Raphaella SMITS
John Gilbert, luthier Raphaella Smits
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about the guitarmaker
about the guitar


about the guitarmaker

John Gilbert (1922-2012)

John Gilbert, a former tool engineer at the computer industry, became a completely self-taught guitar maker. Carrying out repairs and building guitars as a hobby since 1965, permanent encouragements from players made him decide to become a full-time guitar maker in 1974.

His experience in high-tech engineering gave Gilbert a special attitude, focusing on measurement of dimensions, weight and stiffness. The result was a reputation for consistency, both from the lowest to the highest fret and from one instrument to another. Gilbert's instruments are intended as vehicles for the players artistry.

His son William (Bill) joined John in 1991. Until recently he has build guitars under his own name.

John Gilbert wrote a series of interesting articles: they were published on the internet by luthier Dave Schramm.


about the guitar

The John Gilbert guitar #46 of 1980

String lenght: 654mm (the first in this length).
It was the fourth eight-string instrument built, the design is original; not really based upon any given style.
It incorporates basic brace layouts similar to both Spanish and other European makers with standard fan struts with transverse braces just below the soundhole.
The face is Sitka Spruce, the back and sides are Indian rosewood, the neck is Spanish cedar.


John Gilbert #46

John Gilbert #46

John Gilbert #46

Raphaella Smits & John Gilbert
John and Raphaella in 1986

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