Beautiful guitar! I just bought a Furch Yellow Gc CR. We have to remember, luthiers have existed and have been building guitars in Europe longer than they have in America. Most of your best Classical Guitars are from Europe and they are gorgeous. You were right in saying that each string is clear and one not overpowered by the other...just like a piano. Thanks for another great video.
Great video as always!! Yes those European builders are creating amazing guitars! I have a Furch Yellow Master's Choice Gc-CR, in large part thanks to learning about Furch from your channel, and it is simply an almost other worldly playing/ listening experience! I have other guitars which I love, but the Furch is simply a different deal altogether! I often say my other guitars are great... My Furch is exceptional! I also loved that both of you describe great guitars as bonkers!! 😊 Keep up the great work!!
Let's not forget that Europeans have crafted the finest wooden, stringed instruments in the world... for centuries!!! So, yeah, a solid bit of DNA there. "What's the best guitar we can make?" Does Gibson do that? NO. Does Martin do that? Within the Martin tradition Yes, but do they go to the same lengths No. Why? because we get used to what we get used to and builders get spanked if they step outside the lines. Way too many copies... not enough innovation. Yeah Furch!
I'm lucky to own a couple of Martin's and Eastman's guitars, but recently bought a Atkin LG47 (based on a Gibson LG-2). Some things i notice with the Atkin is that it's really balanced, has a tone of volume for it's size and play's fantastic. The aged finish looks great but is thin, which makes it more susceptible to damage from nails or picks. it's my go to guitar for the last 3 months.
That Atkin is great sounding. I did meet Alistair Atkin 20 years ago or so when he was almost unknown but building really good guitars by himself. He was a top bloke, very friendly and knowlegeable. He has a number of other people working with him these days.
Like a fine pair of Italian shoes, can't beat that sound of the Italian guitar,and that J 45 is what American guitar makers can only hope their guitars sound like.
I'm lost. The Atkin is made just down the road from me in Canterbury, England. Do you mean it has the same quality as Italian shoes? (Actually, handmade English shoes are also wonderful, but the style is kind of , well, English!)
The Atkin has a slightly longer scale length than a J45; it's 24" and 7/8 rather than 24.75". So it's not a total J45 clone. Furch in my opinion competes with Lowden and Taylor (they use cedar tops extensively); Atkin's guitars are generally based on Martin and Gibson designs like the 000, dreadnought and J45. Atkin is one of a number of small builders in the UK that mostly sell guitars for the same kind of money as a 18 or 28 spec Martin. All small quantity builders: Fylde, Brook, Atkin, Elysian. Lowden and Atkin are a bit pricier; Lowden goes to town on the wood purflings and stuff, while Atkin specialises in aged finishes. I'd class them as quality builders rather than boutique; boutique to me means expensive. It means D-42 money for a D-18. Furch's top of the range is the same price as a D-18, and they do satin finish all-solid guitars (the Blue range) for about £1,000 (not sure what they sell for over there), a bit like the Larrivee OM-02. I think they have a price advantage being in eastern Europe, but it's closing as their economy moves closer to western Europe's being in the EU. BTW Robin Hood isn't in Canterbury. He's associated with Nottinghamshire which is in the other direction from London.
As an Englishman, I found your comments extremely interesting. I've played a Furch and heard many Atkins. Good guitars. I have 3 high end modern Martins and a 1963 Gibson 12, and played many Gibsons. I feel Atkin has a very American kind of sound; Furch, as you say, has a modern sound. If you get a chance, get hold of any or all the following UK guitars: Fylde, Lowden, Turnstone, Sobell, Bishop, Brook, Lucas, Taran - that's just off the top of my head, and ones that I have personally owned, played or heard. Also try and get an Emerald - all carbon fibre made in the republic of Ireland and superb, or a Bown. They are all lone makers or small shops. You mention that the Furch is a custom shop model, but Furch is actually a small factory of about 80 people, so even their stock guitars haven't been through many hands. Atkin is basically a 10 employee hand build shop. Thanks for the call out for our guitars this side!
Two good guitars. Never tried Atkin. I prefer more bling. That furch sounds awesome. What's the price difference between them. Dean 🇬🇧
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Having been to many countries in Europe from England, Germany, Switzerland France, Italy, I've lived in Costa Rica, Canada....México and of course in our great USA. Me as an American, born in the greatest valley of them all the Great Central San Joaquin Valley, who cares where guitars are made! Americans have this ignorance by choice or perhaps by not traveling to other cultures and think that ONLY USA products are good. The world makes in many instances better products than here in the USA. Still I love my California, my USA and I have purchased many foreign made products and they are great! Just today I bought German made Knipex tools. I love American made Klein and Channellock tools but for me I prefer Knipex string cutters for my guitar restrings! My "Boomer" rant of the day!
Did you ever try any lowdens Jeremy they are a wonderful guitar I live beside the factory some nice sounding guitars 🎸!! The f35 is a beautiful model wit cedar top super responsive!! Great video as usual lad cheers !! Brian Ireland 🇮🇪🎸🎸🎸
A very interesting comparison as the sonic results are not what you may expect. Alistair Atkin based in south east England makes incredible guitars based on the historical American tradition. Ironically, other top British builders (Lowden and Avalon in N.Ireland, Taran in Scotland and Fylde and McClaren in northern England, for example) make great guitars best suited for Celtic music. The idea being that in the likes of DADGAD a scale can be played across all six strings and needs a very open resonant response. Ironically here it is the Czech guitar that has the traditional Celtic sound. Both great guitars, though. Thanks for the vid.
Damn! I wish I had scrolled down to your comment before making mine. I named all the same (plus a few). I would mention that I have a Fylde and it is much more versatile than Celtic.
The guy here is spot on......Furch Guitars ARE better than Taylor's, across all ranges. Why? Because they're handcrafted, not mass -produced. Taylor's were much better when Bob hand built them at Lemon Grove. Alister Atkin in Canterbury, England builds Martin's and Gibson's better than Martin and Gibson do! Same reason - he hand builds them. They're not mass produced. Check out the Americana series from Avalon Guitars in Northern Ireland. Another handcrafted builder that deserves much praise.
That Atkin is a phenomenal sounding and looking guitar. I’ve got three guitars with small footprint bridges. Something about it. I can’t explain. I feel like it gives the guitar more ability to vibrate without a huge piece on the top. Never thought about putting the pickup on the treble side of the soundhole.
As for the Atkin, what is the neck like? How does it compare to an Eastman E20SS-V-sb? (American company, Chinese built). Was the 1943 Southern Jumbo the only year with Adirondack top Brazilian Rosewood back and sides? I think so (Gibson 2019 NAMM).
So....Martins,Gibsons, Taylors are NOT factory made? WRONG! Why do Amercians always think they are the masters of the universe in all things? There are hundreds of Luthiers in Britain alone that produce bench/hand made guitars alone or with a small group of craftsmen that are world beaters
@@IndigoJo Great Britain is classed as sovereign country of Europe. Didn't realise the guitars were manufactured in China though so appreciate the heads up. Beautiful guitars all the same.
@@Mr.Wrong1 I was referring to the guitars being made in China. They are no more European than Chinese made Epiphones are American. Quite a lot of such products are proudly branded "designed in Britain" and when you see that you know they weren't made here.
Yes, the Furch us a fuller, better sounding guitar than Taylor. Not to say there isn't a Taylor that sounds that good or a poorer sounding Furch. But Taylor's are made in USA.
Interesting. I felt exactly the reverse. Of course, the Atkin is very much in the American sound tradition whereas the Furch isn't. Both good guitars, though, and able to hold their own against Martin and Gibson.
Beautiful guitar! I just bought a Furch Yellow Gc CR. We have to remember, luthiers have existed and have been building guitars in Europe longer than they have in America. Most of your best Classical Guitars are from Europe and they are gorgeous. You were right in saying that each string is clear and one not overpowered by the other...just like a piano. Thanks for another great video.
Thank you Jennifer and welcome in the guitar family 💛
And C.F. Martin is from Germany and learnt from Stauffer (in Vienna, Austria).
The price ranges should be a part of these discussions
I've said that for years! :)
Great video as always!! Yes those European builders are creating amazing guitars!
I have a Furch Yellow Master's Choice Gc-CR, in large part thanks to learning about Furch from your channel, and it is simply an almost other worldly playing/ listening experience!
I have other guitars which I love, but the Furch is simply a different deal altogether!
I often say my other guitars are great... My Furch is exceptional!
I also loved that both of you describe great guitars as bonkers!! 😊
Keep up the great work!!
Let's not forget that Europeans have crafted the finest wooden, stringed instruments in the world... for centuries!!! So, yeah, a solid bit of DNA there. "What's the best guitar we can make?" Does Gibson do that? NO. Does Martin do that? Within the Martin tradition Yes, but do they go to the same lengths No. Why? because we get used to what we get used to and builders get spanked if they step outside the lines. Way too many copies... not enough innovation. Yeah Furch!
I'm lucky to own a couple of Martin's and Eastman's guitars, but recently bought a Atkin LG47 (based on a Gibson LG-2). Some things i notice with the Atkin is that it's really balanced, has a tone of volume for it's size and play's fantastic. The aged finish looks great but is thin, which makes it more susceptible to damage from nails or picks. it's my go to guitar for the last 3 months.
Sorry America, but IMO Furch are now the front runners when it comes to acoustic guitars, beautifully crafted instruments that sound amazing!
I'm an American, and I agree! I love my Furch guitars!
That Atkin is great sounding. I did meet Alistair Atkin 20 years ago or so when he was almost unknown but building really good guitars by himself. He was a top bloke, very friendly and knowlegeable. He has a number of other people working with him these days.
Man Sam can sing. Two beautiful guitars and you both played them beautifully. Thank you.
I love the Atkin’s guitar. I’m more of a Gibson/Martin player and that definitely fits that niche.
That J43A is magical.. Great balance, warmth, clarity and bottom end/bass.
Like a fine pair of Italian shoes, can't beat that sound of the Italian guitar,and that J 45 is what American guitar makers can only hope their guitars sound like.
I'm lost. The Atkin is made just down the road from me in Canterbury, England. Do you mean it has the same quality as Italian shoes? (Actually, handmade English shoes are also wonderful, but the style is kind of , well, English!)
The Atkin has a slightly longer scale length than a J45; it's 24" and 7/8 rather than 24.75". So it's not a total J45 clone.
Furch in my opinion competes with Lowden and Taylor (they use cedar tops extensively); Atkin's guitars are generally based on Martin and Gibson designs like the 000, dreadnought and J45. Atkin is one of a number of small builders in the UK that mostly sell guitars for the same kind of money as a 18 or 28 spec Martin. All small quantity builders: Fylde, Brook, Atkin, Elysian. Lowden and Atkin are a bit pricier; Lowden goes to town on the wood purflings and stuff, while Atkin specialises in aged finishes. I'd class them as quality builders rather than boutique; boutique to me means expensive. It means D-42 money for a D-18. Furch's top of the range is the same price as a D-18, and they do satin finish all-solid guitars (the Blue range) for about £1,000 (not sure what they sell for over there), a bit like the Larrivee OM-02. I think they have a price advantage being in eastern Europe, but it's closing as their economy moves closer to western Europe's being in the EU.
BTW Robin Hood isn't in Canterbury. He's associated with Nottinghamshire which is in the other direction from London.
The cousin to the Furch is Dowina next door in Slovakia. They tune the tops of each guitar.
the Atkin sounds incredible
Your reaction at 3:30 was the same as mine. That's an awesome sound.
As an Englishman, I found your comments extremely interesting. I've played a Furch and heard many Atkins. Good guitars. I have 3 high end modern Martins and a 1963 Gibson 12, and played many Gibsons. I feel Atkin has a very American kind of sound; Furch, as you say, has a modern sound. If you get a chance, get hold of any or all the following UK guitars: Fylde, Lowden, Turnstone, Sobell, Bishop, Brook, Lucas, Taran - that's just off the top of my head, and ones that I have personally owned, played or heard. Also try and get an Emerald - all carbon fibre made in the republic of Ireland and superb, or a Bown. They are all lone makers or small shops. You mention that the Furch is a custom shop model, but Furch is actually a small factory of about 80 people, so even their stock guitars haven't been through many hands. Atkin is basically a 10 employee hand build shop. Thanks for the call out for our guitars this side!
Man that Atkins sounds amazing. Guess I gotta start saving now for one of those.
3:18 Labor of Love. Andrew Peterson is one of my favorite artists. I love playing that song in DADGAD
Two good guitars. Never tried Atkin.
I prefer more bling. That furch sounds awesome. What's the price difference between them. Dean 🇬🇧
Having been to many countries in Europe from England, Germany, Switzerland France, Italy, I've lived in Costa Rica, Canada....México and of course in our great USA. Me as an American, born in the greatest valley of them all the Great Central San Joaquin Valley, who cares where guitars are made! Americans have this ignorance by choice or perhaps by not traveling to other cultures and think that ONLY USA products are good. The world makes in many instances better products than here in the USA. Still I love my California, my USA and I have purchased many foreign made products and they are great! Just today I bought German made Knipex tools. I love American made Klein and Channellock tools but for me I prefer Knipex string cutters for my guitar restrings! My "Boomer" rant of the day!
Not only were Europeans building stringed instruments a looooong time before Americans but this was also the situation in Asia.
Did you ever try any lowdens Jeremy they are a wonderful guitar I live beside the factory some nice sounding guitars 🎸!! The f35 is a beautiful model wit cedar top super responsive!! Great video as usual lad cheers !! Brian Ireland 🇮🇪🎸🎸🎸
A very interesting comparison as the sonic results are not what you may expect. Alistair Atkin based in south east England makes incredible guitars based on the historical American tradition. Ironically, other top British builders (Lowden and Avalon in N.Ireland, Taran in Scotland and Fylde and McClaren in northern England, for example) make great guitars best suited for Celtic music. The idea being that in the likes of DADGAD a scale can be played across all six strings and needs a very open resonant response. Ironically here it is the Czech guitar that has the traditional Celtic sound. Both great guitars, though. Thanks for the vid.
Damn! I wish I had scrolled down to your comment before making mine. I named all the same (plus a few). I would mention that I have a Fylde and it is much more versatile than Celtic.
Are not the most iconic American acoustic guitar (Martin) made by a German?!
Exactly so
ja
The guy here is spot on......Furch Guitars ARE better than Taylor's, across all ranges. Why? Because they're handcrafted, not mass -produced. Taylor's were much better when Bob hand built them at Lemon Grove. Alister Atkin in Canterbury, England builds Martin's and Gibson's better than Martin and Gibson do! Same reason - he hand builds them. They're not mass produced. Check out the Americana series from Avalon Guitars in Northern Ireland. Another handcrafted builder that deserves much praise.
That Atkin is a phenomenal sounding and looking guitar. I’ve got three guitars with small footprint bridges. Something about it. I can’t explain. I feel like it gives the guitar more ability to vibrate without a huge piece on the top. Never thought about putting the pickup on the treble side of the soundhole.
That Atkin guitar sounds great
Another great manufacturer from Europe is Lakewood Guitars here in Germany
I’m curious which guitar picks each of y’all used? Jeremy’s pick I didn’t care for the sound, wonder which it was, and what Sam had
I Just bought an Atkin J Forty Three! It is an amazing guitar! I will be getting a Boucher and then I may be done.
And then you're done?
Let see for how long.✌
Interesting would also be to compair a new Gibson J45 custom shop versus the Atkin J43.
I’d be curious to see what you think about K Yairi guitars… they are a masterpiece.
As for the Atkin, what is the neck like? How does it compare to an Eastman E20SS-V-sb? (American company, Chinese built). Was the 1943 Southern Jumbo the only year with Adirondack top Brazilian Rosewood back and sides? I think so (Gibson 2019 NAMM).
Love my Atkin
How could you not? They're spectacular
So....Martins,Gibsons, Taylors are NOT factory made? WRONG! Why do Amercians always think they are the masters of the universe in all things? There are hundreds of Luthiers in Britain alone that produce bench/hand made guitars alone or with a small group of craftsmen that are world beaters
What strings and gauge/type used on each guitar here?
Check out Auden guitars and Dowina guitars. Both excellent small brands too.
Auden is not European; the brand is British owned but made in China.
@@IndigoJo Great Britain is classed as sovereign country of Europe. Didn't realise the guitars were manufactured in China though so appreciate the heads up. Beautiful guitars all the same.
@@Mr.Wrong1 I was referring to the guitars being made in China. They are no more European than Chinese made Epiphones are American. Quite a lot of such products are proudly branded "designed in Britain" and when you see that you know they weren't made here.
@@IndigoJo got you. Cheers mate.
Can you tell me the name of the last song
Should've thrown a Louden in there too.
We'll keep it up! These are the two we currently own but I have been chasing a Lowden
Yes, the Furch us a fuller, better sounding guitar than Taylor. Not to say there isn't a Taylor that sounds that good or a poorer sounding Furch. But Taylor's are made in USA.
Nice comparison.
I'm in Roanoke also 👍
👍👍
you do understand that there are guitars in Europe that are older than USA..? 🙂
I understand nothing...
@@JeremySheppard ok that explains it
@@JeremySheppardGreat response! I thought your comments on the 2 guitars were spot on (English expression meaning accurate and excellent ;->)
That’s even tinnier than a Taylor!
Can you review a Duncan Africa Guitar?
I had one and it didn't work out! We're on it!
@@JeremySheppard ok
5:13 ich lach mich tot ... ... aber wir sitzen ja auch in Höhlen, was soll man sich von uns da erwarten.
The Atkins isn't there yet. The furch is outstanding
Interesting. I felt exactly the reverse. Of course, the Atkin is very much in the American sound tradition whereas the Furch isn't. Both good guitars, though, and able to hold their own against Martin and Gibson.
My Atkin 43 is way better than any Gibson 45 in every aspect - that's why it costs more
Ummm yeah...that Atkin...hubba hubba :)
removing the blindfold and ears can be comforting
I’ll keep my J45…
Absolutely! I love J45's.
You didn’t mic both guitars the same so it is difficult to get a true impression of the sound. Try again please.
Oh come on... the idea of all this is idiotic.
Europeans invented the damned organ - now they can't build them ?
How much fanatic some people be ?
We clickbaited. 😂