1971 Gallagher G-70 -- J.W. Gallagher era, Wartrace, Tennessee

Up for sale is a 1971 Gallagher G-70: Sitka spruce top, East Indian rosewood back and sides, herringbone trim. Built in the Wartrace, Tennessee shop in the J.W. Gallagher years.

Gallagher is the guitar Doc Watson made famous. He picked up a Gallagher G-50 in 1968 and played Gallaghers for the rest of his life -- his first one, "Ol' Hoss," went on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and sold at Christie's in 2012 for $40,000, and in 1974 the shop built the Doc Watson model to his specs. The G-70 is Gallagher's rosewood herringbone dreadnought: its take on the pre-war herringbone Martin.

In my opinion, this one is as good as an original 'Bone -- the herringbone Martin it was built to emulate.

Excellent sounding and playing guitar with a big, balanced voice. Refretted in 2025 at Seven-C Music with a new bone nut and saddle, and it plays great.

One thing to know up front: the saddle is as low as it goes. It does not need a neck reset now, but there is no more room to lower the action.

Condition / Originality

• Original finish with some lacquer checking, a few minor dents and marks, and light pick wear on the top -- see photos
• 2025 refret, new bone nut and saddle (Seven-C Music)
• Saddle at its lowest -- no neck reset needed now, but no room left to lower the action
• Hardshell case in good condition, possibly not original

Specs

• Top: Sitka spruce
• Back & sides: East Indian rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany, thinner V profile (0.816" thick at the 3rd fret, 0.842" at the 5th, 0.860" at the 7th)
• Nut width: 1 11/16" (1.71")
• String spacing at saddle: 2.22"
• Herringbone top trim, bound fingerboard with diamond inlays, tortoise pickguard, open-back tuners
• Finish: Natural

An early Wartrace Gallagher, honest and ready to play.