Being a big Doc Watson fan I just naturally wanted a Gallagher guitar. Well I got one, and a dandy, a Doc Watson model with the cutaway. It's a guitar with a bit of history too as it was a first prize from a flatpick contest at one of the Merlefests. This is a loud and well balanced instrument with that characteristic bell like tone of the GALLAGHERS.

Well, I wanted another! So I decided to take the trip to Wartrace and meet both Stephen (3d generation!) and his dad Don, to pick one out from guitars in stock there at "the source". LORDY!, the first thing they handed me to play was Ol' Hoss! Yes, this historic first Gallagher that Doc used on the Circle album and all the Flying Fish recordings and concerts from 1969 until 1975 still plays and sounds unbelievable. They have it there at the shop now. To hold it and see the wear on the finish and scars etc really revealed to me how much time Doc spent(Ds)behind the guitar. There was literally no finish on the back of the neck! And I was aware at the time of playing this guitar that from 1975 till present the guitar has been in the Country Music Hall of Fame so I knew it was somewhat frozen in time right at the point Doc retired it.

Well after playing Ol Hoss, I tried about 10 Gallagers (since they wouldn't let me pick Ol Hoss)and with that sound in my ears and feel in my fingers I picked one to take home that was like a sibling, and named him "Little Hoss".

It's a 71 Special with Rosewood and a Sitka Top that has a little quilted wave against the grain.

Am I on a cloud??? ...Yeah I reckon so!

Dale:)