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    Guitar brands, owner by owner

    A name on a headstock is not a maker. Each of these brands has been sold, licensed or moved from one factory to another, some of them many times. Pick one to see every owner, every plant and every era, or jump straight to the year your guitar was built.

    Epiphone

    Founded 1908 in the USAno source. Owned by Epiphone, Inc. (Stathopoulo family), Chicago Musical Instrument Co. (CMI), Norlin Corporation (ECL) and Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]. Built at 13 plants in USA, Japan, South Korea, China and Indonesia. 21 eras on record since 1908.

    Gibson

    Founded 1894 in the USA[6]. Owned by Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co., Ltd. (later Gibson, Inc.), Chicago Musical Instrument Co. (CMI), Norlin Corporation (ECL) and Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands[6, 14, 15]. Built at 5 plants in USA.

    Gretsch

    Founded 1883 in the USA[16]. Owned by Gretsch family / Fred Gretsch Manufacturing Co., Brooklyn, D.H. Baldwin & Co., Fred Gretsch Enterprises, Ltd. (Fred W. and Dinah Gretsch) and Baldwin Piano & Organ Co. (Richard Harrison)[16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22]. Built at 13 plants in USA, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, China and Indonesia. 19 eras on record since 1883.

    Guild

    Founded 1952 in the USA[23, 24, 25]. Owned by Alfred Dronge / Guild Guitars, New York, Avnet, Inc., Management/investor group incl. George Gruhn (legal name unverified), FAAS Corporation (renamed U.S. Music Corp. 1993), Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and Cordoba Music Group, LLC[23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39]. Built at 10 plants in USA, South Korea and China. 22 eras on record since 1952.

    Harmony

    Founded 1892 in the USA[40]. Owned by The Harmony Company (Wilhelm Schultz), Chicago, Sears, Roebuck and Co., Harmony Company (independent, Kraus-led), Holders of the Harmony name after 1975 (unverified), Westheimer Corporation (Northbrook, IL) and BandLab Technologies[40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52]. Built at 5 plants in USA and China. 7 eras on record since 1892.

    Heritage

    Founded 1985 in the USA[53, 54, 55, 56, 57]. Owned by Heritage Guitar, Inc. and PlazaCorp Realty Advisors (Kalamazoo) and investors[53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59]. Built at 2 plants in USA. 3 eras on record since 1985.

    Ibanez

    Founded 1935 in Japanno source. Owned by Hoshino Shoten (Nagoya), Hoshino Gakki Ten, Inc. and Hoshino Gakki Co., Ltd.[60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66]. Built at 9 plants in Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, China and USA. 8 eras on record since 1935.

    Martin

    Founded 1833 in the USA[67, 68, 69, 70, 71]. Owned by C.F. Martin & Co., Inc. (Martin family)[67, 68, 69, 70, 71]. Built at 5 plants in USA and Mexico. 6 eras on record since 1833.

    Ovation

    Founded 1965 in the USA[72]. Owned by Kaman Corporation / Kaman Music Corporation, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW) and GEWA music GmbH[73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93]. Built at 2 plants in USA, South Korea, China and Indonesia. 8 eras on record since 1966.

    PRS

    Founded 1985 in the USA[94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99]. Owned by Paul Reed Smith Guitars (PRS)[94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99]. Built at 6 plants in USA, South Korea, Indonesia and China. 11 eras on record since 1985.

    Taylor

    Founded 1974 in the USA[100, 101, 102, 103, 104]. Owned by Taylor Guitars (Westland Music Co. / Taylor-Listug)[100, 101, 102, 103, 104]. Built at 4 plants in USA and Mexico. 6 eras on record since 1974.

    Brand comparisons

    Pairs of brands that shared a plant or a company. Open one to see which factory built both, and when.

    Sources

    Every numbered marker on this page points here: the document, its grade and the passages relied on. An era is computed, so it cites the facts it was derived from. A fact marked “no source” has no claim attached yet.

    1. 1
      guitarinsite: epiphone factoriesgraded community
      • "In 1957, Chicago Musical Instrument Company (CMI), the parent company of Gibson, acquired Epiphone."Chicago Musical Instrument Co. (CMI) owns Epiphone, 1957–1969
    2. 2
      How Gibson rescued Epiphone in the late-1950sgraded secondary
      • once everything was on the move, CMI set up Epiphone Inc. of Kalamazoo.Chicago Musical Instrument Co. (CMI) owns Epiphone, 1957–1969
    3. 3
      Epiphone history 1957-present (Gibson era) - Blue Book of Guitar Valuesgraded secondary
      • For the sum of $20,000, Gibson had acquired its once mighty rivalChicago Musical Instrument Co. (CMI) owns Epiphone, 1957–1969
      • in the last few days of 1969, ECL bought CMINorlin Corporation (ECL) owns Epiphone, 1969–1986
      • When Gibson was sold to Henry Juszkiewicz, David Berryman, and Gary Zebrowski in 1986Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands owns Epiphone, 1986–now
    4. 4
      Gibson Guitar Corp. Company Historygraded secondary
      • McCarty also led CMI to purchase rival Epiphone in 1957, giving Gibson greater control of the market.Chicago Musical Instrument Co. (CMI) owns Epiphone, 1957–1969
      • new owners took over in 1986, Henry Juszkiewicz and David Berryman, who bought the company for $5 million.Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands owns Epiphone, 1986–now
    5. 5
      brief epiphone historygraded community
      • Chicago Musical Instrument (CMI) purchases Epiphone (announced May 10, 1957).Chicago Musical Instrument Co. (CMI) owns Epiphone, 1957–1969
    6. 6
      Wikipedia: wiki/Gibson (guitar company)graded community
      • "Gibson was owned by Norlin Corporation from 1969 to 1986"Norlin Corporation (ECL) owns Epiphone, 1969–1986
      • "acquired by a group led by Henry Juszkiewicz and David H. Berryman"Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands owns Epiphone, 1986–now
    7. 7
      more info about norlingraded community
      • In December of 1969, E.C.L. Industries, Inc. took control of CMI.Norlin Corporation (ECL) owns Epiphone, 1969–1986
    8. 8
      Gibson Brands requested court protection from its creditors (May 1, 2018)graded secondary
      • "Gibson Brands requested court protection from its creditors"Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands owns Epiphone, 1986–now
    9. 9
      Gibson Brands chapter 11 docket: Notice of Effective Dategraded secondary
      • "November 1 2018 Effective Date - Notice of Effe[ctive Date]"Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands owns Epiphone, 1986–now
    10. 10
      Docket index, In re Gibson Brands, Inc. (Notice of Effective Date)graded primary
      • Notice of Effective Date Notice of (I) Entry of Confirmation Order, (II) Occurrence of Effective DateGibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands owns Epiphone, 1986–now
    11. 11
      Gibson Brands Plan of Reorganization Confirmedgraded primary
      • the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has confirmed the Company's plan of reorganization.Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands owns Epiphone, 1986–now
    12. 12
      Gibson Guitars Names New Leadership And Exit From Bankruptcygraded secondary
      • the investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) will assume majority ownership control of Gibson.Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands owns Epiphone, 1986–now
    13. 13
      TTAB Cancellation No. 92084591, filing 4 (Delaware certificate of amendment, Gibson Brands, Inc. to Gibson, Inc.)graded primary
      • CHANGING ITS NAME FROM "GIBSON BRANDS, INC." TO "GIBSON, INC."Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands owns Epiphone, 1986–now
    14. 14
    15. 15
    16. 16
      gretschguitars: support/historygraded primary
      • "in 1883… Friedrich Gretsch… founded his shop in Brooklyn"Gretsch, founded
      • "In 1984, Fred W. Gretsch… purchased Gretsch back"Fred Gretsch Enterprises, Ltd. (Fred W. and Dinah Gretsch) owns Gretsch, 1984–now
    17. 17
      acousticmusic: guitar music research/guitar information/large shop guitar builders/gretschgraded secondary
      • "In 1967, Fred Gretsch, Jr. sold the Gretsch Company to… D. H. Baldwin"D.H. Baldwin & Co. owns Gretsch, 1967–1984
      • "merged Gretsch with Kustom in November 1979… Baldwin went bankrupt in 1983"D.H. Baldwin & Co. owns Gretsch, 1967–1984
      • "bought the Baldwin music divisions in 1984"Baldwin Piano & Organ Co. (Richard Harrison) owns Gretsch, 1984–1984
    18. 18
      GretschTech: The Baldwin Eragraded primary
      • The sale was completed on July 31, 1967.D.H. Baldwin & Co. owns Gretsch, 1967–1984
      • parent company Baldwin United declared bankruptcy in late 1983.D.H. Baldwin & Co. owns Gretsch, 1967–1984
      • As of summer 1984, Baldwin CEO Dick Harrison owned Gretsch.Baldwin Piano & Organ Co. (Richard Harrison) owns Gretsch, 1984–1984
    19. 19
      The Story of Gretschgraded secondary
      • In 1984 Fred made good on his promise when he and his wife Dinah bought the Gretsch Company back from Baldwin.Fred Gretsch Enterprises, Ltd. (Fred W. and Dinah Gretsch) owns Gretsch, 1984–now
    20. 20
      Fred #4: Fred W. Gretsch – Leading The Return Of 'That Great Gretsch Sound.'graded primary
      • His offer was accepted, and in November 1984, Fred was able to fulfill his 17-year dream of buying back the Gretsch Company.Fred Gretsch Enterprises, Ltd. (Fred W. and Dinah Gretsch) owns Gretsch, 1984–now
    21. 21
      A brief history of Gretsch guitarsgraded secondary
      • In 1984, the couple bought the Gretsch brand backFred Gretsch Enterprises, Ltd. (Fred W. and Dinah Gretsch) owns Gretsch, 1984–now
    22. 22
      Baldwin Piano & Organ Company - Company Historygraded secondary
      • In June 1984, R. S. Harrison... joined with BP&O President Harold Smith to execute a leveraged buyout of the subsidiary from its troubled parent.Baldwin Piano & Organ Co. (Richard Harrison) owns Gretsch, 1984–1984
    23. 23
      bluebookofguitarvalues: guitar amplifiers/manufacturers/guildgraded secondary
      • "started in 1952 by Alfred Dronge"Guild, founded
    24. 24
      Guild (manufacturer history) - Blue Book of Guitar Valuesgraded secondary
      • Guild was founded in 1952 by Alfred Dronge (who did hire great guitar builders).Guild, founded
      • In 1966, electronic parts producer Avnet Inc. bought Guild Musical Instruments, and Alfred Dronge stayed on as president.Avnet, Inc. owns Guild, 1966–1986
      • In mid-August of 1986, Avnet sold Guild to a management/investment group from New England and Tennessee.Avnet, Inc. owns Guild, 1966–1986
      • defaulted on bank obligations in November of 1988, leading to a court supervised financial restructuring.Management/investor group incl. George Gruhn (legal name unverified) owns Guild, 1986–1989
      • The Faas Corporation of New Berlin, WI (now U.S. Musical Corporation) bought Guild in January, 1989.FAAS Corporation (renamed U.S. Music Corp. 1993) owns Guild, 1989–1995
    25. 25
      Guild (Acoustic Guitar magazine feature, AG282, hosted by Guild)graded secondary
      • The Guild Guitar Co. was founded in 1952Guild, founded
      • Another big change for Guild came in 1995, when Fender purchased the company.Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Guild, 1995–2014
    26. 26
      acousticmusic: research/guitar information/large shop guitar builders/guildgraded secondary
      • "bought by Avnet for about $5,000,000 in July of 1966"Avnet, Inc. owns Guild, 1966–1986
    27. 27
      A Brief History of Guild Guitarsgraded secondary
      • In 1966, Guild was sold to the Avnet Corporation, albeit with Alfred Dronge still at the helm overseeing production.Avnet, Inc. owns Guild, 1966–1986
    28. 28
      The Convoluted History of Guild Guitarsgraded community
      • Guild was bought by Avnet for about $5,000,000 in July of 1966.Avnet, Inc. owns Guild, 1966–1986
      • In mid August of 1986, Avnet sold Guild to a management/investment group from New England and Tennessee.Management/investor group incl. George Gruhn (legal name unverified) owns Guild, 1986–1989
      • And this group sold Guild to the FAAS Corporation (Chuck Faas) which changed name to U.S. Music Corporation.FAAS Corporation (renamed U.S. Music Corp. 1993) owns Guild, 1989–1995
      • The Fender Musical Instrument Company (FMIC) bought Guild from U.S. Music Corporation in November 1995.Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Guild, 1995–2014
    29. 29
      Guild Guitar Factoriesgraded community
      • Guild was sold to the Avnet Corporation in 1966Avnet, Inc. owns Guild, 1966–1986
    30. 30
      jedistar: guildgraded secondary
      • "1989 Sold to FAAS Corporation"Management/investor group incl. George Gruhn (legal name unverified) owns Guild, 1986–1989
    31. 31
      Gruhn, George (biography)graded secondary
      • Guild Guitars, executive vice president of research and development and artist relations, 1986-88.Management/investor group incl. George Gruhn (legal name unverified) owns Guild, 1986–1989
    32. 32
      blogspot: 2025/11/the convoluted history of guild guitars.htmlgraded community
      • "FMIC bought Guild from U.S. Music Corporation in November 1995"Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Guild, 1995–2014
    33. 33
      fender: newsroom/news/408graded primary
      • "(May 6, 2014)… letter of intent to sell the Guild guitar brand"Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Guild, 1995–2014
    34. 34
      premierguitar: artists/cordoba music group acquires guildgraded secondary
      • "Upon finalization of the sale, Cordoba Music Group is expected to begin production in Oxnard, Calif."Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Guild, 1995–2014
    35. 35
      Fender Musical Instruments Corporation announces intent to sell Guild brand to Cordoba Music Groupgraded primary
      • Guild joined the FMIC family in 1995Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Guild, 1995–2014
      • finalized a letter of intent to sell the Guild guitar brand and related assets to Cordoba Music GroupCordoba Music Group, LLC owns Guild, 2014–now
    36. 36
      Guild in the Post-Fender Eragraded secondary
      • When Fender bought the company in late 1995, Guild was headquartered in Westerly, Rhode Island.Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Guild, 1995–2014
    37. 37
      Fender Musical Instruments Company (International Directory of Company Histories)graded secondary
      • In 1995, Fender acquired the Guild Guitar Company, a Rhode Island-based manufacturer of handmade electric and acousticFender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Guild, 1995–2014
    38. 38
      Yamaha Guitar Group press release 2023-02-06graded primary
      • "Guild Guitars… was added to the CMG portfolio in 2014"Cordoba Music Group, LLC owns Guild, 2014–now
    39. 39
      Cordoba, FMIC finalize sale of Guild Guitarsgraded secondary
      • has announced that it has finalized the sale of the Guild® guitar brandCordoba Music Group, LLC owns Guild, 2014–now
    40. 40
      Harmony Companygraded community
      • "founded in 1892 by Wilhelm Schultz"Harmony, founded
      • "briefly imported 'reissue' Harmony guitars"Westheimer Corporation (Northbrook, IL) owns Harmony, 2009–2017
    41. 41
      A brief history of Harmony guitarsgraded secondary
      • "In 1916, Sears purchased the Harmony Guitars brand"Sears, Roebuck and Co. owns Harmony, 1916–1940
      • "in 2018… Harmony was reborn as part of the BandLab Technologies portfolio"BandLab Technologies owns Harmony, 2017–now
    42. 42
      Department Store Guitar History: The Long Shadow of the Sears Harmonygraded community
      • Sears-Roebuck acquired the guitar maker ostensibly to take control of the ukulele market.Sears, Roebuck and Co. owns Harmony, 1916–1940
      • Harmony was a major player until around 1940, when the company was sold back to Harmony executives.Harmony Company (independent, Kraus-led) owns Harmony, 1940–1975
    43. 43
      Melody Instrument Companygraded community
      • The Harmony Musical Instrument Company was purchased by Sears, Roebuck & Co in 1916Sears, Roebuck and Co. owns Harmony, 1916–1940
      • until December 21st, 1940 when The Harmony Company, under Sears Roebuck, ceased operationsHarmony Company (independent, Kraus-led) owns Harmony, 1940–1975
    44. 44
      Harmony Companygraded community
      • "In 1975 the Harmony Guitar Co. in Chicago ceased operations and had a huge three-day auction."Harmony Company (independent, Kraus-led) owns Harmony, 1940–1975
    45. 45
      Harmony history threadgraded community
      • "ceased in 1975, and sold the Harmony name"Holders of the Harmony name after 1975 (unverified) owns Harmony, 1975–2017
    46. 46
      Harmony historygraded community
      • The Harmony trademark and all intellectual property was acquired in 2009 by Westheimer corpoaration in Northbrook, IL.Holders of the Harmony name after 1975 (unverified) owns Harmony, 1975–2017
    47. 47
      HARMONY trademark registration 71688732graded primary
      • GLOBAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CO., INC., A DIVISION OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TRADE CONSULTANTS, LTD.Holders of the Harmony name after 1975 (unverified) owns Harmony, 1975–2017
      • Issue New Certificate to: WESTHEIMER CORPORATION, A (Illinois Corporation)Westheimer Corporation (Northbrook, IL) owns Harmony, 2009–2017
      • WESTHEIMER CORPORATION, A (Illinois Corporation), 3451 West Commercial Avenue, Northbrook, Illinois 60062.Westheimer Corporation (Northbrook, IL) owns Harmony, 2009–2017
    48. 48
      Westheimer Corporation president Goldstein to retire March 2016graded secondary
      • the Harmony name came up for sale and they bought it.Westheimer Corporation (Northbrook, IL) owns Harmony, 2009–2017
    49. 49
      Trademark dispute heading back to court (Harmony)graded secondary
      • Then, in February 2009, Westheimer Corporation, the defendant in this action, purchased all of Harmony Industries’ assetsWestheimer Corporation (Northbrook, IL) owns Harmony, 2009–2017
    50. 50
      Harmony acquires Stella Guitarsgraded secondary
      • the company that acquired the rights to, and subsequently relaunched, Harmony in late 2017.BandLab Technologies owns Harmony, 2017–now
    51. 51
      Singapore's BandLab Technologies rebrands as Caldecott Music Groupgraded secondary
      • Vista Musical Instruments, CMG's manufacturing and retail division, includes the instrument brands MONOBandLab Technologies owns Harmony, 2017–now
    52. 52
      NAMM 2018: Harmony guitars back, along with new ampsgraded secondary
      • However, we do know that BandLab Technologies, the same company that has relaunched Teisco, is behind the Harmony brand now.BandLab Technologies owns Harmony, 2017–now
    53. 53
      heritageownersclub: forums/topic/35999 heritage historygraded community
      • "was incorporated on April 1, 1985"Heritage, founded
    54. 54
      Changes at Heritage Guitar roil staff luthiersgraded secondary
      • Heritage was formed in 1984 when Gibson abandoned the building and moved their operations to Nashville.Heritage, founded
      • Heritage was purchased in 2016 by Archie Leach and Jeff Nicholson of PlazaCorp Realty Advisors Inc.PlazaCorp Realty Advisors (Kalamazoo) and investors owns Heritage, 2016–now
    55. 55
      Heritage history (Heritage Owners Club forum thread)graded community
      • Heritage Guitar Inc. of 225 Parsons Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan was incorporated on April 1, 1985.Heritage, founded
    56. 56
      Heritage Guitars - About Us (site footer)graded primary
      • During the spring of 1985, several Kalamazoo guitar luthiersHeritage, founded
    57. 57
      Builder Profile: Heritage Guitargraded secondary
      • In the spring of 1985, Lamb, formerly the Gibson plant superintendent,Heritage, founded
    58. 58
      kalamazoocountry: new owners for heritage guitars in kalamazoograded secondary
      • "a group of investors has bought Heritage guitars and the accompanying building"PlazaCorp Realty Advisors (Kalamazoo) and investors owns Heritage, 2016–now
    59. 59
      Restoring Gibson legacy: Kalamazoo Heritage Guitars renovating historic plantgraded secondary
      • spearheaded by new owners Archie Leach and Jeff Nicholson, who bought Heritage Guitars in 2016.PlazaCorp Realty Advisors (Kalamazoo) and investors owns Heritage, 2016–now
    60. 60
      Wikipedia: wiki/Hoshino Gakkigraded community
      • "1908: The Hoshino Shoten bookstore company is founded"Hoshino Shoten (Nagoya) owns Ibanez, 1908–1929
      • "1929: The Hoshino company starts Hoshino Gakki Ten Inc."Hoshino Gakki Ten, Inc. owns Ibanez, 1929–1981
      • "1981: Hoshino changes company name… to Hoshino Gakki"Hoshino Gakki Co., Ltd. owns Ibanez, 1981–now
    61. 61
      特集！Ibanezインタビュー！～歴史編～ (Ibanez interview: history)graded community
      • 星野楽器のスタートは明治41年（1908年）。Hoshino Shoten (Nagoya) owns Ibanez, 1908–1929
      • 昭和4年（1929年）には別会社として星野書店から独立したのですがHoshino Gakki Ten, Inc. owns Ibanez, 1929–1981
    62. 62
      Ibanez (Ibanez Wiki)graded community
      • The Hoshino Gakki company began in 1908 as the musical instrument sales division of the Hoshino Shoten, a bookstore company.Hoshino Shoten (Nagoya) owns Ibanez, 1908–1929
      • The Ibanez brand name dates back to 1929 when Hoshino Gakki began importing Salvador Ibáñez é Hijos guitars from Spain.Hoshino Gakki Ten, Inc. owns Ibanez, 1929–1981
    63. 63
      Hoshino Gakki Co. Ltd. Company Historygraded secondary
      • Hoshino Gakki was founded in 1908 by Matsujiro Hoshino in the city of Nagoya, Japan.Hoshino Shoten (Nagoya) owns Ibanez, 1908–1929
      • By 1929, Hoshino established its own musical instruments company, Hoshino Gakki Ten,Hoshino Gakki Ten, Inc. owns Ibanez, 1929–1981
      • The following year, the company changed its own name to Hoshino Gakki Co.Hoshino Gakki Co., Ltd. owns Ibanez, 1981–now
    64. 64
    65. 65
      Hoshino Gakki (Wikipedia)graded community
      • Hoshino changes company name from Hoshino Gakki Ten to Hoshino GakkiHoshino Gakki Co., Ltd. owns Ibanez, 1981–now
    66. 66
      星野楽器(株) インターネットエラベル企業情報graded secondary
      • 設立 1981年11月Hoshino Gakki Co., Ltd. owns Ibanez, 1981–now
    67. 67
      Wikipedia: wiki/C. F. Martin %26 Companygraded community
      • "run by the same family for six generations"Martin, founded
    68. 68
      A Family Business (The Martin Story)graded primary
      • Since 1833, C. F. Martin & Co.® has remained family owned and operated—six generationsMartin, founded
    69. 69
      C. F. Martin & Co. Announces Retirements & New Leadership Appointmentsgraded primary
      • Owner and Chairman of the Board of the 192-year-old companyMartin, founded
    70. 70
      C F Martin Co Inc (International Directory of Company Histories)graded secondary
      • Located in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, since 1839, the company has been run by the same family for six generations.Martin, founded
    71. 71
      Martin Guitar CEO Chris Martin IV announces retirementgraded secondary
      • Family ownership of the Nazareth, Pennsylvania-based company... will continue.Martin, founded
    72. 72
      Kaman Music Corporation (company history)graded secondary
      • formed a new company called Ovation Instruments, Inc. to market the guitar.Ovation, founded
    73. 73
      Hamer Guitarsgraded community
      • "acquired by… Fender… on December 31, 2007"Kaman Corporation / Kaman Music Corporation owns Ovation, 1965–2008
    74. 74
      Kaman Corporation Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2007graded primary
      • On December 31, 2007, we completed the previously announced saleKaman Corporation / Kaman Music Corporation owns Ovation, 1965–2008
      • We sold our Music segment on December 31, 2007 for $119.5 million to Fender and recorded a pre-tax gain of $18.1 million.Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Ovation, 2007–2015
    75. 75
      Kaman Corporation Form 10-K for fiscal year 2008graded primary
      • On December 31, 2007, we completed the sale of all of the capital stock of our wholly owned subsidiaryKaman Corporation / Kaman Music Corporation owns Ovation, 1965–2008
    76. 76
      Kaman Corp. 8-K exhibit 99.1 (Ovation/KMC sale closing)graded primary
      • on December 31, 2007, the company completed its previously announced saleKaman Corporation / Kaman Music Corporation owns Ovation, 1965–2008
    77. 77
      Fender to buy Kaman Music Corp.graded secondary
      • "closing is set to happen by January 1, 2008"Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Ovation, 2007–2015
    78. 78
      Ovation sold to Drum Workshop (Jan 6, 2015)graded secondary
      • "Yesterday, FMIC announced that KMC Music… has sold the Ovation guitar brand to Drum Workshop, Inc."Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Ovation, 2007–2015
    79. 79
      FMIC announces KMC Music sale of Ovation to DW (Jan 6, 2015); KMC sold to JAM Industries (Feb 12, 2015)graded secondary
      • "FMIC announced that KMC Music… has sold the Ovation guitar brand to Drum Workshop, Inc."Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Ovation, 2007–2015
    80. 80
      Fender Musical Instruments Corporation Announces Sale of KMC Music's Percussion Brands and Ovation Guitars to Drum Workshop, Inc.graded primary
      • as well as the Ovation® guitar brand.Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Ovation, 2007–2015
    81. 81
      Fender Musical Instruments Corp. Form S-1 (2012)graded primary
      • In December 2007 we acquired KMC, which was our largest acquisition to date.Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Ovation, 2007–2015
    82. 82
      Fender Musical Instruments Corp, Form S-1/A Amendment No. 5graded primary
      • since the acquisition of Kaman Music Corporation (now known as KMC Musicorp), or KMC, in 2007Fender Musical Instruments Corporation owns Ovation, 2007–2015
    83. 83
      Drum Workshop acquires Ovation (Jan 7, 2015)graded secondary
      • "have finalized an asset sale agreement"Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW) owns Ovation, 2015–2020
    84. 84
      Fender sells Ovation brand to Drum Workshopgraded secondary
      • announced today that its subsidiary KMC Music, Inc. has sold its OvationDrum Workshop, Inc. (DW) owns Ovation, 2015–2020
    85. 85
      Ovation Guitars joins the GEWA music family of brandsgraded secondary
      • In 2015 DW became owner of the legendary guitar maker as part of a multi-brand acquisition from Fender/KMC.Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW) owns Ovation, 2015–2020
      • GEWA music has recently announced the acquisition of the Ovation guitar brand from longtime partner, Drum Workshop, Inc.GEWA music GmbH owns Ovation, 2020–now
    86. 86
      Bloomfield instrument distributor moves HQgraded secondary
      • DW also bought the Ovation guitar brand from Fender in that deal.Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW) owns Ovation, 2015–2020
    87. 87
      Production of Ovation Guitars to Resume in New Hartfordgraded secondary
      • Drum Workshop purchased the brand earlier this year from Fender Musical Instruments Corp.Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW) owns Ovation, 2015–2020
    88. 88
      Drum Workshop purchases Latin Percussion, Toca Percussion, Gretsch Drums, Gibraltar Hardware, and KAT Percussion from Fender's KMC subsidiarygraded secondary
      • Ovation Guitars and exclusive U.S. distribution rights for Sabian Cymbals are also included in the transaction.Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW) owns Ovation, 2015–2020
    89. 89
      Ovation ownership transfer to GEWA (Dec 22, 2020)graded secondary
      • "deal that was inked in September"GEWA music GmbH owns Ovation, 2020–now
      • "February 1, 2021… GEWA Music USA taking over Ovation distribution"GEWA music GmbH owns Ovation, 2020–now
    90. 90
      GEWA Music acquires Ovation Guitarsgraded secondary
      • Adamas and Applause – two brands associated with Ovation – are also part of the deal, which was finalized in September 2020.GEWA music GmbH owns Ovation, 2020–now
    91. 91
      GEWA purchases Ovation Guitarsgraded secondary
      • The Adamas and Applause guitar brands are also included in the purchase.GEWA music GmbH owns Ovation, 2020–now
    92. 92
      Ovation Guitars acquired by GEWA Musicgraded secondary
      • has acquired the Ovation brand from Drum Workshop, Inc.GEWA music GmbH owns Ovation, 2020–now
    93. 93
      Ovation Guitars has been acquired by GEWA Musicgraded secondary
      • Associated brands Adamas and Applause are reportedly part of the deal, which was inked in September 2020.GEWA music GmbH owns Ovation, 2020–now
    94. 94
      fandom: wiki/PRS Guitarsgraded community
      • "Paul Reed Smith set up a partnership to create a factory in Annapolis"PRS, founded
    95. 95
      Guitar Heaven: Paul Reed Smith Makes Guitarsgraded secondary
      • With the help of an investor he formed a limited partnership, raising $500,000 in capitalPRS, founded
    96. 96
      Gibson Guitar Corp. v. Paul Reed Smith Guitars, LP, 423 F.3d 539 (6th Cir. 2005)graded primary
      • PRS founder Paul Reed Smith ("Smith") began manufacturing custom guitars in the mid-1970s and opened a guitar factory in 1985.PRS, founded
    97. 97
      PRS media roomgraded primary
      • Paul Reed Smith, Managing General Partner of PRS GuitarsPRS, founded
    98. 98
      A Closer Look at the 1985 PRS Serial Number 5graded primary
      • In April of 1985, PRS Guitars formally began operations in our first ever factory in Annapolis, Maryland.PRS, founded
    99. 99
      Inside Annapolis: Paul Reed Smith feature (2007)graded secondary
      • we developed a strong team and launched PRS Guitars, Limited Partnership.PRS, founded
    100. 100
      slickdeals: f/18215926 taylor 317e grand pacific dreadnought acoustic electric guitar w hardshell casegraded unverified
      • "bought American Dream and renamed it the Westland Music Company"Taylor, founded
    101. 101
      taylorguitars: issue/2021 issue 2/cover story/keeping good companygraded primary
      • "on December 31… signing the documents to officially transition the ownership"Taylor, founded
    102. 102
      taylorguitars: about/50th anniversary timelinegraded primary
      • they decide to call the new business Westland Music Company.Taylor, founded
      • Westland Music Company changes its name to Taylor Guitars.Taylor, founded
      • Bob and Kurt buy out partner Steve Schemmer, incorporate as Taylor-Listug, Inc.Taylor, founded
      • After Radding announces he plans to sell the American Dream, Bob Taylor, Kurt Listug and Steve Schemmer … partner up and borrow money to purchase the shopTaylor, founded
    103. 103
      Taylor Guitars company history (timeline)graded primary
      • Westland Music Company changes its name to Taylor Guitars.Taylor, founded
      • Bob and Kurt buy out partner Steve Schemmer, incorporate as Taylor-Listug, Inc.Taylor, founded
    104. 104
      About Taylor Guitarsgraded primary
      • Taylor Guitars is now proudly 100% employee owned.Taylor, founded