Podcast 432: George Gruhn

George Gruhn will need little introduction to most Fretboard
Journal followers.


George is, quite simply, one of the most respected vintage
instrument authorities in the world and the owner of Gruhn
Guitars, one of the best guitar stores on the planet. So why, at
the age of 78, did he want to take a stab at creating his own
guitar line? "I want to have fun," he tells us. "And fun means
designing new items, doing things that are meaningful... I did
this because, while the world does not need more clones of
Martin, Fender or Gibson, there is space for something that is
new...but it needs to have a reason to exist."


On this week's podcast, we talk to Gruhn about these new guitars,
which he's dubbed the Versitar line. We hear about how his guitar
creations have evolved from the Tacoma instruments he designed
decades ago; why he decided to build his own guitar factory in
Lebanon, Tennessee; and why there may be more models coming...and
a dealer network beyond his own store. We also hear about his
favorite tonewood combinations on these instruments, his take on
the vintage instrument market in 2023 and so much more. 


 


 


https://guitars.com/gruhn-versitar


 


 


I've spoken to Gruhn numerous times over the last 20 years and
I've never heard him quite this excited. I hope you enjoy our
chat.


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Our podcast is sponsored by Mike & Mike's Guitar
Bar, Peghead Nation (use the promo code FRETBOARD and get
your first month free or $20 off any annual
subscription); and Stringjoy Strings (get 10% off your order
with the FRETBOARD discount code). This episode is also sponsored
by iZotope. Use the discount code FRET10 to save 10% off your
Izotope order and check out the new updates for Ozone 11 and
their vocal software, Nectar 4.