Greetings from brazil, i´m from a small guitar builder from são paulo brazil, and i can tell i´m very happy about local luthier´s just like us, focusing in what we call "middle market price", between imports "third asian builders" and the heavily brand costs like big g and big f. Your review and way you leads the guitar´s presentation its very clear. thanks sir! - blackheart original guitar
Had a tobacco GS1 in the 80's , always regretted selling it. much later I went to their little garage/factory in Manchester before it got sold and moved and John built me a replica of the original but with a single coil at the front making it a GS1.5 - FABULOUS GUITARS
Thats a great video Richard and I agree on almost every point you made , particularly with Quality control . I met GORDON Whittam and John SMITH in 1974 when I was Sir Cliffs lead guitarist . They invited me to their `then` factory which was Johns Dads Garage ! They lent me the very first guitar they made ( A Mahogany body LP ) which they fitted with 2 GS Mini H/Buckers . It was love at first play . NOTE .... not at first sight . There were lots of issues for me with the way the pickups were adjusted , the neck rake was way too steep so the bridge was very high . But the Sound and the feel was fantastic . I ordered one but Totally to my spec. It was a Double Cutaway Les paul deluxe that John and I designed between us . 2 GSG Mini h/buckers , A Guild roller bridge , a Bigsby B Bender , Pull up Coil taps on the vol controls . Features that Yamaha , Ibanez etc weren`t doing until 75/76 ! Its serial no 0001 and still in my possession . I loved it so much , I ordered a matching 12 string which again I still own . ( No Ser. no. ) . I`m SO glad the brand is thriving under its new stewardship . I hope it will go from strength to strength with an owner who doesn`t have ` THAT`LL DO ` mindset , but cares about the guitars which bear the name `GORDON SMITH `.
Thanks for your feedback and the interesting insight. I have MANY MANY fond memories of the "pre Auden" era but indeed they took over at the right time and its a blessing to be seeing the brand take on new heights. I am sure John would be very proud to see its evolution. Glad you liked the video.
Yes Richard . My first gig with him was a Far East Tour in 1974 . 2 Nights in Hong Kong then 3 weeks touring Japan . We recorded a Double Album our first 2 nights in Tokyo which was a little nerve wracking ! Very Happy days . I`ll sort out some photos when I get home , In Thailand at the moment . Best Wishes .
That's very interesting. I have noticed the drop in quality of some name brands & yet the prices continue to rise. As a teacher my advice is often sought so I shall refer folks to this video.
Thanks so much +Gazz Dean. Remember we meticulously hand finish every guitar we sell too so your students would be in very safe hands if they need a guitar. I also provide live chat support all hours for them too (or you if you need me!). Thanks again for supporting the content.
I just found this by chance. Bear with me for a moment. I've been bitching (to anybody who'd listen) for literally _decades_ that nobody builds a "flat-top, full fret access, full thickness, Melody Maker/Double-Cut LP style guitar", and this beautiful hand-made guitar by Gordon Smith has been in existence nearly the _whole time?_ And for all those years I've never seen one in the hands of _any_ of the _hundreds_ of guitar players I've watched over the years? (except "Noddy" of Slade, and I never could tell or find out what the instrument was 'til now) The irony is just staggering. Thanks Richard, and btw, whatever new deal has transpired with the fellow and his wife who originated and built these re the new manufacturer, I sure hope that he and she got paid handsomely for their decades of work and devotion to their product. _Will surely own one of these, and that soon!_
5 лет назад
You might have missed Martyn Booth guitars as well.
One of my biggest guitar regrets was selling both Gordon Smith guitars that they made for me when I worked at Machinehead Music in the 90s. Black flame LP junior style to my spec and a black Graf with a maple reverse strat neck. Still keep a notification on eBay in the hope they are out there somewhere!
Well said sir. About time we all started supporting British companies in general more. I walked in to my local guitar shop yesterday for the first time in ages and a guitar caught my eye - it was a Gordon Smith. Hadn't been on my radar before..
Excellent sir. I too am a big Gordon Smith guitars fan. I have a lefty SG and a P90 Les Paul. Damned fine instruments & great value for money especially as they charge no extra for left handed versions. The coil tapped pickups are superb giving you a great array of tones. Hooray for GSG!!!
As a kid I vaguely remembered GS guitars after learning they were UK made and seem to recall the basic 'GS1' model with the plain-looking woods and single pickup were really cheap for a Western-built instrument. But at the time I didn't get plain, simple one-pickup guitars so thought no more about it until I realised that some favourite punk bands were GS users, notably Leatherface. Some time ago I happened upon a good condition GS2 in burgundy in a local used shop for a 'could sell it on for an instant profit' low price. It was a quirky little thing nothing like my favourite guitar types. Low wide frets. Brass nut, slim wide neck almost like some shred guitar, meat and potatoes slab of wood looks. But after a set up I couldn't really put it down. It was so small and light it felt like some little flying V type thing. Effortless to play. All the coil taps and responsive pots meant I could at least approximate my other guitars' tones. So I took it gigging in a doom band and my punk band. Such a joy! Raucous, almost out of control sound when cranked with the original pickups, like a mix of SG and Les Paul Jr turned up to 11. It also got more comments from gig nerds and curious people, 'Hey, that's a nice Gordon Smith!' or 'What guitar is that?' Even after a stint on my Strats (my longtime favourite guitar type) I keep going back to the GS2. I'd quite like a single pup GS1 too, perhaps even a p90 one so the ultimate in purity.
So many great luthiers are still unknown. Long times, people prefered brand names. There is a "Law Suit Guitars" issue too. But thanks to internet, forums etc, people learning about great luthiers and smaller but great working brands, law suit guitars more and more. Thanks the amazing video!
Tony IOMMI-74 lawsuit guitars are crap. They are worse than american made guitars by a mile, I have a few, also if you have a quality issue they will just not honour the warranty. So it’s a risky business believe me.
There were a few Gordon Smith guitar enthusiasts in Edinburgh in 1970.......& that's all I know. I didn't hear them, I just knew some people really liked them.
I own a Gypsy Semi Solid with 2 tapped Humbuckers (sunburst) that I bought new in 1986 from Allbang and Strummit in Soho London it is a wonderful easy to play great sounding great looking instrument and I will be keeping her... Gordon Smith make superb Guitars.
My mate had gs2 years and years ago played great gordon Smith makes some brilliant guitars for the money sold it before I could get my hands on it and ive had some big brand named guitars over the years nothing comes close to my blade rh2 for playability but still brilliant great review Richard keep them coming love to get to your shop one day be great to have a look round my mates mom lives right by it
Think I could convince them to put a Bigsby B5 on one? Great video...love the way you explain things, need more people like you talking guitars on youtube...fed up of all the overly cheesy excitable loud yanks and all the crap bells and whistles that come along. Feel like id spend hours stood in your shop chatting guitars with you!
I have owned a 1984 GS2 for the last 20 odd years that has an original whammy bar from new, so they are not averse to fitting them. When I contacted GS they said the original owner asked them to fit the tremelo arm when he ordered the guitar.
Nice to hear what you say on this. I haven't played many GS guitars, the one or two I tried felt very lacklustre and I didn't look again, so I may have another look. But your point about there being so many great British makers is true. Almost the best advice to a buyer, if you have the time, is to hunt around for a no-name handmade job second hand. They never achieve what they're worth on resale and often superb. But they're hard to find, probably because their first buyer loves them to much to sell.
I bought one this week that I ordered a little while back. Super happy with it and the prices are amazing for a custom built, British guitar. Good job Richard!!!! Buy British!!! and these guys are fantastic
That really is a stunner! I love that binding too, with the grain in it (is that grain, around 5:30 ?) It's not often you see an LP-ish sort of style guitar with a maple neck. Nice!!
Lovely great working mans /girls guitars .. Pure rock n Roll plug in and play .. Was privileged to visit the Gordon Smith factory .. on many occasion .. John .Lynda .. Chris ... they were so lovely to chat to over a cup of Tea .. Dust ..Wood and guitars hanging up in the making ..
I feel lucky to have been bought an original sunburst Graf for my 21st birthday back in 1997. Still my favourite guitar to play and i've tried quite a few over the years.
Hi Richard. I'm setting up my 1997 Graduate - what pickup height are you using? If going to see the factory, one could have an interesting detour to Solovair to see British made boots being made (now Dr M are made in China). Nice day out!
I first played a Gordon Smith owned by a guy who played under the name of Geronimo & wore a hat with a feather .. he was so precious about it .. took a little convincing to let me just try it .. that was 1999 ? ish ,, Mo's new shoes club gig at the Railway in West Hampstead London .. Anyway I'll be in touch soon .. I like the way you talk .. I am so sick of being ripped off by dodgy guitar shops .. & I need a decent acoustic .. since my old Takamine got broken at the repair / persons .. I have a Gibson les paul re issue DC & I have always loved the shape ever since I had a selmer catalogue under my bed with a Kalamazoo in it .. & the shape has always appealed .. bye for now .. Ben
I have two old Gordon Smiths, a GS1 & GS1, love them both. Recently fitted a bare knuckle pickup in my old GS1 & fitted a bass contour. There's a video on my profile, if you fancy a look. Great video, lovely looking guitar!!
I bought a Gordon-Smith G60 in late November 1995 and I still have it. The guitar is superb and was around £700 at the time. I wanted a Les Paul Studio but didn't like the neck so the GS was perfect. It's got two coil tapped HBs and sounds great. I'd love another in the shape of a Les Paul Junior with a single HB in the bridge. Great video.
Quite right, a lot of guitar players follow the trends or want whatever their favourite players play. I used to drool over the thought of owning a USA Fender or Gibson but now I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.
Some Gordon Smith guitars from the past were distinctly dodgy- I had a Galaxy which is a semi acoustic which had the frets cut in the wrong place, some being as much as 22% out of position, however years later I did buy a Gypsy 2 from Richard which was a great guitar.
Even in the early days you could have Gordon Smith guitars with the best finish imaginable, I have a1987 GS2 DC Deluxe which would challenge PRS at its best for finish attention to detail, wood quality etc , one piece body, hand carved top .... Like PRS and Gibson, its all down to price .. most manchester made GSs we tend to see used in guitar shops are of the lowest end budget variety because they were the most affordable and therefore most popular but don`t think for one minute that GS`s manchester days only put out rough and ready finishing ..
Richard, What was the finish on this guitar? I'm getting so close to placing an order on Gordon Smith for a Graduate but I'm in a quandary as to what finish for the flame maple top. The finish on this Deluxe is about what I'm after.
I have a Gypsy SS. in sunburst I bought from Allbang and Strummitt in London in 1986 serial # 02083 and I will never part with it.. These Guitars are incredible instruments.
I think the majority of guitar players choose Fender or Gibson because those are the recognisable brands our famous heroes played all the hits on. I love Kurt Cobain so of course I was delighted to spend £1200 on the Cobain Jaguar :)
Cobain loved the British punk bands like the Buzzcocks and yes ever fallen in love with somebody. was written and played on a Gordon Smith :) and many more punk rock bands used them
I bought a Gibson SG earlier this year from Thomann and the finish was so poor I had to send it back. Now looking for a more boutique guitar builder who will take custom orders for less £££ than the price of a Gibson LP Tribute. Tell us more.... 👍
Its an 18 month old video and its never been mentioned before. You will have to tell me how many minutes and seconds in you saw it and I can tell you exactly what you are looking at. They are immense quality and any mark if there is one may be natural wood grain - beyond that it would be a trick of the light
@@RichardsGuitarshop 5:29 it's across the body and the cap so cant be grain, it looks like stand scuff to me which you or the buyer probably cleaned off
I still own my pride and joy, a Gordy Strat that Gordon Whittam and my then friend and Gordon's apprentice, Andy Evans, built for me back in 1984. Gordon was a real craftsman and IMHO built better quality guitars than John did...I actually knocked on John's door asking if he had any openings for me back in 84 too as I was a very unhappy junior bank clerk!
I would buy a Gordon Smith but I don't like the necks....well all the ones I tried before the change in ownership so I don't know if they are the same. I like fatter U shaped necks and find the shallow wider necks on the Gordon Smith''s not my cup of tea at all.
Hi. Thanks for the feedback. A thick neck is now an option. Just let me know if I can ever help with it. Email me at richard@rguitars.co.uk or chat on my website
Can't talk about guitar without listening...they ALL look good and further more the 2 pieces body is a marketing myth....59 Les Paul were sometimes 3 or 4 pieces....
Hi. If you wanted the Deluxe with maple board there is no rosewood so you avoid CITES which is a major pain avoided. You would pay the price excluding uk tax (so divide the price shown in the link by 1.2 which gives you the exc vat price). You would then pay £50 delivery plus any import duty that your country adds to the order. You would need to look into that locally. I actually have one in stock right now - not the one in the video but exactly same specification and equally stunning top! rguitars.co.uk/products/gordon-smith-gs-deluxe-lightburst-maple-neck
I do not know why but I don´t love the tone... Sounds like a Gibson with a maple fingerboard, in deed, and I do not really dig it... Too open... Sounds like GFS cheap guitars... Now that is my opinion, and I don´t even know the price of it... Anyways, ESP, Epiphone and Michael Kelly gibson-like offerings are more interesting to me ...
Greetings from brazil, i´m from a small guitar builder from são paulo brazil, and i can tell i´m very happy about local luthier´s just like us, focusing in what we call "middle market price", between imports "third asian builders" and the heavily brand costs like big g and big f. Your review and way you leads the guitar´s presentation its very clear. thanks sir! - blackheart original guitar
Had a tobacco GS1 in the 80's , always regretted selling it. much later I went to their little garage/factory in Manchester before it got sold and moved and John built me a replica of the original but with a single coil at the front making it a GS1.5 - FABULOUS GUITARS
I really appreciate the intimacy and objectivity of your videos, Richard. Do keep up the good work!
Thats a great video Richard and I agree on almost every point you made , particularly with Quality control . I met GORDON Whittam and John SMITH in 1974 when I was Sir Cliffs lead guitarist . They invited me to their `then` factory which was Johns Dads Garage ! They lent me the very first guitar they made ( A Mahogany body LP ) which they fitted with 2 GS Mini H/Buckers . It was love at first play . NOTE .... not at first sight . There were lots of issues for me with the way the pickups were adjusted , the neck rake was way too steep so the bridge was very high . But the Sound and the feel was fantastic . I ordered one but Totally to my spec. It was a Double Cutaway Les paul deluxe that John and I designed between us . 2 GSG Mini h/buckers , A Guild roller bridge , a Bigsby B Bender , Pull up Coil taps on the vol controls . Features that Yamaha , Ibanez etc weren`t doing until 75/76 ! Its serial no 0001 and still in my possession . I loved it so much , I ordered a matching 12 string which again I still own . ( No Ser. no. ) . I`m SO glad the brand is thriving under its new stewardship . I hope it will go from strength to strength with an owner who doesn`t have ` THAT`LL DO ` mindset , but cares about the guitars which bear the name `GORDON SMITH `.
Thanks for your feedback and the interesting insight. I have MANY MANY fond memories of the "pre Auden" era but indeed they took over at the right time and its a blessing to be seeing the brand take on new heights. I am sure John would be very proud to see its evolution.
Glad you liked the video.
You were CLiff Richards guitarist?!!!
Yes Richard . My first gig with him was a Far East Tour in 1974 . 2 Nights in Hong Kong then 3 weeks touring Japan . We recorded a Double Album our first 2 nights in Tokyo which was a little nerve wracking ! Very Happy days . I`ll sort out some photos when I get home , In Thailand at the moment . Best Wishes .
Thats incredible. Awesome! Please when you get back, email me all the details and photos - would love to know about it.
That's very interesting. I have noticed the drop in quality of some name brands & yet the prices continue to rise. As a teacher my advice is often sought so I shall refer folks to this video.
Thanks so much +Gazz Dean. Remember we meticulously hand finish every guitar we sell too so your students would be in very safe hands if they need a guitar. I also provide live chat support all hours for them too (or you if you need me!). Thanks again for supporting the content.
I just found this by chance. Bear with me for a moment. I've been bitching (to anybody who'd listen) for literally _decades_ that nobody builds a "flat-top, full fret access, full thickness, Melody Maker/Double-Cut LP style guitar", and this beautiful hand-made guitar by Gordon Smith has been in existence nearly the _whole time?_ And for all those years I've never seen one in the hands of _any_ of the _hundreds_ of guitar players I've watched over the years? (except "Noddy" of Slade, and I never could tell or find out what the instrument was 'til now) The irony is just staggering. Thanks Richard, and btw, whatever new deal has transpired with the fellow and his wife who originated and built these re the new manufacturer, I sure hope that he and she got paid handsomely for their decades of work and devotion to their product. _Will surely own one of these, and that soon!_
You might have missed Martyn Booth guitars as well.
John Birch, a Birmingham based guitar builder, made a lot of guitars for Slade. I think that his son now runs the business in Nottingham.
One of my biggest guitar regrets was selling both Gordon Smith guitars that they made for me when I worked at Machinehead Music in the 90s. Black flame LP junior style to my spec and a black Graf with a maple reverse strat neck. Still keep a notification on eBay in the hope they are out there somewhere!
Well said sir. About time we all started supporting British companies in general more. I walked in to my local guitar shop yesterday for the first time in ages and a guitar caught my eye - it was a Gordon Smith. Hadn't been on my radar before..
Excellent sir. I too am a big Gordon Smith guitars fan. I have a lefty SG and a P90 Les Paul. Damned fine instruments & great value for money especially as they charge no extra for left handed versions. The coil tapped pickups are superb giving you a great array of tones. Hooray for GSG!!!
Beautiful guitar. Thanks for sharing your passion for them.
Would be so nice to hear these guitars with a clean sound at volume, rather than hearing all the distortion and gain coming out of the amp.
As a kid I vaguely remembered GS guitars after learning they were UK made and seem to recall the basic 'GS1' model with the plain-looking woods and single pickup were really cheap for a Western-built instrument. But at the time I didn't get plain, simple one-pickup guitars so thought no more about it until I realised that some favourite punk bands were GS users, notably Leatherface.
Some time ago I happened upon a good condition GS2 in burgundy in a local used shop for a 'could sell it on for an instant profit' low price. It was a quirky little thing nothing like my favourite guitar types. Low wide frets. Brass nut, slim wide neck almost like some shred guitar, meat and potatoes slab of wood looks.
But after a set up I couldn't really put it down. It was so small and light it felt like some little flying V type thing. Effortless to play. All the coil taps and responsive pots meant I could at least approximate my other guitars' tones. So I took it gigging in a doom band and my punk band. Such a joy! Raucous, almost out of control sound when cranked with the original pickups, like a mix of SG and Les Paul Jr turned up to 11. It also got more comments from gig nerds and curious people, 'Hey, that's a nice Gordon Smith!' or 'What guitar is that?'
Even after a stint on my Strats (my longtime favourite guitar type) I keep going back to the GS2. I'd quite like a single pup GS1 too, perhaps even a p90 one so the ultimate in purity.
So many great luthiers are still unknown. Long times, people prefered brand names. There is a "Law Suit Guitars" issue too. But thanks to internet, forums etc, people learning about great luthiers and smaller but great working brands, law suit guitars more and more.
Thanks the amazing video!
Tony IOMMI-74 lawsuit guitars are crap. They are worse than american made guitars by a mile, I have a few, also if you have a quality issue they will just not honour the warranty. So it’s a risky business believe me.
There were a few Gordon Smith guitar enthusiasts in Edinburgh in 1970.......& that's all I know. I didn't hear them, I just knew some people really liked them.
I loved the video very well done. Guitar looks great would have liked to hear more sounds from the guitar. Thanks for your honesty that is refreshing.
I own a Gypsy Semi Solid with 2 tapped Humbuckers (sunburst) that I bought new in 1986 from Allbang and Strummit in Soho London it is a wonderful easy to play great sounding great looking instrument and I will be keeping her... Gordon Smith make superb Guitars.
My mate had gs2 years and years ago played great gordon Smith makes some brilliant guitars for the money sold it before I could get my hands on it and ive had some big brand named guitars over the years nothing comes close to my blade rh2 for playability but still brilliant great review Richard keep them coming love to get to your shop one day be great to have a look round my mates mom lives right by it
Think I could convince them to put a Bigsby B5 on one?
Great video...love the way you explain things, need more people like you talking guitars on youtube...fed up of all the overly cheesy excitable loud yanks and all the crap bells and whistles that come along. Feel like id spend hours stood in your shop chatting guitars with you!
I have owned a 1984 GS2 for the last 20 odd years that has an original whammy bar from new, so they are not averse to fitting them. When I contacted GS they said the original owner asked them to fit the tremelo arm when he ordered the guitar.
Nice to hear what you say on this. I haven't played many GS guitars, the one or two I tried felt very lacklustre and I didn't look again, so I may have another look.
But your point about there being so many great British makers is true. Almost the best advice to a buyer, if you have the time, is to hunt around for a no-name handmade job second hand. They never achieve what they're worth on resale and often superb. But they're hard to find, probably because their first buyer loves them to much to sell.
I bought one this week that I ordered a little while back. Super happy with it and the prices are amazing for a custom built, British guitar. Good job Richard!!!! Buy British!!! and these guys are fantastic
That really is a stunner! I love that binding too, with the grain in it (is that grain, around 5:30 ?) It's not often you see an LP-ish sort of style guitar with a maple neck. Nice!!
I have No 00199 from '79. Still in perfect condition. Lovely axe.
I have 00141 and I love it to bits. I'm working towards being worthy of it.
Lovely great working mans /girls guitars .. Pure rock n Roll plug in and play .. Was privileged to visit the Gordon Smith factory .. on many occasion .. John .Lynda .. Chris ... they were so lovely to chat to over a cup of Tea .. Dust ..Wood and guitars hanging up in the making ..
I feel lucky to have been bought an original sunburst Graf for my 21st birthday back in 1997. Still my favourite guitar to play and i've tried quite a few over the years.
there's a black scuff on the base!
That's irritating! I wish he would mention what it is or has he not noticed it or what?
Hi Richard. I'm setting up my 1997 Graduate - what pickup height are you using?
If going to see the factory, one could have an interesting detour to Solovair to see British made boots being made (now Dr M are made in China).
Nice day out!
I first played a Gordon Smith owned by a guy who played under the name of Geronimo & wore a hat with a feather .. he was so precious about it .. took a little convincing to let me just try it .. that was 1999 ? ish ,, Mo's new shoes club gig at the Railway in West Hampstead London .. Anyway I'll be in touch soon .. I like the way you talk .. I am so sick of being ripped off by dodgy guitar shops .. & I need a decent acoustic .. since my old Takamine got broken at the repair / persons .. I have a Gibson les paul re issue DC & I have always loved the shape ever since I had a selmer catalogue under my bed with a Kalamazoo in it .. & the shape has always appealed .. bye for now .. Ben
I have two old Gordon Smiths, a GS1 & GS1, love them both. Recently fitted a bare knuckle pickup in my old GS1 & fitted a bass contour. There's a video on my profile, if you fancy a look.
Great video, lovely looking guitar!!
I'll play my 94 GS2 over my 93 Les Paul standard any day, they are brilliant!
I'd buy that in an instant, if I had the cash! I think it looks fantastic, and I love the gold hardware; M
i saw the buzzcocks pete shelley playing a gordon smith in camden lock several months ago and it made my heart smile
I bought a Gordon-Smith G60 in late November 1995 and I still have it. The guitar is superb and was around £700 at the time. I wanted a Les Paul Studio but didn't like the neck so the GS was perfect. It's got two coil tapped HBs and sounds great. I'd love another in the shape of a Les Paul Junior with a single HB in the bridge. Great video.
They featured in last months guitarist mag and look amazing I hear they sound brilliant ,love that les Paul special look.
Quite right, a lot of guitar players follow the trends or want whatever their favourite players play. I used to drool over the thought of owning a USA Fender or Gibson but now I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.
Wish I'd never bought that Les Paul now.....
Love the maple neck, I would like an English made guitar
I knew about gs guitars in the early 90's through TGM the guitar magazine, great read it was.
Great stuff, lovely guitars!
Beautiful instrument.
Had a GS 12 string solid body, miss it totally. Very decent.
Do you mind me asking where you would source your tops/veneers from? I have a project I'm wanting to refinish.
Contact David Dyke at Luthiers Supplies in Sussex.
Some Gordon Smith guitars from the past were distinctly dodgy- I had a Galaxy which is a semi acoustic which had the frets cut in the wrong place, some being as much as 22% out of position, however years later I did buy a Gypsy 2 from Richard which was a great guitar.
Even in the early days you could have Gordon Smith guitars with the best finish imaginable, I have a1987 GS2 DC Deluxe which would challenge PRS at its best for finish attention to detail, wood quality etc , one piece body, hand carved top .... Like PRS and Gibson, its all down to price .. most manchester made GSs we tend to see used in guitar shops are of the lowest end budget variety because they were the most affordable and therefore most popular but don`t think for one minute that GS`s manchester days only put out rough and ready finishing ..
Richard, What was the finish on this guitar? I'm getting so close to placing an order on Gordon Smith for a Graduate but I'm in a quandary as to what finish for the flame maple top. The finish on this Deluxe is about what I'm after.
Why not order it with me then and I will make sure of it!!!!
I'll have one someday.
Entertaining and Enlightening
I have a Gypsy SS. in sunburst I bought from Allbang and Strummitt in London in 1986 serial # 02083 and I will never part with it.. These Guitars are incredible instruments.
I think the majority of guitar players choose Fender or Gibson because those are the recognisable brands our famous heroes played all the hits on. I love Kurt Cobain so of course I was delighted to spend £1200 on the Cobain Jaguar :)
Cobain loved the British punk bands like the Buzzcocks and yes ever fallen in love with somebody. was written and played on a Gordon Smith :) and many more punk rock bands used them
We never get to hear about British built guitars in the US because they are not exported so far as I know.
I bought a Gibson SG earlier this year from Thomann and the finish was so poor I had to send it back. Now looking for a more boutique guitar builder who will take custom orders for less £££ than the price of a Gibson LP Tribute. Tell us more.... 👍
Lovely black mark on the bottom Rich is that under the clear coat?
Its an 18 month old video and its never been mentioned before. You will have to tell me how many minutes and seconds in you saw it and I can tell you exactly what you are looking at. They are immense quality and any mark if there is one may be natural wood grain - beyond that it would be a trick of the light
@@RichardsGuitarshop 5:29 it's across the body and the cap so cant be grain, it looks like stand scuff to me which you or the buyer probably cleaned off
@@AndrewAHayes Nice spot and have no memory whatsoever at the time seeing it or since! It will remain a mystery.
I think I might order A custom Gordon Tele...it has 2 options on the neck...thin and thick...do you know the radius? Thanks
I still own my pride and joy, a Gordy Strat that Gordon Whittam and my then friend and Gordon's apprentice, Andy Evans, built for me back in 1984. Gordon was a real craftsman and IMHO built better quality guitars than John did...I actually knocked on John's door asking if he had any openings for me back in 84 too as I was a very unhappy junior bank clerk!
Very inspiring video
Back in the 80's there was a skateboard company called G&S for Gordon Smith 🤔
You play good!
I really think if G.S had a better looking headstock and an orizontal ingraved logo ( not like the vertical decal logo) they would be mutch popular
Personally I love them!
Why is playing fast easier on a thin neck?
please get it right its partington Manchester......they used to have a unit near quay 103 also
Sorry Richard. What is this statement in relation to?
Sorry? Get what right? Partington is where they used to be made yes but what exactly did I get "wrong"?
I would buy a Gordon Smith but I don't like the necks....well all the ones I tried before the change in ownership so I don't know if they are the same. I like fatter U shaped necks and find the shallow wider necks on the Gordon Smith''s not my cup of tea at all.
Hi. Thanks for the feedback. A thick neck is now an option. Just let me know if I can ever help with it. Email me at richard@rguitars.co.uk or chat on my website
These new Gordon Smith guitars are great, but they are not cheap. You pay for what you get.
What is that color and wood combo called? Thanks in advance
Here you go! rguitars.co.uk/products/gordon-smith-gs-deluxe-lightburst-maple-neck
Can't talk about guitar without listening...they ALL look good and further more the 2 pieces body is a marketing myth....59 Les Paul were sometimes 3 or 4 pieces....
Well its not a myth but I would argue it makes bugger all difference to the sound of the guitar!
Is there a duty or tax to ship one of these to the United States?
Hi. If you wanted the Deluxe with maple board there is no rosewood so you avoid CITES which is a major pain avoided. You would pay the price excluding uk tax (so divide the price shown in the link by 1.2 which gives you the exc vat price). You would then pay £50 delivery plus any import duty that your country adds to the order. You would need to look into that locally. I actually have one in stock right now - not the one in the video but exactly same specification and equally stunning top! rguitars.co.uk/products/gordon-smith-gs-deluxe-lightburst-maple-neck
stunner
Taylor made?
Bought my gs1 years ago , love Gordon Smith guitars, way to much reverb by the way!
So, Gordon Smith are “Taylor made in England”? Shome mishtake, shurely?
terrypussypower you’re right! Taylor made only make golf clubs
That is a nice top
I've gotta stop watching these videos. My basket is getting fuller
this looks like a very good brexit guitar
Nice video and nice playing. Few good notes let you hear the guitar tone. Thanks.
"...fewer reviews..." ;0)
O(
Gordon Smith gtrs....English... cheap...sold by small music shops...and not great...😱
LMAO - Thats got to be hands down the comment of the year. Bless you my friend. CLASSIC.
I do not know why but I don´t love the tone... Sounds like a Gibson with a maple fingerboard, in deed, and I do not really dig it... Too open... Sounds like GFS cheap guitars... Now that is my opinion, and I don´t even know the price of it... Anyways, ESP, Epiphone and Michael Kelly gibson-like offerings are more interesting to me ...
Oh look! At approx 8min there's a woman's face on the neck!