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MF: What is the most common body shape you sell?
Why?
Don Gallagher: The most common body shape we
build is the dreadnaught size, however we build quite
a few small body guitars today. Our market tends to
be flatpickers.
MF: What are the most common woods sold for
back and sides? Why?
Don Gallagher: Indian rosewood and African mahogany
are the two most common woods we use. The African mahogany
is [a] type of wood we have used to great advantage.
These mahogany guitars have good note definition and
a deep sound unlike typical mahogany guitars. I believe
we are noted for our mahogany instruments.
MF: When designing a completely new model, what
process do you use to determine the woods used? Bracing
pattern? Etc.
Don Gallagher: Most of the fifteen models we
make have come about because of requests we have gotten
from musicians. Which is to say, that our basic designs
are driven by the needs of the musicians we are building
for.
MF: What are the benefits/disadvantages of a
bolt-on neck? A radius top? Radius fingerboard?
Don Gallagher: We have never used a bolt-on
neck. We have always used a dovetail joint. We feel
the dovetail joint is stronger, more durable, and not
only transmits the vibrations from the neck to the body
better but helps provide the instrument with a fuller
type of sound.
The arch top and back make the instruments stronger
as well as enhance the sound and projection of the instruments.
A radius neck certainly makes a guitar more playable.
MF: What strings do you recommend for your guitars?
What guage? Why?
Don Gallagher: We install medium GHS bright
bronze strings on our guitars here at the shop. We have
been a customer of GHS since a year after they went
into business. They comliment the sound of our instruments
excellently.
MF: Do you have an over-all philosophy of building
that defines your decisions and building choices?
Don Gallagher: Our business is more of a lifestyle
than a business. We enjoy what we do. Our greatest reward
is to build a product that it well received by our customers.
MF: What plans do you have for the future?
Don Gallagher: My middle son, Stephen, has just
finished college and is now working full time at the
shop, so we hope the tradition of Gallagher guitars
will continue for many years to come.
Note: The opinions expressed by Don Gallagher are not
necessarily those of Music Folk and should not imply
Music Folk's endorsement of one product over another.
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