|
B-BC Rich |
made |
Be-Bi
| Bj-Bo |
Br-
updated 27/7/2010 |
|
B & B Resophonic Guitars
 |
2003 to present |
Dan Brooks (b.1958) is sole owner
and builder of B & B Resophonic Guitars, made since 2003 in
Albany, Ohio USA. Influenced by luthiers Don MacRostie (Red
Diamond Mandolins), Todd Sams (Sams Guitars), Al Rorick
(Mechanical Amplification) and various other resophonic guitar
makers.
Solid wood body construction
(Various woods), Sound Post/Open Soundwell (occasional clear
plexiglas baffle bolted to inner cone ring, Bolt-On Neck, Flat
Peghead.
Identifying and dating B & B
Resophonic Guitars
Sticker with Name, Address and
Date of Manufacture inside body under cone. MOP Logo with "B &
B" inlaid at 12th Fret. [Source & images: Dan Brooks, email
12/2/2010]
 |
|
B & J
 |
|
B+J was a musical instrument distributor based in
New York for most of the Twentieth Century. The company had
instruments built for them by many of the factories that we've
become familiar with, Stromberg-Voisenet (later to become Kay)
among these. The Serenader name was used on a wide variety of
guitars and equipment from the 1920's right on into the 1960's.
[Source and image of label Folkway
Music] other images ebay
 |
|
René Baarslag |
|
Guitars from Granada, Spain
Image
Baarslag:
 |
|
Babicz
 |
2004 to present |
Founded by
luthiers Jeff Babic and Jeff Carano who worked together at
Steinberger. Made in Poughkeepsie, New York and ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babicz_Guitars
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/brand/Babicz+Guitars |
|
Bacchus
guitars
 |
1994 -
|
Bacchus started production in 1994
at the Asuka factory in Japan. [Source:
Guitars Japan]
Note the Guitars
Japan sit is an awesome resource for Bacchus Guitars.
http://toguitars.com/gallery-japan/bacchus-guitars.html
http://www.gakki.com/shop3/bacchus_guitars.html
Dating Bacchus Guitars
http://www.japanvintageguitars.com/Bacchus%20History.html
Catalog
http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_japanese_bacchus.htm
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Bacchus
see Headway
Images eBay
 |
|
Bacon |
|
1912 Bacon Banjo catalog |
|
Bacon and
Day (B & D) |
1906-1968 |
David Day and
Paul Bacon.
Sold to Gretsch in 1940. [Source:
White
Tree Arizona ] They made banjos, ukes and guitars
Although the
Bacon company built many of the finest (and most expensive)
banjos of the 1920's they had no experience, or apparent
interest, in building guitars. They had dabbled with ukuleles
and mandolins in the early 1920's and had even sold a few Martin
guitars with a Bacon stamp, but in the main had been able to
prosper with a banjo-only line. When the high-end banjo market
collapsed in the early 1930's Fred Bacon and David Day, both
older men with decades of experience in the music business, took
the expedient route and contracted with outside makers to supply
them with guitars that could be finished off as "B&D's". While
similar to other Regal-built instruments including the Tonk
Bros. Washburn line these "B&D" guitars are always distinctively
appointed, and also the best that could be had.
[Source and images: Retrofret]
Dating B&D Banjos –
note system changed after Gretsch took over.
http://www.whitetreeaz.com/vintage/banjomfg.htm
http://www.mugwumps.com/BaconSerialNumbers.html |
|
Bacon
Belmont |
|
Made for Montgomery Ward by
Gretsch. [Source: Guitar for sale at
http://guitarsnouveau.com/
8/5/2008]
http://www.whitetreeaz.com/vintage/genbanjo.htm |
|
Philip
Bacon |
|
Philip Adam Bacon makes guitars in
Australia
Image Philip
Bacon
Picassa:
 |
|
Bacorn Guitars |
|
Roger Bacorn,
custom guitars and mandolins, Nichols, New York, USA |
|
Baden
 |
|
TJ Baden, California, USA
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/brand/Baden
Images eBay.
 |
|
Vicente
Sanchis Badia |
|
Vicente Sanchis Badia of Masanasa
(Valencia) Spain.
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Vicente+Sanchis+Badia
Image eBay:
 |
|
Bailey
Guitars |
1998- |
Mark Bailey, luthier
Kirkmichael Guitar Village, Maybole, UK
At age 18 Mark Bailey started
guitarmaking with "Patrick Eggle" guitars. In 1998 Mark started
his own guitar making company with his partner Carol Davies.
Their first premises were in a double-decker bus! |
|
John Bailey |
1960s to 1990s |
John Bailey started to make guitars in London in the 1960s and
moved to Devon in 1972 where he continued to make guitars until
the 1990s. [Source:
Wikipedia ]
Example
http://www.theguitarcollection.org.uk/gallery2/johnbailey.html
http://www.marcbrierley.org.uk/guitar.htm |
|
Baker
 |
1994
to 2003. Currently made by Ed Roman |
Gene Baker made
his first guitar in 7th Grade and in 11th grade made his first
neck, truss rod and and fret board. From 1986 he started
building guitars and then worked part time for Ernie Ball
for 3 months then sacked for being too slow. At age 20 he
started making guitars in his parent's garage under the Mean
Gene brand and partnered with .Eric
Zoellner which lasted over a year. From
1991 to 1993 he worked for Master
Builder Roger Giffin of the "Gibson West Custom Shop" in North
Hollywood, California
As
Gibson was
planning to close that plant he moved to
the Fender Custom Shop in Corona, California in June
1993.
While at Fender Gene established
Baker Guitars with
Gil Vasquez. On 1 January 1999 Gene
left Fender to take on Baker Guitars
full time. [Source: Baker web ]
Baker Guitars
stopped production in 2003. Baker guitars
name sold to Ed Roman who now makes them see:
http://www.edroman.com/guitars/baker.htm
Dating Baker
Guitar and specifications
Gene Baker
is now making guitars again
see
http://finetunedinstruments.com/Site/
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Baker |
|
James R Baker |
1990 to present |
"I started serious, regular issue of instruments in 1990...made
a couple here & there before that but I don't know where they
are.....
I have always used the number system of 4 digits, the first two
the number of the instrument issued that year , the second two
the year....so 0108 was the first guitar this year....1499 the
fourteenth instrument of 1999
For new instruments, I have had a label , that is visible thru
the soundhole, that I don't always use anymore that has my
family crest on it, we were carvers / designers , it has a latin
motto on it that translates to "the end crowns the work"... I
don't use it much anymore, generally now I just sign the
instrument in black , on the back visible thru the soundhole. On
electrics w/o a soundhole, the same system on the back of the
headstock. I usually sign the headstock on the front , kind of
like PRS does....I also usually inlay a marquetry rose on the
headstock, it has always been my "mark"
On vintage restoration instruments that do not have a label, I
sometimes put a small label inside that has the name, "Guitare
Romantica" and a date and signature....I watch for quality circa
1900 & earlier unidentified instruments and restore & mod them
into really nice playing guitars, the 100+year woods are
great....its a nice market, a quicker to inventory item thasn a
new one, a great old instrument with a real vintage vibe cause
it's real vintage for a reasonable price.
On labeled , important vintage instruments, I sometimes sign &
date in pencil, small & hidden inside so that the owner knows
where, just for a security measure as well as identifying it....
My website is a new one, had a different one for many years but
my focus is changing.. I want to bring my patented archtops to a
younger generation, and I am getting heavily into Romantic era
instruments, gut string and such, both vintage and my own design
for this fall....i will still make electrics & others but I
think (I am 55) that it is time for me to try to have my
instruments speak to a younger generation....20 - 30 yr olds are
so smart, they have no boundaries, and that excites me...it like
Dylan said, Lend a hand or get out of the way..." [Source: Jim
Baker, email 30/3/2008]
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/James+R.+Baker |
|
Victor
Baker |
1998 to
present |
Victor Baker, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, USA
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Victor+Baker |
|
Balastrero
 |
1988- |
Roberto Balestrero, was born
in 1965 in Vitoria, capital of the state of Espirito Santo in
the southeast of Brazil. Made hist first guitar in 1988 and
moved to the United States in 2001. Based in Alexandria,
VA .
|
|
Baldwin |
1965 - 1970 |
Initial
models - Burns UK, later Arkansas, USA. Also
made in Italy.
Search at
http://www.vintageguitar.com
http://www.burnsguitarmuseum.com/baldwin.html
Note in 2005 Gibson announced a new Gibson-Baldwin range – aimed
at the beginner/ education market. [Source:
Mixonline ]
http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/brands/details.asp?AID=1123
Catalogs
http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_european_baldwin.htm
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Baldwin
see Burns
Images 1966
Baldwin Guitar Made in Italy eBay:
 |
|
Ernie Ball |
|
see Musicman |
|
Ballurio |
|
Dating Ballurio guitars
http://www.ballurio.com/BG/BGSerialNumbers.shtml |
|
Baltimore |
2007 to present |
Budget line
imported to USA by The Music Link |
|
Bandy
Studios |
|
Joseph Bandy was a student
in the Fall, 2001, class. He then set up a guitar-repair
business near Amarillo, Texas. After spending a year-long
apprenticeship in Oakland, California with luthier Ervin Somogyi,
he started Bandy Studios making custom
guitars and performing repairs.
[Source:
Roberto-Venn
] |
|
Banus-Ibanex |
|
Spanish made guitars from at least
1969-1980 based on examples on the web:
http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/discus/messages/11/19252.html?1160922929
Image (1969) eBay:
 |
|
Banzer
 |
|
Banzer guitars were made in
Asthtabula, Northeast Ohio by Don Banzer (now deceased) . From
examples on web he made steel string, classical and flamenco
guitars. DOn's equipment was bought by
Trinity Guitars.
Images 1991 Banzer Guitar eBay;
 |
|
Vicente
Barajas |
|
Paracho, Mexico
Image
Trilogy Guitars:
 |
|
Baranik Guitars |
1995 to present |
Mike Baranik, Tempe, Arizona, USA |
|
Baratto |
2000 to present |
Started making
guitars for Hishino (Ibanez Custom 1994-1999). Started Baratto
in 2000 in Los Angeles, California USA. |
|
Francisco Barba |
current |
Francisco Barba Martinez is one of
Sevilla's most recognized builder. His reputation is known
throughout the world and his guitars are in huge demand now.
Barba's guitars are played but such artists as Pedro Pena, Nino
de Pura, Quique Paredes, Riqueni, Manolo Franco and others.
Barba's guitars feature a great setup, necks are very
comfortable. Typically, they are fast and very well balanced
using very light Spanish cypress creating an incredible amount
of volume…a great examples of what a true flamenco guitar
should. [Soure: Geert Doumen,
Lasonata]
Image courtesy:
Classic Guitar, eBay
 |
|
Barbarossa
 |
current |
Shoreview, MN, United States of
America
Images
Barbarossa:
 |
|
Marcelo
Barbero
 |
1945-1956 |
Learnt with Jose Ramirez II and
following death of Santo Hernandez in 1940, was invited by
Hernandez' widow to complete the backlog. Set up own shop 1945
and died 1956 [Source:
Guitars of Spain ]
Image of 1950 Hernandez by
Barbero courtesy of
Guitar Salon International
Image of 1950 Barbero (under own name) courtesy of Kent Guitar
Classics
Based on Babelfish 'Viuda de' - translates to 'widow of'.
 |
|
Barclay
 |
|
According to Blue Book of Electric Guitars
Barclay
guitars were built in Japan in 1960s, considered a House Brand
but importer to US unknown. However, at the
Guitar Site there is a suggestion that there are US made
Barclays. At the
Harmony Database it is suggested that Barclay was
distributed by Unity Buying Service.
http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php
Images of Barclay Electric Guitar
courtesy of Sue Blow, Canada.
|
|
Barcus-Berry |
1964 to present |
Founded by Les
Barcus an John Berry, the first piezo crystal pick up. |
|
Barkwood Guitars |
1992 to present |
Luthier Donnacha O Donnell,
Los Angeles, California |
|
Carl Barney Guitars |
1968 to present |
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Carl+Barney
Forum
http://theguitarwall.com/forum/index.php?board=22.0 |
|
German Perez Barranco |
|
Granada |
|
Barraza |
|
Made in China.
A brand of M&M Merchandising. Fort
Worth, Texas. Made in China.
"Barraza - 2007 -
Named after a family member - nice instruments
.
Dating Barraza
Guitars
Our serial number has the date made in it:
K0612t0516 - this one was built in the
12th month of 2006." [Source: Mark W.
Jabben, M&M Merchandisers, Inc,
email 6/1/2009]
see
M&M Merchandisers
Image eBay
 |
|
Barrington
 |
1940s |
From
Guitarsite: Barrington Acoustic Guitar with label "Hand Made
by Arthur Hensel Especially For Baere & Son
circa WWII.
However, the
example in these photos from Len is a Barrington with the label
suggesting Artist RS Williams and Son.
The Barrington
link with Beare and Son appears to be explained in a
forum. Beare and Sons evolved from Beare, Goodwin,
established 1865, England's first musical instrument wholesaler.
Richard "Barrington" Beare joined the family company in 1931. So
from this one would assume that Hensel made a Barrington model
for Beare and Sons and perhaps the same model was distributed by
Williams and Son. Beare & Son did not appear to coninue beyond
1950.
This Barrington
Artist in these pictures appears very similar to the Hensel
Artist at
Folkway Music but the headstocks are slightly different
(square v rounded - see below)
see Beare &
Son
See Hensel |
|
Barrington
Guitar Werks |
1988-1991 |
Barington Guitars Werks,
Barrington, Illinois imported guitars from 1988 to 1991.
Barrington
Catalog
http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_japanese_barrington.htm
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Barrington |
|
GW Barry |
1980 to present |
Gordon Barry, Toronto Canada |
|
Bartell of
California |
1964-1969 |
Founded by Paul Barth (Magnatone,
worked for Rickenbacker, and built Black Widows for Acoustic in
1972). Instruments built in Riverside, California, USA
1964-1969. Bartell of California appears on label inside
Hohner fretless basses.
The best resource for
Bartell is the Unofficial
Bartell Fan Site
http://www.allthetransients.com/subdomains/blackwidow/story.html
Image eBay:
 |
|
Barthell Guitars |
1975 to present |
"I started building classical
guitars in 1975. Each guitar I build has a label visible
through the soundhole. The label carries either my signature or
my initials (JPB) and a date showing the year it was
completed. In most cases the serial number is also shown. I'm
just now finishing up number 135, and that will be its serial
number. In some cases low serial numbers will be repeated,
because I started from zero again when my good lady and I left
the Chicago area to move to the Olympic peninsula here in
Washington state. I did not keep careful records before moving
here, but my guess is that numbers below about 30 or 40 could be
duplicated. The dates, however, will establish the age."
[Source: Pete Barthell, email 20/3/2008] |
|
Bartolini |
1973 to present |
Pat and Bill
Bartolini. Pickup manufacturer since 1973. |
|
Bartolini |
1960s |
European (? Italy) guitars made
for Bartolini Accordian Company
http://www.greenbuddha.de/guitars/index_b.php?mod=bartolini&lang=de
http://www.fetishguitars.com/index/bar_gem.html
Image eBay:
 |
|
Peter Barton |
1986 to present |
Established 1986 in Addingham,
West Yorkshire
Image
Stafford Guitar:
 |
|
Richard
Bartram |
|
Luthier
Cambridge, UK |
|
Baruke Guitars |
|
Allen Williams, USA |
|
Bascetta
 |
2001 to present |
"I
started manufacturing under my name in 2001 and my instruments
were first made in Leeds, UK, then in Port Sunlight, UK and 3
months ago I setup my current shop in Spital, UK. The date and
location of manufacture is always on the label next to my
signature as well as written on the underside of the top.
" [Source: Matthew John Bascetta,
Luthier, email
11/7/2008 ]
 |
|
Bashkin |
1996 to present |
Manufacture since "1996 in Fort
Collins, Colorado, USA.
First two (soon three) digits is
the guitar number and the last two represent the year. For
example, 8108 is my 81st guitar made and it was completed in
2008." [Source: Michael, Bashkin Guitars, email 16/4/2008]
Article at Guitar Bench
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/product/Michael+Bashkin/Placencia+OM/10/1 |
|
Basone |
|
Small
custom guitar company specializing in hand
crafted high quality electrics. Vancouver,
British Columbia. |
|
BassLab
 |
2001to present |
"The
2001 Frankfurt Musikmesse was somehow our official start. There
were just a few instruments - the earliest from 1993, but most
of them were prototypes and experimental R&D stuff.
Made in Kassel, Germany.
Dating BassLab Guitars
All serial numbers are in the housing of the electronics.
A typical number would be like
LB0508D50
"LB" stands for the L-bow model
"05" is the number of strings
"08" is the date of manufacture
the rest is an internal code.
[Source and image
courtesy of: Heiko Hoepfinger, BassLab,
email 14/8/2008]
Reviews:
Bass
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Electric+Bass/brand/BassLab
Guitar
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/BassLab |
|
Bastin |
current at 2010 |
Metal guitars
by Bastin guitars, Kentucky USA. |
|
Olivier Bataille |
|
Normandy |
|
Batson
 |
|
Batson guitars, Nashville USA
Luthier interview
"We started
building guitars in 1997, I believe.
We currently make them in Nashville, TN
Our serial numbers have a date included in the number scheme."
[Source & images: Grant Batson, Batson Guitar Co email
26/6/2010]
 |
|
Giovanni
Battelli |
|
Guitars made in Naples, Italy
Images eBay:
 |
|
Richard Baudry |
|
|
|
George
Bauer
 |
1894-1911 |
George
Bauer was a Philadelphia luthier who made guitars and
mandolins. [Source:
Bills Banjos]
Images 1890
George Bauer eBay.
 |
|
Baxendale &
Baxendale |
1975 to present |
Scott and John Baxendale,
Denver Colorado |
|
Bay State
 |
1865-1910 |
Trademark
for John C Haynes Co, Boston
http://personal.dougschmude.net/Bay%20State/Bay%20State.html
http://billsbanjos.com/baystate354.htm
Catalog page and images from eBay
 |
|
Bazzolo |
1983 to present |
|
|
BC Kingston |
|
see K for Kingston |
|
BC Rich
 |
1968 to present |
Bernardo Chavez Rico established BC Rich in 1968. BR Rich
branded guitars were made in USA. B C Rico brand was used to
distinguish Japanese made guitars early on. [Source:
wikipedia ]
BC Rich history from bc-rich.com 2002
BC Rich FAQ from bc-rich.com 2002
http://bcrich.net/
This Blue Book link appears very helpful
https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/EGuitar/ElectricSerialization.pdf
http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/news/news-story/news_id/530
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Guitar-General-649/BC-Rich.htm
http://www.guitarsite.com/database/Guitars/rec/1084/wwwboard/messages/1150.shtml
Search at
http://www.vintageguitar.com
http://www.baronaudio.com/bich/
http://vintageguitarpro.com/bcrich.shtml
http://www.sol.co.uk/r/ronz/index.htm
BC Rich catalogs/ ads
http://vintage.catalogs.free.fr/Index.htm
http://bcrich.net/local/2nd_e.html
Reviews
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/BC+Rich
BC Rich Forum
http://www.bcrichplayers.com/forum/
Images 1972 BC Rich from eBay
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|
next page |
|
Be-Bi
| Bj-Bo |
Br- |
