"Our purpose is to build instruments with superbly rich tone, refined designs and appointments, and the greatest playability available in an acoustic guitar."
~ James & Luke Goodall
Goodall Guitars has been pursuing “Acoustic Excellence” since 1972, building instruments with lush, lyrical tone, refined design, and effortless playability. Each guitar is handcrafted in Sparta, Tennessee, with the goal of inspiring players through a clear voice and beautifully natural wood selections - no flash, just elegance and substance.
Whether you’re drawn to fingerstyle or flatpicking, Goodall offers a range of models and wood combinations tailored to your playing style, and every build reflects the care and skill of a true luthier’s touch. These are lifetime guitars, plain and simple.
Built just right
Each Goodall guitar is thoughtfully built to strike that perfect balance between tonal richness and long-term stability. Bracing is carefully engineered to support the structure without ever getting in the way of the instrument’s voice - allowing every note to breathe and bloom. And with a 5-year warranty, you can trust that your guitar is built to go the distance.
With precision and attention to detail
Every Goodall guitar is custom designed and meticulously built by the father-son team of James and Luke Goodall in their Sparta, Tennessee shop. With over 75 years of combined experience at the bench, their shared commitment to tone, detail, and feel is evident in every instrument they create.
Engineered for playability
Designed by James Goodall, each model is shaped for comfort, playability, and a consistently inspiring tone - no matter the size. Every body style carries the unmistakable Goodall voice, making them a joy to play for musicians of all styles and builds.
Goodall Guitars FAQ
Common questions about Goodall acoustic guitars - the builders, the craft, and where to try one near Boston.
Where can I try a Goodall guitar near Boston?
The Music Emporium in Lexington, Massachusetts is an authorized Goodall Guitars dealer. We carry Goodall instruments at our showroom near Boston, and players from across New England come to compare them in person. Because James and Luke Goodall build by hand in Sparta, Tennessee, inventory reflects what they have most recently completed - reach out or check the page to see what is currently in stock.
Who are James and Luke Goodall?
James Goodall began building guitars in 1972 and has spent over five decades pursuing what he calls "Acoustic Excellence." His son Luke now works alongside him in their Sparta, Tennessee shop, giving the Goodall operation over 75 years of combined bench experience between them. Every guitar is custom-designed and meticulously built by the two of them together - no factory shortcuts, no outsourced components.
What makes a Goodall guitar different from other boutique acoustics?
Goodall guitars are built around a clear design principle: the bracing should support the structure without impeding the voice of the instrument. Every note is allowed to breathe and bloom freely. Paired with carefully selected tonewoods - including Adirondack spruce, German spruce, redwood, rosewood, walnut, and others - the result is an instrument with lush, lyrical tone and effortless playability across every body size they build.
Do Goodall guitars come with a warranty?
Yes. Goodall backs their guitars with a 5-year warranty - a meaningful commitment for a boutique builder where most competitors offer no formal warranty at all. It reflects James and Luke's confidence in the structural integrity of their builds, which are specifically engineered for long-term stability as well as tone.
What Goodall models does The Music Emporium carry?
Our Goodall selection has included the Concert Jumbo, Traditional 000 12-Fret, and models across the Parlor, Grand Concert, and Baritone body sizes. Tonewoods have ranged from Bearclaw German Spruce and rosewood to Adirondack spruce, walnut, and redwood sets. Inventory rotates with what James and Luke have available; contact us to see what is currently in stock or expected soon.