[Belated] NGD: Furch Pioneer

I'm getting lazy. Or forgetful. Maybe both.

A few weeks ago I attended the Artisan Guitar Show in Harrisburg, PA. It's an expo for custom guitar builders and more. I was like a kid in a candy store.

Some "non-custom" builders were there, such as Sadowsky, but the one that caught my eye was the Czech builder, Furch. Ever since I got my Furch LJ-10CE ("Little Jane") I have been in awe of the quality of sound and build by this not-yet "big" builder (at about 8,000 guitars a year). I recently put a crack in my Little Jane, and subsequently learned that Furch had come out with a new model similar to it, but without the removable neck. They had every model of every wood choice at the show and I managed to pick up the last Spruce/Rosewood Pioneer. Show priced and a padded gig bag thrown in, at pre-increase dollars. How could I resist?

My Little Jane has been repaired and only shows a "beauty mark" from where I crunched it. So, now I have tow little Furch guitars that differ in sound but are equally as comfortable playing.

There were an awful lot of pretty, unique and awesome guitars at the show, and I played a number of them

But I came home with a Furch.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Guitar-Lo.../Furchs-XL.jpg

Left: Little Jane (Western Red Cedar/ African Mahogany)
Right: Pioneer (Englemann Spruce / East Indian Rosewood)

Congrats
Finding an acoustic that talks to you is so much harder than an electric.
being such different tops backs and sides, I?m not surprised they sound different.
cedar vs engleman spruce/ hog vs rosewood.
I don?t have a cedar top yet, but I?m not a good finger picker so no rush. Spruce so far with me in a mix of Sitka and Adirondack. Have both with hog and rw.

Beautiful guitars. I love small acoustic guitars. Way more comfortable than wrestling with a dreadnaught.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tele-Bob

Beautiful guitars. I love small acoustic guitars. Way more comfortable than wrestling with a dreadnaught.

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Quite true. Luthiers have advanced the art of guitar-making to the point where great sound can be had from smaller-bodied guitars. Plus, when one adds a decent pickup system and plug it in, it's no longer the realm of the guitar to make all the sound, but the combination of equipment.

Many older (like me) guitar players have discovered that playing dreadnoughts can lead to fatigue, arm soreness, and general discomfort. Smaller guitars have become the most popular for most builders (Taylor's GS Mini is the best-selling guitar they make).

Whenever I play my Little Jane (and probably the Pioneer too, once it makes its public "debut") listeners comment on how powerful the guitar sounds!

I recently bought a Martin SC13e with sunburst finish. It's a real jewel when you need to plug in and get a great sound.
I like Taylor guitars well enough, but I'm just not a fan of the sound. I prefer the fuller, warmer sound of a Martin.
The Taylors sure do play well though.

martin sc13e - Google Search