Gadow Classic Hollow Guitar
Last week I had the pleasure of meeting local guitar builder Ryan Gadow. Sound Pure has been a dealer for Gadow Guitars for years, but since I’m one of the newest members of the Sound Pure crew, I’m just starting to meet some of the people who build our amazing inventory of boutique guitars, amps and pedals.
Ryan Gadow dressing frets on guitar fretboard
Gadow’s shop is in a multi-room space behind 9th street shops in Durham, North Carolina. This was the first guitar builder’s shop I have ever had a full tour of, and man was it impressive! Ryan helped develop many machines that have become standard in both large scale and boutique guitar production.
There were necks and bodies of guitars in all stages at different stations in the shop. I am most familiar with the Hollow Series and Set-Neck guitars from Gadow, and I was lucky enough to see a new semi-hollow model in the carving stage that has yet to be named.
CNC machine making precise cavities on guitar body
One of the coolest things I found out is that anyone who checks out Gadow Guitars at Sound Pure’s showroom is more than welcome to stop by the shop where they are made. It’s only a few miles down the road on the other side of Duke campus. Ryan will give you a tour and would love to show all the options available on his guitars. You can even pick out the woods you would like to use on a custom creation. It doesn’t get more personal than that!
NEW yet-to-be-named Gadow guitar mid-production
I’d like to say thanks to Ryan Gadow for taking the time to show me his amazing hand-built guitar facility. I encourage collectors and musicians of all levels to check out what Gadow Guitars brings to the table in the world of boutique guitars, and be sure to keep an eye out for the new models that will be available soon.