I bought a Maestro 00-MH with torrefied adirondack top and khaya mahogany back and sides, back in 2019. It was a birthday present to myself that year. It’s the most “alive” and responsive instrument I have ever played. I bought it right from the Maestro shop, and worked with their contact to get exactly what I wanted. They sent me some really high resolution pics, and all the details. The price was ridiculously good. They had it at my door within 2 days. Ho Zen is an awesome guy, and knows his craft extremely well. His guitars will eat Martin, Taylor, and Gibson for lunch. Peace. 🐰💙🇺🇸🎸🎶🤝✌️
The one being played in this video is also amazing, because even with the compression of a youtube video, I can still literally hear the notes "bloom"..........better than most any other fine guitar I can recall hearing on youtube audio. Perhaps that nice microphone JP is using helps.
Visited Brickhouse when accompanying a friend who bought a gorgeous Bocher from Roger. Got to play several models of his newly launched Avenir and Bridgeport guitar brands. They are seriously impressive even before you consider their strong "pluck for the buck" factor. Roger is a gem.
WOW!!! Even with the compression of uploading to youtube, I can still literally hear the notes "bloom" on that guitar!!! Notes SHOULD bloom on fine guitars, but to be able to hear it over a youtube video is just amazing. Perhaps that nice microphone helps as well to deliver the sound.
In 2004, Roger Schmidt came across Furch Guitars while attending a music trade show in Germany. He was immediately impressed with their instruments and knew that they truly stood out from the crowd. The following year, Roger started his own guitar distribution business and returned to the same trade show, where he had the opportunity to play and evaluate the instruments a second time and confirm his original impressions. After some positive and fruitful discussion with the Furch Sales team, they were delighted by his proposal to introduce their guitars to Canada and the United States. Roger then began his new role as the official distributor and brand strategist of Furch guitars for North America. He decided to name them Stonebridge Guitars, which paid homage to the historical Charles Bridge in Prague, and also felt like the perfect name and brand for the North American market. I can't find anywhere on the internet where Roger Schmidt designed guitars for Furch.
Hi John. I don’t believe I mis spoke on this. Roger didn’t design guitars for Furch. He designed stonebridge and SGI guitars that Furch built for him. Furch was never marketed in the US under the stonebridge name. Only the guitars that went to Brickhouse were labelled stonebridge.
So glad you did this video, as Roger has been an amazing artist, musician, as well as his involvement in dealing in amazing guitars. I had the opportunity to meet him when he visited our shop in Calais Maine many years ago when we were a Stonebridge dealer. He was actually on his way Nova Scotia to see "You" actually, when he made his detour to visit with us. I'd seen a few of his videos playing, and he treated us with a few selections on the Stonebridge guitars we had in stock. Also so glad you mentioned his media art, because it is truly amazing. He got a raw deal from Furch Guitars, but as you have stated, he took the high road. Happy New Years JP!
Love your videos Mr. J.P. I’m learning so much and you are exposing me to knowledge on builders,their stories and so much more I wouldn’t learn anywhere else! Keep whiffin that paint thinner. 😀
Hey JP another great video and learning a lot about guitars and guitar builders I never even knew existed. I’m not gonna lie watching your videos brings back my GAS lol I recently got my hands on a Morgan Concert Mahogany built by David Iannone in Vancouver and boy was I blown away!! I think that would slide right into that middle price point of a highly skilled handcrafted guitar you were talking about.
Wow. That guitar is beautiful. When you play, it rings but never too much. Very well balanced sound. I'm going to Brickhouse to visit Roger. I'm not far away. 3500$. That is so cool. Singapore. Never would have known. Thanks JP. Cheers
Great video! I just bought a Furch Yellow Deluxe from Roger, and I couldn't agree more that he is one of the nicest people I've ever dealt with...and a fountain of knowledge. Aside from the normal pain in the butt of getting anything shipped to Newfoundland in a timely manner, my purchasing experience with Roger and Brick House Guitars was probably one of the best I've had in my 50+ years of buying guitars. I didn't know the full Stonebridge story, and now I feel a little bit bad buying the Furch. I think its an outstanding guitar, but that was a prick move for sure...I only recently discovered this channel...Love your stuff Brother!
I just got a Boucher SGI from there. I was definitely influenced by the good things you had to say. Overall, a great experience, and man, I love the guitar!!
My Wife told Me if I want another guitar I would have to sell one. That being said I am happy playing my FG830 from Yamaha and my Alvarez AD66SHB among others.
Hey J.P., interesting, actually wanted to ask you about your opinion on Furch Guitars, pretty cool Brickhouse-Furch-collab story, and yes, I have to agree, amazing guitars! Too bad you don't play/own them because of the unfortunate decision on Furch's side to part ways with Roger... Anyway, nice Maestro, looks and sounds amazing, and that playing... Sheesh. New subscriber here, looking forward to more reviews and String Theories if I can catch them!😀
wow that guitar in the beginning of video is a killer...what strings were on this and what flat pick were you using and thickness? Incredible sound/tone
J.P., I watch your casts every day, though some could be months old. I am particularly interested in your opinions on the costs of various instrument brands. I have owned many guitars, several of which were Gibson's, the last of which was a Gibson Hummingbird, with the adjustable bridge. I traded that guitar as a trade for a new, 1966 Martin D-28 on July 27, 1967. The only new Martin in Winnipeg. Yes, I have owned this guitar for the past 57 years. The guitar stamped on the neck block 28 Nov. 1966. 827 D-28's were made that year. No CNC machines, no computer controlled processes. I could go into more detail, but enough said. No 2 guitars sound alike and many aren't worth playing, like my Gibson's. Time and much playing have seasoned the sound from this guitar. Not all Martin guitars are good these days. I have tried some at the guitar stores and I wouldn't have a Martin built after the late 70's. Interest in flat top guitars dropped drastically during the early 80's. As interest in flat tops gained popularity, Martin began putting guitars together at the rate of thousands a year. No more hand made guitars. And most high end guitars built today have little hand crafted work.
Really balanced rosewood dread sound... Definitely would take that over a factory HD28! It sounds like a really old, good one.... Love it. A Maestro? Is it Nitro finish? It doesn't sound like a guitar that's even slightly being held back by a thick poly...
Hello Mr. Cormier, I have a question. Two years ago I bought an Avenir brand guitar built by Hozen at Brickhouse guitar and Roger installed his SGI PickUp system on this guitar, the sound is very good with this SGI system, but how could I have volume control? (or even get more signal strength) If I use an external amplifier I change the sound of his SGI system. How do I get lost. Thank you for answering me.
I live in Kitchener-Waterloo where Roger's shop is located and everything you say is true. I've watched the growth of Roger's business for several years. Roger is a very interesting fellow and fine player who has great passion for and understanding of acoustic guitars. I've played some of the Hozen made instruments in his shop and they really are amazing in craftsmanship and sound quality. For those unsure of a relatively unknown, Asian-made brand, your video(s) will go a long way in dispelling any doubts about these wonderful instruments and introduce them to the broader guitar-loving audience - Well done!
BTW: There's a brilliant video of JP giving a concert with this guitar on brickhouse's youtube, that aside from the guitar is definitely well worth watching, because it really develops into some cracking intensity: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8z8S8jtLpuA.html
Hi, JP, I see guitars on Ebay branded Maestro by Gibson on the headstock i wonder if the same company made some in collaboration with Gibson in the past? interesting !
Absolutely not. Those Gibson Maestro guitars are cheap pieces of trash. I own a Maestro from Ho Zen, and it it a boutique guitar, without a doubt. They are bench made by a small group of master luthiers, in Singapore. These two “Maestro” brands couldn’t be further apart in quality.
@@JackTheRabbitMusic yes that guitar you played Was amazing!, I got a Recording King guitar From a guitar show Nr Here in Yorkshire RO 16 ooo it’s the best guitar I’ve ever had👍
I just spotted something that I had never seen before so I just ran back to look inside all my guitars to double check and sure enough, none of them have it. The Maestro guitar's cross brace is side scalloped plus has a long top taper that appears to run from perhaps an inch off center clear down to the kerfing. That has to allow the back to move more. Also, the corner of the label is peeling up. I have no idea if that could result in a buzzing sound on a really responsive back but you might want to press, or glue that back down just in case. This can all be seen at 17:40.
Condolences 2 mr. carl elliot ; deadly, beastly, cannon-age, tear / destroy your face guitar descriptions having me LOL . Brickhouse story is pretty cool, but sux what Furch's son did with Stonebridge, but Roger's reaction was class act . .. Hope Brickhouse was able to get special one offs Furch for their store to take the place of Stonebridge.
I've seen Roger's work; he is beyond Brilliant! I just wish he was a Tattoo artist, as well. I have a couple portraits I want done, for decades, but haven't found an artist good enough to trust...
Oh come on man you fall in love with just about every acoustic guitar that you pick up and that's why we love you man.. However I just gotta say why haven't you played in oZZZ
These Maestro guitars from Singapore are in a totally different market. There are really no USA dealers or importers, so they aren’t technically competing against the Gibson Maestro line (which is cheap garbage). I had to order mine direct from the shop in Singapore. They don’t really advertise in the USA, and not many play even know of this brand. They are a sleeper brand, for sure, but up there with the best of Boucher, Bourgeois, Larrivee, Yairi, “L” series Yamahas, etc.
Since you are a skilled musician. Please explain some of your playing skills to people we really need it. I noticed that you got carried away behind advertisements and left the foundation that you are a good musician and that we can learn from you. The money will come and go. Educating people is what will remain forever. when I here you play my family and I enjoyed it so much.
have you ever tried the Zagar guitars ,if so what is your opinion? I have a 44 yr old L28 Larrivee with K&K Pickup and an ARC Installed ,Grover locking tuners.I love the guitar ,but as a musician always looking to buy something better without breaking the bank.
I've got to stop watching these, or I'll have to cite JP on my application for bankruptcy. What an amazing guitar - but I can't own them all, and I wouldn't have time to play them all even if I did. I do need a mahogany Boucher though.
Now come on John you've got to stop this crap man stop holding back and tell us how you really feel. The clear pick guard is a must with that sunburst. JP reminds me of an old friend, when we meet we talk about nothing but guitars for hours and hours with the same passion non stop.
