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  luthiers and guitar brands

g

manufactured

info    updated 10/10/2008...please email corrections/info

G & L

1980 to present

G&L is for George Fullerton and Leo Fender.  Leo was subject to a restraint of trade provision following the sale of Fender to CBS.  This is his pheonix.

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/EGuitar/ElectricSerialization.pdf

http://www.glguitars.com/faq/index.asp

http://www.glguitars.com/chronology/index.asp

http://www.palmguitars.nl/archives/arch-git.html

http://vintageguitarpro.com/gandl.shtml

G&L guitar Registry http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/AUTOREG/interact.php3?registry_id=1

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/G%26L

Gadotti

1997 to present

" It started in 1997. Windermere, Florida USA.  On the back of the neck there is a serial number. The first 3 digits are the serial number and the 4th and 5th digit stand for the year of production. [Source: Jeanfranco Gadotti, email 17/7/2008 ]

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Gadotti+Guitars

Gadow

1999 to present

Ryan Gadow, USA

Gadow Guitars Forum

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Gadow+Guitars

Gage

 

Chatham, MA, USA

Gagliano

 

http://www.ggjaguar.com/gagliano.htm

Gagnon Guitars

1998 to present

"I started building in 1998 and started Gagnon Guitars in 2000.  My serial numbers are as follows: 08708.   that is my 87th guitar and was finished in 2008." [Source: Bill, Gagnon Guitars, email 30/3/2008]

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Gagnon+Guitars

Galanti

 

http://www.fetishguitars.com/index/galanti.html

1967 Galanti Grand Prix http://www.myrareguitars.com/eGalanti.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Galanti
Galiano  

A Harmony Brand

http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php

Gallacher Guitars

 

Joe Gallacher, 255 Kooba Street, North Albury New South Wales, 2640 Australia

Gallagher

1965 to present

http://www.gallagherguitar.com/Background.html

''We've always maintained a ledger where we've recorded the model number, the serial number, who got the guitar and when it left the shop. All the guitars are documented and the serial numbers are stamped on the neck block, along with the model number.''  Because of this detail, Gallagher actually has helped return some stolen guitars to their original owners.

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Gallagher
Galloup
   Big Rapids, MI, USA

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Galloup
Galperin  

A Harmony Brand

http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php

Arnie Gamble

1978 to present

Sacramento, California, USA

Ganson

 

made by Kasuga

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Ganson

Ganz Guitars

1993 to present

Made since "1993" in "Bellingham, Washington, USA
Date is on label under soundhole. [Source: Steven Henry Horatio Ganz, email 4/4/2008]

Abel Garcia

 

Abel Garcia Lopez, luthier

http://www.monocle.com/sections/edits/Magazine-Articles/Abel-Garcia-Lopez-Paracho/

Image courtesy of Guitar Salon:

Arnoldo Garcia

 

Image Arnoldo Garcia:
Enrique Garcia

-1923

Enrique Garcia (1868-1923) is considered the Stradivarius of the classical guitar.

http://www.guitarsofspain.com/Guitar_magazine/2_21.htm

Image ?

Fredrico Garcia

 

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Guitar-General-649/Federico-Garcia-classical-guitar.htm
Gary Kramer see K for Kramer

Garrison

 

Dating information http://www.garrisonguitars.com/faq.asp#6

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Garrison+Guitars
Gaylord  

A Harmony Brand

http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php

Gazer

 

http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/gazer.html

http://www.gazerguitars.com/gazer.htm
Gecko Guitars

2000 to present

"Frank has always signed and dated his instruments on the inside. We also keep a record. He has been making basses for many years, however under the name Gecko Guitars since 2000." [Source: Mary Aveling, Gecko Guitars, email 30/3/2008]

Peregian Beach, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Geiger 1975 to present  
Gemelli Guitars

 

http://www.fetishguitars.com/index/gemelli.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Gemelli

Bela Gemza

1950s to 1987

Bela Gemza (1909-1987)

http://members.aol.com/Rogluthier/indexclassic.html
George Lowden   see L for Lowden
German Guitars   Colorado, USA
Gerrinez

1970s

According to this forum was a brand of a guitar store Gerritsen in the The Hague, the Netherlands. ? the guitars were built at the Maya plant in Kobe.
http://www.matsumoku.org/ggboard/viewtopic.php?t=3500&highlight=gerrinez

example http://rock.webbuilder.hostbasket.com/page15465.htm

Gerundino Fernandez
 

1958 - 1999

Gerundino Fernandez (1931-2006)

Gerundino at wikipedia
Image courtesy of Guitar Salon:

Giannini

1900 to present

Brazilian manufacturer from 1900. Started electric guitars in 1960. [Source: Giannini ]

http://www.bellinati.com/guit_access/guit.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giannini

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Giannini

see Univox

Gibson

 

1894 to present

Important dates [Source: Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars 2nd Ed]

1894 Orville H Gibson begins making guitars and mandolins, introducing violin style arched top.

1902 not able to keep up with demand Orville sells rights to 5 Kalamazoo businessmen forming The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Co.

1923 Mandolin dropped from name to Gibson Inc.

1930-40s Instruments made under various brands - Kalamazoo , Mastertone, Oriole, Recording King, Ward, Cromwell, Capital, Kel Kroydon...

1944 bought by Chicago Musical Instrument Co (CMI) - production continues in Kalamazoo

1952 Les Paul introduced

1957 CMI buys Epiphone and moves Epiphoe production from New York to Kalamazoo (1970 to overseas).

1960 Double horn Les Paul introduced (named SG in 63)

1969 Ecuadorian Company Ltd (ECL) buys company and in 1970 renamed as Norlin.

1974 Norlin builds new factory in Nashville and production split with Kalamazoo

1984 Kalamazoo plant closed.

1986 Sold to Henry Juszkiewicz, David Berryman & Gary Zebrowski - Gibson Guitar Corp.

since then acquired Flatiron mandolins, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland drums, OMI - Dobro, Kramer guitars, Trace Elliot amps...

Dating Gibson brand guitars

TRY FIRST http://www.guitardaterproject.org/gibson.aspx

another look up page http://www.music-enthusiast.com/serial/gibson.html

http://www.gibson.com/Service/Serial%20Numbers%20Search/

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html

Gibson Serial Number Information http://www.gibson.com/Files/downloads/bluebook/GibsonSERIALNUMBERS.pdf

Gibson Electric Guitar Descriptions from the Blue Book of Guitars http://www.gibson.com/Files/downloads/bluebook/GibsonElectrics.pdf

Gibson Acoustic Guitar Descriptions from the Blue Book of Guitars http://www.gibson.com/Files/downloads/bluebook/GibsonAcoustics.pdf

Gibson Vintage Guitar General Info, Specs, and Serial Numbers http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/Eguitar/ElectricSerialization.pdf

http://www.kellyindustries.com/guitars/gibson_serial_numbers.html

Photo of 1967 Gibson J45 courtesy of G Simon:

General Gibson info

Gibson vintage guitar blog http://vintage-guitars.blogspot.com/

Everything SG http://www.everythingsg.com/

Gibson owns quite a few brands

http://www.gibson.com/press/brands.html

Amplifier Magazine 1995-1998 http://www.gibson.com/magazines/amplifier/index.html

Go to info at http://www.gruhn.com/

Pile of Gibson articles on rare models http://www.flyingvintage.com/

1970s search at http://www.vintageguitar.com

Gibson pot numbers http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/gibsonPots.php

Gibson wiring diagrams http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Support/TechSupport/Wiring%20Diagrams/

Gibson bass http://www.gibsonbass.com/

Watch out for Gibson counterfeits http://news.harmony-central.com/Newp/2007/Gibson-Counterfeits.html

Gibson guitar catalogs

58 thru 85 http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/catalogues.php

Trini Lopez http://www.trinilopez.com/guitars/guitars.htm

1968 http://www.excellentleads.com/oldgibson.html

Gibson Bass catalogs 1958-1986 (inc 1970 Gibson guitar catalog) http://www.gibsonbass.com/catalogues.php

Gibson bass ad scans 1954 to '80s http://www.gibsonbass.com/advertisements.php

http://vintage.catalogs.free.fr/Index.htm

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Gibson

Gibson guitar forums

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/

http://vintage-guitars.blogspot.com/

Gilchrist Mandolins

1976 to present

Stephen Gilchrist, Warnambool, Victoria

Gilchrist profile http://www.mandozine.com/resources/MBSS/builders.php

Dating Gilchrist Mandolins

http://www.mandozine.com/resources/CGOW/gilchrist.php

Gilet

 

Gerard Gilet, Sydney, Australia. Acoustic and classical guitars. Suppliers of wood for musical instruments. Guitar making classes.

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Gilet

Giltzow Guitars

2003 to present

Started building under the Giltzow Guitars name in 2003
Guitars are made in my shop at 8365 W. Pomona Ct. Boise, Idaho 83704 USA.  Am moving to 9024 Avalanche Boise, Idaho 83709 in the next month.
Date of "closing of the sound box" is written on the inside of the sound board or inside back. There is a serial number on the inside back below the sound hole. That can be used to date the guitar by contacting me. Each guitar is photographed during construction - 200 to 300 digital pictures on a CD. That CD goes to the owner and I keep a copy. Should someone buy one of my guitars and not get the CD; they can obtain one from me.
I use two peg head logos a script (mop) Giltzow and a G & palm tree (mop). I have done special peghead inlays for specific customers." [Source: Michael D. Giltzow, email 1/8/2008]

Gima

 

http://www.archtop-germany.de/-Hersteller/-Vintage/Gima/body_gima.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/GIMA

Girdis

1981 to present

Robert Girdis, Luthier. Seattle Washington.

Gittler

1978-early 1980s

Only 60 guitars and 3 bass produced http://invention.smithsonian.org/centerpieces/guitars/noframes/de08.htm

1986-1987 500 produced by Astron in Israel

http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/misc/europe/gittler_lb.html

http://www.myrareguitars.com/egittler.html

http://www.greenbuddha.de/guitars/index_b.php?mod=gittler&lang=de

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Gittler

Gioachino Giussani
 

 

Image: Guitar Salon
Glenister Guitars 1973 to present "I started in 1973.
Guitars & Mandolins from 1973 to 1992 were inlayed 'Glen' in the head stock. From 1992 to present are inlayed 'J.Glen'. My 'serial' numbering system (when I used it because sometimes I didn't) has varied in format over the years but has always been the Gregorian date (two digit year and day of the year) when the back went on with a sequence number. Generally between 1973 to 2000 the two digits of the year were seperated by the day number with a two digit sequence number tagged on the end eg. 30th march 1996 = 9080601. Since 2000 to present the year (excluding leading zeros) followed by the day number followed by a sequence number eg. 30th March 2008 = 808001.
The serial number is on an oval label inside the instrument and stamped in 2mm high numbers on the back of the head stock. I also include the name of the village I was living in at the time eg. Kommetjie or Cape Town or Felixstowe.
> 3. Any additional information/links would also be appreciated.
I also make orchestral instruments and their bows - all share the same numbering system but the violins have a small rectangular label under the bass f-hole. The bows are branded next to the nut on the player side of the bow and numbered under the nut." [source: Jimi Glenister, email 30/3/2008]
Global  

A Harmony Brand

http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php
Globe  

A Harmony Brand

http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php
GMW Guitars 1993 to present

"I started in 1985, but with the Empire line, that was started in 1997.

The GMW line started around 1993 - 1994 since all guitars prior to that date were labels as Moser guitars

We didn't date those on the actual guitars until just recently around 2005, however, although I have a list at the shop that records the date of manufacture with each serial #. But now, I sign and date each guitar in the neck slot, so people can tell when they were made by simply removing the neck. In the GMW Archives, my website lists all of the new GMW guitars we've made using our two current headstock profiles. Pics and detailed specs for each guitar are also included therein." [Source: Lee Garver, GMW instruments, email 23/3/2008]

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/GMW+Guitar+Works

Zbigniew Gnatek

 

Sydney, Australia

http://www.guitarcentre.com.au/gnatek.html

Image Kent Guitar Classics:

Godin

1987 to present

In the early 1980s Robert Godin and friends set up shop to build replacement guitar necks and bodies  for the electric market. This led to guitars and the large company now making guitars in New Hampshire, USA and Quebec, Canada. 

Dating Godin Guitars

Try this first  http://www.guitardating.com/godin.php

" Here's how you can decode our serial numbers :
first 2 digits : production year, 3rd and 4th digits : production week, 5th digit : production day (1=monday, 2=tuesday, etc...), last 3 digits : weekly production rank. Our production year begins on August 1st.
As an example, a guitar with serial number 06053168 was built in september 2005, on a wednesday, and it was the 168th guitar built during that production week.
If your guitar's serial number has 7 digits, the guitar was built in the 90's and only the 1st digit indicates the production year.
If your guitar's serial number has less than 7 digits, you'll have to email me it's serial number so I can look it up in our serial number lists.
On post 1993 guitars, the serial number is engraved behind the headstock.
On pre 1993 guitars, the serial number is stamped on the sound hole label.

The same system goes for Godin, Seagull, Norman, Simon&Patrick, Art&Lutherie and LaPatrie guitars. [source: Michel, Godin, email 23 Jan 2007]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godin_%28Guitar_Manufacturer%29

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/brand/Godin
Goldon http://www.musikkeller.com/d/goldon.html
Esteban Gonzales 1996 to present "Made in Buenos Aires , Argentina since 1996.  My guitars carry a label printed. With month and handwritten signature.
Inside the soundboard, signed with the date and place where built. Sometimes also signed inside the taco butt, unit in the side." [Source: Esteban Gonales, email 17/6/2008]

Goodall

 1970s to present

James Goodall  started making guitars in the 1970s in California.  In 1981 he set up a workshop in Mendocino, California where he made about 40 guitars a year.  In 1992, he moved to his current location in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, where he and thirteen employees ship ten instruments per week.

Dating Goodall guitars

http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/goodall.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Goodall
Gordon Smith see S for Smith

Goya Guitars

1954 - 1996

"Goya" brand guitars started in 1954 by the Hershman Musical Instrument Company of New York (Goya Guitars Inc.). Distribution went to Kustom Electronics Inc. in 1970 and then to Dude Inc. (both of Chanute, Kansas) in late 1972. Most of the acoustic guitars during this period were handmade in Sweden by the Levin company.  The Goya brand went to Martin Guitars in 1974, the year they acquired Levin, and lasted until 1996. These Goya guitars were made in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. [Source: Goyaguitars ]

Goya serial numbers http://goyaguitars.tripod.com/goya_serial_no.htm

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Guitar-General-649/goya-312.htm

http://vintageguitarpro.com/goya.shtml

Goya guitar catalogs 1957-1980s http://goyaguitars.tripod.com/goya_catalogs.htm

http://www.hagstrom.org.uk/images/mkt/hag%20speedomatic.jpg

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Goya

see Hagstrom

Graal

2003 to present

I started to repair and construct guitar 20 years ago, but starting since 2003 the work became I started my brand, Graal Guitars (www.graalguitars.com), and this year I started a new brand, that is G Coils (www.gcoils.com), related to pickups and electronics for acoustic and electric guitars and basses.

The date of manufacturing is on a label inside the guitar quoting the year of the construction and the serial number." [Source: Valentino Lamorte, email 3/8/2008 ]

Alessandria, Italy