Gallagher Guitar Co.
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 🇺🇸
Founded in 1965 by J.W. Gallagher, Gallagher Guitar Co. is an legendary American luthiery renowned for crafting exceptionally resonant, hand-built acoustic guitars. Operating out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the small-batch workshop has produced fewer than 4,000 instruments over its six-decade history, maintaining an unwavering commitment to bench-built precision and domestic craftsmanship.
The brand gained international acclaim in 1968 when acoustic guitar virtuoso Doc Watson adopted a custom Gallagher G-50—affectionately named "Ol' Hoss"—as his primary instrument, establishing the "Gallagher sound" as a gold standard in bluegrass, folk, and Americana music.
Craftsmanship & Luthier Heritage
100% Bench-Built in the USA: Every instrument is individually crafted in their Murfreesboro workshop using traditional hand tools, historical jigs, and time-honored construction methods passed down through generations.
Hand-Voiced Construction: Luthier craftsmanship takes precedence over mass-production efficiency. Tops and bracing are hand-scalloped and voiced to maximize projection, balance, and tonal warmth.
Premium Tonewood Sourcing: The workshop pairs high-grade solid domestic woods—such as quarter-sawn Sitka Spruce, Adirondack Spruce, and American Mahogany—with world-class imported tonewoods like East Indian Rosewood.
Preserved Legacy: Acquired in 2019 by David Mathis, the company continues to honor founder J.W. Gallagher’s original designs while producing signature models for artists like Doc Watson, Doc's grandson Richard Watson, and modern flatpicking masters.
Gallagher Guitar Co. remains a vital pillar of American musical heritage. By prioritizing quality over volume, their small team of artisans ensures that every instrument leaving the shop is built to deliver a lifetime of rich acoustic tone.
