My best selling guitars for years...

Ana Vidovic interview, Guitar Player magazine, August 2007

You play a Jim Redgate guitar, what drew you to that instrument?

"One of my friends played a Redgate and he gave me the guitar to play a little bit. I liked it immediately-it's one of the best instruments I've ever played. I was looking for a loud, powerful guitar, but I was also looking for a guitar that had a clean, warm, and beautiful sound that could be used to create many different tonal colors. I've found that it's tricky to find a loud guitar that also has a very nice sound, but the Redgate has both."

For more than a decade now, Jim Redgate guitars have been the most sought after and acquired guitars in my shop. Once Ana Vidovic decided to play and record exclusively with a Redgate, the popularity of these guitars increased even further. Like all great contemporary builders Jim is highly innovative and is constantly improving an already legendary guitar. His concepts grew from an appreciation of the design ideas of Smallman and the sound of Fleta, and recent innovations reflect ideas common with the guitars of Dammann.

Redgate guitars are true hybrid instruments which have evolved into their own genre. I recently had the rare pleasure of having a Fleta, a Smallman, two Dammann's and a Redgate side by side in my shop to play. All of these world class guitars have unique and quite different qualities and it is interesting to speculate as to the influence these makers have had on the sound of the Redgate. Somehow he manages, like an Alchemist, to blend the best characteristics of Smallman, Fleta, and Dammann into a tonal creation of his own.

This is perhaps why the Redgate sound has resonated so well with players and artists around the world. His lattice bracing concepts have evolved into a completely unique bracing system which, combined with Jim's natural ability to harmonize every aspect of the construction of his guitars, creates a result where the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Jim also recommends his new 'ported bridge' ( see photo at right), this concept allows the air to move more efficiently and also saves about 5 grams of weight in this critical area leading to a more open sounding guitar ( standard non-ported bridge is available as well ).All Redgate guitars now come standard with an elevated fingerboard.

Jim has a fantastic supply of stunning master grade Cedar for the soundboard. All woods are Master grade though there is an option to have the pick of his wood stock that is in limited supply for the very best aesthetic sets. This "special" option is available for those who want something aesthetically unique. Redgate guitars are now fitted with Spanish hand engraved Fustero tuners. Handcrafted Graf tuning machines are also available for an additional fee or supply him direct with the tuner of your choice.

To learn more click here to visit the Jim Redgate homepage, and feel free to contact me directly for the answers to any questions you have or to discuss placing an order.