GEAR REVIEW
GALLAGHER A-30 ACOUSTIC GUITAR | Bruce Adolph
With all due respect to the large manufacturers that make many of our acoustic guitars today , something special started in the mid 1960 ’ s . What could possibly be one of the first boutique guitars companies in the U . S . was born … Gallagher guitars . With a small boutique shop you do get a lot more ‘ hands-on ’ time crafting the instrument . In the case of Gallagher guitars , that tradition has been passed down ever since .
Before we review their A-30 all mahogany small body ( think 00 size ) acoustic guitar , let ’ s meet the man who stepped in to carry on the iconic legacy of the Gallagher Guitar Co . today , David Mathis .
[ WM ] David , it is a pretty unique situation to walk in and become the new owner of a name brand luthier guitar making company . Gallagher guitars has a heritage of a father who founded the company , and then a son who carried on his work with the Gallagher name . What attracted you to want to be involved in such a deep manner with Gallagher guitars ?
[ David Mathis ] I grew up close to Wartrace TN , the original home of Gallagher Guitar Co . When I first became interested in learning to play guitar , it was my youth minister , Ray Marcrom , who got me started . Ray played a 1967 Gallagher G-50 that he purchased when he was in college . Later , when I was in college , I was in a folk band and on one of our trips into my hometown , I took the guys out to the shop and met Don ( J . W .’ s son ). It was years later that I finally bought my own G-50 .
So , Gallagher guitars were always on my radar . I had been following the brand and had stopped by the shop over the past few years only to find that it was always closed . It was becoming apparent that it was slowing down . Then , they announced that they had officially closed the shop – Gallagher Guitar Co . had closed ! This iconic brand that was arguably the first boutique guitar shop in the U . S . had closed its doors .
That seemed incredibly sad to me and over the next few weeks I wondered if they would consider selling the company to provide a chance to save the brand . I had been talking to various people , former employees and musicians , about Gallagher and the possible purchase . All roads seemed to lead to Daren
Gallman , a former luthier at Gallagher , as the key person to help revive the brand . Once he was on board , I was able to approach Don and Stephen . I was able to purchase the company , intellectual property , and the equipment , including the old forms and templates .
It really is an honor to now be part of the legacy of J . W . and Don Gallagher , Doc Watson , and many other artists and players who treasure