Luthier
Goodall Guitars
- Luthiers
- James & Luke Goodall
- Location
- Fort Bragg, California
- Founded
- 1972
Goodall Guitars was formed in 1972 with a simple premise which became their mission statement: acoustic excellence.
This means that their purpose is to build instruments with superbly rich tone, refined designs and appointments, and the greatest playability available in an acoustic guitar. They think of their guitars as a musical tool and strive for elegant design executed with precision, comparable to that of a master built violin. Their philosophy is to create the finest instruments available at any cost. Favoring tasteful appointments, Goodall guitars avoid overly extravagant cosmetic options and allow the natural beauty of the woods to tell their own story.

“Acoustic Excellence”
The Guitars
From parlors to baritones, steel to nylon, and 6- and 12-string guitars, Goodall offers a wide range of options.
Models
Standard specifications
- Back/Side Wood
- Indian or Palo Escrito Rosewood
- Top Wood
- Port Orford or Western Red Cedar
- Binding
- Indian Rosewood
- Edge Trim
- 5-Ply Ebony/Maple
- Peghead Overlay
- Ebony
- Fretboard Wood
- Ebony
- Fretboard Binding
- Ebony
- Bridge Pins
- Ebony w/ MOP Inlay
- Tuners
- Gotoh Precision Open Gear
- Tuner Buttons
- Ebony
- Peghead Inlay
- Blacklip MOP
- Fretboard Inlay
- Notched MOP Diamonds
- Rosette Material
- Andaman Padauk Inlay
- Nut/Saddle
- Bone
- Scale length
- 25.5"
- Neck Width
- 1-7/8"
- Bracing Crossover
- Lattice-Brace
- Number of Frets
- 20
- Neck Material
- Honduran Mahogany
- Neck Finish
- Satin Urethane
- Body Finish
- Glossy Urethane
- Brand of Strings
- Alvarez Medium Tension
- Pickguard
- Clear
- Case
- Ameritage
- Cutaway Option
- Available
Goodall's notes
A truly refined classical instrument has a powerful separation to each note and a brilliant and powerful treble which makes its voice somewhat strident and less satisfying when strummed like a steel string, but our Crossovers have a little more blend, balance, richness and sustain making them suitable for strumming as well as fingerstyle playing with equally satisfying results. There is plenty of clarity on the treble stings though and when pushed they really sing out, giving a wide dynamic range. The bass is very full and resonant, but not overpowering.
Standard specifications
- Back/Side Wood
- Indian Rosewood
- Top Wood
- Sitka Spruce
- Binding
- Hawaiian Koa
- Edge Trim
- 5-Ply Ebony/Maple
- Peghead Overlay
- Ebony
- Fretboard Wood
- Ebony
- Fretboard Binding
- Ebony
- Bridge Pins
- Ebony w/ MOP Inlay
- Tuners
- Gotoh 510 Mini
- Tuner Buttons
- Ebony/Gold/Chrome
- Peghead Inlay
- MOP Wings, Abalone G
- Fretboard Inlay
- Notched MOP Diamonds
- Rosette Material
- Abalone Shell
- Nut/Saddle
- Bone
- Scale length
- 14 Fret or 12 Fret - 25"
- Neck Width
- 1-3/4"
- Bracing Parlor
- X-Brace
- Number of Frets
- 14Fret - 20 or 12Fret - 19
- Neck Material
- Honduran Mahogany
- Neck Finish
- Satin Urethane
- Body Finish
- Glossy Urethane
- Pickguard
- Clear
- Case
- Ameritage
- Cutaway Option
- Available
Goodall's notes
The Parlor series guitar has a shorter 25" scale length. It has a scaled down bridge, peghead and sound hole. It is available in a 12 or 14 fret neck joint with a non slotted peghead or an optional 12 fret neck joint with slotted peghead* and bronze patina Waverly tuners. The 12 fret model has a sweet, round and responsive voice similiar in tone to a classical guitar. The 14 fret model has a little more punch and clarity in the mid range, and is very similiar to our Grand Concert series instrument.
Standard specifications
- Back/Side Wood
- Indian Rosewood or Honduran Mahogany
- Top Wood
- Sitka Spruce
- Binding
- Figured Koa or Maple or Indian Rosewood
- Edge Trim
- 5-Ply Ebony/Maple
- Peghead
- Overlay Ebony
- Fretboard Wood
- Ebony
- Fretboard Binding
- Ebony
- Bridge Pins
- Ebony w/ MOP Inlay
- Tuners
- Gotoh 510 Mini
- Tuner Buttons
- Ebony/Gold
- Peghead
- Inlay MOP Wings, Abalone G
- Fretboard Inlay
- Notched MOP Diamonds
- Rosette Material
- Abalone Shell
- Nut/Saddle
- Bone
- Scale length
- 25.5" or 25" Short Scale
- Neck Width
- 1-3/4"
- Bracing
- X-Brace
- Number of Frets
- 20
- Neck Material
- Honduran Mahogany
- Neck Finish
- Satin Urethane
- Body Finish
- Glossy Urethane
- Pickguard
- Clear
- Case
- Ameritage
- Cutaway Option
- Available
Goodall's notes
While the Grand Concert series is considered ideal for the fingerstylist due to its sensitive, dynamic responsiveness, it is equally appropriate for the flatpicker or plectrum player with the appropriate tonewood combination. It is prized by Bluegrass flatpickers and has even been said to surpass large bodied dreadnought guitars with respect to it's clarity, sustain and powerful projection.
Standard specifications
- Back/Side Wood
- Indian Rosewood or Honduran Mahogany
- Top Wood
- Bear Claw Sitka Spruce
- Binding
- Maple
- Edge Trim
- Herringbone Ebony/Maple
- Peghead Overlay
- Ebony
- Fretboard Wood
- Ebony
- Fretboard Binding
- Maple
- Bridge Pins
- Blacklip MOP Inlaid Boxwood
- Tuners
- Waverly Vintage Nickel
- Tuner Buttons
- Ivoroid or Ebony
- Peghead Inlay
- Blacklip MOP Logo
- Fretboard Inlay
- Notched MOP Squares
- Rosette Material
- Herringbone Wood Marquetry
- Nut/Saddle
- Bone
- Backstrip Style
- Chevron Wood Marquetry
- Scale length
- 25.5"
- Neck Width
- 1-3/4"
- Bracing
- X-Brace
- Number of Frets
- 20
- Neck Material
- Honduran Mahogany
- Neck Finish
- Satin Urethane
- Body Finish
- Glossy Urethane
- Brand of Strings
- Elixir Phosphor Bronze
- Pickguard
- Tor-Tis Pattern
- Case
- Ameritage
- Cutaway
- Option Available
Goodall's Notes
Its tone is extremely powerful in the bass and midrange, with an emphasis on a broad warmth without lacking treble. All of our Traditional series models features a custom, partially scalloped bracing pattern which produces a bit more 'boominess' in the bass and midrange. The peghead and bridge have been redesigned for a more conservative visual appeal, with open gear Waverly tuning machines contributing to its charm. It is attractively arrayed with a herringbone marquetry rosette and top purfling, and a chevron marquetry backstrip. It has been designed especially with the flatpicker and the bluegrass player in mind.
Standard specifications
- Back/Side Wood
- Indian Rosewood or Honduran Mahogany
- Top Wood
- Bear Claw Sitka Spruce
- Neck Material
- Honduran Mahogany
- Binding
- Maple
- Edge Trim
- Herringbone Ebony/Maple
- Peghead Overlay
- Ebony
- Fretboard Wood
- Ebony
- Fretboard Binding
- Maple
- Bridge Pins
- Blacklip MOP Inlaid Boxwood
- Tuner Buttons
- Ivoroid or Ebony
- Tuners
- Waverly Vintage Nickel
- Peghead Inlay
- Blacklip MOP Logo
- Fretboard Inlay
- Notched MOP Squares
- Rosette Material
- Herringbone Wood Marquetry
- Nut/Saddle
- Bone
- Backstrip Style
- Chevron Wood Marquetry
- Number of Strings
- 6 - Steel
- Scale length
- 25"
- Neck Width
- 1-3/4"
- Bracing
- X-Brace
- Number of Frets
- 19
- Neck Finish
- Satin Urethane
- Body Finish
- Glossy Urethane
- Pickguard
- Tor-Tis Pattern
- Case
- Ameritage
- Cutaway
- Option Available
Goodall's Notes
It is especially built for the fingerstyle player, but many folks like it for flat picking as well. All of our Traditional series models features a custom, partially scalloped bracing pattern which produces a bit more 'boominess' in the bass and midrange. The peghead and bridge have been redesigned for a more conservative visual appeal, with open gear Waverly tuning machines contributing to its charm. It is attractively arrayed with a herringbone marquetry rosette and top purfling, and a chevron marquetry backstrip.
Standard specifications
- Back/Side Wood
- Indian Rosewood or Honduran Mahogany
- Top Wood
- Sitka Spruce
- Neck Material
- Honduran Mahogany
- Binding
- Figured Koa or Maple or Indian Rosewood
- Edge Trim
- 5-Ply Ebony/Maple
- Peghead Overlay
- Ebony
- Fretboard Wood
- Ebony
- Fretboard Binding
- Ebony
- Bridge Pins
- Ebony w/ MOP Inlay
- Tuners
- Gotoh 510 Mini
- Tuner Buttons
- Ebony/Gold
- Peghead Inlay
- MOP Wings, Abalone G
- Fretboard Inlay
- Notched MOP Diamonds
- Rosette Material
- Abalone Shell
- Nut/Saddle
- Bone
- Number of Strings
- 6 or 12 - Steel
- Scale length
- 25.5" or 25" Short Scale
- Neck Width
- 1-3/4"
- Number of Frets
- 20
- Neck Finish
- Satin Urethane
- Body Finish
- Glossy Urethane
- Brand of Strings
- Elixir Phosphor Bronze
- Pickguard
- Clear
- Case
- Ameritage
- Cutaway
- Option Available
Goodall's notes
In November 1998 after 26 years of building some of the finest steel string guitars ever constructed, James Goodall announced the addition of an exciting new box size. This is in response to increasing requests for a more comfortable, smaller body dimension than the Goodall Standard (near in size to the Dreadnought). The Concert Jumbo model is slightly smaller than the Standard series and larger than the Grand Concert series guitar.
Standard specifications
- Back/Side Wood
- Indian Rosewood or Honduran Mahogany
- Top Wood
- Sitka Spruce
- Neck Material
- Honduran Mahogany
- Binding
- Figured Koa or Maple or Indian Rosewood
- Edge Trim
- 5-Ply Ebony/Maple
- Peghead Overlay
- Ebony
- Fretboard Wood
- Ebony
- Fretboard Binding
- Ebony
- Bridge Pins
- Ebony w/ MOP Inlay
- Tuners
- Gotoh 510
- Tuner Buttons
- Ebony/Gold
- Peghead Inlay
- MOP Wings, Abalone G
- Fretboard Inlay
- Notched MOP Diamonds
- Rosette Material
- Abalone Shell
- Nut/Saddle
- Bone
- Scale length
- 25.5"
- Neck Width
- 1-3/4"
- Bracing
- X-Brace
- Number of Frets
- 20
- Neck Finish
- Satin Urethane
- Body Finish
- Glossy Urethane
- Brand of Strings
- Elixir Phosphor Bronze
- Pickguard
- Clear
- Case
- Ameritage
- Cutaway
- Option Available
Goodall's notes
The Standard series, with its graceful curving lines, is a larger-bodied guitar with a clarity that is uncanny! The amazingly rich, powerful bass and midrange is matched to a brilliant treble and shimmering harmonic overtones. Arguably the most balanced guitar available from Goodall Guitars, James feels that the Standard model is the crowning achievement of his luthierie career. With approximately the same proportions as the ever popular dreadnought shape, the resemblance stops with the size. More than one musician has commented that "this guitar makes others sound like they are stuffed full of cotton.
Standard specifications
- Back/Side Wood
- Indian Rosewood or Honduran Mahogany
- Top Wood
- Bear Claw Sitka Spruce
- Binding
- Maple
- Edge Trim
- Herringbone Ebony/Maple
- Peghead Overlay
- Ebony
- Fretboard Wood
- Ebony
- Fretboard Binding
- Maple
- Bridge Pins
- Blacklip MOP Inlaid Boxwood
- Tuners
- Waverly Vintage Nickel
- Tuner Buttons
- Ivoroid or Ebony
- Peghead Inlay
- Blacklip MOP Logo
- Fretboard Inlay
- Notched MOP Squares
- Rosette Material
- Herringbone Wood Marquetry
- Nut/Saddle
- Bone
- Backstrip Style
- Chevron Wood Marquetry
- Scale length
- 25.5"
- Neck Width
- 1-3/4"
- Bracing
- X-Brace
- Number of Frets
- 19
- Neck Material
- Honduran Mahogany
- Neck Finish
- Satin Urethane
- Body Finish
- Glossy Urethane
- Brand of Strings
- Elixir Phosphor Bronze
- Pickguard
- Tor-Tis Pattern
- Case
- Ameritage
- Cutaway
- Option Available
Goodall's notes
All of our Traditional series models features a custom, partially scalloped bracing pattern which produces a bit more 'boominess' in the bass and midrange. The peghead and bridge have been redesigned for a more conservative visual appeal, with open gear Waverly tuning machines contributing to its charm. It is attractively arrayed with a herringbone marquetry rosette and top purfling, and a chevron marquetry backstrip.
Standard specifications
- Back/Side Wood
- Indian Rosewood or Honduran Mahogany
- Top Wood
- Bear Claw Sitka Spruce
- Neck Material
- Honduran Mahogany
- Binding
- Maple
- Edge Trim
- Herringbone Ebony/Maple
- Peghead Overlay
- Slotted Ebony
- Fretboard Wood
- Ebony
- Fretboard Binding
- Maple
- Bridge Pins
- Blacklip MOP Inlaid Boxwood
- Tuners
- Waverly Vintage Nickel
- Tuner Buttons
- Ivoroid or Ebony
- Peghead Inlay
- Blacklip MOP Logo
- Fretboard Inlay
- Notched MOP Squares
- Rosette Material
- Herringbone Wood Marquetry
- Nut/Saddle
- Bone
- Backstrip Style
- Chevron Wood Marquetry
- Scale length
- 12Fret - 25"
- Neck Width
- 1-3/4"
- Bracing
- X-Brace
- Number of Frets
- 19
- Neck Finish
- Satin Urethane
- Body Finish
- Glossy Urethane
- Brand of Strings
- Elixir Phosphor Bronze
- Pickguard
- Tor-Tis Pattern
- Case
- Ameritage
- Cutaway
- Option Available
Goodall's notes
All of our Traditional series models features a custom, partially scalloped bracing pattern which produces a bit more 'boominess' in the bass and midrange. The peghead and bridge have been redesigned for a more conservative visual appeal, with open gear Waverly tuning machines contributing to its charm. It is attractively arrayed with a herringbone marquetry rosette and top purfling, and a chevron marquetry backstrip.
Standard specifications
- Back/Side Wood
- Indian Rosewood or Honduran Mahogany
- Top Wood
- Bear Claw Sitka Spruce
- Binding
- Maple
- Edge Trim
- Herringbone Ebony/Maple
- Peghead Overlay
- Ebony
- Fretboard Wood
- Ebony
- Fretboard Binding
- Maple
- Bridge Pins
- Blacklip MOP Inlaid Boxwood
- Tuners
- Waverly Vintage Nickel
- Tuner Buttons
- Ivoroid or Ebony
- Peghead Inlay
- Blacklip MOP Logo
- Fretboard Inlay
- Notched MOP Squares
- Rosette Material
- Herringbone Wood Marquetry
- Nut/Saddle
- Bone
- Backstrip Style
- Chevron Wood Marquetry
- Number of Strings
- 6 - Steel
- Scale length
- 14Fret - 28"
- Neck Width
- 1-3/4"
- Bracing
- X-Brace
- Number of Frets
- 21
- Neck Material
- Honduran Mahogany
- Neck Finish
- Satin Urethane
- Body Finish
- Glossy Urethane
- Brand of Strings
- Elixir Phosphor Bronze
- Pickguard
- Tor-Tis Pattern
- Case
- Ameritage
- Cutaway
- Option Available
Goodall's notes
Yes, we make incredible sounding baritone models! It has such rich power and clear definition, one almost forgets the pitch is one whole step down after playing or listening awhile. This instrument is especially treasured by guitarists who love to play in drop tuning and slack-key styles.
Standard specifications
- Back/Side Wood
- Indian Rosewood or Honduran Mahogany
- Top Wood
- Sitka Spruce
- Binding
- Figured Koa or Maple or Indian Rosewood
- Edge Trim
- 5-Ply Ebony/Maple
- Peghead Overlay
- Ebony
- Fretboard Wood
- Ebony
- Fretboard Binding
- Ebony
- Bridge Pins
- Ebony w/ MOP Inlay
- Tuners
- Gotoh 510 Regular
- Tuner Buttons
- Ebony/Gold
- Peghead Inlay
- MOP Wings, Abalone G
- Fretboard Inlay
- Notched MOP Diamonds
- Rosette Material
- Abalone Shell
- Nut/Saddle
- Bone
- Scale length
- 25.5"
- Neck Width
- 1-3/4"
- Bracing
- X-Brace
- Number of Frets
- 20
- Neck Material
- Honduran Mahogany
- Neck Finish
- Satin Urethane
- Body Finish
- Glossy Urethane
- Brand of Strings
- Elixir Phosphor Bronze
- Pickguard
- Clear
- Case
- Ameritage
- Cutaway
- Option Available
Goodall's Notes
The Jumbo model is a true jumbo sized guitar with a brilliance, balance and clarity that separates it from all the other jumbos! This size has a wonderfully musical, concert hall bass that can only be likened to a grand piano. Even with all this bass there is still great focus, separation and sustain. It has, possibly, a bit more fullness and punch throughout the whole scale than the Standard -- a hard feat to achieve.
Standard specifications
- Back/Side Wood
- Indian Rosewood or Honduran Mahogany
- Top Wood
- Sitka Spruce
- Binding
- Figured Koa or Maple or Indian Rosewood
- Edge Trim
- 5-Ply Ebony/Maple
- Peghead Overlay
- Ebony
- Fretboard Wood
- Ebony
- Fretboard Binding
- Ebony
- Bridge Pins
- Ebony w/ MOP Inlay
- Tuners
- Gotoh 510 Regular
- Tuner Buttons
- Ebony/Gold
- Peghead Inlay
- MOP Wings, Abalone G
- Fretboard Inlay
- Notched MOP Diamonds
- Rosette Material
- Abalone Shell
- Nut/Saddle
- Bone
- Scale length
- 14Fret 28"
- Neck Width
- 1-3/4"
- Bracing
- X-Brace
- Number of Frets
- 20
- Neck Material
- Honduran Mahogany
- Neck Finish
- Satin Urethane
- Body Finish
- Glossy Urethane
- Brand of Strings
- Elixir Phosphor Bronze
- Pickguard
- Clear
- Case
- Ameritage
- Cutaway
- Option Available
Goodall's notes
Yes, we make an incredible sounding baritone! It has such power and clear definition, one almost forgets the pitch is lower after playing or listening awhile. This instrument is especially treasured by guitarists who love to play in drop tuning and slack-key styles.