Rebuilding A Great American Company
Over the past 6 years as a company, NEWMAN Guitars has been goal minded to rebuilding the past, plant ourselves firmly in the present and vision casting for the future. We have established our partnerships with so many quality artists, builders, industry experts with all being guitar lovers that have helped us along the way to preserve the history of NEWMAN. Our publication credits extend to Vintage Guitar Magazine (December 2015, 2016 and 2019), Premier Guitar Magazine (August 2017), Guitar Connoisseur Magazine (February 2021) and Ted Newman Jones last interview with Greg Prevost for Ugly Things Magazine (Issue #43.) These articles have cemented our proper and accurate history since the company was established in Austin, TX more than 43 years ago. Many things have changed since 1978, but when it comes to our history and body shape, the song remains the same.
We have secured the Registered Trademark patents for the logo and name “NEWMAN Guitars” and continue to shore up our intellectual property. And, after 6 years of continuous pursuit, we have secured (NEWMANGuitars.com). We will be launching a new site July 1, 2021 and have shed the .net and will forever be .com. Our effort to rebuild this company is based on our love for the guitar as an instrument. The Ted Newman Jones body shape is truly one of my favorites after playing, collecting and studying guitars for so 43 years. The NEWMAN shape is an American Classic guitar design. It is an honor to uphold the Legacy of NEWMAN Guitars which was built to the acclaim and presence of Rock royalty.
The musical artists we have worked with have allowed us to better understand how specific and personal a guitar can be. I have said: “having a custom built guitar is not the same as having a custom guitar built.” Commissioning a guitar to be built is like the instrument and the player grow up together. Each guitar we build is very special. From the uniqueness of the Asymetrical neck carve designed by Ted, to 24.75” scale on 24 frets to the distinct body shape specific to NEWMAN Guitars, we are still a NEWMAN 43 years later. We build without alteration to the original body shape and specifications approved by Ted in his lifetime. The beautiful shape is the defining character that was acclaimed by the likes of Keith Richards, Tom Petty, Ron Wood, Billy F. Gibbons and others on the A list of rock royalty. Ted told me the cutaway was perfected in 1978 when he saw a mayonnaise jar lid lying on the floor. Like a great song, some things in art are gifted to the artist who becomes responsible to make shape and spread the good news. We continue to build guitars with a blend of Traditional Ted and 43 years of evolution with building techniques and design without compromise to the essence of a NEWMAN. Also, some big news is we are planning to expand the line to a Bass model later this year based on a plexiglass template from Ted’s shop with Dusty Hill written on it dated 1986. We figured that was a good place to start. It seems that so many clues were left behind that keep leading to new direction.
Our history is now well documented, our river runs deep, and our future is bright. I am grateful to so many for the countless contributions over the past 43 years. That said, I’ll be mother bear and looking after the place. Blessings to all of you from NEWMAN Guitars! Jeff Smith