Grimshaw Guitars

Subject: Grimshaw Guitars
From: Raggytash
Date: 14 Aug 02 - 06:50 PM

An acquaintance is trying to find some info about a company who made Grimshaw Guitars. Apparently they were better known as banjo makers in the post war era, but expanded into solid bodied guitars. He knows about a GS33 guitar made by Emile Grimshaw which has a truss rod. Any info would be great

Subject: RE: Help: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,bigJ
Date: 15 Aug 02 - 03:56 PM

Prior to getting my Martin in 1961, I had a Grimshaw although I don't remember what model it was. I had been in London at the Roundhouse pub to see Alexis Korner and his group which included the late Cyril Davis who played a 12-string guitar made by Emile Grimshaw. So impressed was I that I contacted Grimshaw about one for myself but he was quoting such a long time to make one that I decided to go for one that he had in stock; a 6-string cutaway. It was OK but it wasn't the guitar for me, I think it was mainly a jazz guitar and certainly couldn't match the Martin that I bought to replace it - and which I've had for the last 41 years.

Subject: RE: Help: Grimshaw Guitars
From: Raggytash
Date: 15 Aug 02 - 04:04 PM

Hi BigJ, I take it Emile Grimshaw has a shop/workshop if so where, when, how. What was the one you like, solid bodied? You have just given more information than we had collectively. Thanks for that

Subject: RE: Help: Grimshaw Guitars
From: MMario
Date: 15 Aug 02 - 04:22 PM

well - he did 41 years ago...

Subject: RE: Help: Grimshaw Guitars
From: fat B****rd
Date: 15 Aug 02 - 04:42 PM

Sorry, can't help technically but I believe Martin Taylor was inspired by the beautiful Grimshaw Guitar held by Val Doonican on an LP cover and years later when he met the man himself and told him of this he (Mr. D) actually gave him the guitar. There's also a story that when Cyril Davies came out of Grimshaws with his brand new 12 he broke it over some yob's head for swearing at a woman.Just thought I'd mention these bits of useless information.

Subject: RE: Help: Grimshaw Guitars
From: Davetnova
Date: 15 Aug 02 - 04:53 PM

I actually had a grimshaw in 1970. It was a les paul type guitar, beautiful action, beautiful finish but quite a dull tone as I remember and a horrendous head logo. But I liked the guitar and sold it for a good price. Can't supply any more detail though, sorry. (London company I believe).

Subject: RE: Help: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,King Street Smith
Date: 16 Aug 02 - 12:56 PM

Emile Grimshaw was a performer, certainly during he '20's & '30s, on the banjo in the style now known as Classic Banjo. He had a Banjo Quartet and made recordings with it as The Emile Grimshaw Banjo Quartet. One recording that I know of is "Whistling Rufus" with what would today be regarded as racist, vocal in the minstrel style. Nice tune and one I'am fond of playing. He was in the London phone dirctory in the early 1980's but I would imagine that he is deceased. You could search in Google under John Alvey Turner (Stringed Instrument (makers/repairers/shop)and they might be able to give you more info. Grimshaw banjos, especially pre-world war II models, are highly regaded by Trad Jazz players.

Subject: RE: Help: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,CraigS
Date: 16 Aug 02 - 06:22 PM

Mr Grimshaw made some very nice jazz guitars which were very affordable in comparison to American guitars of similar quality. Unfortunately his taste in sound meant that the electrical components were designed to give a clean, rounded tone (rather in the same way that Les Paul insisted on Gibson turning out his Recording models). All his guitars played well, but the electrics were not meaty enough for most purposes, and other makers (such as Zeimaitis) were producing better sounding flat tops and electrics, so the arch-top guitars are commoner than others.

Subject: RE: Help: Grimshaw Guitars
From: Raggytash
Date: 25 Aug 02 - 06:12 PM

All the baove is gratefully received ...any more?

Subject: RE: Help: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 06:03 AM

OK, Raggytash. Many, many years ago I got on stage with a group from Nottingham and sang Sweet Little 16. many, many years later I wonder if Alvin lee still has the Grimshaw he played in 1962.

Subject: RE: Help: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Fat B****rd
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 06:04 AM

Sorry, forgot to rejoin (which I do most days)

Subject: RE: Help: Grimshaw Guitars
From: C-flat
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 11:41 AM

Some info here if you scroll down the page.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From:
Date: 13 Sep 04 - 07:24 PM

I USED TO OWN A LES PAUL SHAPED GRIM ,
   IT WAS CHERRY RED IN COLOUR
   IT HAD TWO SINGLE COIL PICKUPS
   GREAT ACTION , WOULD LOVE TO HAVE IT BACK

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Terry Garrett - Bronley Kent UK
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 12:32 PM

: Hi I own a Grimshaw GS33 solid electric guitar.Can anyone please give any informationon this maker.thank you Eric Phillips

I also own one, deep red like an SG,in fact I reckon it was modelled on an SG/LP type guitar. Ive had it since 1972 bought in Lewisham London . My pal also bought a Grimshaw (a GS 3??) this was a different colour (white ?) and had single coil type pickups making it sound (and feedback !) like a Telecaster. The Grimshaw company was a well respected small buisness based in London until at least the 70's but you never see them around now, so I reckon they could be worth a bit - to a collector. But the trouble with mine (and my pal's ) was the wood for the necks warp and really need a new neck or some work done on them. But the sound when I purchased it thro a Marshall stack in the 70's was pure Gibson - I was going to buy a used SG standard but this was much cheaper (£125 at the time). But with the neck problems I wish I got that SG.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Brian Harding Northampton UK
Date: 31 Mar 05 - 09:38 AM

In the mid 60's I was in a band, the lead guitarist of which had a Grimshaw, blonde semi acoustic electric. It did not have the Rickenbacker truss rod cover and it would have been several years old, even in 1964.( have a photo, still) I subsequently bought a Grimshaw Les Paul shaped guitar in Tobacco sunburst, which played like a dream but the pickups were weak and squeaky. That would have been 1966-67. I didn't get a Les Paul until 1971. Exchanged it at a shop in Bletchley for a Marshall 8X10 cab. Grimshaws looked great and were well made, but the sound.....sadly.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From:
Date: 04 May 05 - 11:18 AM

I purchased a second hand Grimshaw guitar with single cutaway in 1967. I had never heard of the make before but because the action was so good I purchased it for £25. Its not been played for about 5 years and Im wondering how much its worth.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From:
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 07:57 AM

Hi,

In the late 60s I worked in central london and went to Grimshaws a few times. They had a first floor office/workshop in (from memory) Great Pulteney St W1. I tried their Les Paul copy which was amazing and was going to buy one but had to switch to bass coz our bass player moved out of London. I don't recollect the guitars being built there but the pickups were wound in a small backroom workshop.

A few years after, the guitarist in our band got an acoustic fret stoned and set up there but I seem to remember them either moving or packing up later in the 70s.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw SS80 deluxe
From:
Date: 20 Aug 05 - 12:38 PM

I had a Grimshaw SS80 in the early eighties ( tobacco sunburst semi ). It was damaged at the jack socket and had a plastic plate to cover the damaged area. I would like to buy it back if anyone knows where it is.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: el_punkoid_nouveau
Date: 21 Aug 05 - 07:20 AM

I recall a friend of mine having a lovely Grimshaw acoustic in the mid/late seventies, on which Bill Nelson had managed to crack the purling. Steve had it repaired, and shortly thereafter disappeared to Lincoln, since which I have not seen or heard of him.

As a by the bye though, I have a copy of the Grimshaw method of Plectrum Guitar in my music collection!

epn

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: el_punkoid_nouveau
Date: 24 Aug 05 - 02:07 PM

PS - Anyone in Lincoln (UK) come across Steve Channing?

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From:
Date: 31 Aug 05 - 05:41 AM

I had a cherry red grimshaw les paul in the 70s. Sold it. Wish I hadn't. Bought a tobacco sunburst a couple of months ago after a long search.
Its even better than I remember it.
The output from the pickups was always low so a pre-amp is needed to lift it as bit and a bright channel as they are very bass weighted. Action is excellent.
I have had a few Gibsons and don't like them. personal taste I suppose.
Could put fatter pickups on it to liven it up a bit but I like the tone I get through a Fender concert 60.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: el_punkoid_nouveau
Date: 31 Aug 05 - 05:43 AM

Errr... it wasn't a Grimshaw - it was a Levin!

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Simon
Date: 07 Sep 05 - 08:17 AM

Hi

I've just bought a 1962 Grimshaw SB30 BASS guitar

Literally picked it up yesterday for £250

Slight damage where different pickups and god knows what else were screwed into the bodywork which has cracked the laquer etc

I love the way it looks - Les Paul shape mustard sunburst - especially the beaten used look, I play in a rock band and it fits the image (cringe) like a glove!
It plays extremely well, great smooth neck, worn pickups and very low action though I'm starting to worry a little about its ability to hold tune. Got a guarantee though

If anyone could offer any opinions etc I'd be most grateful

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Robert
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 04:57 AM

You may be interested in this. This is listed on Trademe which is a New Zealand auction site.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Music-instruments/Instruments/Guitar-bass/Electric-guitars/auction-35538125.htm

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Tony UK
Date: 22 May 06 - 09:45 AM

I have a Cherry Red Grimshaw semi Acoustic Which has tear drop cut outs instead of F holes
It has been worked on a bit and is an early model with out a metal truss rod
Look really good plays Not so good
This is the Grimshaw way
If any one is interested I have a Photo

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Peter Sloan
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 12:23 PM

I just asked my father, who knew Emil Grimshaw, about the old hollow body electric Grimshaw I used to play around with in the 1970's and was surprised when Dad pulled the instrument out of a closet... I didn't think it was still around. My father bought it from Emil's son in the late 1960's on Goodge Street in London. Unfortunately, an electrician who worked on my parents' home in the 1970's moved the instrument from a shelf and dropped it on its face, cracking the sound board. It still plays fine but is obviously devalued. I'm wondering if it should be repaired or left as-is. I'd welcome any emails about this, [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: eddie1
Date: 26 Oct 06 - 01:11 PM

Len Partridge, (an early influence on Bert Jansch) in Edinburgh, has a Grimshaw 12-string. Cyril Davies had the first, Len the second after comparing Cyril's with the Regal owned by Rory McEwan.
I owned it for a while but gave it back to Len because I had enough trouble with six strings.
Len's version of "The Bells of Rhymney" was a hair-raiser at the old Howff in Edinburgh back in the late fifties!

Eddie

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,MARK JEFFERY
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 03:39 PM

I have been offered a guitar which im told is grimshaw.solid body les paul junior lookalike...someone has placed the gibson logo over the original one.it has a great action and sounds good,on the truss rod plate is gs11 .any information on these models?
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 24 Dec 06 - 01:02 PM

Should have asked me Raggy, I've a little bit of info. Bacon &days 'Gurus guitar guide says- UK 50's- late 70's £50 - £160. Best known for high quality archtops but did a short scale semi in 1956 and a 'Meteor' solid in the early 60's. late 60's to 70's copy/ original solids and semis.
Not a lot sorry!
Ned.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Eric Sandiford
Date: 10 Jan 07 - 09:14 AM

Hi Mark
What you have is a Grimshaw GS11 from approx mid 1960. Look at www.grimshawguitars.co.uk if you need more info contact me.
Thanks

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Terry McDonald
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 04:50 AM

I'd forgotten Grimshaws even though I once owned two of them! I had a six string folk acoustic, bought about 1958, and a 12 string bought a couple of years later. I bought both at Don Strike's, in Westbourne, Bournemouth. In 1964 I used the six string as the deposit for a new Gibson SJN Country and Western (which is still my main guitar) and sold the twelve string around 1967. They were quite good instruments but a bit heavy.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Peter
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 04:38 PM

Hi, I have a green Grimshaw gs30. I rare color. It is in good condition. Can anyone tell me what the value of such a guitar
is?

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,BOB STEVENS NORTHAMPTON
Date: 24 Jan 07 - 04:28 PM

IN NOV '67,I SAW A SUNBURST GS30 L/P STYLE GUITAR IN BALDWIN BURNS WEST END STORE.ASKED MY LOCAL DEALER HERE IF I COULD HAVE A CUSTOM MODEL MADE.HE PHONED THE COMPANY,& THEY AGREED.IN NOV '67,I ORDERED A CUSTOM MODEL IN BLACK,WITH BLOCK PEARL MARKERS,& THE BRIDGE PICK-UP TO BE RIGHT AGAINST THE BRIDGE,FOR ADDED RESPONSE & VOLUME;THIS RESOLVED MUCH OF THE SQUEAKY SOUND.TOOK 4 MONTHS TO COMPLETE,& CAME WITH CUSTOM HARD CASE.AFTER SEEING THE FINISHED MODEL,MY LOCAL DEALER(MIDLAND MUSIC),DECIDED TO STOCK ONE,& THIS WAS A STANDARD MODEL IN SUNBURST WITH DOT MARKERS.THIS WAS IN FEB '68.THE PARK LOGO WAS ON THIS HEADSTOCK(PARK WAS A MARSHALL SUBSIDIARY).I STILL HAVE THIS CUSTOM-MADE GRIMSHAW GUITAR & CASE.WOULD NEVER SELL IT.ONE OF A KIND,SOUNDS BETTER NOW THAN 40 YEARS AGO.APPARENTLY,BERNIE MARSDEN BOUGHT ONE FROM BALDWIN NOT LONG AFTER THEY HAD THEM IN STOCK.SOME YEARS AGO,AROUND 2000,I SAW A GRIMSHAW TELECASTER COPY IN ANDY'S,DENMARK STREET,LONDON.HAD H/BUCKER AT NECK,SINGLE COIL AT BRIDGE.LOOKED AWESOME,WOULD LIKE ONE.I DON'T KNOW THE ORIGIN OF GS30 PICK-UPS,BUT I USED TO BELIEVE THEY WERE BY ARMSTRONG.MY CUSTOM ONES WERE VERY LOUD & MEATY.BEING BUILT ON THE BRIDGE GAVE EXTRA GLASS.A FAMOUS LOCAL PLAYER WHO HAD A GRIMSHAW SEMI IN LATE 50'S/EARLY 60'S WAS JOHNNY ENGLISH,WHO JOINED JIMMY JUSTICE & EXCHEQUERS IN LATE '62/ EARLY '63.MANY SKIFFLE PLAYERS HAD GRIMMIES AFTER GOING ELECTRIC(JIMMY JACKSON ETC).OH YEAH,MY CUSTOM GS30 WAS VERY LIGHT,& EASY TO PLAY.I'VE HAD SEVERAL PRE-CBS FENDERS & GIBSONS OVER THE YEARS,& STILL HAVE SOME NOW.THE GS30 IS STILL MY FAVOURITE AXE.COST ME THE SAME AS A STRAT WAS IN FEB 68.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Guest ,Eddie Hooland
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 02:48 PM

I have just recently bought a 62 les Paul from Grimshaw.How many les pauls were made? Does anyone know more or less and 500 pounds wat that too much to spend for an 100% original one"
Thanks,
Eddie

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 04:06 PM

Say the guitar Val Doonigan gave to Martin Taylor was a Clifford Essex,

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Keith Sellers
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 04:43 PM

Grimshaw made some very interesting,cool looking guitars,his big jazzers had an English european look,not at all American,his mid fifties SS models were a cheeky rip off of the great American guitars of that period,it had a Gibson 335ish thin body,Gretch white falcon headstock,and cats eye f holes and knobs all over,it looked absolutly pure rock n roll,English rock n roll,in my opinion he lost the kudos when he started to try to copy Les Pauls that were expensive,and rubbish compared to the original American Gisons, he also tried to copy Fenders, poor copy Telecasters,his accoustics were heavy and uninspiring,i think if he would have consentrated on the SS and developed that model,and had a few serious names that played and indorced it, he may have established himself as a serious English guitar maker as of the likes of Tony Zematis,John Bailey,etc.etc.Keith Sellers................

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Roger Moss
Date: 31 Aug 07 - 03:09 PM

No-one mentioned the Grimshaw Revelation yet? This added a banjo-style resonator - effectively a second body - to the body of the instrument, which had a rear sound-hole. The sound emerging from behind was thus projected forwards through the gap between the body and the resonator.

A friend of mine found one in a second-hand shop in Bournemouth around 1971, and we renovated it together; we weren't overly impressed with the use of dowels in its construction.

Charismatic, perhaps, but clearly not a quality article...

RM

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: eddie1
Date: 01 Sep 07 - 10:00 AM

Ken Colyer played a guitar with a banjo-type resonator back in his Ken Colyer Skiffle Group days. Don't know if it was a Grimshaw though the time scale fits. (A left-hander too!)
Joe Brown played a Grimshaw version of the Gretsch White Falcon in his early days on TV.

Eddie

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Sebedy
Date: 04 Jan 08 - 07:49 PM

I used to have Grimshaw in the early 60s- it wa a short scale blonde archotop jazzer, thin bodied with cats eye sound holes - worked my way through the Mickey Baker Jazz guitar book on it. I decided to bum around Europe in 68 and sold it for £25 to sub my trip. It was a really great guitar - I miss it.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Maurice
Date: 07 Jan 08 - 06:14 AM

Joe Brown had one in the 50's, also Bruce Welch. And Pete Townsend had a guitar with a Grimshaw body and a Rickenbacker neck.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Bob
Date: 09 Jan 08 - 12:25 PM

I bought two Grimshaw guitars from the man himself in his somewhat plush Piccadilly offices and workshop(later he moved into some backstair den in Soho behind Piccadilly Circus). Actually I ordered his next top cello model (called something like Ambassador) but decided it was too weak-sounding due to too much embellishment, so I got him to arrange for me to have two guitars instead, one was something like a lightweight classic Martin and was called a 'Troubadour' - the other a short-scale electric (see here if you're interested: http://home.no.net/rrpriddy/Nos/Grotto%20%20Club%201958%20to%201959.htm).
I had much trouble with the neck bending with both models - the truss rod didn't improve things much. Grimshaw repaired it twice, but it was very unsatisfactory. I ended up having to pay for repairs myself and actually gave him the 'Troubadour' for a neck replacement on the short-scale one! (I was green about business and he was a smart salesman!).
I recall he had a guitar-playing assistant and workshop engineer called Tony. He once invited me to join a trio he was starting - but it was not so interesting as it would be playing mostly for amusement and only Grimshaw compositions from the dots. I wanted to improvise!

This Emile Grimshaw was probably in his '50s... and was the son of the famous founder of the banjo and guitar business. He was still putting out a magazine called the BMG (Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar) and he had a large selection of sheet music for guitar - both for solo and duets etc. A lot of Eddie Lang and Roy Smeck solos were transcribed, and many other interesting pieces (I used to play 'String Along', I recall).
I'd be interested if anyone knew of the sheet music - whether it is available anywhere at all. This could be something great to put on-line!

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Eric Sandiford
Date: 17 Jan 08 - 01:44 PM

Bob
Interesting story re Emile Grimshaw. Perhaps you would like to look on my web site www.grimshawguitars.co.uk

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Maurice
Date: 18 Jan 08 - 06:57 AM

Very worthwhile site. Re Pete townsend's guitar it says "Pickups. bridge and truss rod cover were
all transfered from one of Pete,s smashed
Rickenbackers"

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Eric Sandiford
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 09:31 AM

Pete Townsend purchased the Grimshaw from Ivor Mairants shop, mainly because Joe Brown used one. He latter transfered the pickups etc from a Rickenbacker which got the usual treatment, because he liked the sound of the Rick pickups, and both guitar and hardware were lying around. It is not known what happened to the Grimshaw, maybe it suffered the same fate as the Rickenbacker?

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Chicken Charlie
Date: 18 Feb 08 - 07:19 PM

I hear they're very hard to find now that whaling has fallen into disrepute. They are just too labor intensive for anyone who is NOT trying to wile away many hours of free time on long voyages.

Chicken Charlie

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,simonp
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 08:00 PM

I have seen a few experimental flat top accoustic guitars made by Grimshaw. Some had a kind of false back like a Banjo. Others had a reflecting curved wooden plate inside the sound hole. I think that idea came from Maccaferri. I used to know Tony Zemaitis well and I seem to remember him saying that he worked for Grimshaw for a while. Maybe he was the Tony refered to above.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: Elmore D
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 05:15 PM

I have bought, probably 12 or 15 years ago, in London, a Grimshaw Revelation n° 45, flat top, dark brown, with the initials "EG" in a mother-of-pearl lozenge on the head, two-parts bridge and an ivory circle round the "rosace". Who said it's a deceiving instrument? For slide, it has a powerful and absolutely distinctive sound. With my mid-thirties Triolian, it's my favorite guitar. Would like to get rough estimate about the date.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,E Sandiford
Date: 14 Aug 09 - 08:13 AM

Elmore
The Revelation "hawaiian" guitar was supplied in fairly large numbers by Grimshaw in the 1930,s
At around £20 (depending on model) they were not cheap and considered
amongst the best available.
For more info see, www.grimshawguitars.co.uk

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,LEWTHWAITEmusic
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 12:40 PM

HI ! not sure if this is of interest or not , but we have recently acquired a small collection of Grimshaw publications ( scores ) of arrangements for plectrum guitar. Some are original compositions , others are arr`s made by emile , and all are ex-shop stock in "as new" condition , dating from the 50s. Please view them on ebay... our shop address : www.stores.ebay.co.uk/lewthwaitemusic .. maybe you or other grimshaw fans might be interested ?

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Bob
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 10:55 AM

You can see a photo of my electric Grimshaw guitar - short-scale fingerboard at Emile Grimshaw guitar - short-scale electric