Gallagher G-65

This is my final post for this instrument.

No change to features

The sound is exceptional. Once I fixed the fret-issue (see below), the sound really came to life with better clarity, tighter bass, and interestingly, the guitar is now much more responsive to finger picking. Although this guitar is first and foremost a flatpickers guitar.

Well, I ended up replacing the frets with wide Stew-Mac fretwire, which I then filed low, similar to the Doc Watson Gallagher model guitar. Doing this allowed me to finally fix the buzzing issue which was being caused by a hump at the neck/body. This is a common problem for dreadnaught guitars. I could have fixed it without doing a refret, but I decided to take the opportunity to change to the wide-low style frets. What I was not expecting was such a profound change to the sound of the guitar. Although I already considered this guitar to have great sound before the refret, it improved considerably more. I attribute this partly to the increased mass of the frets, and partly to the change in the neck bow that was possible with the now level frets.

I've lowered the rating as a result of having to do this fret work. However, it should be noted that I did purchase this guitar used.

Same as before.

Having to do the fret work was unfortunate. Fortunately, I do my own work so this wasn't too costly. But this should not have to be done on a guitar only 5 years old. It was bought used, so I don't know the history, and therefore can't fully blame this on Gallagher.

That said, the guitar is wonderful to play, does have great vibe, and the sound is remarkable. I recently spent a day in Elderly Instruments in their high-end guitar room, playing similar guitars by Collings, Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Larrivee, Santa Cruz. Only a Bourgeois compared in sound. Granted, those guitars were new, and will likely open up some. Still, the G-65 would have given any of those guitars a serious challenge, and for less money than most.

This is an update/addendum to my previous post (6 months later)

The top is not hand tuned.

I have discovered that the tone of this guitar is very sensitive to humidity and the truss rod adjustment. It seems to be at its best (see previous review) between 30-35%. Much over 40% and it starts to get that tubby, swelled wood sound. And it sounds much better with a little more relief (>.004").

Hmmm... I'm still wrestling with the fret issue that I mentioned previously (a buzzing note or 2).

Still seems indestructable.

I live out of the US, so sending the guitar to Gallagher is not really an option for the fretwork. It should be noted that they offered to fix it right away.

So far, my ratings stay the same. I'll post again when I figure out the fret/buzz issue - just in case somebody out there cares.

This is a 2002 Gallagher G-65, standard dread. Solid sitka spruce top, 1/4 sawn east indian rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, unbound ebony fretboard and bridge, rosewood veneer headstock. Schaller closed-back tuners. 14 frets to body. 1 11/16 at nut. 25.25 scale. 1 way truss rod. Gloss finish.

The information above can mostly be found on the spartan Gallagher website. Unfortunately, the website doesn't tell the whole story, and the pictures are of pool quality. Here is the rest of the story.

The G-65 neck has a rounded V-shaped profile from the nut to about the 8th fret. Very nice feeling and easily adjusted to from a Martin D-18. The string spacing at the bridge is slightly wider than a D-18. This took a few weeks to adjust to. At first, I was stumbling a bit. Now, I think my overall speed and tone are improving. The wider spacing allows for some Tony Rice tone tricks like turning your pick perpendicular to the string. The neck also has a small diamond shaped volute that looks nice, but gets in the way of storing my Paige capo behind the nut.

The bridge is slotted and sloped from the bass to the treble for perfect action. The bridge is glued and bolted in 2 places. The bolts are hidden under MOP dots.

The bracing is very sturdy, and the top is tuned.

With TKL hardshell case. Arched top and back. Tight fit with 5 quality hinges. Light weight with a very comfortable handle. My guitar shipped in this with no problems.

I play bluegrass, old time, fiddle tunes, and folk.

If you are looking for a good D-28 sound with special vibe, look no further. The sound is warm and woody, with incredible sustain and lots of beautiful complex overtones. The highs are clear and round. I have played lots of great guitars in front of my wife, and when she heard the G-65, she said it sounded like I was playing a piano with the sustain pedal on.

The dynamic range is fantastic. From subtle to digging in, it never breaks down or loses character. This is where it really ran away from my D-18.

I don't think I would call it a cannon. Its not as loud as my buddies Gibson AJ, but then its only a couple years old so it may open up more. But it does project very well. I can jump out in front of 4 guitars and a mandolin in my picking group with no problem.

This is not a great finger picking guitar. It is a very solid dread and takes stiff strings and a heavy pick to get the wood moving. I found that this guitar really prefers 80/20 strings in a medium gauge. The phosphor bronze was too much of a good thing, and the overtones were muddy.

I will rate it a 10 because it is perfect for what I play, and because it is a great value. Of course, there are better sounding guitars probably out there.

Before I answer this, I need to state that I wanted a handmade guitar because I wanted to feel and see that humans built the guitar. As such, I want to see file marks, imperfections, and sand paper lines. If you don't like this, then you should consider one of the luthiers reknowned for perfect fit and finish like Collings or Santa Cruz. To me, perfect guitars lack character and feel sterile.

The G-65 has excellent fit and finish. Everything is hand shaped including the top braces. The bookmatched sitka top is beautiful, with just enough silk and claw to make it interesting without being gawdy. All joints and braces are tight. The guitar feels very rigid and solid, but is not as heavy as you might think for such a solidly built dread.

The slotted bridge is excellent, and is shaped so that the treble side is not as high as the bass side. This allows you to have a straight saddle, yet acheive the .105 to .080 action that bluegrass players like. The pegs fit nicely and it is very easy to get the balls in the right place because of the slots in the bridge.

When I received the guitar (used) the action was exactly how I like it. The low E string height was .105 and the high E was .080. Each string in between was in .005 increments. The neck relief was .006. Perfect bluegrass action. It does have one note that buzzes if pushed. It might need a few frets dressed.

Intonation is perfect up and down the fretboard. Dead on.

The hand filed nut and saddle are bone and provide great tone, as well you can see file marks which I think is great.

There is some laquer on the bass side of the edge of the fretboard that is beginning to flake.

Gallaghers are VERY well built guitars. A common complaint about them is that they are over built. The gloss finish seems very durable, yet looks authentic and should age. The bridge is bolted as well as glued to the top. This was a big selling point for me because, despite my best efforts at controlling humidity, I have had bridge lifting problems with all of my other solid top guitars. No more!

I can depend on this guitar. I do not gig anymore, but I would have no issues taking this if I did. I do play in picking groups 2 nights a week and have never had a problem. This guitar is rock solid and holds pitch in a variety of environmental conditions.

This is a big reason to buy from a company like Gallagher. I haven't needed support yet. I did email Don Gallagher to find out the age and history of the guitar, and his mother returned my email later that same day with a complete history of the guitar. She even invited me to stop by for dinner! Gallagher keeps a log book of all of their guitars, including names of owners and warranty work done.

I have been playing guitar for 25 years, seriously flatpicking for the last 10. I have owned many guitars including Martin D-1, D-18, Larrivee, Alvarez, etc.

If it were lost of stolen, I would be on the phone to Don Gallagher.

You can buy a G-65 for around $2400 new. I found mine used for $1400. This is very comparable in price to a D-28, but it is WAY more guitar. Hand built charm, better wood, tuned top. I love a good Martin, don't get me wrong. But you won't find a Martin to compare with the Gallagher for $2400.

Gallagher has only made about 3000 guitars since they started in 1967. Maybe a few hundred of those were G-65's. So you are getting a great guitar, and a rare guitar, for the price of a very common guitar. And you might even get invited to have dinner with his mom!

I believe this guitar was made in 2001 in Wartrace, TN. It is in the 2700 serial number range. Gallagher has made less than 3000 guitars in 35 years! Word has it, it was built from some stashed old wood? Certainly looks to be so. It is a dreadnought with rosewood and spruce. Schaller tuners/ebony buttons. It has been built with fantastic selection of top end wood. Rosewood is wavy and well cut Indian I believe. It is a wide patterned set, with a lighter color than seen in most Indian rosewood, browner/redder. The top is very unusual..Straight grained, with some bearclaw and tons of silk in patterns overall, it has some darker streaks also. No run out, which astetically I dislike in tops! Bridge and fretboard are ebony. The bridge is curiously bolted as well as glued to the top, with pearl dots covering the screws, standard on all Gallaghers. Strange but effective, this bridge will not lift ever I would say. It may also add something to the tone, not sure cause ths is one scary guitar! Solid mahaoghany neck with a flute near the headstock juntion, lightly stained. This is one solid feeling neck with an ever so slight V in the first 8 or so frets. It tapers nicely and feels wider that the usual 1 11/16". Appears to have a wider spacing at the bridge. And the neck has an interesting wood choice here too. The neck seems to have burl in it, not knots but true burl. Very pretty indeed! Rosewood headstock overlay with an inlayed "G" in glowing abalone, or mother of pearl not sure. With the signature paisley scroll on top. High quality bone nut & saddle. Aged off white binding with silver/black purfling on the edges and around soundhole, not the average black and white, this is silver/black and glows a bit. Ebony end miters. Nothing fancy but very tasteful decor. Nice extremely heavy case included. Lacquered gloss finish. Very nice tortoise pickguard shaped more for playing! The plastic bridge pins will be replaced.

Ahh the tone.....scary unbelievable! Unlike any other dread I've heard. Actually any other guitar I've ever heard. Rich, plush projection, complex, grand, clear and BALANCED. Very loud but most capable to the light touch. I can find no dead spots anywhere on the fretboard on any string! It rings with personality. Tons of headroom and will absolutely not break down no matter how hard you play. Fingerstyle jumps out and is relatively responsive for such a sturdy guitar. Plays smooth and jazzy and will pick with the best if needed.

Perfect in everyway! I almost always have my guitars set up right off the bat. Not this one it! It has been patiently and obviously set up righteously. I honestly cannot find one manmade error anywhere...inside or out on this guitar. I can usually find something. But no detail has been overlooked. What you get from a small handmade builder like Gallagher & Sons. Wood selection is of the highest quality. I have just handed this guitar to folks and without even playing it, just hold it and go wow...it has an ora, a feel that is present while just holding it...sounds weird, I know...but don't take my word for it. Once people play it they always stop and look at it again as if to say what's the magic, where is it coming from? It posesses you, Again I say, it's scary!

This guitar weighs a ton. The kerfing looks to be around an 1 1/4" tall. It is so solidly built, possibly a bit of overkill? Naaa... But once you play it you end up forgeting this guitar is so well built. It become a magical pallette in your hands. The tone is surreal. It is built with durability in mind a trademark of the J.W. Gallagher tradition. It will surely outlive me.

Have not needed anything other than info and they are very friendly, professional and golden, in the nicest sense! Don Gallagher is the mayor of Wartrace, Tennessee so I've heard. How many luthier/mayors do you know? Pretty cool I'd say.

Iv'e got thirty years of professional experience on and off. I play jazz, bossa nova, dawg, pop, ragtime, ole time, latintime, worldtime, folk rock and newgrass salsa... I've owned over 50 handcrafted acoustic guitars they are all dwarfed in comparision. And if my house was on fire I would grab this guitar over any other possession, except maybe my dog...Or let me put it like this...if I were stranded on an island and was allowed to choose any guitar to be stranded with for any price, I would choose this guitar in particular. It is definetly one of the finer things in life!