Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
Custom Line King-12 CE NT
Acoustic Guitars "For a guitar that comes in at this price, the overall build is impressive, with a level of attention to detail that’s more than respectable": Harley Benton Custom Line King-12 CE NT review
Fender American Ultra Luxe 60s Stratocaster
Guitars Fender wins historic German court ruling protecting Stratocaster body design
Mark Morton with his signature Les Paul Modern
Artists How Mark Morton and Gibson reinvented the Les Paul for modern metal – and why passive beats active humbuckers hands down
The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist Series in cutaway and non-cutaway versions, and in Rosewood Burst or Antique Natural finishes.
Guitars A future player favourite? Gibson unveils the Songwriter Recording Artist acoustics
Fender 30th Anniversary Hot Rod Deluxe: the special edition tube combo comes finished with a commemorative "Western" vinyl covering, with gold and brown grille cloth.
Guitars Fender celebrates three decades of the Hot Rod Deluxe with a stunning anniversary edition
The Fender John Osborne Telecaster comes factory modded with a B-Bender and has an extended black pickguard on a Road Worn Olympic White body.
Artists Country star John Osborne’s signature Tele comes factory modded with a distressed nitro finish, custom pickups – and it’s even got a B-bender too
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Acoustics 2026: the new all-solid core range takes its design cues from classic high-end Gibson USA builds.
Guitars Epiphone raises the bar for its acoustic guitar range with all-solid builds, rosewood fingerboards and affordable takes on Gibson classics
look mum no computer
Synths Furby organs, lightsaber theremins and the 1000-oscillator synth: Look Mum No Computer on his 7 craziest musical inventions
Gretsch Synchromatic Flacon close up of pickguard
Electric Guitars Best Gretsch guitars 2026: Nail that Gretsch sound at any price point
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $200 off a whacky Gibson guitar, $150 off UAD plugins, and $200 off a must-have Moog synth
A Spark Link receiver in a Spark Mini practice amp
Guitars Best guitar wireless systems 2026: Cut the cord and liberate your playing today
Harley Benton ST-Modern Carlos Asensio
Electric Guitars “An absolute steal when it comes to quality and value for money”: Harley Benton ST-Modern Carlos Asensio CGM review
Taylor Academy 10E
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitar for beginners: Strum your first chords with our choice of beginner acoustic guitars
Lag HyVibe HV10ACE
Acoustic Guitars “Powerful, extremely versatile and creatively refreshing, it offers a ton of inspiration if you click with it”: LAG HyVibe 10 HV10ACE
review
More
  • Sly and Survivor
  • In My Life
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • One chord Diamond
  1. Guitars
  2. Electric Guitars

Gordon Smith unveils new Heritage and Special Edition electric guitars

News
By Michael Astley-Brown ( Total Guitar, Guitarist ) published 4 December 2017

Single-pickup designs, double-cutaways and coil-splits ahoy

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The recently revived Gordon Smith has announced a load of new Heritage and Special Edition electric guitars.

Among the new offerings are single-pickup designs, double-cutaways and coil-splits, with designs harking back to GS’s ’70s designs.

Have a look through the gallery for a closer look and head over to Gordon Smith Guitars for more info.

Gordon Smith GS1 Heritage

PRESS RELEASE: Looking back to the guitars that started it all in 1974, the GS1 Heritage is a modern recreation of a classic Gordon Smith guitar. These are the guitars that powered Punk, were used and abused by British Rock, thrashed by Grunge and were the cornerstone of Indie.

Each guitar is made from a 44mm thick single-piece mahogany body and single-piece set neck featuring the unique Gordon Smith tone pocket.

Gordon Smith pioneered the coil-split humbucker in the 1970s and the design combines with our unique GS tone circuit to make these deceptively simple guitars super flexible. Each homewound Gordon Smith humbucker is made on the same machine and to the same specification as the 1974 originals: the pickup that started a punk-rock revolution.

Every Heritage guitar is hand-built by a team of highly skilled luthiers using individually selected tone woods at our workshop in the heart of England. These guitars are hand finished in traditional Trans Cherry, Natural and Tobacco Burst options.

Specs

Body Wood: Mahogany
Body Profile: Thick
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Neck Profile: Fat
Colour: Trans Cherry
Finish: Gloss Front: Satin Back and Sides
Nut: Brass
Pickup: Homewound GS Humbucker
Coil Split Option: Yes
Tuners: 18:1
Bridge: Adjustable Bar
Scale Length: 24.625"
Case: GS Hard Case

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
Gordon Smith GS1-60 Heritage

Gordon Smith GS1-60 Heritage

PRESS RELEASE:  The GS1-60 was first introduced in the mid 1980s, with our classic single-cut design. Each guitar is made from a 44mm thick single-piece tulipwood body and single-piece set neck featuring the unique Gordon Smith tone pocket.

Each homewound Gordon Smith P90 is made on the same machine and to the same specification as the 1974 originals. When combined with our unique GS tone circuit this deceptively simple guitar is super flexible.

Every Heritage guitar is hand-built by a team of highly skilled luthiers using individually selected tone woods at our workshop in the heart of England.

Specs

Body Wood: Poplar
Body Profile: Thick
Neck Wood: Poplar
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Neck Profile: Chunky
Colour: Vintage White
Finish: Gloss Front: Satin Back and Sides
Nut: Brass
Pickup: Homewound GS P90 Dog Ear
Tuners: 14:1
Bridge: Adjustable Bar
Scale Length: 24.625"
Case: GS Gig Bag

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
Gordon Smith GS2 Heritage

Gordon Smith GS2 Heritage

PRESS RELEASE:  Looking back to the guitars that started it all in 1974, the GS2 Heritage is a modern recreation of a classic Gordon Smith guitar. These are the guitars that powered Punk, were used and abused by British Rock, thrashed by Grunge and were the cornerstone of Indie.

Each guitar is made from a 44m thick single-piece

Brazilian Cedar body and single-piece set neck featuring the unique Gordon Smith tone pocket. Gordon Smith pioneered the coil-split humbucker in the 1970s and the design combines with our unique GS tone circuit to make these deceptively simple guitars super flexible.

Each homewound Gordon Smith humbucker fitted on the Heritage models is wound on the same machine as the 1974 originals.

Every Heritage guitar is hand-built by a team of highly skilled luthiers using individually selected tone woods at our workshop in the heart of England.

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Gordon Smith GS2 Deluxe Heritage

Gordon Smith GS2 Deluxe Heritage

PRESS RELEASE:  Inspired by the original Gordon Smith models the GS2 Deluxe Heritage has a beautiful real bound body and gold hardware, including 22 carat gold plated pole pieces.

It has a one piece mahogany body with bookmatched European Sycamore (Maple) top and a single-piece maple set neck featuring the unique Gordon Smith tone pocket.

It is finished in a stunning three tone Cognac Burst, with a colour matched headstock; gloss front, satin back and sides.

Gordon Smith pioneered the coil-split humbucker in the 1970s and the design combines with our unique GS tone circuit to make these great looking guitars super flexible. Each homewound Gordon Smith humbucker is made on the same machine and to the same specification as the 1974 originals.

Every Heritage guitar is hand-built by a team of highly skilled luthiers using individually selected tone woods at our workshop in the heart of England.

Specs

Body Wood: Mahogany
Body Profile: Thick
Bind Colour: Cream (body)
Neck Wood: Maple
Fingerboard: Maple
Neck Profile: Classic
Colour: Cognac Burst
Finish: Gloss Front: Satin Back and Sides
Nut: Brass
Pickup: Homewound GS Humbuckers
Coil Split Option: Yes
Hardware: Gold
Body Bind: Real
Tuners: 18:1
Bridge: Tunomatic
Scale Length: 24.625"
Case: GS Hard Case

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
Gordon Smith Graf Deluxe Heritage

Gordon Smith Graf Deluxe Heritage

PRESS RELEASE:  The Graf has a small, lightweight body and bolt on neck. The body is made from a single-piece of mahogany with a pommele top and real binding, and the headstock is finished with colour matched pommele.

Gordon Smith pioneered the coil-split humbucker in the 1970s and the design combines with our unique GS tone circuit to make these fantastically playable guitars super flexible. Each homewound Gordon Smith humbucker and single coil is wound on the same machine and to the same specification as the 1974 originals.

Every Heritage guitar is hand-built by a team of highly skilled luthiers using individually selected tone woods at our workshop in the heart of England. It is finished in a stunning Trans Red, with a colour matched headstock; gloss front, satin back and sides.

Specs

Body Wood: Mahogany
Body Profile: Thick
Body Top: Pommele
Body Bind: Real
Neck Wood: Maple
Fingerboard: Maple
Neck Profile: Classic
Colour: Trans Cherry Burst
Finish: Gloss Front, Satin Back and Sides
Nut: Brass
Pickups: Homewound GS Humbucker & Single Coil
Coil Split Option: Yes
Tuners: 18:1
Bridge: GOTOH 510
Hardware: Chrome
Scale Length: 25.5"
Case: Gordon Smith ABS case

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
Gordon Smith Graduate Heritage

Gordon Smith Graduate Heritage

PRESS RELEASE: Recreating the guitars that started it all in 1974, the Graduate Heritage is a thick body, twin humbucker, full-tone guitar with a double cutaway. It really is the ultimate expression of our luthier’s art.

Each guitar is made from a 44mm thick single piece mahogany body with a spruce tonewood cap and pommele top. A single-piece set neck featuring the unique Gordon Smith tone pocket and ebony fingerboard.

The body is double bound and the pommele top looks stunning with gold hardware, including 22 carat gold plated pole pieces. The single piece neck is also bound and the headstock is finished with colour matched pommele.

Gordon Smith pioneered the coil-split humbucker in the 1970s and the design combines with our unique GS tone circuit to make these stunning guitars super flexible. Each homewound Gordon Smith humbucker is wound on the same machine as the 1974 originals.

Every Heritage guitar is hand-built by a team of highly skilled luthiers using individually selected tone woods at our workshop in the heart of England.

Specs

Body Wood: Mahogany
Body Profile: Thick
Body Top: Pommele
Body Bind: Real
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
Neck Profile: Classic
Neck Bind: Real
Colour: Tobacco Burst
Finish: Gloss Front, Satin Back and Sides
Nut: Brass
Pickups: Homewound GS Humbuckers
Coil Split Option: Yes
Tuners: 18:1
Bridge: Tunomatic
Hardware - Gold
Scale Length: 24.625"
Case: GS Hard Case

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Gordon Smith GS1000 Special Edition

Gordon Smith GS1000 Special Edition

PRESS RELEASE:  The GS1000 Special Edition gives a modern interpretation of the classic Gordon Smith design.

Complementing the beauty of the natural wood of the body with modern colour tops, premium Gotoh 510 bridge and chrome pickup cover and controls.

Each guitar body is made from a single piece of Brazilian Cedar and a single-piece set neck featuring the unique Gordon Smith tone pocket. The body and neck are both fully bound.

Gordon Smith pioneered the coil-split humbucker in the 1970s and the design combines with our unique GS tone circuit to make these deceptively simple guitars super flexible.

Each homewound Gordon Smith humbucker is wound on the same machine and to the same specification as the as the 1974 originals: the pickup that started a punk rock revolution.

Every Special Edition guitar is hand-built by a team of highly skilled luthiers using individually selected tone woods at our workshop in the heart of England.

This guitar is hand finished in Black, Clipper Blue, Postbox Red and Vintage White.

Specs

Body Wood: Brazilian Cedar
Body Profile: Thick
Body Bind: Real
Bind Colour: Cream (body & neck)
Neck Wood: Brazilian Cedar
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Neck Profile: Chunky
Colour: Jet Black
Finish: Gloss Front, Satin Back and Sides
Nut: Brass
Pickups: Homewound GS Humbucker
Coil Split Option: Yes
Tuners: 18:1
Bridge: GOTOH 510
Hardware: Chrome
Scale Length: 24.625"
Case: GS Hard Case

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
Michael Astley-Brown
Michael Astley-Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.

Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition. image
Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition.
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
Gretsch Synchromatic Flacon close up of pickguard
Electric Guitars Best Gretsch guitars 2026: Nail that Gretsch sound at any price point
 
 
The Gibson Songwriter Recording Artist Series in cutaway and non-cutaway versions, and in Rosewood Burst or Antique Natural finishes.
Guitars A future player favourite? Gibson unveils the Songwriter Recording Artist acoustics
 
 
Gibson Original Collection (L-R) featuring the SJ-200 60s, J-160E, and the LG-2 50s.
Guitars The Beatles-approved J-160E makes its return as Gibson unveils a trio of Original Collection flat-tops celebrating the golden era of acoustic guitar making
 
 
Close up of Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars under $500/£500 2026: Affordable electrics
 
 
Gary Clark Jr plays his signature Cobra Burst ES-355 live onstage.
Artists Gary Clark Jr channels the King of the Blues for limited edition Gibson Custom Shop collab
 
 
Seymour Duncan Mortal-Coil Multi-Voice Humbuckers
Guitars Seymour Duncan unveils MortalCoil active humbucker set – will it dethrone Fishman as metal’s state-of-the-art pickup?
 
 
Latest in Electric Guitars
The Fender John Osborne Telecaster comes factory modded with a B-Bender and has an extended black pickguard on a Road Worn Olympic White body.
Artists Country star John Osborne’s signature Tele comes factory modded with a distressed nitro finish, custom pickups – and it’s even got a B-bender too
 
 
Fender American Ultra Luxe 60s Stratocaster
Guitars Fender wins historic German court ruling protecting Stratocaster body design
 
 
Gibson Mark Ronson Les Paul Custom
Guitars Gibson unveils Murphy Lab replica of Mick Ronson’s Bowie-era 1968 Les Paul Custom
 
 
Harley Benton ST-Modern Carlos Asensio
Electric Guitars “An absolute steal when it comes to quality and value for money”: Harley Benton ST-Modern Carlos Asensio CGM review
 
 
Gary Clark Jr plays his signature Cobra Burst ES-355 live onstage.
Artists Gary Clark Jr channels the King of the Blues for limited edition Gibson Custom Shop collab
 
 
A Fender Vintera II 50s Nocaster electric guitar on a yellow background
Electric Guitars Get golden-era guitar tone with $600 off thanks to the awesome Presidents' Day sale on Vintera II guitars over at the official Fender store
 
 
Latest in News
Melissa Auf der Maur and Courtney Love in 1998
Bass Guitars “It took me one second to understand that she's a survivor”: Melissa Auf der Maur on why she’s “proud” of Courtney Love
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Bruno Mars performs onstage during the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Artists Why Bruno Mars' new single Risk It All could have ended up sounding very different
 
 
James Blake performs during the inaugural 2024 Gazebo Festival at Waterfront Park on May 25, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Producers & Engineers "I’d say 95 percent of the work I’ve done was unpaid”: James Blake on the hit and miss nature of production work
 
 
Diane Warren and KPop Demon Hunters
Artists Songwriter Diane Warren’s Oscars losing streak goes on as KPop Demon Hunters’ Golden wins
 
 
AUSTIN, TX - DECEMBER 09:  Displayed in public for the first time is John Lennon's piano, used to write numerous Beatles songs and part of Indianapolis Colts CEO and Owner Jim Irsay's "Jim Irsay Collection" during a reception at the Four Seasons Hotel on December 9, 2021 in Austin, Texas.  (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images)
Keyboards & Pianos "Lot after lot, we felt like we were making history”: John Lennon’s Broadway piano goes for £2.5 million
 
 
oneshot2
Tech "How real can drums feel inside a plugin?": Klevgrand promises to "redefine what a drum sampler can be" with OneShot 2
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...