"Hi there Richard.
The guitar plays beautifully thank you, and of course it looks fantastic too. Thanks for all your help in getting it shipped promptly... I am looking forward to spending some time this week getting to know this wonderful instrument a little better.
Thanks again, David"
Dear Richard,
Here are the pictures of the (hollow body electric) guitar Gary Zimnicki built for me. Thanks again for connecting me with Gary. The guitar is EASILY the best guitar I have ever played.
I also want to thank you for reintroducing me to the Standel amplifier. It is definitely tops on my list of amplifiers to try... when I get my effects switching system nailed down.
Best regards, Ryan
Dear Richard,
[The guitar] arrived today - perfect condition. I LOVE it! Manageable size, easy fingerboard action, great tone, (highs sound almost electrified, "sizzling"), outstanding case, beautiful finish and appointments.
I will keep it.
Best regards, David
Richard--
"I spent my life battling amplifiers and I thought I'd finally go back to what works for me."
--Buddy Emmons, an FGC client, talking about (with his permission) his Standel amp he ordered and received from us
Dear Mr. Glick:
The Traugott is fabulous...exactly what I hoped for. Thanks for supplying such a wonderful instrument.
Yours truly, Edson H.
Hi Richard
I am very happy with the guitar, Richard. The selection of floating pick up is perfect. She has a dark & mysterious look & a crisp punchy sound that sustains forever...I have been working hard on expanding my vocabulary, the (guitar) has helped with my speed & the comfort factor, body & neck has helped me play for longer so all-round I get more time to play. She is fabulous.
Regards, Mark
Steve [Kauffman]: I finally was able to pay off and take home the Peonies (guitar) yesterday. Spent last night and all morning playing it. Wow!! Unbelievable. It's even better than I thought it was. I don't know how you managed to engineer such a responsive/alive instrument. I've never experienced anything like it, and I have played most, if not all, of the fine steel stringed instruments Richard has for sale. I just cant get over the absolute quality and tonal beauty of Peonies. It will not leave my side until I am in the ground. Thank you for allowing me the time to pay it off. And thank you for the privilege of playing and owning what has to be one of the finest steel string guitars in the world.
J.K.
[This charming and perceptive one from Japan:]
Dear Richard,
Thanks for the info. I just succeeded in opening and listening the sound file which you sent me, and listened it again and again. For me it sounds so elegant and sofisticated and yet remain simple and unaffected one as a basic. I like this sound very much and it gave me a decision point to get this guitar. As I told you, I'm kind like a beginner on playing guitar. So, I could not produce the good sound like which Laurence Juber played, but can make a practice as a long term having fun.
--Hiro
Hi Richard, hi Tom,
What can I say, Gentlemen???
WOW!!!
I'm the proud owner of probably the only left hand Ribbecke Monterey in Europe?!
This baby definitely meets my expectations! It's drop-dead georgous and the sound is unbelievable. Tom, it's really amazing - the guitar is 100% of what I wanted it to look and sound like. I compared it to the sound that I was describing to you 2-3 yrs. ago when I ordered the guitar - and it's...exactly the kind of tone I was looking for. Phantastic.
I've already spent some valuable time with my new "baby" after we came back from our little vacation. By the way - everything went fine with picking up the guitar in NYC. The federal express office was only a few blocks away from the hotel we stayed at. Richard was right by saying that you are as good on wrapping the guitar for shipment as you are on building it - no scratch not even on the case...this is a superb quality instrument made by worldclass craftmanship.
Thanks again to both of you: Richard, thanks for listening to my needs - your consultations as the subject matter expert have been very valuable to me. Tom, thanks for building this fine instrument according to my needs and creating this wonderful piece of art that will be a great joy to me hopefully for many the years to come.
Well, that's all for now. Thanks again and let's keep in touch.
--Klaus
"Here is one of my very favorites from a 14 year old that brings me back to my early days: --Richard"
Richard,
...I wanted to let you know that I love the 25L15. I've played it on a variety of gigs (a country club, a large club, a small bar, etc.) and it sounds great! I'm really impressed with the eq - while my other amps have one tone, and turning the bass or treble compensates for a lack/abundance of brightness or bass, the Standel's tone actually changes! The tone actually sounds different when you turn the knobs...a very simple feature, but this is the only amp I've ever played that can do that. Not to mention, the amp sounds good even with the treble on 10. Finally, an amp that you can sculpt your tone with. So practical, and so rare. Tell Danny he hit it out of the park with the eq voicing - really, it's so smooth even my girlfriend was impressed, and she doesn't even own a stereo.
The other feature that knocks me out is the response. Very even at a wide volume range. I have a '64 Vibrolux (a pretty sought after amp) and when you adjust the volume even slightly, you have to make drastic changes to the eq. The Standel sounds great loud or soft, and sounds the same loud or soft. Very versatile. Thanks a bunch for getting one in my hands. --Graham T.
Hi Richard,
I had the pleasure of taking the Marchione to the Blue Guitar Sunday night, and really felt like I was a Ferrari among Buicks. It plays with finesse, and has wonderful balance. It has the ability to be both subtle and
aggressive, which complements my playing. It's a winner. The sound attracted a lot of attention...Thanks again.
Bob
"Richard...Well, I finally received my new Requisite Audio "The New Cables" and "wow" best describes myreaction. When I first heard the price, I thought, "Richard, you've got to be kidding!" You are such a positive, enthusistic guy by nature, and I thought your pitch on these cables had to be an oversell.
Wrong. These cables are the single, most cost-effective item I have ever
bought to upgrade my sound. It's truly like buying a new world class amplifier, except maybe better. I have an Evans 200 watt head and a Razor box and it's a really nice system. Yet, somehow, the sound always left me searching for something more.
With "The New Cables," the sound immediately came out of the box. More 3 dimensional and alive. Distinctly more musical, sweet and round. But also able to cut through as never before. The acoustic qualities of my chambered Nickerson Skylark guitar now shine. And the individual notes articulate clearly in all chord situations.
Richard, thanks so much for introducing me to these cables. I'm one happy player."
--B. Stern,
Physician and Guitar enthusiast
Hi Richard,
Received the two New Cables just about an hour ago. I am always trying to enhance the sound I produce with my Jazz Bass, and The New Cable has helped me do just that. I plugged my bass straight into my practice amp, and the difference was resoundingly clear from the first note I plucked. Rather than choose adjectives, let me tell you what this cable did. It shortened the distance between my heart and the sound coming out of the amp. I was immediately inspired to compose something on the bass. I was hearing a much clearer, powerful, and extremely pleasant sound.
The people behind this made something special. Please let them know that their efforts are greatly appreciated.
All the Best,
Richard A. Smith
Dear Richard, I finally sat down and played the Rick Turner Custom Nylon I got from you this evening and I just love it. The fine-tuning you have done on this
instrument - having it's action tweaked and properly intonated have made all the difference. It is so easy to play--fast and fluid. The help with string choice was inspired. I love the strings and the bothersome amplified
string noise is no longer an issue.And oh, the tone. I wrote praising the Requisite Audio "The New Cable" cables shortly after I got them. Well I had a chance to finally play the Turner with them. It's a different guitar. This amplified nylon sounds so sweet and acoustic now. The cables make such a difference they actually seem cheap for the benefits I've gotten.Finally, thanks for being a tremendous fine guitar consultant. Your service is really appreciated. Buying from you is really a better way to purchase a guitar.
Feel free to use my comments as you see fit.
Many thanks,
Bryan
"Richard, Chas and I are back and getting settled in. I had a wonderful time with you and Annetta on Thursday. I'm leaning toward a (Boaz elkayam) acoustic. I'm sure I'll have all of the details pounded out in the next couple of months. You have the most amazing collection of instruments.
Again, I can't thank you enough."--Chris
"...the guitar arrived safe and sound. I am quiet pleased. The craftsmanship is superb, I love the headstock overlay and all of the inloays look great. The sound just blew me away...Richard, Thank you for delivering everything you promised and maintaining my faith in humanity. I have told many friends about my ongoing adventure and I will be sure to relate this story, with all names included, many times in the future." Regards, Rand
"I am indeed very happy with my guitar. The only problem, and it is not a small one, is that I am now very dissatisfied with my D18! I can't believe what I have been missing all these years and I am already thinking about what to do about replacing it. Given what I've just spent on the Griffin, it will need to wait for a bit, but you should expect to hear from me
again. As to my playing, the instrument is indeed taking me in new areas and allowing me to explore new techniques and styles. Thank you for your help.
Regards, R. L.
IBM Global Services
"I spent a wonderful evening with my Somogyi Guitar last night (I am getting SENILE I guess) and was reflecting on my journey as a guitar player and collector. About 2 and a half years ago, I had my first conversation with you about the current Golden Age of luthiery, and it was a life changing experience. I was a "Martin Man" my entire life, and to suddenly have a world open up of such extraordinary instruments and craftsmen was mind boggling and
refreshing in an age of technological sameness and mediocrity.The four guitars I bought from you are like old friends now. The two standouts are clearly the Somogyi and the Kim Griffin Brazilian.First, I have to compliment you on your ability to discuss the shaping of the sounds over the phone in language... and accurately no less. The Somogyi is absolutely breathtaking in it's sonic qualities. The only comparable instrument of any sort that I have ever heard for such shaped musical perfection is a 9 foot Steinway Custom Concert Grand friend of mine has from the late 1940's... (Adirondack top, by the way)...The Somogyi was the best $7500 I've ever spent (Even my wife agrees!). It is an astonishing guitar and the sound grows every week. It is one in a million, and that guitar teaches me every day to be a better, more lyrical, more inspired player. As memory serves me, I told you the sale was a definite 2 minutes after I opened the case!My Griffin is another study in the astonishing capability of fine luthiers to fine-tune the shaped sounds in an intensely satisfying way.So I have regained my passion for guitar in a way I wouldn't have thought possible for a jaded 40 something guy, and look forward keenly to future purchases with your invaluable assistance. Just wanted to thank you."Gratefully, Rob Teicher
"Richard - Just a note to let you know that I think the Griffin is a spectacular guitar! This is also the opinion of several of my friends who play (professionally) everything from bluegrass to acoustic blues to classical. Kim should be congratulated. I'll be calling you after Xmas. Have a good holiday season." --R.T., MA
"Hey, Richard Smith blew all of us away -- Lounge host, producers, and
obviously our listeners.
Thanks for bringing him in to the show, Richard.
Compliments on your Web site. First Class. Great graphics. Elegant touches everywhere, even the photography is cool. Just wanted you to know the TLC you put into this shows.
Let's talk guitars one day soon.
Dirk Sutro" (Host: "The Lounge" on KPBS Radio, San Diego)
"I bought guitar after guitar from other dealers in search of the 'Holy Grail'...then you sold me the 'Holy Grail', Richard. Thank you." --Alan Rogers, Santa Fe NM
"Richard, you are a good guy. I'm so excited to get my guitar!!"
--Sandy L., Santa Clara CA
"Thanks Richard, for being a man of your word. The guitar is as described and all I have to do now is get to know her (?)." --Dr. C.I. Jackson, Cheshire, UK
"Oh, Richard. The Standel is gorgeous and so well made. The sound is clean and exquisite...it is the perfect jazz guitar amp. My Benedetto, L-5, anything with floating or built-in humbucking pickups sounds great. With Matchless and others, the bottom end craps out and the high end is too twangy--not with the Standel. The tone holds together all the way." --C.S. (studio owner), New York, NY
"It was a pleasure talking with you about guitars today...In the meantime, I'll salivate over your stocklist and let the instruments roll around my mind...Again, thanks for your insights and help." --L.H.
"Thank you for the check which I received in the mail this week for the sale of the Benedetto. Thanks for selling the guitar...I will not forget it...I will go by your advice. Kind regards" --T.L., Singapore
"...a superb amplifier in every respect. I'm just thrilled with it. It's by far the finest I've ever owned. I wanted to say thanks again for all your help, Richard." --B.C. Wayne, IL
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