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Gordon Smith Guitars

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gordon Smith Guitars
IndustryMusical instrument
Founded1974; 50 years ago (1974) in Partington, Greater Manchester
FounderGordon Whitham and John Smith
Headquarters,
ProductsElectric guitars
ParentAuden Guitars
Websitegordonsmithguitars.com

Gordon Smith Guitars is a manufacturer of hand-crafted electric guitars. They are the UK's longest-established electric guitar manufacturer[1] and have been called the English equivalent to Gibson on that basis.[2]

History

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The company was founded in 1974 and is named after its founders, Gordon Whitham and John Smith. In April 2015 Gordon Smith Guitars was acquired by British-based Auden Guitars and production moved from Partington near Manchester, England to Audens Guitars' workshop in Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire.[3][4]

The company aims to produce quality guitars for working musicians and say that they make "guitars, not furniture".[5]

Gordon Smith Guitars are among the highest-rated manufacturers for use of sustainable woods in guitar construction, according to the Ethical Consumer.[6]

Range

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Gordon Smith GSII

The Gordon Smith range includes original designs, such as the Galaxy, as well as S-style, T-style and LP-style models.[7] All models currently use a brass nut.

The company offers many options for customising guitars, including a choice of hardware and finishes, single- or double-cutaway and left- or right-handed guitars. Twelve-string and double-necked versions of the range are also available.

Gordon Smith produce their own pickups in-house.[8][9]

Their humbucker pickups are coil-tapped as standard to give players access to a broader palette of sounds.

Awards

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Guitarist magazine reviewed the Gordon Smith GS1000 and gave it their Gold award.[10]

Players

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The company does not offer celebrity endorsements. Guitarists known to have used Gordon Smith guitars include:

References

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  1. ^ Burrluck, Dave (1 November 2011). "Gordon-Smith GS2 60 Review". Guitarist Magazine. Future Publishing. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  2. ^ Erlewine, Dan (Winter 2000). "Luthiers of England, Part U". GuitarMaker Magazine (40). The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans.
  3. ^ "Gordon Smith / Auden Guitars Update". Gordon-Smith Guitars. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  4. ^ Troake, Rhys (6 May 2015). "Auden acquires Gordon Smith Guitars". MI Pro. NewBay Media. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  5. ^ "About Us". Gordon-Smith Guitars. Archived from the original on 5 January 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  6. ^ "Free buyer's guide to electric guitars". Ethical Consumer. Archived from the original on 22 December 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  7. ^ "Electric Guitars". Gordon Smith Guitars. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
  8. ^ "FAQ". Gordon-Smith Guitars. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  9. ^ "The Truth About Gordon-Smith Guitar Pickups". Richards Guitars. 15 April 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  10. ^ August 2018, Dave Burrluck 30. "Gordon Smith GS1000 Special Edition review". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2020-10-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ "Mick's Gear". Squirrel Music. Blodwyn Pig. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  12. ^ Garratt, Nicky (23 August 2010). "Nicky Garratt's Guitar Notes!". U.K. Subs. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  13. ^ "Guitars". The Sisters of Mercy. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  14. ^ Manic Street Preachers - Motown Junk. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
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