A fantastic modern take on a classic design!  This is the kind of guitar that makes folks trade in their trusted Taylor...I've seen it happen before!  And for good reason: by tightening the figure, deepening the body, and tweaking the bracing, the folks at Furch have created one of those elusive instruments that manages to be versatile as well as full of personality with smooth, inviting playability to boot.  It's as broad in the dynamic spectrum (deep, resonant bass all the way up to full, clear highs) as it is concentrated.  Flatpickers and fingerpickers alike are going to love it!  The taut, balanced, fundamental-centric voice of the OM21SW lends itself to everything from ragtime to open tuning explorations to heavy rhythm work to fiddle tunes.  I love how well the Black Walnut and Sitka get along.  Walnut is, to my ear, like a darker maple--crisp and articulate but not quite as bright.  The natural warmth of Sitka softens the tonal edges enough for fingerstyle to still ring out crisp and clear but for strumming with a flatpick to yield a wonderfully warm, glowing response.  A striking lead instrument, too!  Try a little melodic playing with a flatpick and you'll find that notes practically explode out of this OM.  Playability is no less welcoming than the versatility--a flat, fast neck profile ensures that your hands don't get in the way of the wonderful music you'll be making with this superlative modern OM from Furch. 

About Furch/Stonebridge Guitars

In 2004, while attending the Music Messe Trade Show, in Frankfurt, Roger Schmidt, who was at that time employed as a sales manager and product scout, came across the booth of the Czech guitar builder, Frantisek Furch. Having been around guitars his whole life, as well as being an avid fingerstyle player, the guitars on display immediately grabbed his attention. After spending a good while sampling the many fine instruments, Roger had no doubt in his mind, these were especially good guitars.

The following year, Roger returned to the same show, now as an independent sale representative. His main mission was to have another careful look at the guitars he couldn’t seem to get out of his mind. Sure enough, they gave him an even better impression the second time around. After some discussions with the sales manager on hand, it was agreed, that they would begin cooperating together, towards the introduction of their guitars, into the USA and Canada.

With very limited resources, but much determination, Roger set about to see what could be done. He pretty much “maxed out” is personal credit card purchasing a small selection of samples. When they arrived a few months later, he took them, along with his family, on a “working vacation”. In less than three weeks, they had visited numerous music stores in over twelve American states. The impressions and reactions were almost unanimous at each stop; the guitars were deemed to be of very high quality and truly impressive. The one “hesitation” that kept coming up was the brand name.  Frantisek Furch, who had been building his guitars since 1981, had already established a fine reputation, selling the guitars with his family name as the brand throughout Europe and Japan.  However, the general feeling was that it would probably be best to identify the guitars with a more marketable brand name for the North American market. Heeding this sound advice, Roger came up the name of “Stonebridge”, inspired from the Charles Bridge in Prague, which was built in the 12th century, and made entirely of cut stone. Before this world famous historical landmark was officially named after a much loved king, the people just called it the Stone Bridge. Frantisek Furch readily agreed with the concept and the brand was then created and developed by Roger Schmidt.

In 2010, Roger joined forces with Ken Wilson, who is now the president and CEO of Stonebridge Guitars International. Together, along with the help of their USA Sales Director, Todd Allison, who has been with the company since 2007, they have worked tirelessly to build up the company, and the awareness of these remarkable guitars. Their main strategy for lasting success has been to build up genuine “street cred” through down to earth hard work,  and conviction in a superior product that inspires one to create.  By staying this course, Stonebridge Guitars has firmly cemented themselves in the world of fine hand crafted boutique guitars, with a continued steady growth and impeccable reputation.

Stonebridge Guitars are now in the hands of many fine players, many who are recognized by their fans and peers, as being at the very top of their genres. As well, there are many emerging artists who have come to own, and hone their craft with our guitars. We have made many good friends along the way and look forward to making many more. We hope that this might become the case for you, as well!

Line 21 is the big sister of Line 20 with similar features including an all solid body. The top is made from Sitka Spruce and the back and sides are the beautiful sounding Black Walnut wood. The natural feeling of this instrument is underlined by the Open-Pore finish.

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