For many years, Gordon-Smith (the original company used a hyphen) was almost the UK’s best-kept guitar-making secret. The brand never advertised its wares or drove around in posh cars, preferring a small (very dusty!) workshop a couple of doors down from a laundrette in Partington, just outside Manchester.
It might not sound very rock ’n’ roll, but the almost-punk DIY ethos informed the guitars and many players picked up a GS-1 or Graduate because they couldn’t get – or afford – a Gibson. And spending time with John, Linda and Chris was always a hugely enjoyable experience.
