Grimshaw made pickups are the same as SS deluxe but with chrome surround.
Rare Meteor dating from early 1960,s. The Meteor was the first solid body electric made by Grimshaw appearing in late 1959.
Unusual shape of head for a Grimshaw. This rare model belongs to David Cantrill.
GTC twin neck serial number 698 which dates from 1974. Very few of these were made, a green one with two six string necks was made for Francis Rossi, see players gallery
Rear view showing string access on six string neck
Transfer type signature badge and Schaller tuners were standard fitting after 1974
A rare Guitar even by Grimshaw standards. Serial number 1713 GS Custom dating from 1978. This guitar now lives in Riga Latvia owned by Patrick Ganaga
Head from GS Custom was unique to this model. This interesting guitar is owned by Patrick Ganaga in Riva. Latvia
GSC (GS Custom) it was bought by Erik Allary from Belgium in about 1980. See photo of Erik on players page and also his story on messages page.
A very unusual lefthanded GS30 this was previously owned by Bob Barton(Beckett) now owned by Tim Robinson serial number 699. Another example of bespoke guitars from Grimshaw GS30 possibly the last one made. Originally the top was Pink-Pearl finish. This guitar dates from 1974.
The hardware on this guitar, bridge and tailpiece, is standard off the shelf product in place of the earlier Grimshaw made items. Perhaps they had also run out of these? The pickup surrounds are also made from the same tortoiseshell as the binding. Also the tail piece is parralel to the bridge normally they were at an angle.
Unusually the rear lip of the body is bound with tortoiseshell binding. If you were prepared to pay you could have it!
All other GS 30,s had 50mm bodies, this one has 55mm also neck heal has tortoiseshell finish. Due to the extra depth of the body this guitar is extremely heavy. Bob Barton would have had shoulder ache after each gig.
The floral detail on the inlay was done to Bob Bartons spec, by 1974 all the wire type signature badges had been used, this one is a one off. From this date on they used a water slide type transfer. Only the odd custom built guitar got the hand applied signature of Emile jnr
Schaller machine heads became standard fitment on all Guitars after 1972. A very high quality unit which are still good today.
A late model GS 30. Serial number 636. Very unusual combination of black body and natural neck. The contrasting black markers are also a pleasing feature. Jarmo Laine Finland
The stock of Grimshaw made bridges and tail piece had run out so std off the shelf items used, pity they did not angle the tail it was a distinguishing feature of the earlier GS30.
The wire badges had run out to be replaced by the cheaper transfer.This guitar dates from around 1974.
Rear side showing nice contrast. This guitar is in Jarmo Laine collection Finland
Nigeal Barkers rare left handed GS30, Grimshaw would always make special guitars to order. serial number 547
Gary Hutchins Black GS30. serial number 458
Henk Beins rare green burst GS30. Now fitted with Dimarzio pickups. serial number 530
Good quality enclosed machine heads were used on most models until 1973.
GS 30 triple pick up. Rare version of GS30 dates from late 1960,s
GS 30 number 606 nice contrast of white against black owned by Ian Hamilton
Phil Harris collection GS30,s serial numbers, 399,464,526 and 529. 464 is a Park badged-supplied guitar.
Phil Harris collection great shot of all four in the correct cases
GS 30 serial number 484 owned by Steve Salthouse
Steve Dixon,s Cherry Sunburst GS30 mid 1960,s. This guitar had a major refit at Grimshaw in the late 1970,s see next photo of receipt for the work done. serial number 268
GS 30 serial number 305, awaiting restoration. Jarmo Laine collection Finland
GS 30 number 294 owned by Patrick Sugrue. Tobacco Sunburst the most popular colour for GS30,s
GS30 serial 397 black with chrome hardware belonging to Lawrence Drake
GS 30 serial number 495 belonging to Jan Bruintjes Holland
MM on left dates from 1982. Meteor right dates originaly from 1960 but was substantially rebuilt by Grimshaw in late 1970,s
Alan Tong,s Meteor which was rebuilt in 1978 by Grimshaw including new neck and all electrics. Resulting in a very playable and capable guitar
Alan Tong uses this MM2 model as his main guitar with the Silverbacks Blues Band in Cambridge. List price in 1977 £114. See players gallery for photos of Alan with band.
Two unique guitars
Unusual shape made to Alan Tong,s specifications 1982. Interesting switching arrangements giving great tonal range.
Receipt for Alan Tong,s MM 1982. Not a high price for a bespoke guitar. They occupied the Vicars Rd address until the company closed in 1985
A rare GSG from approx 1978 serial number 1738 belonging to Lawrence McCormack. In good original order missing its pickups. Anyone have a spare set of pickups?
GSG rear view showing fixed neck and serial number stamped on head, this was usual on late guitars.
GSG circa 1979 serial number 1738. Schaller tuners and Grimshaw London badge standard on all late models.
Mel Day,s GS7 twin pickup from the early 1970,s switches not original
GS7 model early 70,s pickups are a variation on normal Grimshaw items.
GS 7 rebuilt using many original parts by Julian Hemingway 2011
Cornelius Bruisima,s very nice GS33 from 1969
Dave Irlam,s GS11. A really nice example of this rare 1970,s model
Transfer type signature badge and natural wood finish on head show this guitar is late 1970,s
David Barkers GS11 serial number 1712, switches are non original.
Late 1970,s with Grimshaw transfer badge had part number stamped on truss rod cover
Early 1970,s models had wire Signature badges and wire type part numbers
Ron Barretts custom built Grimshaw 1968. This guitar also featured a comfort pad on back as fitted on some Gretsch models, due to all the complex electrics this guitar weighs about 40lbs.
Triple humbuckers and florentine style cutaway body and Gibson vibrola. An expensive special order for Ron Barrett.
Ron Barrett who was agent for Grimshaw via his shop in Redruth, ordered this guitar to his own very high technical spec in 1968
From the Guy Mackenzie collection a rare 1960,s bass guitar
This bass is a hybrid being part SS deluxe and part MS7
Guy Mackenzie,s 1960,s bass guitar
Brian Etherton,s lefthanded SS deluxe 1961, non original pickups and tone/volume knobs
Roy Barfoot,s lefthanded SS de-luxe 1962
SS Supreme from early 1960,s with stepped pickups, tremolo and f holes.
Graham Lovejoy,s SS de-luxe 1979 made for him as a replacement for his SS de-luxe which he sold in 1965. See players gallery “The Sundowners”
1979 SS de-luxe Replica, made for Graham Lovejoy as a replica of his original SS de-luxe
Jimmy Uprichard,s SS deluxe which he used whilst playing with The Majestic Showband in the late 1960,s
Alex Well,s nice original SS de-luxe circa 1958.
Tony Locke SS deluxe early 1960,s(a rare attic find)
Tony Longleys SS deluxe 1964 cherry red
Tim Buckmaster,s SS deluxe 1958 rescued from a skip!
Roger Clarke,s Revelation hawaiian circa 1935 cost 16gns with shaped case
Head design used on many 1930,s hawaiian models with crescent moon.
G6 acoustic 1950,s pickup is later accessory type. Owned by James Meehan Ireland
G6 head. James Meehan uses this guitar for regular live performances in Ireland
Revelation de-luxe 1930,s this model is round hole flat top, also available as archtop “f” hole
Rear view of Revelation de-luxe
Resonator body and back shown separate on Revelation
Revelation back
Revelation head EG logo in mother of pearl. This logo was standard on all Grimshaw models pre 1940
1930,s Revelation round hole showing Grimshaw signature and number
G5 Revelation. A rare 1945 G5 with built in pickup. Top of the range post war guitar. The resonator bodies were discontinued in the 1940,s. (the second attached pickup is later non standard addition.
G5 Revelation head with later Klusson machines
Very rare tenor four string Revelation circa 1935
Unusual name plate, possibly attached by some owner at a later date?
Tuners were Banjo type pegs
As with most 1930,s models this one is signed by Emile snr
Interesting banjo type tuning pegs. Believed to be some where in Germany.
1950,s four string tenor guitar. Used by The Smith Brothers, a vocal harmony group on the 1950,s. With its original case this guitar was sold on Ebay August 2010.
Early Revelation from 1933, virually all the Revelation guitars were signed by Emile snr
J1 rear view a well made guitar for such a low price
Amplifier and speaker built into case
Premiervox electric hawaiian guitar available with amplifier built into case, distributed by Grimshaw circa 1936.
Grampian valve amp
Premiervox lap/hawaiian guitar assembled from parts supplied by Rickenbacker and some UK parts, There is a photo of one in use by Ivor Mairants in players gallery.
Premiervox in case, this model required separate amplifier
Richard O,Brien (Rocky Horror Show/Cristal Maze) his early 1960,s Troubadour acoustic. Photo supplied by Chris Horton Productions
Pamela Springer collection. G6 acoustic early 1950,s (missing scratch plate)
Pamela Springer collection. Plectric deluxe, which has pickup in neck and also second HF unit next to bridge which was an optional extra, or could be purchased as a later add on.
Possibly the last Plectric made, has adj truss rod and all contemporary late 1960,s hardware. Perhaps a special order to replace a worn out 1950,s Plectric?
Alex Pattersons special order Plectric made for him in 1967
Plectric 1967 see Alex Pattersons story on messages page
Hartford 14 circa 1957, note the different style of head on Hartford models.
Rare bass guitar from early 1960,s in need of refurbishment
Rare bass guitar from early 1960,s in need of refurbishment
Unusual head on this bass model
Unusual head on this bass model
Supreme Bass circa late 1960,s serial number 65305. Hans Duijves, Netherlands.
J1-201 a rare one off in the Gibson J200 style currently belongs to Martin Hughes
J1-201 showing nice sunburst finish. This interesting and unusual guitar now resides in Portugal.
J1-201 unusual head style for a Grimshaw acoustic usually found on MS7 and SS deluxe
Hohner Black Widow was designed by Alan Entwisle for Hohner, Alan based this guitar on a Grimshaw GS7 (info supplied by Paul Day)
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, this is a chinese made copy of a Troubadour 2007. Grimshaw logo on headstock this guitar has no conection whatsoever to Grimshaw London. To brand as a Grimshaw is little more than a cheap marketing con.
Another oddity, The HG Ravenor, Chinese made guitar based on SS deluxe circa 2007, The Hutchins company is owned by Gary Hutchins(who owns a GS30). Gary commissioned this guitar as a tribute to Grimshaw.
If you were window shopping in Denmark St London 1959 this is what you would be looking at. Grimshaw SS deluxe on right with two Framus left. The Dallas is available on easy terms £1-16s deposit 7shillings and 2pence monthly.
