For over 25 years Gryphon has been known for stocking a wide range of acoustic instruments made by small independent companies and workshops. When we added electric guitars to the mix in the late ‘80s, however, we were admittedly a bit shy in seeking out the same kind of alternative sources for top quality instruments.

With time, we added Turner Guitars and quickly became one of Rick Turner’s top dealers. When Gryphon and Gibson parted company in late 2004, our selection of electrics dwindled. Soon Hamer guitars, both American-made and imported versions, plus Robin Guitars (from Texas) began to make Gryphon’s “electric room” more interesting again. In the last year, we’ve sold almost 20 guitars by Bill Nash, but as those are rarely here for more than a few days many of you may not have ever seen one! By coincidence, Bill Collings announced that he would be adding electric guitars to the Collings line of acoustic instruments just as we decided to take electric guitars even more seriously. This means that we’re not only adding Collings electrics, we’re also bringing in other “small shop” instruments to keep them company. As a result, Gryphon now offers a variety of high quality electric guitars from over a half dozen different independent workshops. Here’s a list of the electric guitar makers we’ve added to our roster in the last few months, in alphabetical order:

Gadow Guitars

Ryan Gadow and Paul Della Maggiora started Gadow Guitars in 1994. Ryan brought years of experience repairing a wide range of electric guitars, while Paul added sales and marketing skills. Now five other guys have joined them, toiling away in a 2,500 square foot basement on Ninth Street in Durham, North Carolina, where they produce nine guitar and bass models. Retail prices run from $1295 to $3200. Shown here is a Custom Hollow with Lindy Fralin pickups. This body style is Gadow’s best selling model, easily recognized by the teardrop soundhole in the upper bout, and is the model that received a rave review last year in Guitar Player. Other Gadow models are in stock.

Don Grosh

Guitars Grosh guitars are a good example of what can be accomplished by translating modern construction methods to small scale manufacturing, with a consistent eye on the materials. As Don is fond of pointing out, solid body electrics are made of wood that still has acoustic qualities, which is why such guitars differ in sound even when amplified. Grosh uses a “bench style” building process, rather than a miniature production line, matching neck and body woods to insure a harmonically rich combination. The use of nitro-cellulose lacquer finishes, kept as thin as realistically possible, also aids the acoustic resonance that is translated into the tone and feel of a great electric guitar. Founded in southern California in 1993, Don Grosh recently moved to Broomfield, Colorado. Shown here is a Grosh Retro Classic in Lake Placid blue, with Fralin pickups.

Brian Michael

Perhaps the ultimate example of a hand-made electric guitar to be found at Gryphon is by our own Brian Michael, who works five days a week in our repair department. His experience in building electrics predates his joining Gryphon in 2002, and in the last couple of years he has stocked his garage with both wood and tools. Brian has been making excellent set-neck electric guitars on special order, and has just completed a beautiful example made with African mahogany with mind-boggling quilted figure that looks deep enough to dive into.

Suhr

John Suhr’s career with guitars began 35 years ago, when as a young rocker he started building his own instruments rather than buying them. In the early ‘80s he worked for Rudy’s Music Shop in NYC, and while there built guitars for Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, and other biggies of the era. Following a stint building amplifiers, he accepted the position of Senior Master Builder at the Fender Custom Shop in 1995. But in 1997, the urge to build on his own again prompted yet another change, and Suhr Guitars was founded with Steve Smith, who had a solid background in CNC programming. Other experienced builders from the Fender Custom Shop soon joined Suhr, and the end result is a complete facility in Lake Elsinore, CA that even winds its own pickups. Although the company currently focuses on “bolt-neck” (Fender style) models, other styles of electric guitars are being developed, plus amplifiers as well.