Guitar brands in 2003

10 brands on record in 2003: Epiphone, Gretsch, Guild, Harmony, Heritage, Ibanez, Martin, Ovation, PRS and Taylor. Gretsch changed owner or plant on at least one line that year.

A snapshot of the trade in 2003. Each row is one brand: the companies that controlled the name that year and the plants that built it. Open a brand’s year for the line-by-line detail.

Who owned what, and where it was built

What changed in 2003

• Gretsch, Gretsch Professional Collection (Japan): new era under Fender Musical Instruments Corporation at Terada Gakki^{[13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]}
• Gretsch, Gretsch Japan early-Fender-era models: new era under Fender Musical Instruments Corporation at Dyna Gakki (Gretsch Japan, early Fender era; unverified)^{[13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]}
• Gretsch, Gretsch Japan early-Fender-era models: new era under Fender Musical Instruments Corporation at FujiGen^{[13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 11]}
• Gretsch, Gretsch Electromatic: new era under Fender Musical Instruments Corporation at Peerless (Korea; city unverified)^{[13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20]}
• Gretsch, Gretsch Electromatic: new era under Fender Musical Instruments Corporation at Yako (China; city unverified)^{[13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21]}
• Gretsch, Gretsch Synchromatic/Historic: new era under Fender Musical Instruments Corporation at Peerless (Korea; city unverified)^{[13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]}
• Gretsch, Gretsch Custom Shop: new era under Fender Musical Instruments Corporation at US custom builder for Gretsch before Fender Custom Shop (location unverified)^{[13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]}
• Gretsch, Gretsch Professional Collection (Japan): the 1989–2003 era ends^{[13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19]}
• Gretsch, Gretsch Custom Shop: the 1995–2003 era ends^{[13, 14, 15, 16, 19]}
• Gretsch, Gretsch Synchromatic/Historic: the 1999–2003 era ends^{[13, 14, 15, 16, 19]}
• Gretsch, Gretsch Electromatic: the 1999–2003 era ends^{[13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20]}
• Gretsch, Gretsch Electromatic: the 2000–2003 era ends^{[13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 21]}

Plants building for more than one brand

• FujiGen: Gretsch and Ibanez

The 2000s

• 2000
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009

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
   Wikipedia: wiki/Gibson (guitar company)graded community

   • "acquired by a group led by Henry Juszkiewicz and David H. Berryman"Epiphone in 2003
2. 2
   Gibson Brands requested court protection from its creditors (May 1, 2018)graded secondary

   • "Gibson Brands requested court protection from its creditors"Epiphone in 2003
3. 3
   Gibson Brands chapter 11 docket: Notice of Effective Dategraded secondary

   • "November 1 2018 Effective Date - Notice of Effe[ctive Date]"Epiphone in 2003
4. 4
   Epiphone history 1957-present (Gibson era) - Blue Book of Guitar Valuesgraded secondary

   • When Gibson was sold to Henry Juszkiewicz, David Berryman, and Gary Zebrowski in 1986Epiphone in 2003
5. 5
   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 DateEpiphone in 2003
6. 6
   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.Epiphone in 2003
7. 7
   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.Epiphone in 2003
8. 8
   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."Epiphone in 2003
9. 9
   Gibson Guitar Corp. Company Historygraded secondary

   • new owners took over in 1986, Henry Juszkiewicz and David Berryman, who bought the company for $5 million.Epiphone in 2003
10. 10
    fandom: wiki/Epiphonegraded community

    • "a few special models still made in Japan"Epiphone in 2003
    • "Epiphone began contracting out to a number of different manufacturers"Epiphone in 2003
11. 11
    Wikipedia: wiki/FUJIGENgraded community

    • some Gretsch models and their own branded FGN guitarsGretsch in 2003
12. 12
    guitarinsite: epiphone factoriesgraded community

    • "Several Chinese factories have produced Epiphone guitars"Epiphone in 2003
13. 13
    gretschguitars: support/historygraded primary

    • "In 1984, Fred W. Gretsch… purchased Gretsch back"Gretsch in 2003
    • In late 2002 a deal was struck for Fender Musical Instruments Corp. to handle Gretsch Guitars manufacturing and distributionGretsch in 2003
14. 14
    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.Gretsch in 2003
    • In 2002 Gretsch and Fender announced an alliance that granted Fender exclusive rights to develop, market, and distribute Gretsch guitars.Gretsch in 2003
15. 15
    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.Gretsch in 2003
16. 16
    A brief history of Gretsch guitarsgraded secondary

    • In 1984, the couple bought the Gretsch brand backGretsch in 2003
    • In 2002, Gretsch and Fender Musical Instruments Corp announced a strategic partnership.Gretsch in 2003
17. 17
    gretschguitars: 2014/01/ten years of the gretsch custom shopgraded primary

    • "Fender acquired licensing for the manufacture, distribution and marketing… in 2002"Gretsch in 2003
18. 18
    reverb: news/the rebirth of gretsch guitarsgraded secondary

    • "starting officially on the first day of 2003"Gretsch in 2003
    • "chose Terada, an experienced firm in Nagoya"Gretsch in 2003
19. 19
    reverb: news/how to date a gretsch guitargraded secondary

    • "1989 - present: Japan (Terada factory)"Gretsch in 2003
    • "JD = Japan - Dyna Gakki"Gretsch in 2003
    • "JF = Japan - FujiGen Gakki"Gretsch in 2003
    • "Starting in 1999… budget-level Electromatic… in Korea"Gretsch in 2003
    • "CY = China - Yako"Gretsch in 2003
    • "1995 - present: US (Custom & Masterbuilt Series)"Gretsch in 2003
20. 20
    gretsch-talk: threads/gretsch korean plants.105525graded community

    • "KP = Korea - Peerless"Gretsch in 2003
21. 21
    gretsch-talk: threads/what year did electromatic production move from korea to china.218618graded community

    • "transitioned to China between June and July of 2021"Gretsch in 2003
22. 22
    blogspot: 2025/11/the convoluted history of guild guitars.htmlgraded community

    • "FMIC bought Guild from U.S. Music Corporation in November 1995"Guild in 2003
23. 23
    fender: newsroom/news/408graded primary

    • "(May 6, 2014)… letter of intent to sell the Guild guitar brand"Guild in 2003
24. 24
    premierguitar: artists/cordoba music group acquires guildgraded secondary

    • "Upon finalization of the sale, Cordoba Music Group is expected to begin production in Oxnard, Calif."Guild in 2003
25. 25
    Fender Musical Instruments Corporation announces intent to sell Guild brand to Cordoba Music Groupgraded primary

    • Guild joined the FMIC family in 1995Guild in 2003
26. 26
    Guild in the Post-Fender Eragraded secondary

    • When Fender bought the company in late 1995, Guild was headquartered in Westerly, Rhode Island.Guild in 2003
27. 27
    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 acousticGuild in 2003
28. 28
    Guild (Acoustic Guitar magazine feature, AG282, hosted by Guild)graded secondary

    • Another big change for Guild came in 1995, when Fender purchased the company.Guild in 2003
29. 29
    The Convoluted History of Guild Guitarsgraded community

    • The Fender Musical Instrument Company (FMIC) bought Guild from U.S. Music Corporation in November 1995.Guild in 2003
30. 30
    fandom: wiki/Guild Guitar Companygraded community

    • "manufactured in Korea under the DeArmond brand name"Guild in 2003
31. 31
    acousticguitarforum: forums/showthread.php?p=5240671graded community

    • "made at a factory in China under a contract"Guild in 2003
32. 32
    mmone: guild guitarsgraded secondary

    • "moved to Fender's headquarters in Corona… until 2004"Guild in 2003
33. 33
    Harmony history threadgraded community

    • "ceased in 1975, and sold the Harmony name"Harmony in 2003
34. 34
    Harmony historygraded community

    • The Harmony trademark and all intellectual property was acquired in 2009 by Westheimer corpoaration in Northbrook, IL.Harmony in 2003
35. 35
    HARMONY trademark registration 71688732graded primary

    • GLOBAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CO., INC., A DIVISION OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TRADE CONSULTANTS, LTD.Harmony in 2003
36. 36
    Harmony Companygraded community

    • "briefly imported 'reissue' Harmony guitars"Harmony in 2003
37. 37
    heritageownersclub: forums/topic/35999 heritage historygraded community

    • "was incorporated on April 1, 1985"Heritage in 2003
38. 38
    Changes at Heritage Guitar roil staff luthiersgraded secondary

    • Space was to be reserved for Heritage, which was formed in 1984 when Gibson abandoned the building and moved their operations to Nashville.Heritage in 2003
39. 39
    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 in 2003
40. 40
    Heritage Guitars - About Us (site footer)graded primary

    • During the spring of 1985, several Kalamazoo guitar luthiersHeritage in 2003
41. 41
    Builder Profile: Heritage Guitargraded secondary

    • In the spring of 1985, Lamb, formerly the Gibson plant superintendent,Heritage in 2003
42. 42
    chicagomusicexchange: blogs/news/inside heritage guitarsgraded community

    • "During the spring of 1985, they purchased space at the iconic factory along with its original guitar-making equipment."Heritage in 2003
43. 43
    Wikipedia: wiki/Hoshino Gakkigraded community

    • "1981: Hoshino changes company name… to Hoshino Gakki"Ibanez in 2003
    • "1969: Hoshino Gakki Ten starts to use the FujiGen… factory"Ibanez in 2003
44. 44
    Wikipedia: wiki/Ibanez Icemangraded community
45. 45
    Hoshino Gakki Co. Ltd. Company Historygraded secondary

    • The following year, the company changed its own name to Hoshino Gakki Co.Ibanez in 2003
46. 46
    Hoshino Gakki (Wikipedia)graded community

    • Hoshino changes company name from Hoshino Gakki Ten to Hoshino GakkiIbanez in 2003
47. 47
    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Ibanez in 2003
48. 48
    Wikipedia: wiki/Ibanezgraded community

    • "also been made in other Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Indonesia"Ibanez in 2003
49. 49
    Wikipedia: wiki/Ibanez GIOgraded community

    • "produced in either China or Indonesia"Ibanez in 2003
50. 50
    Wikipedia: wiki/C. F. Martin %26 Companygraded community

    • "run by the same family for six generations"Martin in 2003
51. 51
    A Family Business (The Martin Story)graded primary

    • Since 1833, C. F. Martin & Co.® has remained family owned and operated—six generationsMartin in 2003
52. 52
    C. F. Martin & Co. Announces Retirements & New Leadership Appointmentsgraded primary

    • Owner and Chairman of the Board of the 192-year-old companyMartin in 2003
53. 53
    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 in 2003
54. 54
    Martin Guitar CEO Chris Martin IV announces retirementgraded secondary

    • Family ownership of the Nazareth, Pennsylvania-based company... will continue.Martin in 2003
55. 55
    guitar: features/martin guitar historygraded secondary

    • "62,000-square-foot Sycamore Street facility… That was in 1964."Martin in 2003
    • "since the early 1990s, Martin's Navajoa factory has turned out strings, ukuleles and Backpackers… DXM series to Navojoa, in 2004"Martin in 2003
56. 56
    themunicipal: 2023/12/stringing along at the martin guitar factory and museumgraded secondary
57. 57
    Hamer Guitarsgraded community

    • "acquired by… Fender… on December 31, 2007"Ovation in 2003
58. 58
    Kaman Corporation Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2007graded primary

    • On December 31, 2007, we completed the previously announced saleOvation in 2003
59. 59
    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 subsidiaryOvation in 2003
60. 60
    Kaman Corp. 8-K exhibit 99.1 (Ovation/KMC sale closing)graded primary

    • on December 31, 2007, the company completed its previously announced saleOvation in 2003
61. 61
    Fender to close Ovation factory in Connecticutgraded secondary

    • "built Ovation… for the last 47 years"Ovation in 2003
62. 62
    Fender to cease US production of Ovation guitarsgraded secondary
63. 63
    fandom: wiki/PRS Guitarsgraded community

    • "Paul Reed Smith set up a partnership to create a factory in Annapolis"PRS in 2003
64. 64
    Guitar Heaven: Paul Reed Smith Makes Guitarsgraded secondary

    • With the help of an investor he formed a limited partnership, raising $500,000 in capitalPRS in 2003
65. 65
    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 in 2003
66. 66
    PRS media roomgraded primary

    • Paul Reed Smith, Managing General Partner of PRS GuitarsPRS in 2003
67. 67
    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 in 2003
68. 68
    Inside Annapolis: Paul Reed Smith feature (2007)graded secondary

    • we developed a strong team and launched PRS Guitars, Limited Partnership.PRS in 2003
69. 69
    PRS staff post: moved into the Stevensville factory in January 1996graded community

    • "PRS moved into the Stevensville factory in January 1996"PRS in 2003
70. 70
    Wikipedia: wiki/PRS Guitarsgraded community

    • "In 1996, the company moved to its present facility in Stevensville on Kent Island"PRS in 2003
71. 71
    musicradar: news/the story of prss se guitar linegraded secondary

    • "the entire line was made by World Musical Instrument Co in Incheon, Korea"PRS in 2003
72. 72
    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 in 2003
73. 73
    taylorguitars: issue/2021 issue 2/cover story/keeping good companygraded primary

    • "on December 31… signing the documents to officially transition the ownership"Taylor in 2003
74. 74
    taylorguitars: about/50th anniversary timelinegraded primary

    • they decide to call the new business Westland Music Company.Taylor in 2003
    • Westland Music Company changes its name to Taylor Guitars.Taylor in 2003
    • Bob and Kurt buy out partner Steve Schemmer, incorporate as Taylor-Listug, Inc.Taylor in 2003
    • 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 in 2003
75. 75
    Taylor Guitars company history (timeline)graded primary

    • Westland Music Company changes its name to Taylor Guitars.Taylor in 2003
    • Bob and Kurt buy out partner Steve Schemmer, incorporate as Taylor-Listug, Inc.Taylor in 2003
76. 76
    About Taylor Guitarsgraded primary

    • Taylor Guitars is now proudly 100% employee owned.Taylor in 2003
77. 77
    assemblymag: articles/98037 hand craftsmanship meets high tech at taylor guitarsgraded secondary

    • "In 1992, Taylor moved to a 25,000-square-foot factory in El Cajon."Taylor in 2003
78. 78
    kpbs: podcasts/the finest/how taylor guitars changed the guitar industry and helped revitalize agraded secondary

    • "102 guitars per day… Tecate… about 700 per day"Taylor in 2003

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