Most of the attention to import mandolins here in the US has been on the flood of instruments from the Orient. Oft overlooked is the incredible value and craftsmanship out of the Czech republic. Frantisek Furch is a builder of very high quality acoustic guitars and mandolins located there. His "Stonebridge" line, opened in 1981 has been highly sought after in Europe and Japan, and is only now being discovered in North America and other parts of the world.

We talked with representatives at the Summer NAMM show in Austin, Texas, after spending a few minutes trying their 23-SF Florentine and 22-CM A-body models. Fit and finish were terrific and sound quite impressive.

Dealer network is being established already through Canada, and eventually some US dealers. The name "Stonebridge" comes from the Charles Bridge in Prague, built in the 1300's, an important landmark in the Czech region. Before it was officially named, in honor of their beloved king who had commissioned it’s construction, it was simply known as the "Stone bridge".

Visit website

Posted by Ted at July 24, 2006 10:42 AM