Product Description

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Artist GG1EBS Handbuilt Solid Wood Acoustic Electric Guitar & Hard Case

Note: The above images are mock-ups that will be replaced with actual images as soon as possible.

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 GG1EBS, 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.

The GG1EBSL comes equipped with an LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC Undersaddle Pickup. Designed to capture the warmth, dynamics, and natural character of your GG1's voice, this pickup features a streamlined, plug-and-play design and discreet soundhole-mounted volume control, delivering a clear, organic tone without the need for intrusive onboard electronics. With a flexible film undersaddle transducer that mirrors the movement of the soundboard, the Element Bronze VTC captures the GG1's natural dynamics, reducing the “quack” effect common in traditional piezo pickups. An all-discrete Class A endpin preamp, delivers a pure, uncoloured signal, yielding enhanced warmth and body sensitivity.

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)

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.

Note: This guitar is identical to the GG1EQ, the only difference being the choice of pickup. This model features the LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC Undersaddle Pickup


The Tech Features

Body
Back & Sides Material: Solid AAA American Black Walnut
Back & Sides Finish: Gloss
Body Shape: OM
Binding: Multi-Stripe Binding

Top
Top Material: Solid AAA Engleman Spruce
Top Finish: Satin
Purfling: Multi Stripe
Rosette: Cocobolo & Abalone
Bracing: Quarter-Sawn Swiss Sitka Spruce
Bridge Material: American Black Walnut

Neck
Neck Material: Mahogany
Neck Construction: One-Piece
Neck Joint: Dove-Tail
Neck Finish: Satin
Scale Length: 648mm / 25.5"
Fretboard Material: African Ebony
Fretboard Radius: 400mm
Number of Frets: 20 Frets
Fret Material: 25% Nickel w/ Rounded Fret Ends
Nut Material: Bone
Nut Width: 44.5mm / 1.75"
Position Inlays: Abalone Dots
Binding: N/A
Side Dots: White Dots
Truss Rod: Dual Action 2-Way

Hardware & Electronics
Preamp: LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC Undersaddle Pickup
Saddle: Tusq
Machine Heads: Gotoh SGS510
Pickguard: N/A

Miscellaneous/Special Features
Strings: D'Addario EXP16
Weight: 2-2.5kg / 4.5-5.5lbs

Accessories
Included Accessories: Fibreglass Silver Hard Case, 9V Battery, Truss Rod Adjustment Key
Optional Hard Cases: N/A
Optional Soft Bags: HGBAG42

(19016)


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