The Shelby by Gallagher: A Legacy Reimagined
Gallagher Guitar: Where Building on Tradition Informs the Present
Experience the rich history and craftsmanship of Gallagher Guitar, where each instrument is part of an ongoing story.
Unmatched Craftsmanship
Each Gallagher guitar is a testament to our dedication to quality and tradition.
Classic Design
Our guitars combine classic aesthetics with modern enhancements for superior playability.
Every Legacy has a Beginning
From Humble Beginnings to a Heritage of Craftsmanship
In 1963, long before Gallagher Guitars became known for its handcrafted excellence, a young J.W. Gallagher was a skilled furniture maker in Wartrace, Tennessee, building Queen Anne-style pieces and custom orders. That same year, a unique opportunity came knocking. Bill Connor of Shelbyville approached J.W. with a request—help design and build guitars for a new project backed by the Slingerland Drum Company. Slingerland’s president, Henry “Bud” Slingerland, had reached out to Connor after working together on automated machines for stamping drumsticks, and the idea emerged to expand into guitars—specifically, catalog guitars like those sold by Sears and Roebuck.
J.W. had never built a guitar before—he may not have even played one—but he accepted the challenge. Without internet tutorials or luthier supply catalogs, he did what any meticulous craftsman would do: he studied guitars by carefully measuring them, dissecting their construction, and learning from the inside out. This process of reverse engineering birthed the first Shelby guitars, inexpensive, functional instruments that carried the DNA of something greater.
Even then, J.W. felt a disconnect. These early Shelbys, though successful, were a step down from the refined woodworking standards he knew. In 1965, he established Gallagher Guitars to pursue a higher calling—to build instruments of enduring quality, tone, and beauty.
A Return to the Roots
Decades later, the Shelby story remains a foundational part of Gallagher’s identity. Inspired by that origin and guided by a spirit of innovation, the Gallagher team—led by Lead Luthier Austin Derryberry and Owner David Mathis—set out to honor the Shelby legacy by creating a new line that echoes the past while offering something truly new.
The result is the Shelby by Gallagher—a line of all-mahogany guitars that draw on the form and feel of the original Shelby instruments, but are designed and built with Gallagher’s uncompromising attention to detail.
Two prototype styles were explored: a ladder-braced version reminiscent of early Gibson models, and an X-braced version for players seeking broader tonal response. While both sounded excellent, the team realized they didn’t want to recreate someone else’s history or another guitar that looked like the existing Gallagher guitars—they wanted to honor Gallagher’s.
That led to the creation of two distinct models with the shapes designed by J.W. Gallagher:
- The Shelby Folk
Compact and expressive, the Folk model offers articulate mids and a sweet tonal balance, ideal for fingerpicking and folk-style rhythm.
The Shelby Western
With a wider body and deeper voice, the Western model delivers rich lows and plenty of projection—perfect for blues, country, and roots music.
Specifications of Excellence
- All-mahogany construction for warm, earthy tones
- Satin finish for a vintage-inspired aesthetic
- Original Shelby body shapes—unique to Gallagher
- Built entirely in the U.S.A., in our Murfreesboro shop
- Classic Gallagher Specs, 25.25″ scale length, 14″ radius on the fretboard, solid wood construction
Accessible pricing, while maintaining Gallagher’s high standards
Pricing
- Shelby Folk – $2,700
- Shelby Western – $2,850
Distinctive Features
The Shelby bodies are unique and bring a new shapes not only to Gallagher but to the guitar world.
Explore Our Shelby Guitar Models
Meet the new Shelby Guitars by Gallagher
