Pioneer Series: The Smallest All-Solid Acoustic Guitars by Furch
After years spent refining the concept of the travel guitar with the Little Jane model, which succeeded even in the competitive American market, Furch proved that even a small-bodied guitar can deliver a strong and harmonically rich sound. Now, the Moravian manufacturer pushes the boundaries even further – the new Pioneer series, consisting of the Pioneer-EM, MM, CM and ER models, brings the renowned acoustic performance and tonal character that full-sized Furch guitars are known for, in an even more compact, portable and affordable form.
Furch guitar players repeatedly requested a guitar that would perform whether on the road, in the studio, on stage or at home, featuring an all-solid construction and an impressive sound expected from Furch guitars – yet without the price tag of the larger models. The answer is the Pioneer series. Each model incorporates the same key technologies found in Furch’s top-tier lines: individually tuned top plates for maximum responsiveness, the patented CNR System Active neck construction which automatically reacts to humidity changes and allows fine adjustment of the action via a dedicated screw, resonant surface finishing and the acoustic Booster Soundport resonator located in the guitar’s side for even greater volume and projection.
All this is housed in a guitar with a 615 mm scale length and a compact body joined to the neck at the 14th fret. The instrument offers an ideal size that fits easily in overhead airplane compartments or on the back seat of a car. The designers built upon the proven body shape and bracing pattern of the folding travel guitar Little Jane, adding a cutaway on the lower side for easier access to higher frets. Removing the folding mechanism simplified manufacturing and reduced costs, but everything that players love about Little Jane was retained – exceptional projection, balanced tone and comfortable playability.
A carefully tuned acoustic resonator in the upper bout, formed by five longitudinal cuts, reduces internal air pressure inside the body and allows the top to vibrate more freely. The instrument delivers punchier bass, woody mids, brighter highs and surprising volume that exceeds expectations for such a small body. As Pavel Hoffmann, a specialist from the R&D department, says: “It’s like having your own personal monitor right on your lap.”
Whether you find yourself by the sea or in dry mountain air, the CNR System Active neck construction keeps the neck relief setting stable for a long time. Need a small action adjustment? Just a few turns of the adjustment screw will change string height without the need for a luthier visit. The Pioneer series is available in four all-solid wood combinations, each with its unique character:
Pioneer-EM – Back and sides made from AA-grade African mahogany, top made of Engelmann spruce (A)
Pioneer-MM – Back, sides and top all made from AA-grade African mahogany
Pioneer-CM – Back and sides of AA-grade African mahogany, top of Western red cedar (A)
Pioneer-ER – Back and sides of AA-grade Indian rosewood, top of Engelmann spruce (A)
Common features include an A-grade mahogany neck with a two-way carbon reinforcement, comfortable Soft-V profile, Open Core finish, ebony fretboard with a Black TUSQ nut, ebony bridge and pins, and chrome Furch tuners with an 18:1 ratio.
All versions offer a choice between a 45 mm or 43 mm nut width, and for an extra charge, Active versions equipped with the high-quality LR Baggs AEC-VTC pickup system are available. The attached videos provide a general idea of the sound differences between the models.
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