not want to admit: the guitar sounds mediocre at best, not worth more than 500 Euro, without the pick up system. 1 star
Edit 2: after long and difficult emails, Richard finally acknowledged some of the mistakes he made. That meant more than the 284,52 E he wired me, 2/3 of what I thought as fair.So I´ll upgrade from 1 to 4
Edit3:If you want the entire email exchange, email me at hammerstrumm at google.

Dowina bought sight unseen!

Review by Joe H. on 4 Apr 2022 review stating Dowina bought sight unseen!

I've been looking for a nylon strung guitar for sometime. I began by experimenting by putting nylon strings on my steel string Tanglewood just to see if that might be a good direction for me - it seemed ok, so after looking around i bought a Cordoba fusion 48mm nut width. But somehow i never got on with it, and i found it a struggle to play. So beRead more about I've been looking for a nylon strung

I began some research into narrow neck nylons, a bit of a niche corner of the market it seems. I tried a Yamaha but although playable, i personally found it souless. Then after discovering Richards video reviews the name Dowina came up. After looking local dealers as i live far from Stratford upon Avon, I couldn't find anywhere to try one (one so called dealer seemed disinterested, and another although seemingly helpful never followed up with the return info he promised). I contacted Dowina directly and Erika (owners daughter) came back with very helpful advice about what neck sizes, woods that would be good to compliment nylon strings etc etc and told me that Richards Guitars would help.
And help they certainly did!
I spoke to Jon and outlined my direction and he helpfully allayed my fears about 48mm necks. I've never spend £1000 on a guitar before and really wanted to see and feel if a Dowina would be right for me. So, he kindly allowed me to make a returnable deposit as long as i didn't order anything to be built that was too far away from standard that then couldn't go into stock should i decide i didn't like it when coming to pick it up. Well, it arrived early about a month I think - instead of the 12-18 weeks quoted. As it wasn't convenient for me to collect at that time i decided i couldn't wait, and as the team at Richards ( Jon and Jake) had been so helpful and knowledgeable, and i trusted them, i decided to bite the bullet and have it sent.
It arrived well packaged, double boxed, and clean as a whistle. And what a beauty it is in sound and looks! My fears about the 48mm neck were completely unfounded, the neck shape and set-up make it extremely playable. I have dropped the action a little since further to my taste, but there was plenty of scope to do that on the saddle. Richards guitars fitted the pre amp i ordered, and it sounds just great.
I plan to visit the showroom very soon (this week in fact), as on the strength of my dealings with the team at RG and their excellent advice and service i've paid a deposit and ordered another guitar, steel strung this time, so during the visit we'll see if i stick with my original order or change to something other when given the chance to play and compare the wonderful guitar offerings with different woods and body shapes side by side. really looking forward to that experience.
So, to sum up, If you're looking to buy a guitar, do yourself a favour and explore the lesser known makes that are still batch and hand made by genuine masters of their craft who live for and love what they do.
And buy that guitar from Richards Guitars who take customer care and service to level uncommon in this 'buy it today - get it tomorrow' world of homogenized, boring, also ran, factory built boxes with strings on.

On Dowina Rosewood (Ceres) HC Hybrid Nylon String Cutaway

If like me you want the best possible guitar and the best possible service you really can't go wrong with Richards Guitars.
I have watched all the videos on line and like many of you I wanted to know if all the hype was true, so
I made a private appointment and my wife and I travelled down from Lancashire and stayed overnight in Stratford. The next day we arrived at Richards guitars and there we met Jon who couldn't have been more helpful.
I am a dreadnought fan and thought that I was probably going to buy a Furch or Eastman acoustic. The selection of all solid handmade acoustic guitars available to try out is second to none.
After trying several I actually chose what for me was my perfect all-rounder a spruce /mahogany Auden Chester.
It wasn't rushed or put under any pressure to buy and the advice I received was excellent and well thought out.
All the guitars are brilliantly presented and set up and they all sounded fantastic but I would definitely recommend a private visit if like me you are not sure exactly what you are looking for.
After I chose the Auden I had to wait for it to be set up and delivered.
Was it worth waiting for delivery, yes absolutely it was. For me it's the difference between buying an off the rail suit or one that's made to measure.
Where else can you get this level of quality, advice and service.
I will definitely be travelling down and buying again. We need dealers like Richard and his team

My experience with Richard's Guitars was completely faultless, I would highly recommend them to anyone in the market for a quality acoustic that isn't from one of the big name brands.

I really love the idea of booking a private appointment at the showroom. That gives you plenty of time to try all the guitars you want, ask questions, and figure things out in a completely stress-free (and pressure-free) environment.

In a normal music shop you will either be ignored for large periods of time whilst over-worked staff rush around or you will have someone standing over you trying to convince you to go for the most expensive thing you've looked at. Richard's Guitars is the exact opposite of that and I found the whole experience thoroughly enjoyable. As a result I left the showroom completely happy that I made the right choice for me.

All the guitars I tried were beautiful, you can really tell that the inventory has been carefully selected and researched. I also feel that by going for lesser-known brands you can get some incredible value for money as well.

Having a free setup included in the price, along with 6 and 12 month check-ups is a huge bonus and meant that the guitar was absolutely perfect out of the box.

The setup was done and the guitar shipped out within a week. It arrived in perfect condition and I was well-informed throughout the process. I never met Richard himself but every member of his team did their jobs perfectly. The guitar I have purchased will likely meet my needs for many years to come but if I ever feel the need to get another I will be going straight back to these guys.

I was drawn to Richard's guitars as I've previously had some issues buying guitars from 'box-shifting' websites. I ordered a LAG T98E, but there was an unfortunate incident in which the guitar was damaged during transit. The customer service team could not have been more helpful in arranging exchange of the damaged guitar for a new one. The replacement I received was set up very well indeed and feels like a much more expensive guitar than it is!

Pros:
Good selection of guitars that should please any player and not the usual makes, models etc.
Condition of guitar received.
Decent setup with care and attention.
Excellent courier.
Feeling of being looked after if needed
Cons:
Packaging on mine was stuffed folded bits of cardboard/foam in a bigger (bit battered) box. So looked a bit amateur but did its job in protecting the guitar (£1700 on the site) in a hard case in transit.
Didnt send the certificate of authenticity. But have now 2 days after receiving guitar and resolved/certificate found within an hour of initial request via e mail (couldnt get through at 3pm).
No visibility of where your guitar is in the queue, 2 phone calls said early next week. Correct once, incorrect the week before.
50% hit rate on getting through on the phone (4 attempts) , with a complex lengthy message system (press 5 for mary, press 6 for dave etc). Who is dave? lol.
Missed a verbal request for low action, this is stock recommended setup , perhaps a weeny bit higher (measured) vs spec sheet and plays high for a single cut, but does have high frets. (They request verbal comms on setups, not e mails.)

Summary:
I bought here because i liked the process and ethos of the company, went with a non visit, online job. Didnt dissapoint. 2.5 weeks from initial order. Good negotiated price on an SB59 non v, which arrived absolutely pristine and not a fingerprint in sight.
If i bought again, would take more advantage of advice process and setup specifications, to understand more the guitar i was interested in. Thats my bad. I couldnt visit and cant for the 6/12 checkup, so negotiated a price on that basis.
Completely sold on the condition your guitar arrives in and fretwork, cleaning etc etc, just not completely sold on the setup, or business processes.
E mail comms were ok. You get updated day before it goes into the setup and when you place the order and then lots more after its left the workshop. They didnt send a paid for notification, which i phoned for confirmation as it was a slightly scrubby worldpay page. I think an additional e mail once the guitar gets into this weeks workshop queue, would probably keep the phones less busy and put customers minds at rest.
But you do feel like you get looked after and whilst they are not struggling for business, its a great place to buy a guitar, especially if you can visit. Hats off to the owner for a different model and during communications, everyone polite , helpful and eager to please.

This is the fourth guitar I’ve ordered from Richard, and not my last. On seeing and hearing a Dowina spruce/ mahogany guitar, I knew I had to have one.
Now do I take a chance and save a few pounds with a box shifting company and hope I receive the guitar I ordered, probably without the box being opened by them, or the guitar checked, let alone set up to perfection for me.
Or do I go to Richards, who will reject a guitar if it doesn’t come up to his exact standards of performance and workmanship, and then fine tune it so it plays exactly one hundred percent as it should, and even give this in writing with a personal certificate.
I have limited resources like most people so I prefer not to take a chance with my money, and have never had any call for complaint.
So happy with the Dowina that I just ordered a Furch, and I can say that he was simply fantastic with working out a deal which I didn’t even expect.
Many thanks to Richard and his team.

I live too far away from Richard's guitars so at first I sent two emails. For whatever reason these were never answered, so I phoned to ask my questions re guitars I was interested in. My first point of contact was Sophie who was professional, pleasant and a pleasure to talk to. I was passed over to John who answered all my questions and was so knowledgeable that I felt confident enough to order a custom built dowina without having a test drive as it were. I throughly enjoyed the whole process, choosing which woods would be used top back and sides, tried johns suggestion of Padauk wood for back part, and it’s a winner for me, pared with cedar top. I chose how the sound hole is decorated plus adding an inlay on the fret board. This was an amazing experience having a guitar especially made for me with my choices for only £1500. I spoke to Sophie I believe twice more and enjoyed the interaction with her. I waited approx 7 months for this guitar to arrive through covid lockdowns but it was well worth waiting for. It’s an amazing looking guitar for the price and superbly set up ready to play. On par with some high end guitars and much better than I ever expected, it’s a pleasure to play, it’s my fav. I would buy again from this business despite some of the negative reviews I’ve read. My only negative which is not a huge issue, is to phone not email. Guitars are amazing, set up superbly and most of all staff mentioned were knowledgeable and friendly. Not ever spoken to Richard. My experience was a resounding positive despite the wait.

My interest in Richard's guitars and the guitars he promotes outwith the big American 3-4 names first started when I retired in May last year (2021) As an owner of 3 Taylor guitars (200 , 300 and 600 series) I had initially set my sights on an 800 / 900 series. However before pulling the trigger on said Taylor I decided to do a bit of research to see what else was out there of a comparable/ lesser price range. 9 months later I kept returning to this guys videos where he promotes brands like Eastman, Dowina, Furch and Auden with an absolute passion. Anyhow, I finally settled on buying a Furch red G-SR. Around 10 days after placing my order I had a phone call from a very pleasant guy called John who explained that the guitar I wanted was out of stock and Furch estimated a delivery time of early / late summer. Other than me waiting so long for my preferred choice we discussed a few options which included the offer of a more expensive guitar at no extra cost. I eventually settled on the same Furch red but with a cutaway. The guitar arrived today set up to perfection and plays like a dream. Any guitars I've bought in the past have been from the larger city stores where by the salesman goes through to the store room and returns with guitar straight from the factory. If you are willing to wait a week or 2 to have a perfectly set up guitar then use these guys.

I am actually at a loss as to all the positive reviews of this company! They take a week to reply to any email and there’s always an excuse. They are slower than any other company I have ever had any dealings with, on any matter. And I’m not saying that to be rude, it’s the truth!
They claim to provide the best service in the industry but I have 4 guitars:
1 Gordon Smith Strat bought from Richards,
1 Auden Chester from Auden Guitars directly,
1 Macmull T-Classic from Macmull directly,
1 Eastman T386 from The Fellowship of Acoustics
The Gordon Smith from Richards, the cable jack has come loose. It’s only a small thing but it’s the only problem I’ve had on any of my guitars.
All the other shops reply within 24 hours, kept me updated on delays without being chased and in the case of a custom guitar from Macmull, I got sent pictures all the way through the build, not the case for my Gordon Smith from Richards. With the Gordon Smith from Richards, there were endless delays and I was never kept up to date, I had to chase and chase for months to get any news and as said before, they take a week to reply to an email. If you try to call about a guitar on order or to speak to accounts, you never get through. If you try to call to buy a new guitar, surprise surprise, they pick up the phone.
So despite my bad dealings with them with the Gordon Smith, I believed all their excuses last year and still believed their own hype about the level of care they take in setting up their guitars. A couple of months ago I ordered a Furch from Ricgards to replace my Auden. This was an in stock guitar. I received many generic emails to say that they were setting it up etc but after a month, still no guitar. I chase, I call, no reply. So I cancelled the guitar a month ago and I still have not received my refund for a guitar costing £2700. So they have had my money for 2 months now and it was purchased via Paypal so a refund takes approximately 30 seconds.
As said I cancelled the Furch from Richards and bought a Dowina from Kauffman's Guitar Store. As per all the other vendors I have dealings with, Kauffmans replied within 24 hours, took instructions for set up, and within 5 days, an absolutely perfect astonishing guitar arrived at my door.
DO NOT BELIVE THEIR HYPE - There is no benefit to purchasing from Richards as compared to any other store unless you particularly enjoy giving them your money and then waiting an eternity for your purchase, or even a refund.

EDIT: I just received a call from Richard and it seems I may have had very bad luck with the timing of my purchases and staff absences. My review must stand as it remains my honest experience and I cannot recommend the Fellowship of Acoustics or Kauffman's enough but they are not in the UK. The call was appreciated and hopefully other people won't have the same experience as me.

I originally ordered a guitar that turned out to be out of stock, they offered a very generous discount for my troubles.
I ended up buying another guitar that was in stock instead.
Richard took the time to answer my questions over email instantly even though it was way past business hours.
Guitar arrived incredibly well packed took a bit longer due to the setup (you can opt out for quicker delivery) the set up was perfectly intonated and a nice action.
Really personal and friendly service from all and Richard himself was a lovely bloke.
Will be buying more from him in future.
Recommended seller.

Based on online reviews I decided to go to Richards Guitars. I had been playing a Yamaha F310 for the last year which was ok to learn the basics but the action was far too high, it was frustrating and I was never going to improve any more on it.
Rather than buying a new guitar and paying for it to be set up I decided to try Richard.
I only wanted to spend around £300, there was an issue with the guitar I originally ordered, they admitted it wouldn’t be ready on time so offered us the Eastman which was worth a fair bit more at no extra cost. The guitar is absolutely spot on, sounds gorgeous and is so easy to play after my last one meaning I’m finally able to start working on barre chords and trickier chord changes etc..
Any time in the future I’m looking to upgrade I’ll be coming back and I’ll recommend to anybody else who wants a new guitar. I ended up waiting around four weeks but it’s 100% worth it to get a guitar that is set up to perfection.