Gallagher Ragtime Special - Sitka Spruce & Mahogany

Description The Gallagher Ragtime Special is a guitar born from heritage and devotion, the work of hands that have shaped tonewood into song for generations. From the Gallagher workshop in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this instrument carries the proud lineage of a name that has stood for authentic American craftsmanship since 1965. J.W. Gallagher built his first guitars with an ear for balance and a heart for music, earning the admiration of players like Doc Watson and countless others who sought that unmistakable Gallagher voice. Today, under the guidance of David Mathis, the company’s story continues with renewed vision, blending old-world artistry with modern precision while keeping every bit of the warmth and soul that defined the originals. The Ragtime Special is both a tribute and an evolution. With a Sitka spruce top paired to mahogany back and sides, it sings with a voice that feels familiar yet alive with fresh energy. The spruce brings clarity and sparkle, a luminous high end that responds beautifully to the touch, while the mahogany lends warmth and an earthy midrange presence that anchors each note with honesty. Together they create a tonal palette that is rich, open, and deeply musical, the kind of sound that invites long hours of playing and quiet discovery. Its beauty lies not only in its sound but in the care of its design. The tortoise shell binding wraps gracefully around the body, fingerboard, and headstock, setting a warm border against the natural hues of spruce and mahogany. Herringbone top purfling and a matching herringbone rosette recall the golden age of American guitars, subtle nods to tradition that never feel forced. The ebony fingerboard and bridge offer striking contrast and tonal integrity, while abalone snowflake inlays trace a delicate path across the frets like fragments of light. The mahogany neck feels smooth and inviting in the hand, its shape refined for comfort and effortless playability. A rosewood headstock veneer adds a final touch of elegance, crowned by Gallagher’s abalone “G” and the graceful Bell Flower inlay, both symbols of the company’s enduring artistry. Chrome open-gear tuners keep everything stable and precise, their simplicity in keeping with the guitar’s vintage spirit. With a 1 11/16-inch nut and a 25.25-inch scale, it offers balance and ease across all styles, whether gentle fingerpicking or bold strumming. At just 3 pounds 14 ounces, it feels light and resonant, alive against the player’s body. Each Ragtime Special arrives in a tweed hardshell case, a classic touch for a timeless instrument. It is a guitar that speaks softly and honestly, its voice shaped by decades of experience and care. The Gallagher Ragtime Special stands as both a continuation of a proud legacy and a fresh testament to what can still be made by hand in Tennessee—a guitar that carries history in its wood and music in its heart. Other specifications include: Sitka Spruce Top Mahogany Back & Sides Tortoise Shell Body, Fingerboard & Headstock Bindings Herringbone Top Purfling Herringbone Rosette Ebony Fingerboard & Bridge Abalone Snowflake Fingerboard Inlays Mahogany Neck Rosewood Headstock Veneer Abalone G & Bell Flower Headstock Inlays Chrome Open Gear Tuning Machines 1 11/16” Nut Width 2 1/8" Bridge Spacing 25.25” Scale Length Tweed Hardshell Case 3 lb 14 oz #4402 For more information about this Gallagher instrument, please contact us. Manufacturer Gallagher Body Style Auditorium Actual Weight 3.14 Condition Brand New Model Ragtime Special Series Heritage Guitars