In the mid to late 70's, the instrument makers at the Godwin Company took the guts of an electronic organ and fitted them in, what looks like, a jazz guitar body. Vox and Musiconics also manufactured guitars like this. Of all the organ guitars the Godwin is the most unique, the most complex, and the hardest to come across. Unlike the other organ guitars this one has all the functions you would find on an electronic organ including percussion, volume for the different intervals ("Drawbars" if you will), vibrato, and sustain. Apparently it sounds close to a Hammond B3 ! This one was on Ebay with a starting bid of US $8000.
Hi: re: the Guitar-organ. Teh Journalist Teisco Del Ray (real name Dan F ... - damn memory) had a similar instrument. He collects cheap and unusual guitars. I worked for Guitar Player and Guitar World, and I think he's at Rolling Stone now. I don't know him, but I certainly remember reading articles about his strange beast in the late 80s, early 90s. If you can track him down, he would possibly be able to help.
Great site, by the way.
Posted by: D Lewis | December 12, 2008 at 08:39 AM
I know someone who has one of these and wants to sell it. He said John Lennon played it once, and recorded a version of a hard days night on it. John was looking for one, and he had a go on my friend's. I think he said Paul McCartney would not sell his because he was only offered £80,000.
Posted by: AFarley | January 04, 2009 at 10:20 PM
I worked for Sisme, Italy, who manufactured the Godwin range of equipment in the mid 70's.
I remember spending hours playing the "Gorgan."
The frets were split into 6 sections and were the note contacts. The frets and strings had to be kept really clean. Any sweat would cause a noisey contact and it would sound like crap...
Posted by: Tim C | August 18, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I am looking to buy a Godwin Guitar-organ. If you have one for sale or know of any that might be for sale, please contact me at Screenery[AT]gmail[DOT]com.
Thanks,
Mitch
Posted by: Mitch | March 22, 2010 at 12:52 AM
Hi my name is John, I can be contacted on
[email protected]
or Skype at spinafex123
I have just acquired one of these beasties in almost unplayed, absolute mint condition and am trying to find an OWNERS/OPERATORS manual copy for same and hope someone can maybe point me in the right direction?
I was fortunate enough to find a mud map, (circuit Diagram) for it just after I bought it and I have bought a Boss RT-20 rotary simulator to go with it, I have dismantled the guitar organ and gave it a good check out and some minor structural repairs internally, (only caused by some bracing timber drying out and old glue letting go), nothing major, now it is BETTER than new inside, shined up the frets for maximum contact, nice polish and now "ready for the road" all I need is the owners manual to make it a complete unit setup.
I hope someone out there can help me in this quest?
Posted by: John O'Brien | September 20, 2011 at 02:52 AM