Richwood guitars (Chinese)

Joonas · August 29

I found this guy playing a Richwood. I like it: Grzegorz May | MINOR SWING | Richwood RM-70-NT - YouTube

Jangle_Jamie · August 30

Here is a quick comparison with the Aliexpress Gitane 255 which is still covered with half a ton of lacquer, and an official Gitane 255 I bought second hand on Gumtree a couple of years ago cheap. It has been totally stripped, french polished, Altamira machine heads and a Gallato tailpiece. No reverb, no effects added (urghh, it needs a smidge of reverb, but I'm trying to illustrate a point!!!). That point is: Before I refinished my official 255, it sounded very similar to the Aliexpress one - bright, brash, a little tinny but ok. As you can hear, that brightness has gone on the refinished one, replaced with a lovely rich deep woody tone - a great example of how a heavy finish holds a guitar's potential and true voice back. It's a lot of work to strip all that varnish off, but it's worth it.

Joonas · August 30

@Jangle_Jamie That's a big difference there.

BillDaCostaWilliams · August 30

Yeah - surprisingly big difference.

The Aliexpress one sounds quite acceptable but the refinished sounds terrific.

Buco · August 30

Factory finished one has a lot of overtones, which are actually pleasing. But the refinished one tone is very dry and direct.

Gondebaud · August 30

Very nice playing. Of course, huge difference. Which pick/strings do you use ?

Jangle_Jamie · August 30

Argentine 11s on both. Dugain picks - quite thick at about 4mm I think.

Thanks!!!

Joonas · August 30

Behold! They have more of these Gitanes, but the price together with shipping plus taxes would be now double than what was at the first seller.

Link 1: Professional Performance 41-Inch Folk Guitar 6 Strings Orange Small Mouth Spruce Veneer Sapele Body Glossy Maple Ebony - AliExpress 1420

Link 2: Professional Performance 41-Inch Folk Guitar 6 Strings Orange Small Mouth Spruce Veneer Sapele Body Glossy Maple Ebony - AliExpress 1420

TheGarethJones · December 2

I have been looking at these for ages and have decided that $40 was too close to finding a good deal on a GREAT guitar (I spent $400 on my Altamira from craigslist - believe it or not) so I waited patiently until it dropped below $200(ish) with shipping. Their cyber monday deal popped up and I snagged one (with a coupon) and am super interested to see how it performs. It’s the 12 fret D-hole listed below. I’m not expecting much, but I reallly wanted a campfire guitar I didn’t have to worry about.

I just found this on AliExpress: $162.00 | Django Acoustic Guitar 41 Inch Orange High Gloss Finish Jango Guitar Solid Spruce Wood Top 6 Strings 22F with Classic Head

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLISCkv

Maybe @paulmcevoy75 can help me with some pointers bringing it up to snuff when it arrives in… between 2 and 8 weeks?? 🤣