Zemaitis Guitars
Zemaitis Guitars is a British guitar-manufacturing company based in Tokyo, Japan. The company's guitars are based on designs by the Lithuanian luthier Tony Zemaitis. The company is led by his son, Tony Zemaitis, Jr., and produces both electric and acoustic guitars.
History
Tony Zemaitis began producing guitars in the 1950s and entered the guitar making profession full-time in 1965. During the 1970s, he began experimenting with placing a metal shield on the top of the guitar in order to eliminate microphonic noise picked up by the guitars' pickups. To enhance the visual aspect of the guitars, Zemaitis enlisted the skills of gun engraver Danny O'Brien. The designs include elaborate pearl inlay, either of figures like dragons and skulls or complete mosaic-like inlaid tops.
Since Zemaitis Sr.'s death in 2002, the Zemaitis family continued the guitar-building business in Tokyo, offering both high-end hand-built guitars, and a more affordable "Greco Zemaitis" line of guitars. The current production is based on original drawings by Tony Zemaitis Sr.
Guitars made by Zemaitis are featured in a museum in Tokyo.[citation needed]
Zemaitis guitars do not have as high a public profile as other brands, but are noteworthy for being played by Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, Ronnie Wood, Ronnie Lane of Faces, George Harrison, Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, Gary Grainger of Rod Stewart, Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke and James Hetfield of Metallica.
External links
- Zemaitis.net, official company website
- Interview with Tony Zemaitis, Jr.