Furch Vintage 1 OM-SM VTC

The Furch Vintage 1 OM-SM VTC is a six-string electro-acoustic guitar that combines all-solid construction with a traditional aesthetic and a carefully crafted sound response. Its Orchestra Model (OM) body features a solid AA-grade Sitka spruce top and solid African mahogany back and sides, a combination that provides a balanced sound with defined highs, warm mids, and controlled lows. Thanks to its body proportions, it offers a dynamic response and good note separation, making it particularly appealing for guitarists seeking a versatile instrument for both accompaniment and melodic performances.

The soundboard is crafted using Furch's acoustic adjustment processes, developed to take advantage of the resonance properties of the woods used. This is complemented by the Full-Pore Vintage Finish, designed to protect the instrument without applying an excessively thick layer that would limit the wood's vibrations. The result is a guitar with a sensitive response to interpretive nuances, capable of delivering clarity in arpeggios and enough body for strumming accompaniments. Its vintage-inspired aesthetics are enhanced by details such as artificial tortoiseshell binding, a double-ring rosette made of black walnut, and an ebony bridge.

The African mahogany neck features the Furch Soft V profile, designed to provide a comfortable feel and natural hand support during play. It incorporates an ebony fingerboard with a 400 mm radius and a 45 mm nut width, a particularly interesting combination for guitarists who alternate between chords, arpeggios, and fingerstyle techniques. Its 650 mm scale length provides consistent string response, while the nut and compensated saddle TUSQ promote even vibration transfer and good intonation. Additionally, it features the Furch CNR System neck joint and reinforcement, developed to enhance structural stability and facilitate instrument adjustments.

• Type: 6-string electro-acoustic guitar
• Brand: Furch
• Series: Vintage 1
• Body Shape: Orchestra Model (OM)
• Construction: All-solid woods
• Top: Solid AA-grade Sitka spruce
• Back and Sides: Solid AA-grade African mahogany
• Soundboard crafted using Furch's acoustic adjustment processes
• Neck Joint: 14th fret
• Body Finish: Full-Pore Vintage Finish
• Body Binding: Artificial tortoiseshell
• Outline Decoration: Five-layer black and white contrast line
• Rosette: Double ring with black walnut details
• Bridge: Ebony
• Bridge Pins: Ebony
• Saddle: Fully compensated TUSQ
• String Spacing at Bridge: 55 mm
• Neck: African mahogany
• Neck Profile: Furch Soft V
• Neck Joint System: Furch CNR System Active
• Neck Reinforcement: Dual-action truss rod reinforced with carbon
• Scale Length: 650 mm
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Fingerboard Radius: 400 mm
• Number of Frets: 20
• Inlays: Mother of pearl dots
• Side Position Markers: Mother of pearl dots
• Nut Width: 45 mm
• Nut Material: TUSQ
• String Spacing at Nut: 38 mm
• Headstock Overlay: Ebony
• Tuners: Gotoh SE700 Nickel Patina
• Tuner Gear Ratio: 1:15
• Neck Finish: Full-Pore Smooth-Slide Satin Finish
• Amplification System: LR Baggs Element Active System VTC
• Pickup Type: Piezo under saddle
• Active preamp installed inside the instrument
• Volume and tone controls located at the guitar's soundhole
• Output for connection to amplifier or sound system
• Color: Natural
• Made in the Czech Republic

Furch CNR System

The CNR (Composite Neck Reinforcement) system is a technology developed by Furch to enhance the stability of the neck on their guitars. It combines an adjustable dual-action truss rod, a carbon fiber reinforcement, and a reinforced joint between the neck and body. This construction reduces deformations caused by string tension and humidity changes, allowing for a more stable setup and greater playing comfort.

Our Opinion

The Furch Vintage 1 OM-SM VTC seems to us to be an especially interesting guitar for those who enjoy acoustic sound and seek to step up to an all-solid instrument. The combination of Sitka spruce and mahogany offers a balanced character, with good mids and a clear response, without excessively dominant lows. This makes it very pleasant for fingerstyle playing, working on arpeggios, and accompanying vocals, although it also responds well to strumming when more intensity is needed.

One of its strong points is the OM shape. It is a size we particularly like for guitarists who want a comfortable guitar with good definition and the ability to adapt to different playing styles. If the goal is acoustic volume and the punchy lows of a large Dreadnought, we would likely look at another shape. However, for folk, acoustic pop, blues, and fingerstyle, we believe this size is particularly well-suited.

We also positively value the inclusion of the LR Baggs VTC system. It is a straightforward electronics setup, with the necessary controls to connect to an amplifier or mixing console without overly altering the instrument's aesthetics. It does not offer the equalization possibilities of a more comprehensive preamp, but for a guitarist who wants to maintain the character of a traditional acoustic while having amplification when needed, we find it to be a very practical solution.

In summary, we would recommend this Furch to musicians looking for a serious, comfortable acoustic guitar with personality, especially for playing at home, composing, recording, or performing in small settings. Its main appeal lies in the combination of good construction, balanced acoustic response, and discreet electronics. It is a guitar for those who enjoy listening to the nuances of the instrument and want to continue developing their playing style with it.