Grimshaw Guitars

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Bob
Date: 22 Jul 10 - 02:45 PM

Having rediscovered this thread, I note that Simonp mentions the name Tony Zemaitis. I am sure this was the same Tony who worked in Emile Grimshaw's workshop fixing guitars... winding coils for humbuckers and so on. He was also a guitar player, of course, and was playing somewhere in London at the time, I recall. I don't think he joined his employer's little band... perhaps a bit too old-fashioned for him, as no doubt for me too.
I was playing at The Grotto Club in Baker Street... an amusing residency for over a year... a Roman Catholic Club indeed. One of its regulars who used to sit in on bongos was John Junkin (later in 'A Hard Day's Night' with the Beatles, who he knew from his youth in Liverpool.
Bob

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,COLIN ANDREWS
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 03:19 PM

I HAVE A GRIMSHAW ACOUSTIC GUITAR WHICH USED TO BELONG TO MY NOW DECEASED BROTHER. HE BOUGHT IT SECONDHAND ABOUT 1960.IT HAS A SINGLE 'FRAMUS' ELECTRIC PICK UP AND VOLUME/TONE CONTROL. CONDITION NOW SHABBY BUT THE NECK IS STRAIGHT AND ORIGINAL INLAYS ARE INTACT. THE CELLO BODY IS ALSO INTACT WITH ONLY 2 SMALL CRACKS WHICH MAY BE ONLY VARNISH DEEP. THE TRIMS ROUND THE 'F' HOLES AND MOST OF THE BODY ARE LOOSE OR MISSING. VARNISH IS EXTENSIVELY CRAZED. NO KNOWN HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS.
THE BIG QUESTION IS--- "IS IT WORTH RESTORING?"
DOES ANYONE OUT THERE HAVE IDEAS/OPINIONS/ADVICE.
MY email adress is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Norman Small
Date: 11 Aug 13 - 08:17 AM

I still have my Grimshaw TA6E Troubadour bought around 1962,
   I also owned an SS deLuxe (see Grimshaw Players on Eric,s sight).
   Would dearly love to get one, with "f" holes similar. Can anyone
   point me to one.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 11 Aug 13 - 09:28 AM

Bruce Welch of the Shadows played a Grimshaw for a while when they were known as The Drifters!
Bruce Welch with Grimshaw SS Deluxe

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 11 Aug 13 - 12:19 PM

Yep, and that looks like an Antoria than Hank Marvin's holding. My friend's Antoria was the first electric I ever played, back in 1961-ish.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: GUEST,Brian Hall
Date: 26 Feb 17 - 09:11 AM

I have owned a Revelation model for about 10 years now. Its number 194, which puts it in late 30,s I think, completely original,with original hard case. although I am using a Gibson L5 pickguard as the original had been cut to mount a pickup in it It has the original bridge which has been lowered to get a playable action. I play it with the resonator removed, as its a bit bulky otherwise, and it does,nt affect it much. Its in really good condition, and I shall never sell it.

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: banjoman
Date: 27 Feb 17 - 07:36 AM

I have a Grimshaw banjo signed by the maker and covered on the neck in mother of pearl inlays spelling out his initials. Its not really very playable as a previous owner left it in a damp garage so it needs a lot of work to straighten the neck.
If his guitars are made anything like as well, then they must be pretty awesome

Subject: RE: Grimshaw Guitars
From: Tony Rees
Date: 07 Nov 22 - 02:24 AM

I spent a while researching Grimshaw guitars off and on over the years, prompted by acquiring a Revelation G5 archtop (c. 1940) in the late 1970s and having it restored, before parting with it in the mid 80s (sold though John Alvey Turner's shop in London, 196 as I recall; I have included a photo of it in a new Wikipedia article that I have constructed regarding the company and its products, drawing on many sources around the net, but most prominently on Eric Sandiford's excellent site at https://www.grimshawguitars.co.uk/.

You can see the finished page (published just now) here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimshaw_Guitars

All comments and feedback welcome.

Cheers - Tony Rees