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Gower Guitar
Pickups · San Antonio
It is always a treat to work on an interesting guitar with a rich history. This guitar was built for Fate Vanderpool by Jay Gower and was completed in 1958.
The guitar had some modifications over the years. The pickups covers were broken and covered with brass, a Bigsby tremolo was added which required modifying the pickguard, and 2 of the original knobs had gone missing.
The current owner was able to obtain the original tailpiece from Fate Vanderpool’s wife, Vera, and asked me to restore the pickguard to the original shape and make new pickup covers and knobs.
In his discussion with Vera Vanderpool he was also able to learn a bit more about the history of the guitar.
It’s made in Nashville for RCA Studio B musician Fate Vanderpool and used on lots of recordings from the 50s and 60s Fate Vanderpool joined the musicians union at 17 years old when Chet Atkins signed for him to join. The guitar has been in the hands of, and played by Merle Travis, Hank Garland, Chet Atkins and was loaned to Grady Martin for several months.
Start build in 1956 finished in 1958 The wood used was already 26 years old in 1956
The pickups were wound by J.W. Gower and Hank Garland on a modified sewing machine. Hank Garland also had a Gower guitar custom made for him. If humbucker bridge pickup was made in 56 it predates Gibson PAFs.
More information is available in an article by George Gruhn and Staff in the August 2017 issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine.
The guitar had some modifications over the years. The pickups covers were broken and covered with brass, a Bigsby tremolo was added which required modifying the pickguard, and 2 of the original knobs had gone missing.
The current owner was able to obtain the original tailpiece from Fate Vanderpool’s wife, Vera, and asked me to restore the pickguard to the original shape and make new pickup covers and knobs.
In his discussion with Vera Vanderpool he was also able to learn a bit more about the history of the guitar.
It’s made in Nashville for RCA Studio B musician Fate Vanderpool and used on lots of recordings from the 50s and 60s Fate Vanderpool joined the musicians union at 17 years old when Chet Atkins signed for him to join. The guitar has been in the hands of, and played by Merle Travis, Hank Garland, Chet Atkins and was loaned to Grady Martin for several months.
Start build in 1956 finished in 1958 The wood used was already 26 years old in 1956
The pickups were wound by J.W. Gower and Hank Garland on a modified sewing machine. Hank Garland also had a Gower guitar custom made for him. If humbucker bridge pickup was made in 56 it predates Gibson PAFs.
More information is available in an article by George Gruhn and Staff in the August 2017 issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine.