.jpg)
We are faced with many decisions in life. Some of those decisions play a key role in our future – although they may seem insignificant at the time. Call it luck, fate, or a product of personal planning, sometimes those decisions shape the future of many.
In 1963, J.W. Gallagher, a skilled woodworker, had recently lost his job making scale-model airplanes and rockets. The Slingerland drum factory in Shelbyville, TN, offered him the opportunity to set up a production line for their new Shelby guitar. The Shelby was an inexpensive guitar that served as Slingerland’s venture outside of drumstick making. This decision, perhaps just a chance at another job, was Gallagher’s entry into the world of building guitars.
J.W. along with his son, Don, worked in the Slingerland factory for several years, however, J.W. wanted to build instruments with the same quality and care that he put into the furniture he enjoyed making. This led J.W. Gallagher to build the first Gallagher guitar in 1965. The Gallagher Guitar Company has been producing quality handmade guitars ever since.
Doc Watson and “Ol’ Hoss”
In 1969, J.W. and Don attended the Fiddler’s Convention at Union Grove, NC. They brought two guitars to show around – a rosewood G-70 and a mahogany G-50. J.W. didn’t want to sell the G-50 because it sustained a crack during production, but they brought it so people could play and compare the two different models.
It was at that event that J.W. first saw legendary guitarist Doc Watson. He introduced himself to Doc while Watson and his son, Merle, were picking under a tree. Following the festival J.W. and Don visited Doc at his house so that the legendary picker could try out the guitars. Doc was partial to the G-50, but J.W. hadn’t wanted the blemished instrument to be out in the world. They made a deal. J.W. allowed Doc to have the guitar and play it for as long as he wanted, so long as he gave it back when he didn’t want to play it anymore.
As fate would have it, that guitar became known as “Ol’ Hoss” and was played by Doc on many recordings -- including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken. During that recording, Merle Travis famously commented that Doc’s guitar “rings like a bell.”
New Ownership, Same Commitment
J.W. retired in 1976 and Don assumed the responsibility of operating the shop. Don was instrumental in developing the longevity of the business and in bringing traditional guitar making into the 21st century. In 2015, Don’s son, Stephen, continued the family tradition when he became owner of the storied brand. However, when Don decided to retire in 2019, it appeared that the Gallagher legacy would come to an end. They announced that all guitars currently under construction would be completed, but no new orders would be accepted.
Enter David Mathis. Mathis, who lived in nearby Murfreesboro, TN, and learned his first guitar chords on a Gallagher from a man who had a 1967 Gallagher G-50, began thinking about what could be done to keep the brand going. Mathis approached Stephen and the meeting eventually led to Mathis acquiring Gallagher Guitar Co. in September 2019. The transfer of assets includes all the original Gallagher patterns, molds, and machines. In short, these are the same tools responsible for the finest acoustic guitars made over the last 55 years. Some of the jigs and equipment pieces still used today were originally made by J.W. Gallagher.
A Dedication to Quality
Gallagher guitars are built by hand in limited number. Creating a Gallagher takes 3 months and 70-80 hours of labor. The workmanship on all Gallagher guitars is the same regardless of price or model. The difference in cost of the various models is determined by the cost of materials and the amount and type of trim used.
Gallagher Guitars offer more than 30 models to choose from. In addition, their Custom Shop will build your dream guitar specifically for you. Following is a brief description of available models (courtesy of Gallagher Guitar Company).
Heritage Guitars
Two guitars, the Doc Watson model and the Ragtime Special, stand on their own and reflect the heritage of Gallagher Guitar Co.
Legacy Lines
The G-50 was the first Gallagher guitar in 1965 of mahogany back and sides. It was designated as the G-50 because J.W. Gallagher was 50 years of age. A G-50 was Doc Watson’s first Gallagher guitar that he used from 1968 through 1974 before helping design the current Doc Watson model. The first Gallagher G-70, a rosewood guitar, was built in 1966. The Legacy lines can be built with any of the seven body sizes.
Contemporary Lines
Speaking to the needs of a wide range of musicians, Gallagher incorporates features which distinguish these guitars from their older siblings, the G-45 and G-60. These handmade guitar models introduce some new aspects for a modern musician while still staying true to the classic Gallagher craftsmanship. The Contemporary lines can be built in any of the seven available body sizes.
Signature Models
Signature guitars, Doc Watson Signature and Jim Hurst Signature, pay tribute to Gallagher players. These guitars were designed for that specific player’s needs in mind.
The Acoustic Shoppe is an authorized Gallagher Guitar Company dealer. We are one of the premier acoustic instrument dealers in the United States. Our knowledgeable staff will help you select the right model and options to compliment any playing style. We currently have several models in stock and available for purchase.
For more information, check out or online store at theacousticshoppe.com, give us a call at 417-720-1223, or stop by our showroom at 1913 E Seminole St. in Springfield, MO.
