Furch's own Orchestra Model with Sitka Top, Rosewood back and sides, and a whole lotta mojo!
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Because of our special relationship with FurchStonebridge we can get this as fast, or faster than anyone in the industry. In some cases, we even have preferred build slots we can offer you.
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This OM is a chameleon! Fingerstyle, strummin' away, or a little bit of flat picking - it doesn't matter, this orchestra model sounds incredible. There is an authoritative tone that is fundamentally strong, but equally as lush in harmonic content. This is a comfortable median between the larger bodied guitars and more intimate small bodies that can really project the best of both worlds. No power lost while still retaining all the intimate and humble sounds of the guitar's true tone. This OM is sure to please the first person who gets it in their hands.
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!
In this video, Sound Pure acoustic guitar expert Robinson Earle describes and demonstrates the Furch OM31SR-DB Deep Body. This guitar features a sitka spruce top and Indian rosewood back & sides.
The Furch Story
Frantisek Furch has been building acoustic guitars in the Czech Republic (formerly
Czechoslovakia) since 1981. Growing up under a Communist government where American music
was frowned upon, Furch and a large group of the youth at the time fell in love with the charms
of our culture’s music, especially Bluegrass and the acoustic folk-based types. They hid their
passion from authority and met and played late at night around campfires or deep in the woods,
far from the ears of authorities.
Understandably, many of the youth had difficulty procuring quality instruments, due to a
multitude of reasons, namely restrictive government trade policies, and lack of sufficient
spending money. This necessity led Frantisek, originally a banjo player, to begin building guitars
and mandolins to supply his friends and fellow music lovers. For the first 8 years of his
professional instrument-building career, business was conducted in secret because the
communist government outlawed private enterprise. In the garage of his parent’s home he built
acoustic guitars, selling them to the growing underground music community. Well before the fall
of Communism, Furch’s reputation grew and reached the ears and hands of many an impressed
music lover. Beginning in 1989, after the fall of Communism, Furch was finally able to build and
sell formally under his own name. His company was named Furch Musical Instruments. By then,
he was producing acoustic guitars that were superb in quality and in no time, he couldn’t keep
up with the demand. So employees were steadily added and in 1993, they moved the
production into a renovated mill.
Furch and his shop quickly gained a great reputation throughout Europe and Japan for making
highly affordable and extremely nice world-class guitars. By finely handcrafting his instruments
from traditional guitar tone woods like Rosewood, Mahogany, Maple and Cedar, and having
direct access to such highly desired species as the European Spruces, Furch’s guitars rank high
with many of the greats. When compared to other similar guitars, though, his stand out in value.
Furch and his shop of builders have also made use of many modern advancements in their oldworld
shop. His guitars today use a modified bolt-on neck joint as well as top notch hardware
like Schaller Tuners, and top of the line pickup systems.
In 1994, Furch entered the Frankfurt music fair for the first time. This proved to be quite
successful, and the demand for the instruments quickly surpassed their production capacity.
Orders were sold out for at least six months ahead of time.
In 1999, the new Millennium Series of acoustic guitars was introduced. By then, they were
completing thirty guitars a week, with a staff of 20 people.
In 2002, they delivered a guitar with the serial number of 15000 and had almost doubled their
production rate.
In 2003, they purchased a much larger section of the mill, which they began to completely
rebuild. The Durango and Bluegrass series of acoustic guitars were launched at the Frankfurt
music fair and were received with much enthusiasm.
In 2004, they moved into the new facilities and completed guitar number 18000.
In the summer of 2005, a decision was made to adopt the name of Stonebridge, for use in North
America and the UK.
In 2015, with the Furch brand name spreading from the rest of the world into North America,
Furch has decided to bring their instruments into North America under their own name instead of
the Stonebridge Brand. Furch and Company now offer their fine old world products to the entire
globe under the Furch name.
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