Gordon Smith Guitars
Gordon-Smith Guitars create hand made electric guitars, basses and mandolins from a small workshop in Partington near Manchester, England.
The company was founded in 1979 by Gordon Whitham and John Smith who combined parts of their names for the company name. Only the Smith part of the partnership remains now, assisted by his wife Linda. They have produced over 11,000 guitars. They are probably the largest manufacturer of guitars in the UK.
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Gordon-Smith say they make 'guitars, not furniture'. They aim to produce quality guitars for working musicians.
Guitar players describe Gordon-Smith guitars as "the British Gibson". Numerous references to this can be found under review pages for various models. For example at Harmony Central (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Gordon%20Smith)
Gordon-Smith Guitars come top of the table for use of sustainable woods in guitar construction. (http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/FreeBuyersGuides/AudioVisual/guitarselectric.aspx)
Range
Their range includes their versions of classic guitars such as Gibson Les Paul Junior, Gibson Les Paul, Gibson Flying V, Gibson Explorer, Fender Stratocaster and Fender Telecaster. Most are available with various options for the finish and parts, e.g. different bridge.
Although GS often borrow designs from other established guitar makers, they also produce a line of their own designs. All modern designs currently use a brass nut, compared to a plastic nut used by many other manufacturers.
Gordon-Smith make their own pickups. They were the first manufacturers to offer coil-tapped humbuckers.
Players
The company does not do any celebrity endorsements and so players will have to buy the guitars themselves. Well known players include:
- William Collins of The Ratistas
- Mick Abrahams of Jethro Tull and Blodwyn Pig
- Aaron Barrett
- Billy Bragg
- Nicky Garrett of UK Subs
- Dee Dee Ramone
- Pete Shelley of The Buzzcocks
- John Squire
- Midge Ure
- Members of The Futureheads and The Hellacopters
- Larry Hibbitt of Hundred Reasons
- Adam and Mike of The Sisters Of Mercy[1]
- Frankie Stubbs & Dickie Hammond of Leatherface (band)
- Snuff (band)
- James Dean Bradfield of the Manic Street Preachers can be seen playing here http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xzblp_manic-street-preachers-motown-junk_music