Guitar brands in 2018

10 brands on record in 2018: Epiphone, Gretsch, Guild, Harmony, Heritage, Ibanez, Martin, Ovation, PRS and Taylor. Epiphone, Harmony and PRS changed owner or plant on at least one line that year.

A snapshot of the trade in 2018. 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 2018

• Epiphone, Epiphone Indonesia: new era under Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands, Inc. (2013) / Gibson, Inc. (2024)^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]}
• Epiphone, Epiphone China: new era under Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands, Inc. (2013) / Gibson, Inc. (2024) at Chinese contract factories for Epiphone (Daewon, Muse, Saein, Zaozhuang Saehan)^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]}
• Epiphone, Epiphone China: new era under Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands, Inc. (2013) / Gibson, Inc. (2024) at Gibson Qingdao^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]}
• Epiphone, Epiphone Korea: new era under Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands, Inc. (2013) / Gibson, Inc. (2024) at Other Korean contractors (Epiphone; unverified)^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13]}
• Epiphone, Epiphone Japan: new era under Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands, Inc. (2013) / Gibson, Inc. (2024)^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]}
• Epiphone, Epiphone Japan special models: new era under Gibson Guitar Corp. / Gibson Brands, Inc. (2013) / Gibson, Inc. (2024) at Japan special-model builder (Epiphone; FujiGen named generically)^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14]}
• Epiphone, Epiphone Japan: the 1987–2018 era ends^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]}
• Epiphone, Epiphone Japan special models: the 1987–2018 era ends^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14]}
• Epiphone, Epiphone Korea: the 1995–2018 era ends^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13]}
• Epiphone, Epiphone Indonesia: the 2000–2018 era ends^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]}
• Epiphone, Epiphone China: the 2002–2018 era ends^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12]}
• Epiphone, Epiphone China: the 2004–2018 era ends^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12]}
• Harmony, Harmony Standard Series (import): new era under BandLab Technologies at Harmony import line builder (disputed origin; China per blog)^{[32, 33, 34, 35, 36]}
• Harmony, Harmony Westheimer reissues: new era under BandLab Technologies at Westheimer reissue builder (unverified)^{[32, 33, 34, 35, 37]}
• Harmony, Harmony USA (BandLab/Vista): new era under BandLab Technologies at Kalamazoo 225 Parsons St (1917 Gibson building)^{[32, 33, 34, 35, 37]}
• Harmony, Harmony Westheimer reissues: the 2000–2018 era ends^{[87, 88, 89, 37]}
• PRS, PRS SE: new era under Paul Reed Smith Guitars (PRS) at PT Wildwood, Banten^{[69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77]}
• PRS, PRS SE: new era under Paul Reed Smith Guitars (PRS) at PRS building at PT Cort, Ngoro^{[69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77, 79]}

Plants building for more than one brand

• Kalamazoo 225 Parsons St (1917 Gibson building): Harmony and Heritage

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 2018
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 2018
3. 3
   Gibson Brands chapter 11 docket: Notice of Effective Dategraded secondary

   • "November 1 2018 Effective Date - Notice of Effe[ctive Date]"Epiphone in 2018
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 2018
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 2018
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 2018
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 2018
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 2018
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 2018
10. 10
    Gibson emerges from bankruptcy (Oct 23, 2018)graded secondary

    • "Nov. 1, when… KKR assumes majority ownership control"Epiphone in 2018
11. 11
    Gibson Brands Emerges from Chapter 11graded secondary

    • an ad hoc committee of Gibson Brands, Inc. noteholders, led by KKREpiphone in 2018
12. 12
    guitarinsite: epiphone factoriesgraded community

    • "Several Chinese factories have produced Epiphone guitars"Epiphone in 2018
    • "In 2004, Gibson opened a factory in Qingdao… owned by Gibson"Epiphone in 2018
13. 13
    fandom: wiki/Epiphonegraded community

    • "Epiphone began contracting out to a number of different manufacturers"Epiphone in 2018
    • "a few special models still made in Japan"Epiphone in 2018
14. 14
    Wikipedia: wiki/FUJIGENgraded community
15. 15
    gretschguitars: support/historygraded primary

    • "In 1984, Fred W. Gretsch… purchased Gretsch back"Gretsch in 2018
    • In late 2002 a deal was struck for Fender Musical Instruments Corp. to handle Gretsch Guitars manufacturing and distributionGretsch in 2018
16. 16
    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 2018
    • In 2002 Gretsch and Fender announced an alliance that granted Fender exclusive rights to develop, market, and distribute Gretsch guitars.Gretsch in 2018
17. 17
    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 2018
18. 18
    A brief history of Gretsch guitarsgraded secondary

    • In 1984, the couple bought the Gretsch brand backGretsch in 2018
    • In 2002, Gretsch and Fender Musical Instruments Corp announced a strategic partnership.Gretsch in 2018
19. 19
    gretschguitars: 2014/01/ten years of the gretsch custom shopgraded primary

    • "Fender acquired licensing for the manufacture, distribution and marketing… in 2002"Gretsch in 2018
    • Gretsch Custom Shop is now located in the rolling hills of Corona, Calif.Gretsch in 2018
20. 20
    reverb: news/the rebirth of gretsch guitarsgraded secondary

    • "starting officially on the first day of 2003"Gretsch in 2018
    • "chose Terada, an experienced firm in Nagoya"Gretsch in 2018
21. 21
    reverb: news/how to date a gretsch guitargraded secondary

    • "1989 - present: Japan (Terada factory)"Gretsch in 2018
    • "CY = China - Yako"Gretsch in 2018
    • "IS = Indonesia – Samick"Gretsch in 2018
22. 22
    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 2018
23. 23
    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 2018
24. 24
    guitar: reviews/electric guitar/gretsch shootout g2420t streamliner g5420t electromatic g6120t plagraded secondary

    • "Streamliner models are made in Indonesia"Gretsch in 2018
25. 25
    Yamaha Guitar Group press release 2023-02-06graded primary

    • "Guild Guitars… was added to the CMG portfolio in 2014"Guild in 2018
26. 26
    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 2018
27. 27
    Cordoba, FMIC finalize sale of Guild Guitarsgraded secondary

    • has announced that it has finalized the sale of the Guild® guitar brandGuild in 2018
28. 28
    acousticguitarforum: forums/showthread.php?p=5240671graded community

    • "made at a factory in China under a contract"Guild in 2018
29. 29
    fandom: wiki/Guild Guitar Companygraded community

    • "manufactured in Korea under the DeArmond brand name"Guild in 2018
30. 30
    guitar: features/a brief history of guild guitarsgraded secondary

    • "begin making acoustics in its Oxnard facility in 2015"Guild in 2018
31. 31
    guitarreviewed: posts/7d090c8ea9b256752ae03e3a1476b661graded unverified

    • "made in China by our skilled factory partners"Guild in 2018
32. 32
    A brief history of Harmony guitarsgraded secondary

    • "in 2018… Harmony was reborn as part of the BandLab Technologies portfolio"Harmony in 2018
33. 33
    Harmony acquires Stella Guitarsgraded secondary

    • the Singaporean conglomerate that acquired the rights to, and subsequently relaunched, Harmony in late 2017, along with Teisco.Harmony in 2018
34. 34
    Singapore's BandLab Technologies rebrands as Caldecott Music Groupgraded secondary

    • Vista Musical Instruments, CMG's manufacturing and retail division, includes the instrument brands MONOHarmony in 2018
35. 35
    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.Harmony in 2018
36. 36
    Harmony guitars import line (blog, 2020)graded community

    • "The guitars are now made in China."Harmony in 2018
37. 37
    Harmony Companygraded community

    • "briefly imported 'reissue' Harmony guitars"Harmony in 2018
    • "USA made Harmony Guitars are built in Kalamazoo, Michigan by the Heritage Guitar Company"Harmony in 2018
38. 38
    kalamazoocountry: new owners for heritage guitars in kalamazoograded secondary

    • "a group of investors has bought Heritage guitars and the accompanying building"Heritage in 2018
39. 39
    Changes at Heritage Guitar roil staff luthiersgraded secondary

    • Heritage was purchased in 2016 by Archie Leach and Jeff Nicholson of PlazaCorp Realty Advisors Inc.Heritage in 2018
40. 40
    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.Heritage in 2018
41. 41
    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 2018
42. 42
    Wikipedia: wiki/Hoshino Gakkigraded community

    • "1981: Hoshino changes company name… to Hoshino Gakki"Ibanez in 2018
    • "1969: Hoshino Gakki Ten starts to use the FujiGen… factory"Ibanez in 2018
43. 43
    Wikipedia: wiki/Ibanez Icemangraded community
44. 44
    Hoshino Gakki Co. Ltd. Company Historygraded secondary

    • The following year, the company changed its own name to Hoshino Gakki Co.Ibanez in 2018
45. 45
    Hoshino Gakki (Wikipedia)graded community

    • Hoshino changes company name from Hoshino Gakki Ten to Hoshino GakkiIbanez in 2018
46. 46
    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 2018
47. 47
    Wikipedia: wiki/Ibanezgraded community

    • "also been made in other Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Indonesia"Ibanez in 2018
48. 48
    Wikipedia: wiki/Ibanez GIOgraded community

    • "produced in either China or Indonesia"Ibanez in 2018
49. 49
    Wikipedia: wiki/Ibanez RGgraded community

    • "Mid-tier guitars produced in a special facility set up in Indonesia."Ibanez in 2018
50. 50
    Wikipedia: wiki/C. F. Martin %26 Companygraded community

    • "run by the same family for six generations"Martin in 2018
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 2018
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 2018
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 2018
54. 54
    Martin Guitar CEO Chris Martin IV announces retirementgraded secondary

    • Family ownership of the Nazareth, Pennsylvania-based company... will continue.Martin in 2018
55. 55
    guitar: features/martin guitar historygraded secondary

    • "62,000-square-foot Sycamore Street facility… That was in 1964."Martin in 2018
    • "since the early 1990s, Martin's Navajoa factory has turned out strings, ukuleles and Backpackers… DXM series to Navojoa, in 2004"Martin in 2018
    • "DXM series to Navojoa, in 2004"Martin in 2018
56. 56
    themunicipal: 2023/12/stringing along at the martin guitar factory and museumgraded secondary
57. 57
    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 2018
58. 58
    Drum Workshop acquires Ovation (Jan 7, 2015)graded secondary

    • "have finalized an asset sale agreement"Ovation in 2018
59. 59
    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 2018
60. 60
    Fender sells Ovation brand to Drum Workshopgraded secondary

    • announced today that its subsidiary KMC Music, Inc. has sold its OvationOvation in 2018
61. 61
    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 2018
62. 62
    Bloomfield instrument distributor moves HQgraded secondary

    • DW also bought the Ovation guitar brand from Fender in that deal.Ovation in 2018
63. 63
    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 2018
64. 64
    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 2018
65. 65
    glencampbellforums: viewtopic.php?t=341graded community

    • "the factory will resume production in October, 2015"Ovation in 2018
66. 66
    GEWA purchases Ovation Guitarsgraded secondary

    • "Custom Shop will focus on… Adamas models"Ovation in 2018
67. 67
    Fender to cease US production of Ovation guitarsgraded secondary

    • "Fender will now make Ovation guitars in China, South Korea and Indonesia"Ovation in 2018
68. 68
    blogspot: 2026/04/ovation solid body electric guitars.htmlgraded community

    • "outsourcing others to a Chinese factory"Ovation in 2018
69. 69
    fandom: wiki/PRS Guitarsgraded community

    • "Paul Reed Smith set up a partnership to create a factory in Annapolis"PRS in 2018
70. 70
    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 2018
71. 71
    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 2018
72. 72
    PRS media roomgraded primary

    • Paul Reed Smith, Managing General Partner of PRS GuitarsPRS in 2018
73. 73
    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 2018
74. 74
    Inside Annapolis: Paul Reed Smith feature (2007)graded secondary

    • we developed a strong team and launched PRS Guitars, Limited Partnership.PRS in 2018
75. 75
    PRS staff post: moved into the Stevensville factory in January 1996graded community

    • "PRS moved into the Stevensville factory in January 1996"PRS in 2018
76. 76
    Wikipedia: wiki/PRS Guitarsgraded community

    • "In 1996, the company moved to its present facility in Stevensville on Kent Island"PRS in 2018
77. 77
    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 2018
    • "initially PT Wildwood, and now… Cor-Tek (Cort)"PRS in 2018
    • "a facility, in Indonesia, that is PRS Guitars… just PRS"PRS in 2018
78. 78
    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 2018
79. 79
    crutchfield: learn/prs guitars usa factory tour.htmlgraded secondary
80. 80
    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 2018
81. 81
    taylorguitars: issue/2021 issue 2/cover story/keeping good companygraded primary

    • "on December 31… signing the documents to officially transition the ownership"Taylor in 2018
82. 82
    taylorguitars: about/50th anniversary timelinegraded primary

    • they decide to call the new business Westland Music Company.Taylor in 2018
    • Westland Music Company changes its name to Taylor Guitars.Taylor in 2018
    • Bob and Kurt buy out partner Steve Schemmer, incorporate as Taylor-Listug, Inc.Taylor in 2018
    • 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 2018
83. 83
    Taylor Guitars company history (timeline)graded primary

    • Westland Music Company changes its name to Taylor Guitars.Taylor in 2018
    • Bob and Kurt buy out partner Steve Schemmer, incorporate as Taylor-Listug, Inc.Taylor in 2018
84. 84
    About Taylor Guitarsgraded primary

    • Taylor Guitars is now proudly 100% employee owned.Taylor in 2018
85. 85
    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 2018
86. 86
    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 2018
87. 87
    Harmony history threadgraded community

    • "ceased in 1975, and sold the Harmony name"Harmony Westheimer reissues, 2000–2018
88. 88
    Harmony historygraded community

    • The Harmony trademark and all intellectual property was acquired in 2009 by Westheimer corpoaration in Northbrook, IL.Harmony Westheimer reissues, 2000–2018
89. 89
    HARMONY trademark registration 71688732graded primary

    • GLOBAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CO., INC., A DIVISION OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC TRADE CONSULTANTS, LTD.Harmony Westheimer reissues, 2000–2018

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