Gallagher Guitars: Bluegrass Bell - Mahogany

The Gallagher Bluegrass Bell

“It rings like a bell.”

The Bluegrass Bell hearkens back to the prewar days of vintage guitars. Gallagher achieves that goal with the forward shifted x-brace that was patterned after a 1937 D-18. Gallagher added a torrefied Adirondack spruce top with natural (non-torrefied) spruce bracing. They have also enhanced the responsiveness with a thinner, vintage luster finish. In a departure from their headstock design, they incorporated their French curve with a square headstock.

• Mahogany back and sides
• Torrefied Adirondack spruce top
• Forward-shifted X-brace
• Herringbone trim and rosette
• Tortoise shell bound body
• 1 ¾” neck, joined at the 14th fret, MoP dots
• Square headstock with G and French curve wood inlay
• Open gear tuners
• Soft V neck profile
• Nitrocellulose lacquer with light amber finish

The forward-shifted X-brace to the positioning of the X-shaped brace, which is moved closer to the soundhole than in a traditional X-brace pattern. This design has several effects on the tone, projection, and responsiveness of the guitar. It allows for a larger, more flexible surface area behind the bridge, which can result in an increased bass response. This can give the guitar a fuller, warmer sound, particularly in the lower frequency range. The increased flexibility of the top can produce a more dynamic range, with the guitar reacting more quickly to variations in picking and strumming.

Our Vintage Luster finish is designed to evoke the character and appearance of pre-war era guitars. Achieved through a thinner application and a soft, low-sheen surface, this finish enhances the tonal response while delivering the subtle elegance of a well-aged instrument. Unlike high-gloss finishes, Vintage Luster allows the wood’s natural beauty and texture to shine through, giving each guitar a warm, played-in aesthetic that perfectly complements the Bluegrass Bell’s traditional styling.