Joe Gallacher Guitars
Testimonies
"Gallacher guitars are really all about tone. the fact that they happen to be exquisitely crafted, from tone woods that are stunning to look at, is just a bonus...
— Chris Jacobs more
"The thing I like about Joe's acoustic guitars is that they are beautifully crafted, play well and sound fantastic acoustically and in the recording studio."
— Hamish Davidson more
"Christmas comes but once a year, for me it wasn't December, instead January when Joe rolled up with my new guitar, hand delivered I must add!"
— Rory Ellis more
"For many years I had promised myself a custom built guitar. When I moved to Albury I was fortunate enough to play a couple of Joe's guitars."
— Tookie Gill more
Joe Gallacher Guitars
Born in Scotland, I moved to Australia in 1989 and have been building guitars, mandolins and Irish bouzoukis ever since.
Joe Gallacher — enlarge photo
The guitars I build are definitely influenced by some really nice old guitars I have played both in Australia and in Scotland, but I have a few of my own designs that I am very happy with. I tend to go for less than more in ornamentation and enjoy the look of the wood on the bindings. I tend not to use plastic in the bindings, nut, saddle or glue.
We are very lucky in Australia to have a wealth of fantastic looking and sounding timbers and have been enjoying using these over the years, Australian Blackwood in particular (acacia melanoxylon) very close relative to Koa (acacia koa). I also use Mahogany and Rosewood, mainly for backs and sides, European, Adirondack and Sitka Spruce, mostly for tops with occasional Mahogany, Blackwood and Cedar. These are the combinations of timbers that tend to work for me, giving me the volume, balance and lovely colour of tone that I think about when I hear a good guitar.
Although guitar design and construction methods are constantly being improved it is still down to the hands, the chisels, the feel and the quality of the timber. This is where the art of the guitar maker comes in to his own and one should hear and feel the difference in a hand made guitar.
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Prices
As of 2009, the starting price of a standard dreadnaught is AU $3,700. This includes a hard case.
Joe is happy to talk about alternate design ideas or alterations the customer may have in mind. Contact Joe using the form below.
Contact Joe
