s

manufactured

info    updated 11/10/2008...please email corrections/info

Sadowsky

 1979 to present

Makes guitars and basses in Brooklyn, New York [Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadowsky ]
New York Times article on Roger Sadowski from 1991
Dating Sadowsky Guitars

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

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

Prudencio Saez

1963 to present

Prudencio Saez guitars  was founded in 1963 by the luthiers Prudencio Saez, Senior and Junior. Today Prudencio Saez guitars are still built by hand by the  family firm of GUISAMA, S. L. in a factory in Valencia thatSpain.

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Prudencio+Saez

Eric Sahlin

Images courtesy of Guitar Salon International:

1960s to 1970s

This trademark has been identified by researcher Willie G. Moseley as a "House Brand" of the F. W. Woolworth (Woolco) department stores.
Further information from authors Tony Bacon and Paul Day indicate that guitars with this trademark originated in Japan (later Korea) during the 1960s and 1970s" [Source: Talk bass forum  ]

Examples
http://www.theguitarcollection.org.uk/gallery1/sakai.html

http://www.wietsesguitars.nl/pagina9a.html

Taku Sakashta

1995 to present

Rohnert Park, California, USA

Sakura

1970s to ?

Japan ? now China

example http://www.vintage-guitars.se/1970s_Sakura_C119_705116.htm

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

Sakuray

http://www.guitarsite.com/database/Guitars/rec/3006/wwwboard/messages/97.shtml

see Matsuoka, Kohna, Orozco

Salvi's

Steve Salvi, Handmade Acoustic Guitars, Electric Guitars, Lap Steel and Lap Slide Guitars, Dobros, Bass Guitars ~ based in Adelaide, South Australia

1958 to present

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

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

see Greg Bennett

Lucas Sanchis

2002 to present

" I started in the guitar business on 1993, but in 2002 I started to build guitars with my own brand.  The date of manufacture is written on the label by myself." [Source: Lucas J. Sanchis, Luthier email 9/4/2008]

Sand

1979 to present

Laguna Beach, California, USA

Santa Cruz

 1972 to present

Richard Hoover began building guitars and carved-top mandolins in 1972. By 1976 his focus was on the modern steel string guitar. [Source: Santa Cruz]

Dating Santa Cruz Guitars

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

Santa Cruz Guitar Company Catalogs and Pricelists

1998 Santa Cruz pricelist

1999 Santa Cruz pricelist

2001 Santa Cruz pricelist

2002 Santa Cruz pricelist

2005 Santa Cruz Brochure  |  2005 Santa Cruz pricelist

2006 Santa Cruz pricelist

2007 Santa Cruz pricelist

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Acoustic+Guitar/brand/Santa+Cruz

Forum http://santacruzguitarplayers.com/scgc-forum/

Arturo Sanzano

Image Classic Guitar

Saxon

1970s

The Saxon trademark is a brand name utilized by a United Kingdom importer (Selmer). Acoustic guitars made in Japan. [Source: Tony Bacon and Paul Day, The Guru´s Guitar Guide ].

"I started about 30 years ago...We do have different numbers in different models so only we know when a guitar is produced. But mostly the date is simply on the label as well." [Source: Theo Scharpach, email 21/3/2008]

http://www.destroyallguitars.com/pages/scharpach.html

Schecter

Pre 89

http://www.schecterguitars.com/faq.asp

http://www.schecter.co.jp/

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

Schecter ads/ catalogs

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

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

Schenk Guitars

Rod Schenk,

Gerhard Schnabl

Schneider Guitars

David Schneider studied  with Jim D'Aquisto in his Farmingdale, Long Island shop in the 1970's.  He now makes guitars in Cincinnati, OH. [Source: Schneider guitars ]

Schoenberg

1986 to present

"Eric Schoenberg started playing the guitar in 1959, teaching the instrument in the 1960s and then recording.  His search for guitars led him to believe that the Martin OM (1929 to 1933) was ideal.  In 1969 he convinced Martin to make a batch of 6 OM28s. In the early 1980s Dana Bourgeois built Eric a guitar based on a 1933 OM adding a 'cutaway' - the first Schonberg Guitar. Using this prototype Martin began building guitars for Schoenberg.  From 1986 to 1994, Schoenberg guitars would emerge from Nazareth, PA, with Martin serial numbers and “Schoenberg” on the headstock.   around 500 of these Schoenberg guitars survive today.

Since 1995 master luthier Bruce Sexauer has made about 3/4 of Schoenberg Guitars (52 examples). Others include Robert Anderson in Victoria, BC, Canada (about 8), Alan Perlman in San Francisco (2), James Russell in Redding, CA (5 or 6). John Slobod also makes for Schonberg. [Source: Schoenberg and Bruce Sexauer ]

Dating Schoenberg Guitars

Martin serial number system used from 1986 to 1994

Guitars made by Bruce Sexaur date is on label.

More info

http://www.gansz.org/David/Guitars/Schoenberg/Index.htm

see Sexauer Guitars

http://www.nsblues.com/gear/ns_gearns.htm

see Jackson, Larivee

Jason Z Schroeder

1988 to present

I started making guitars under the Schroeder Guitars name in 1988 while in high school in San Jose, California.  While in college at CSU Chico I built my next batch of guitars in 1994 and sold a couple in 1995.  I moved to Redding California and have been building here since 1999.  I write the date of the build completion and serial number on the back of the headstock and take photos so that we have record of guitars that were built.  See attached photo for typical headstock back." [Source: Jason, email 2/8/2008 ]

Schroeder guitar forum

Eric C Schulte custom guitars made in Pennsylvania, USA

Search at http://www.vintageguitar.com

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

Schwartz Guitars

1992 to present

"I started building guitars in 1992.

With the exception of the first couple of guitars, all my guitars have a serial number on the neck block, which represents the number built.  Early serial numbers include the date. The date on all my guitars is written in pencil on the inside of the top on the bass side of the sound hole.  I've also signed the guitar there and written the information backwards so you can read it easily with a mirror.

Early guitars do not have a label, but the information is still in pencil on the inside of the top.
On almost every guitar, except for a few early ones and the guitar with  the wolf inlay, the neck is attached with an unglued dovetail that is secured by  a screw through the neck block.

Pre 1998  guitars have the 'cat's ears' headstock.

The guitars have been built in Loretto, Ontario, Canada since 2000.  Pre 2000
guitars were built in Toronto, Ontario.

Post 2003 guitars have my logo on the headstock.  Guitars with art work  may have the logo on the back of the headstock.

Post 2005 guitars have an 'X' braced back.

All my guitars have had bound fingerboards, usually Ebony on Ebony.

All my guitars have solid linings on the back." [Source: Sheldon Schwarz, email 24/7/2008 ]

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

John David Scott

1999 to present

Annacis Island, British Columbia, Canada

Commenced manufacture "1985.  Stamped on the inner heel block inside the guitar is a series of numbers; for example  030784 .
This would indicate that the instrument was assembled in March of 2007 , and was the 84th guitar I had built." [Source: Nicholas ,email 3/4/2008]

Seagull

1982 to present

In 1982 Robert Godin and friends produced the first Seagull guitars in the Village of LaPatrie, Quebec. The concept for the Seagull guitar was to take the essential components of the best hand-crafted guitars (such as solid tops and lacquer finishes) and build these features into guitars at a reasonable price.

Dating Seagul Guitars

 " 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 La Patrie guitars. [source: Michel, Godin, email 23 Jan 2007]

http://www.seagullguitars.com/intro.htm

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Seagull

Sears and Roebuck (SR)

Sears purchased Harmony in 1916 but sold it to a group of Harmony executives in 1940. Harmony continued to be the main supplier of Sears catalog guitars. From 1954 Danelectro became Sears largest electric guitar maker. [Source: Echo and Twang: Classic Guitar Music of the '50s By Tony Bacon]

catalog http://harmony.demont.net/catalogs.php

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

see Supertone, Silvertone, a Harmony Brand

Stephen Sedgewick

2003 to present

"I started learning to make instruments in 1994. I opened my workshop and made instruments full time in 2003.  The instruments are made in a workshop called 'The Office' on the Grove farm, Fawkham, in Kent, UK.
The date and  instrument number are on the label. There is also a date and number written inside the guitar on the soundboard." [Source: Steve Sedgewick, email 14/7/2008 ]

Fawkham, Longfield, Kent, UK

Siesta Key Guitars

2003 to present

Made since 2003 under SKG and approximately 12 years prior under just "David Bland" name.

Before SKG "I signed my name and my name only on the labels. SKG labels have the words Siesta Key guitars on it and our logo along with the date, serial # and luthier's signature...me.

As to dates - Siesta key guitars was incorporated in 2002. I started building/repairing guitars approximately 15 years prior...1987...what month? Who know's. Often times when I built a guitar I only signed and dated the neck pocket. other times I may not have even done that. It just didn't matter to me as I knew what guitars I built and they were warranted for life...
"each instrument ..contains a label that has my signature and date and serial number." [Source: David Bland , Sarasota Florida USA, email 14/7/2008 ]

Sekova

http://www.blackguitars.com/gallery.htm

http://www.vintaxe.com/guitars_japanese.htm

Sekova Grecian http://www.myrareguitars.com/eSekova.html

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

Selmer

1950s - 1960s

Made in West Germany (Selmer London distribution)

http://www.lutherie.net/bckgrnd.html

http://www.rfcharle.com/HTML/PlanSelmerA.html

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

http://www.rfcharle.com/HTML/LivreSelmerangl.html

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Museum/museum.html

 Selmer catalogs

1964 http://www.hagstrom.org.uk/Catalogues2/CatEsp1.htm

http://www.vintagehofner.co.uk/

see Hofner

1996 to present

"I established my workshop in 1996, that´s when I started manufacturing my own guitars professionally.  I´m  based in Weimar / Thuringia  in Germany.
I indicate the year on the label, hand written.
I don´t number my instruments and I don´t use any hidden signs inside the guitar.

Anyone who needs information about my older guitars may contact me." [Source: Christoph Sembdner, email 24/7/2008]

Image courtesy of Guitar Salon International:

2005 to present

I build steel stringed guitars, Acoustic basses and electric guitars. I have sold guitars to musicicans Such as Nicke Royale of the Swedish rock band The Hellacopters" [Source: Daniel Sengenbjerg, Sengenbjerg Guitars,email 2/4/2008]

A Harmony Brand

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

Sexauer Guitars

1967 to present.

"I have been building guitars since 1967. My workshop is behind my home in Petaluma California USA, All of my instruments are signed and dated on the label. My guitars are also signed and the year written (as on other "Art") on the neck block and under the top between the X members and the bridgeplate. I think I have done that from the beginning.

The 52 Schoenbergs I  have made all have the identical label info to my own, the only difference in labeling being the nomenclature wherein I call my own OM (for instance) an FT-15 (Flat Top, 15") and his is called an ES-15. Otherwise the same signature locations and date recording. For the last ten years I have made 3/4 of the new Schoenbergs. Other current builders include Robert Anderson in Victoria, BC, Canada (about 8), Alan Perlman in San Francisco (2), and James Russell in Redding, CA (5 or 6)." [Source: Bruce Sexauer, email, 24/7/2008 ]

Shadow

1988-1994

Guitars made in West Germany. Now produce pickups and midi system
http://cpts-test.com/tombenford/guitars.html

http://jazzgitarren.k-server.org/shadow.html

http://www.musikkeller.com/d/shadow.html

http://www.cpts-test.com/tombenford/guitars.html

Snippet from a sold guitar: Shadow Model S100. Features: Floyd-Rose Trem, Schaller Tuners, rosewood fingerboard, 2 single coil and one humbucker Shadow pickups, Superstrat features, 5 position switch, locking nut

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

1960s-1980s

Italy and Japan and a UK model

http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/general/shaftesbury.html

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

Shanti

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

http://www.oliver-waitze.de/the_fine_art_of_lutherie.htm

Sharp Guitars

Don Sharp

Sheppard Guitars

1993 to present

Gerald Sheppard Guitars have a serial number on the neck block cover below my signature. Since around 2005 I have also written the serial number in ink on the bass string side of the neck block. A light and mirror are required to read the number. I started doing this because the serial number on the neck block cover can be removed or replaced very easily. If provided with the serial number via email or by phone, I can provide an approximate manufacturing date." [Source: Gerald Sheppard, email 30/3/2008]

Sheridan Guitars

1985 to present

"I have been building classicals since 1985, in Perth, Western
Australia. All guitars are dated on the label.] Source: Paul Sheridan, email 24/7/2008]

Shergold

1968-1992

? currently built in England

http://www.shergold.co.uk/dating.html

Serial numbers 1975 to 1980 available below.

http://www.shergold.co.uk/serialnos.html

http://www.answers.com/topic/shergold

Shergold catalogs / ads

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

Shergold guitars forum http://www.shergold.co.uk/forum/index.php

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

House Brand of Montgomery Wards.  Guitars were made by Kay.

http://www.vintagearchtop.com/50sherwood.htm

http://www.kokomomusic.com/pages/guitars/sherwood_arch_50s.html

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

see Kay

Shifflett Guitars

"My instruments all have a signed label with the serial number and date.
All acoustic instruments are signed on the soundboard, inside. (takes two mirrors to read through the sound hole. [Source: Charles Shifflett, High River, Alberta, Canada email 24/3/2008]

Shimazaki

Makoto (Mac) Shimazaki is a graduate (2002) of the Roberto-Venn school of luthiery  in Arizona, USA.  He has opened his business, Acoustic Guitar Republic (A.G.R.), in Nasu-Highland, a well-known resort in Japa