Auden Guitars purchase Gordon Smith Guitars
Auden Guitars have announced the acquisition of the Gordon Smith guitar company.
With their brand new 3,000 sq ft workshop, Auden Guitars have the space and capability to ensure that all new Gordon Smith solid-bodied and semi-acoustic electric guitars are built with handpicked tonewoods and high-quality hardware, whilst retaining the cosmetic personality and sonic characteristics of these legendary models within the GSG range, including the iconic GS1, Gypsy and Gemini.
Established in the early 1970s, Gordon Smith Guitars is one of the longest-running contemporary guitar makers in England. When previous owners, John and Linda Smith, decided to retire, the question was, who would continue with the company’s longstanding legacy?
“I’m delighted with this move”, Auden Guitars’ managing director Doug Sparkes comments,
“Gordon Smith Guitars will continue to have a stand-alone identity within the Auden family, and they will continue to be 100% handcrafted in the UK. Auden has quickly established a reputation for great build quality and for using the best materials available – this ethos extends to Gordon Smith Guitars as well. Our team of highly skilled luthiers will focus on construction, tone and playability across the range of traditional body shapes that an army of Gordon Smith fans still adore.
It’s thanks to so many loyal Gordon Smith players that these guitars have survived decades of fashions and trends within the music industry. Gordon Smith guitars are adaptable to any musical genre and our challenge now is to protect the values of the brand whilst attracting the next generation of Gordon Smith players.
Whilst maintaining a strong direct relationship with players and owners, our plan is to build relationships with a handful of key retailers across the UK, where custom guitars can be specified alongside a stock range of Gordon Smith Guitars.”
John Smith comments, “We are now well into the hand-over period, and working in detail with Auden and their team of luthiers to acquaint them with the GSG processes. I’m feeling good, its ducks to water as they say.
I’m sure that GSG – the second generation to paraphrase, won’t just be something….. …..it’ll be something else!”