Jim Redgate

Jim Redgate, born in London in 1963 and based in Australia, is one of the world’s leading contemporary luthiers. A trained musician and accomplished guitarist, he combines musical insight with technical mastery to craft guitars of exceptional tone, sustain, and projection. Since becoming a full-time luthier in 1992, Redgate has built around 20 instruments annually, including his acclaimed Lattice, Double Top, and Wave Double Top models. Renowned artists such as Pepe Romero, Ana Vidović, Odair Assad, Slava Grigoryan, and Meng Su perform on his guitars, which are widely regarded as among the finest concert instruments in the world.

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Jim Redgate – Guitar Maker

Jim Redgate was born in London in 1963, and his family moved to Australia in 1966. His father, a skilled craftsman, introduced him to woodworking from an early age. At 19, Jim decided to build his first guitar while studying music and theory at college. A year later, he enrolled in a Certificate of Music Performance program, which he completed in 1985, followed by a Performance degree at the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide, graduating with honors in 1988.

During his studies, Redgate performed in numerous solo and ensemble concerts on guitars he built himself, even winning a study scholarship. His experience as a guitarist gives him a rare ability to assess instruments from a player’s perspective—a vital skill for any luthier. After finishing his studies, he chose to dedicate himself fully to guitar making. Initially supporting himself through teaching, he became a full-time luthier in 1992.

Tradition Meets Innovation

Redgate mastered the art of traditional Spanish guitar construction before exploring new materials and techniques. His guitars soon gained international acclaim for their tone, craftsmanship, and projection. Today, he produces around 20 instruments per year in his home workshop in Adelaide, Australia. His guitars are played by some of the world’s most accomplished performers, including Pepe Romero, Ana Vidovic, Odair Assad, and Slava Grigoryan.

Redgate’s instruments are known for their exceptional sustain, warmth, and tonal complexity. They exhibit a wide range of expressive color and superb midrange responsiveness. He offers two main Double Top models: the standard Double Top and the “Wave” Double Top, which features a slightly arched soundboard. Both models are regarded among the finest Double Top guitars built in the world today.

Played by

Many leading guitarists perform on Redgate guitars, including:

  • Pepe Romero (Traditional)
  • Ana Vidovic (USA) – Lattice
  • Meng Su (China) – Double Top
  • Ralph Towner (Italy) – Double Top and Traditional
  • Slava Grigoryan (Australia) – Wave Double Top, Double Top, Traditional, Wave Baritone
  • Leonard Grigoryan (Australia) – Double Top and Traditional
  • Odair Assad (Belgium) – Double Top
  • Wolfgang Muthspiel (Austria) – Wave Double Top
  • Karin Schaupp (Australia) – Wave Double Top
  • Aleksandr Tsiboulski (Australia) – Double Top
  • Emmanuel Rossfelder (France) – Lattice
  • Andrey Lebedev (Australia) – Double Top

Conclusion

Jim Redgate stands among the world’s most innovative and respected luthiers. His mastery of both traditional and modern building techniques, combined with his deep musical understanding, has resulted in instruments played on the world’s greatest concert stages. Redgate guitars embody power, warmth, and playability—each one a true reflection of his lifelong passion for excellence in guitar making.