Rguitars Avis 991

Great morning session trying guitars.
Jake really looked after us.
So much more than a normal guitar store.
Came away with two real good guitars.
Dowina Master series Walnut and Bourgeois Country boy Dread.
Super!

EDIT: Fast and professional response from the team in response to this issue. I will still leave my original review, but I have amended the rating to reflect the excellent customer service.
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11 week lead time on a guitar that was advertised as in-stock, finally delivered the wrong model.

Was given incorrect info multiple times as to when it would arrive (e.g. "It will be end of Jan worst case", "It will be mid-Feb" - actually delivered on 28/02/24).

When I contacted customer support regarding the long delays, I was told that this is "fairly routine for a-lot of the brands that we work with, back ordering, wait times. It is frustrating but we have to accept it to a degree." - however, the guitar itself was listed as In Stock, both on the live version of the site and on the cached version used for google searches.

This seems, to be totally honest, very deceptive to me - one of the main reasons I opted for this vendor was that it was advertised as In Stock. If the 11-week wait time was clearly displayed, I would've gone elsewhere. The member of the team I spoke to also told me that "6/9 month wait times aren't uncommon", as though this is some consolation.

To be fair to them, they were professional in our communications, if a little blasé - as someone who is buying a new guitar for the first time (which must be quite a common experience at a guitar shop), I am not intimately aware of the intricacies of the industry. I don't know that wait times & back ordering are commonplace on items that are listed as in stock.

I was also offered a premium guitar strap as a way of apology for the extended delay, which was a nice gesture - but ultimately, soured by the wrong model turning up.

The most frustrating aspect was that there was no transparency or initiative shown throughout this. If I wanted an update, I'd write in once every three or four weeks and nudge, and only then would anything be chased - usually the response I'd get is "it's been pushed back again".

I get it, it's an independent store, you guys are busy, but it's just not a great experience as a customer to be given a date, and told you will be updated - and then hear absolutely nothing for the best part of a month, to the extent that I felt I had to reach out to you. Twice.

The replies from the team were all fairly prompt, and I understand that their hands are tied in a lot of ways - they can only tell me what they're being told. But the experience as a customer here was, really, quite dreadful. I felt left in the dark, like I was responsible for chasing up an order that I had made months ago, and obviously, when it arrived it wasn't what I'd ordered.

It's a shame because the guitar I received was lovely to play, it only required a very minor tune out of the box and was beautifully set up. But it wasn't the guitar I ordered!

I think I will pursue a different vendor when the collection+refund has been processed. From my experience, I would advise you to consider your options carefully, and to think whether you are prepared to potentially wait months for your order, before buying from here.

What a great space for trying out guitars. Jake was extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and provided just the right amount of help and information for me to make an informed choice. Can't recommend them enough. If you want a personal, friendly and professional service. Look no further.

We bought two Eastman MD305 Mandolins. One of them left handed. Neither were in stock but we were told of the estimated delivery date. In fact they arrived considerably sooner than we were advised.

They were sent by next day delivery and very securely packaged. They are without excellent mandolins and purchased at a very competitive price. Beautifully set up. We are very pleased with our purchase from Richards Guitars - thanks for your fantastic service. We would definitely go to Richards Guitars as our fist choice for any future purchases

Hi, My first guitar from Richards Guitars was a couple of years ago. An Auden. The guitar arrived at my home with the action set up to my liking with the gauge of strings I requested. The setup of the guitar and the service provided by the staff are second to none.
Presently, I have another guitar on order. Which I cannot wait to receive.
Anyone I mean Anyone, buying a guitar will never go wrong with these guys,as they are the best. Nothing is a problem and the service is the best i have had buying a new guitar.
Quality and professionalism. Excellent team working at Richard Guitars.

Just want to thank you guys love my fret king country squire not stopped playing it great set up and service jake

Thank you to everyone at Rguitars. This guitar store is a true gem! The guitars offered are of excellent quality, come at affordable prices, and the variety of colors available is impressive. Couldn’t recommend more highly 10/10.

When I saw Richard’s Guitars Vintage ProShop on Facebook I knew I had to get one! The spec sheet on the website is easy to use and has tons of options so you can easily just put together the guitar of your dreams.
As this guitar is being built for you, to your specs, I knew it would be a wait before delivery. But boy was it worth the wait… when it arrived it was better than I could’ve expected! The relicing (I don’t like shiny guitars) is perfect and authentic, the set up and playability is superb, the sound from the Bareknuckle pickups is incredible and I really now have the guitar of my dreams!
The whole ProShop experience has been brilliant - Jon kept me informed at every stage and I really can’t recommend Richards Guitars highly enough!

Wow! Such a good experience - I had fast response inline and telephone advice from Richard, Jon AND Jake to help me decide in a sub-£400 purchase. No question too nit-picking and just sensible, truthful and helpful answers - facts and opinions. The purchase was easy and the guitar is just spot on, set up to intone really nicely, playable, and an incredible instrument for the money. I bouthvthe Eastman spruce/Mahogany PCH GACE and I can't put it down. Thanks guys for a great buying experience and already many hours of playing pleasure

My guitar from this guitar store arrived swiftly and securely, and I was thrilled with the durable strings and exceptional quality, making it a joy to play.

This guitar store is a true gem! The guitars offered are of excellent quality, come at affordable prices, and the variety of colors available is impressive. Additionally, their secure delivery ensures your instrument arrives in perfect condition.

Picked up a Dowina Cocobolo 3 GAC from Richards Guitars last week.
Waited apx 8wks for it which I knew at the time of purchase but worth every day of waiting.
What a guitar, everything that Richard and his colleagues said it would be.
Not having dealt with Rguitars before it was always a bit concerning when you read some of the negative reviews and pay a substantial deposit for something/someone that you've never seen or even met. But it was all a good in the end, good advice, good communications and a totally honest company to deal with.
Can't recommend these guys enough and will use again when I've worn out this Dowina which I can't stop playing!

Wow! What can I say! Without a doubt the best company I have ever dealt with.
The customer care is outstanding!
I am so impressed.
I bought a Vintage Reissue V75, stunning guitar! It came perfectly set up and is perfect.
I seriously highly recommend Richard Guitars, you won’t get better.

I don’t live near Stratford Upon Avon at all but I decided to visit as I had heard good things about Vintage guitars and had seen a few of Richard’s videos on YouTube. I booked an appointment for a Saturday morning and was greeted very kindly by the gentleman working there ( sorry the names gone 😬 ) anyway he made me a cuppa tea and I had the vintage room to myself. He has even laid out the Vintage style strats that I was interested in and left me to it to try them out and take my time only coming back to check on me periodically and answering any questions I had.
It was a throughally pleasant experience and I ended up purchasing the Vintage Telecaster style guitar, The V75 in Laguna blue and purchased the vintage custom shop upgrade for £45 to have the guitar set up.
I had to wait just over 2 weeks to receive the guitar but the wait was well worth it! The guitar plays like an absolute dream!! Honestly sounds just as good as the Fender Telecaster at almost double the price. The setup is superb and I am chuffed to bits with my new guitar.
Thank you to everyone at Rguitars. Couldn’t recommend more highly
10/10

There was a slight mistake when Richards guitars sent me the same set of pedals twice.I contacted them and they got back to me saying that I could keep the 3 extra pedals or if I didn’t want them give them to a friend.I suggested putting them up for an auction being held to raise much needed funds for a special needs unit that employs young adults and Richards Guitars responded saying go right ahead.I know these little pedals are inexpensive but the only one to lose out financially is Rguitars.I will find it very difficult not to buy my next guitar from Richard when their customer service is as good as this,i have dealt with a lot of gear stores over the past 35 years and I have never ever witnessed such generosity An amazing experience and thanks again.

I purchased 3 very inexpensive pedals from Richard (to begin building my daughter her first pedalboard) not really expecting much but I must say they are great little pedals.Built very well and definitely punch well above their weight.This is my first purchase from Richards guitars and it won’t be my last.Thanks again.

I've bought guitars from Richards Guitars before and soon learnt that they have a hands-on knowledge and passion about what they do and sell. Their overall pre and post sale service is second to none and I've always had excellent advice and communication from them. That's not always the way with some big, online retailers.
I recently looked for a certain electro-acoustic and checked various other dealers. It wasn't a particularly expensive guitar - but it was Richards Guitars who went that extra mile for me and got my order. Many thanks to Jon and Jake. Delivery was vey quick and they even gave a `gift` of a tree planted via Tree-Nation. Incredible.

Great service from everyone at Richards Guitars. As a beginner I was looking for a straightforward first guitar, well set up and checked for any issues. I was given lots of patient, honest advice on what to buy and kept up to date throughout the process. The guitar arrived well packaged and in great condition. Having had a bad experience with the lack of quality control from one of the larger online retailers, it was a fantastic experience buying from Richards Guitars. I really appreciate the effort they go to along with their friendly service, and would definitely buy from them again.

As a long term player coming back to guitars I've struggled with my Dreadnaughts and started looking for an OM size guitar. I came across the Eastman OM model and also Richards guitars. Reviewed some of Richard's YouTube videos and also videos on the specific guitar. The guitar ticked the right boxes and I liked the ethos of Richard and his company. My initial questions were met promptly and from placing an order to receiving the guitar took less than 5 working days. This included a set up with lighter gauge strings. The Guitar is excellent and service from the team at Richard's second to none. Highly recommended.

I have no issue with RGuitar's in terms of the service. I spotted a Fret King Eclat on sale, which I liked the look of so thought I would order whilst they still had it. I was a little worried when I got the order confirmation that there was a potential delay of up to a couple of weeks whilst it goes through the setup etc as work is unpredictable for me and I can't guarantee I would be around to accept delivery if it was going to be a couple of weeks away. The shop sorted me out and got the guitar to me in good time. So my experience is that they will look after you. So why only 4 stars? Well the order confirmation email is a bit disconcerting when it says things may take up to 14 days, if you don't hear from us everything is fine etc. Not hearing anything for 2 weeks after just laying out a wedge of cash is worrying to me, and not consistent with the way any other retailer does things. I needn't have been worried - but would rather not have had the seeds of doubt in the first place. And then there is the guitar itself...

...which should really be a separate review, I guess, but if it helps someone reading to make up their mind then all good. So the guitar is okay. And that's all I have to say. There are a couple of issues with it - not significant enough to worry the shop about, and some are definitely my preferences rather than any sort of fault. The issues -
The bridge supports aren't fully seated - took me 2 seconds to sort when I re-strung it. Not a big deal.

The edge of the fretboard has a weird camber to it. Like its been sanded, but unevenly along the edges - so larger and smaller all the way along. Doesn't make a difference to the playability, but because the neck is gloss, the chamfer catches the light and stands out. Can I live with it. Yeah. is it annoying to me. Also yeah.

The pickup selected switch wasn't straight. Again, a 2 second fix for me.

And these are the things that are on me not the guitar -
The volume push push switch is super annoying as its easy to activate which then kills the sound. This isn't a fault. Its doing what it is supposed to, but I can see myself going mad with it.
The varicoil feature - is fine - but doesn't make that much difference to the sound. Don't buy thinking it will radically alter things and open up a whole new set of sounds. It just doesn't.

So overall, its okay. It's not going to be a keeper. It sounds pretty good, plays okay. And therein lies the rub. Is it better than my Epiphone Les Paul classic in any way? No. They are really similar. Better than my Player Strat (obviously different style guitar) but again no. I don't think the build is quite as good as that. So that is the choice to make. With RGuitars setup, it's no better than a guitar from anywhere else. Just be realistic about what £700 is getting you these days.