From the sleepy hollow of Gulgong in the NSW Central Tablelands, the shuffling sound of sawdust on floors amidst an air of silent study... this, the birthplace of some of the finest instruments ever produced in Australia. Those lucky enough to have owned a guitar made by Gerard Gilet, or to have studied under his tutelage, know that unwavering attention to detail and old-world craftsmanship are absolute non-negotiables once you cross the threshold of his workshop.
The Artist GG1EQ, designed by Gerard Gilet in association with Artist Guitars and hand-built in China, brings Gerard's unmatched tonal design sensibilities to a wider audience. Handbuilt in a small Chinese workshop manned by a team of 5 expert luthiers, this is not your usual Chinese-made mass-production guitar. We evaluated an (admittedly absurd) amount of production options and were eventually swayed by this workshop's prior work exclusively producing ultra-high-end acoustic guitars. The small scale of production and close-knit team of luthiers allow for consistent communication and real-time feedback, ensuring each GG1 is built exactly to perfection.
Just above the bone nut, Gotoh® SGS510 tuners adorn the mahogany headstock. The Gotoh® name is synonymous with quality, much like the designer and namesake of this instrument. With a gear ratio of 1:15, there will be no endless twisting of the machine head to bring your guitar to pitch, an issue common in higher ratioed, inexpensive tuning machines. These tuners are incredibly smooth and ultra-durable, allowing the GG1 to remain pitch-perfect even under heavy strumming, and the strenuous conditions live use can present.
Pickup selection for the GG1 was a process that spanned a myriad of options and hour after hour of testing. The Fishman OEM INK-501 was selected for its unmatched tone-shaping capabilities and low-profile aesthetic. Having crafted industry-leading acoustic guitar pickups since their inception in Massachusetts over 40 years ago, Fishman has led the way in combining intricate technologies with elegant design, ensuring the presence of their onboard pickups does not detract in any sense from the natural acoustic tone of the instrument, but rather guaranteeing this tone can be replicated faithfully when amplified - a key concern in the production of the Artist GG1.
With a Solid AAA Engleman Spruce Top, and Solid AAA American Black Walnut back and sides, the GG1 resonates magnificently. 90° Quartersawn Alaskan Sitka Spruce bracing and a laminate tail block for increased strength are just some of the specifications Gerard Gilet devotees will recognise. A one-piece mahogany neck ensures heightened durability in varying climates, made all the more striking paired with the deep chocolate grain of the high-end African Ebony slab fretboard.
At the heart of the GG1, the soundhole is surrounded by a ring of twinkling Abalone and Cocobolo purfling - the latter also binding either side of the American Black Walnut body. An exceedingly rare wood, Cocobolo is rarely found outside of national parks and reserves, with an infinitesimally minuscule amount available for the commercial market each year. No expense has been spared to ensure this instrument presents equally as superbly as it feels and sounds
Turning our attention to the tail end of the GG1, a waxed American Black Walnut Bridge is beautifully complemented by Ivoroid bridge pins, inlaid with pearlescent Abalone. Through an extensive and rigorous testing process completed over Gerard’s decades of experience, a tusq saddle was selected as the most tonally rich option for this guitar. Producing sweeter harmonics in the mid-treble frequencies when compared to bone and ivory saddles, in addition to drastically heightened sustain; every point of contact between string and guitar has been tested and re-tested by Gerard, as well as the Artist Guitars team to ensure unobstructed resonance and a uniquely rich tonal profile.
From inception to prototype to production, every single feature on the Artist GG1 has been painstakingly designed by Gerard Gilet, according to the master luthier’s every aesthetic and construction principle. Forget what you know about signature guitar models… this is a guitar completely designed by its namesake.
We could truly spend another 1000 words waxing lyrical about every minute detail that makes the GG1 incredible but at the end of the day, words can only go so far. So we'll leave you with just a couple more.
''The Artist GG1 is the best acoustic guitar we have ever produced'' - Ian Bush (Artist Guitars CEO & Founder)
Brand: Artist
Model: GG1EQ
Body Size: OM Size
Woods:
Fingerboard and Bridge: High-End African Ebony Fingerboard, American Black Walnut Bridge
Neck: 1 piece Mahogany. Dovetail joint
Scale Length: 25.4 inches
Nut: Bone. 44.5mm wide
Saddle: Tusq
Machine Heads: Gotoh SGS510
Frets: 20 with rounded fret ends and 25% Nickel for longer life and anti-corrosion
Truss Rod: Dual action (2-way)
Strings: D'Addario EXP16
Colour and Finish: Natural Gloss
Preamp: Fishman OEM-INK-501
Included Accessory: Fibreglass Silver Hard Case
This instrument is stocked in Australia. If it is ordered on our New Zealand, United Kingdom, or United States website, it will be made to order. The build-time is 8-12 weeks. If you order a GG1 and want an accurate ETA, please contact us via email with your order number.
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