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John Smith selecting a plank of wood to start handcrafting

We were really excited to get an invitation to visit the renowned Gordon-Smith Guitars workshop, located in Partington near Manchester, not far from the Nationwide Music Exams HQ.

What a beautiful piece of wood!

Planks of various woods including Maple and Cedar were lined up ready to be worked on, with strips of veneers laid out for inspection. The company offers many options for customising guitars, including a choice of hardware and finishes, and are even happy for customers to provide their own woods and veneers if they have a particular piece they are fond of.  GSG are aware of the dwindling amounts of some resources such as Rosewood and are currently developing alternative methods of production. It is this approach, which makes them amongst the top-rated manufacturers for use of sustainable woods (Ethical Consumer Table). The tonewood is then cut and shaped. From this the various models start to take form, dotted around the workshop floor it is possible to spot the beginnings of a Gemini and Galaxy SS or two.

Linda Smith winding a pick-up by hand

Gordon–Smith handcrafted guitars 'drying'

For the next part of our visit we were taken to the spraying and finishing rooms where each guitar is prepped and given colour. This is also where the pick-ups both humbucker and single coil are produced and hand wound. Their humbucker pickups are coil-tapped as standard to give players access to a broader palette of sounds. The number and type of pickup selector switches and options selector switches can also be personalised.

Every guitar is unique and can be totally customised, to get your hands on yours head to www.gordonsmithguitars.com. Plus you maybe interested to know, Gordon- Smith Guitars are offering visitors to the Nationwide Music Exams website a special 10% discount.

This fantastic offer is exclusively available to all Nationwide Music Exams subscribers. Fill in the form below to receive your discount code.

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