Gallagher GA-70

I bought this 2005 Gallagher GA-70 a couple years ago. It is a 14 fret, 1 3/4" nut grand auditorium sized guitar. I bought it from the guy that won it in 2005 at the Walnut Valley Festival. I believe it is the short scale (24.9") It is of Sitka Spruce and Indian Rosewood construction, with ebony fretboard and bone nut. Neck is mahogany, don't know from where. There was a plastic saddle (gasp!) when I got it, which I have since replaced with a compensated Tusk saddle. I've got her set up with D'Addario EXP lights (.012-/053) The guitar is heavy, about the same weight as my '81 Doc Watson, and the gloss finish is relatively thick. It came with a TLK case that fits very well.

I bought it for sitting in the easy chair and finger picking. I don't think the original owner played her much, as she hasn't really opened up yet. I like the chunky neck and wider string spacing of the Gallaghers. This guitar is less boomy than the Doc Watson, but it projects well and is balanced across the tonal range that I can still hear... I was surprised at the weight; this is a heavily constructed guitar. I get a little rattle when I try dropped tunings, like drop D for instance. I don't know if it's due to the lighter strings, scale length or set up, but the Doc Watson doesn't do it. I own several guitars, this is the one I grab first as the smaller body size does work better in an easy chair. I think it'll open up and be very special in a few more years of playing.

I know these come from the factory with a bone saddle, but it got yoinked, so the action was a little low (and buzzed when strummed) when I got her. That was an easy fix with a new saddle. Fit and finish overall are very good, fret ends are not as well dressed as I would expect on this level of guitar. New, these things sell for $4500, so it could have been better. But not bad enough to get your knickers in a knot.

If I was going to gig this guitar, I would put a Pure Western Mini under bridge pick-up in it. Which I might do before the year is out. There's one in the Doc Watson and it is clean, clear, and simple. This guitar is heavily constructed, built more like a tank. It would definitely hold up to the task.

I was in Wartrace last summer during the NAMM show, so half the shop was up in Nashville. Since the shop wasn't up to full speed at the time, I got the grand tour. I even got to noodle on Doc Watson's 'Old Hoss', that was in for some measurements. This is a small, dedicated group of folks doing something they love. I asked them about repairs, how many neck resets they get, loose braces, etc. The fella I talked to remembered one neck reset in the four years he has been there. And one repair; the customer ran over the guitar with his truck. I think it has to do with the way they treat the wood. It goes in a room that's heated to about 115 degrees and stays there for three years before they even think about using it. The wood isn't pushed into service, so it's very stable to start. And they are more heavily constructed than some other models. Not being the original owner, I have no warranty rights, but if you buy it new it is a lifetime warranty. I would not hesitate to send in either of my guitars for repair, I know they would treat me right.

I started playing in college, back in the early 70's, but didn't get serious about it until the last 2-3 years. I've got 5 acoustics and a Les Paul. I gig the Doc Watson through a Roland AC-60 with a Shure SM-57 mic. It's a simple yet effective set-up. I get lots of comments about the projection of the guitar, as Gallaghers aren't real common out west here. I was looking for a (Gallagher) Ragtime Special cutaway but this one came up and the price was right. The only guitars I've played that I liked better were by Gerald Sheppard, an old Olson, and most recently one by Michael Bashkin. But in the same price category, no, I can't say that I've found anything I like better. This guitar has a fine voice with good sustain and overtones, plays easily and is hard to put down. I wish it were a cutaway, as I'm currently at the stage where I think I could take advantage of that extra access.