Stonebridge Logo

MOTTO

FURCH MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Company is one of the few producers of musical instruments that still maintains a traditional high quality manufacture. Ever since 1981 when the first instruments were built by the founder Mr.Furch, this tradition of guitar manufacture has been developing further. By using this term the company wants to underline its specific and unique production. Be assured of our utmost commitment during the instrument manufacture. Our staff is well aware of players´ needs and with a sense of detail perceive the quality of each piece of wood being used.

Company uses environmentally friendly technologies.

Wood that is used to build your instrument is purchased from suppliers who can guarantee its legal status or concessional permit.

Guarantee conditions

  • 36-month guarantee is given to holders of the warranty card, which confirms purchasing an instrument from an authorized Furch-seller
  • it is therefore advisable to certify and fill in the warranty card immediately after purchase. Unfilled card is not valid
  • the warranty card is transferable from one owner to another; in case of repair or complaint, the owner will enclose this card to the instrument as a document
  • guarantee applies to the material and processing but the data on the card must match the instrument must match the instrument
  • guarantee does not apply to the instrument mechanically damaged or mishandled, ill serviced etc.
  • guarantee does not apply to the instrument damaged by weather conditions, temperature extremes and humidity changes
  • malfunction due to other reasons than faulty material or manufacture failure will not be included in the guarantee conditions
  • instruments repaired or altered elsewhere outside Furch workshop will not be in any case accepted for the guarantee repair

Since climatic conditions in your area may differ greatly from those under which the adjustment was set we recommend following:

  • a solid hard case of a good quality is a must for your instrument; the best will be a thermo-insulating case
  • the most critical factor is the change of temperature and air humidity - those might cause deformation, even cracks in soundboards and/or sides; pay more attention to those factors in winter, please!
  • abstain from radiating heat!
  • do not leave your instrument neither bare nor in a case exposed to the sun e.g. inside a car; never ever leave it near car windows
  • do not expose your instrument - bare or in a case - to the frost; if you can't do otherwise let it become slowly acclimatized
  • a place with minimum air humidity of 45% is highly recommended; optimal humidity is between 45 - 65%; get yourself a humidifier
  • clean your instrument with special cleaning formula only and /or with friendly agents based on natural materials
  • the instruments are equipped with Elixir® strings made by W.L.Gore®. These strings are coated by the Gore Tex® fibre that extremely extends the expiration time by keeping of the original sound and playbility . By using Elixir® string change them after about 120 playing hours. By using some standart strings (non coated, non protected), we suggest you to change them after about 30 hours of playing; do not play with oxided and/or dirty strings since that significantly contributes to wear off of your instrument fingerboard and frets
  • use medium gauge strings (0.13‘), but not stronger
  • your instrument has been hand adjusted to the closest tolerances and set up for the best possible playing action that is customary range of 0.3 - 0.5 mm; you can test it by following:
    • put your instrument onto straight surface
    • with finger of your left hand press the low E string at the 1st fret and do the same with your right hand finger down on the last fret - use the string as a straightedge
    • look at the gap around the half of the fingerboard (7th or 8th fret) between the frets and the string - the action should be as aforementioned; that is around 0.3 - 0.5 mm
  • if there is a need to adjust the action again after you've changed the strings, use enclosed adjustment key; you'll do the necessary adjustment by turning the embedded truss rod nut - accessed via soundhole - clockwise or counterclockwise; don't forget to have the strings in tuned position; by following the instructions mentioned above, a truss rod adjustment can be easily made so that the instrument returns to its optimum playing conditions
  • we'd like to point out how much of a gap you want is personal preference and it depends on many factors - the most essential is the style and technique of the right hand playing, the force of attack, gauge of your strings etc.; that's why the manufacturer is not responsible for meeting personal preferences of such a kind - - guarantee does not apply to string action but to functioning of the adjustment mechanism only
  • never use force when adjusting your instrument
  • Do you wear a belt? Shift its buckle sidewise towards your hips or even to your back - have you seen West Side Story? That's it! Otherwise you spoil beauty of your instrument; the scars and dents are unrepairable
  • Get a humidifier in a good music store to keep the optimal air humidity (45 - 65%). A temporary solution is to insert half of apple or potato in plastic bag and put it into your instrument case. Water evaporated out of apple/potato has the same effect as the mentioned humidifier

The manufacturer reserves the right to change the technology and any related forthcoming changes in final design of instrument without notice. Enjoy your Furch and Stonebridge instrument!