Guitar brands in 2015

10 brands on record in 2015: Epiphone, Gretsch, Guild, Harmony, Heritage, Ibanez, Martin, Ovation, PRS and Taylor. Guild and Ovation changed owner or plant on at least one line that year.

A snapshot of the trade in 2015. 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 2015

• Guild, Guild USA: new era under Cordoba Music Group, LLC at Guild Oxnard^{[22, 23, 24, 27]}
• Guild, Guild Westerly Collection (China): new era under Cordoba Music Group, LLC at Chinese Westerly Collection factory partners (Guild; unverified)^{[22, 23, 24, 28]}
• Guild, Guild USA: the 2014–2015 era ends^{[22, 23, 24]}
• Ovation, Ovation USA (New Hartford): new era under Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW) at New Hartford CT (Kaman/Ovation plant)^{[54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63]}
• Ovation, Ovation imports (Celebrity, Applause, Elite import): new era under Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW) at Asian contract plants for Ovation (Korea/China/Indonesia; builders unverified)^{[54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64, 65]}
• Ovation, Ovation USA (New Hartford): the 2014–2015 era ends^{[83, 54, 84, 85, 56, 86, 87]}
• Ovation, Ovation imports (Celebrity, Applause, Elite import): the 2014–2015 era ends^{[83, 54, 84, 85, 56, 86, 87, 64, 65]}

The 2010s

• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019

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 2015
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 2015
3. 3
   Gibson Brands chapter 11 docket: Notice of Effective Dategraded secondary

   • "November 1 2018 Effective Date - Notice of Effe[ctive Date]"Epiphone in 2015
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 2015
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 2015
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 2015
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 2015
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 2015
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 2015
10. 10
    fandom: wiki/Epiphonegraded community

    • "a few special models still made in Japan"Epiphone in 2015
    • "Epiphone began contracting out to a number of different manufacturers"Epiphone in 2015
11. 11
    Wikipedia: wiki/FUJIGENgraded community
12. 12
    guitarinsite: epiphone factoriesgraded community

    • "Several Chinese factories have produced Epiphone guitars"Epiphone in 2015
    • "In 2004, Gibson opened a factory in Qingdao… owned by Gibson"Epiphone in 2015
13. 13
    gretschguitars: support/historygraded primary

    • "In 1984, Fred W. Gretsch… purchased Gretsch back"Gretsch in 2015
    • In late 2002 a deal was struck for Fender Musical Instruments Corp. to handle Gretsch Guitars manufacturing and distributionGretsch in 2015
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 2015
    • In 2002 Gretsch and Fender announced an alliance that granted Fender exclusive rights to develop, market, and distribute Gretsch guitars.Gretsch in 2015
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 2015
16. 16
    A brief history of Gretsch guitarsgraded secondary

    • In 1984, the couple bought the Gretsch brand backGretsch in 2015
    • In 2002, Gretsch and Fender Musical Instruments Corp announced a strategic partnership.Gretsch in 2015
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 2015
    • Gretsch Custom Shop is now located in the rolling hills of Corona, Calif.Gretsch in 2015
18. 18
    reverb: news/the rebirth of gretsch guitarsgraded secondary

    • "starting officially on the first day of 2003"Gretsch in 2015
    • "chose Terada, an experienced firm in Nagoya"Gretsch in 2015
19. 19
    reverb: news/how to date a gretsch guitargraded secondary

    • "1989 - present: Japan (Terada factory)"Gretsch in 2015
    • "CY = China - Yako"Gretsch in 2015
20. 20
    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 2015
21. 21
    fender newsroom: gretsch celebrates 15 years of the gretsch custom shopgraded primary

    • With Stern tied up with Benedetto, Fleming and Fender’s George Blanda were tabbed to build the first-ever custom U.S.-made Gretsch models, which debuted at the 2004 winter NAMM Show.Gretsch in 2015
22. 22
    Yamaha Guitar Group press release 2023-02-06graded primary

    • "Guild Guitars… was added to the CMG portfolio in 2014"Guild in 2015
23. 23
    Fender Musical Instruments Corporation announces intent to sell Guild brand to Cordoba Music Groupgraded primary

    • finalized a letter of intent to sell the Guild guitar brand and related assets to Cordoba Music GroupGuild in 2015
24. 24
    Cordoba, FMIC finalize sale of Guild Guitarsgraded secondary

    • has announced that it has finalized the sale of the Guild® guitar brandGuild in 2015
25. 25
    acousticguitarforum: forums/showthread.php?p=5240671graded community

    • "made at a factory in China under a contract"Guild in 2015
26. 26
    fandom: wiki/Guild Guitar Companygraded community

    • "manufactured in Korea under the DeArmond brand name"Guild in 2015
27. 27
    guitar: features/a brief history of guild guitarsgraded secondary

    • "begin making acoustics in its Oxnard facility in 2015"Guild in 2015
28. 28
    guitarreviewed: posts/7d090c8ea9b256752ae03e3a1476b661graded unverified

    • "made in China by our skilled factory partners"Guild in 2015
29. 29
    Harmony history threadgraded community

    • "ceased in 1975, and sold the Harmony name"Harmony in 2015
30. 30
    Harmony historygraded community

    • The Harmony trademark and all intellectual property was acquired in 2009 by Westheimer corpoaration in Northbrook, IL.Harmony in 2015
31. 31
    HARMONY trademark registration 71688732graded primary

    • GLOBAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CO., INC., A DIVISION OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TRADE CONSULTANTS, LTD.Harmony in 2015
32. 32
    Harmony Companygraded community

    • "briefly imported 'reissue' Harmony guitars"Harmony in 2015
33. 33
    heritageownersclub: forums/topic/35999 heritage historygraded community

    • "was incorporated on April 1, 1985"Heritage in 2015
34. 34
    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 2015
35. 35
    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 2015
36. 36
    Heritage Guitars - About Us (site footer)graded primary

    • During the spring of 1985, several Kalamazoo guitar luthiersHeritage in 2015
37. 37
    Builder Profile: Heritage Guitargraded secondary

    • In the spring of 1985, Lamb, formerly the Gibson plant superintendent,Heritage in 2015
38. 38
    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 2015
39. 39
    Wikipedia: wiki/Hoshino Gakkigraded community

    • "1981: Hoshino changes company name… to Hoshino Gakki"Ibanez in 2015
    • "1969: Hoshino Gakki Ten starts to use the FujiGen… factory"Ibanez in 2015
40. 40
    Wikipedia: wiki/Ibanez Icemangraded community
41. 41
    Hoshino Gakki Co. Ltd. Company Historygraded secondary

    • The following year, the company changed its own name to Hoshino Gakki Co.Ibanez in 2015
42. 42
    Hoshino Gakki (Wikipedia)graded community

    • Hoshino changes company name from Hoshino Gakki Ten to Hoshino GakkiIbanez in 2015
43. 43
    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 2015
44. 44
    Wikipedia: wiki/Ibanezgraded community

    • "also been made in other Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Indonesia"Ibanez in 2015
45. 45
    Wikipedia: wiki/Ibanez GIOgraded community

    • "produced in either China or Indonesia"Ibanez in 2015
46. 46
    Wikipedia: wiki/Ibanez RGgraded community

    • "Mid-tier guitars produced in a special facility set up in Indonesia."Ibanez in 2015
47. 47
    Wikipedia: wiki/C. F. Martin %26 Companygraded community

    • "run by the same family for six generations"Martin in 2015
48. 48
    A Family Business (The Martin Story)graded primary

    • Since 1833, C. F. Martin & Co.® has remained family owned and operated—six generationsMartin in 2015
49. 49
    C. F. Martin & Co. Announces Retirements & New Leadership Appointmentsgraded primary

    • Owner and Chairman of the Board of the 192-year-old companyMartin in 2015
50. 50
    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 2015
51. 51
    Martin Guitar CEO Chris Martin IV announces retirementgraded secondary

    • Family ownership of the Nazareth, Pennsylvania-based company... will continue.Martin in 2015
52. 52
    guitar: features/martin guitar historygraded secondary

    • "62,000-square-foot Sycamore Street facility… That was in 1964."Martin in 2015
    • "since the early 1990s, Martin's Navajoa factory has turned out strings, ukuleles and Backpackers… DXM series to Navojoa, in 2004"Martin in 2015
    • "DXM series to Navojoa, in 2004"Martin in 2015
53. 53
    themunicipal: 2023/12/stringing along at the martin guitar factory and museumgraded secondary
54. 54
    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."Ovation in 2015
55. 55
    Drum Workshop acquires Ovation (Jan 7, 2015)graded secondary

    • "have finalized an asset sale agreement"Ovation in 2015
56. 56
    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.Ovation in 2015
57. 57
    Fender sells Ovation brand to Drum Workshopgraded secondary

    • announced today that its subsidiary KMC Music, Inc. has sold its OvationOvation in 2015
58. 58
    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.Ovation in 2015
59. 59
    Bloomfield instrument distributor moves HQgraded secondary

    • DW also bought the Ovation guitar brand from Fender in that deal.Ovation in 2015
60. 60
    Production of Ovation Guitars to Resume in New Hartfordgraded secondary

    • Drum Workshop purchased the brand earlier this year from Fender Musical Instruments Corp.Ovation in 2015
61. 61
    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.Ovation in 2015
62. 62
    glencampbellforums: viewtopic.php?t=341graded community

    • "the factory will resume production in October, 2015"Ovation in 2015
63. 63
    GEWA purchases Ovation Guitarsgraded secondary

    • "Custom Shop will focus on… Adamas models"Ovation in 2015
64. 64
    Fender to cease US production of Ovation guitarsgraded secondary

    • "Fender will now make Ovation guitars in China, South Korea and Indonesia"Ovation in 2015
65. 65
    blogspot: 2026/04/ovation solid body electric guitars.htmlgraded community

    • "outsourcing others to a Chinese factory"Ovation in 2015
66. 66
    fandom: wiki/PRS Guitarsgraded community

    • "Paul Reed Smith set up a partnership to create a factory in Annapolis"PRS in 2015
67. 67
    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 2015
68. 68
    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 2015
69. 69
    PRS media roomgraded primary

    • Paul Reed Smith, Managing General Partner of PRS GuitarsPRS in 2015
70. 70
    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 2015
71. 71
    Inside Annapolis: Paul Reed Smith feature (2007)graded secondary

    • we developed a strong team and launched PRS Guitars, Limited Partnership.PRS in 2015
72. 72
    PRS staff post: moved into the Stevensville factory in January 1996graded community

    • "PRS moved into the Stevensville factory in January 1996"PRS in 2015
73. 73
    Wikipedia: wiki/PRS Guitarsgraded community

    • "In 1996, the company moved to its present facility in Stevensville on Kent Island"PRS in 2015
74. 74
    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 2015
75. 75
    PRS S2 Series launch release (July 9, 2013)graded secondary

    • "Stevensville, MD (July 9, 2013) -- PRS Guitars' new S2 Series instruments – the S2 Mira, S2 Starla, and S2 Custom 24"PRS in 2015
76. 76
    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 2015
77. 77
    taylorguitars: issue/2021 issue 2/cover story/keeping good companygraded primary

    • "on December 31… signing the documents to officially transition the ownership"Taylor in 2015
78. 78
    taylorguitars: about/50th anniversary timelinegraded primary

    • they decide to call the new business Westland Music Company.Taylor in 2015
    • Westland Music Company changes its name to Taylor Guitars.Taylor in 2015
    • Bob and Kurt buy out partner Steve Schemmer, incorporate as Taylor-Listug, Inc.Taylor in 2015
    • 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 2015
79. 79
    Taylor Guitars company history (timeline)graded primary

    • Westland Music Company changes its name to Taylor Guitars.Taylor in 2015
    • Bob and Kurt buy out partner Steve Schemmer, incorporate as Taylor-Listug, Inc.Taylor in 2015
80. 80
    About Taylor Guitarsgraded primary

    • Taylor Guitars is now proudly 100% employee owned.Taylor in 2015
81. 81
    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 2015
82. 82
    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 2015
83. 83
    Fender to buy Kaman Music Corp.graded secondary

    • "closing is set to happen by January 1, 2008"Ovation USA (New Hartford), 2014–2015
84. 84
    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."Ovation USA (New Hartford), 2014–2015
85. 85
    Kaman Corporation Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2007graded primary

    • 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.Ovation USA (New Hartford), 2014–2015
86. 86
    Fender Musical Instruments Corp. Form S-1 (2012)graded primary

    • In December 2007 we acquired KMC, which was our largest acquisition to date.Ovation USA (New Hartford), 2014–2015
87. 87
    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 2007Ovation USA (New Hartford), 2014–2015

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