Guitar, mandolin, and banjo string instruments from the 1970's through to 1996. Goya trademark from a company named Dude, Inc. Martin company later acquired the Levin company, and bought the rights to the It has been estimated that the later Goya instruments of the 1970's Then being built in Italy by the EKO company. By the late 1960's, electric solidbody guitars and basses were

Goya was purchased by Avnet in 1966, and continued to import instruments such as the In 1963 theĬompany changed its name to the Goya Musical Instrument Corporation. Swedish company) were rebranded Goya and distributed in the U.S. In the late 1950's, solidbody electric guitars and basses built by Hagstrom (also a The Levin Guitar company (Goya in the US). Just before World War I (as he told me himself). Worked in the United States as a trainee at the Martin Guitar Company. Provides this additional information: H.C. As a side note - Anders Wasén of Gothenburg, Sweden (where Levin/Goya was made) A large number of rebranded Goya instruments were imported to the U.S. Levin built high quality acoustic flattop, classical, and archtop guitars as well as The Goya trademark was originally used by the Hershman Musical InstrumentĬompany of New York City, New York in the 1950's on models built by Sweden's LevinĬompany (similiar models were sold in Europe under the company's Levin trademark). To 1996, and were distributed by the Martin Guitar Company, located in Nazareth, Later Goya instruments were built in Korea from the early 1970's Distributed by Hershman Musical InstrumentsĬompany of New York. Goya instruments were originally produced in Sweden by the Levin Company that hasīeen making guitars since the 1900's. Brand name was then used on high-quality Korean-madeĪcoustic and acoustic/electric guitars, banjos and mandolins. Solidbody electric guitars, basses, banjos and mandolins imported in around 1978 andĬontinuing through the 1980's. Probably some 1970's guitars were made in Japan.īrand name purchased by C.F.Martin in late '70s with Japanese-made acoustic guitars, Goya purchased by Avnet, Inc., prior to 1966, when Avnet These are relatively rare.īy 1963 company had become Goya Musical Instrument Corporation, marketing primarily Sparkle plastic covered Model 80 (ESP24 Standard) and Model 90 (EDP46) hollowbodyĮlectric 'Les Pauls' (with replaceable pickup assemblies) - made by Hagstrom. These Goya guitars were made in Japan, Korea and Taiwan (I've never seen a Martin 'Goya' that said made in Sweden). The Goya brand then went to Martin Guitars in 1974 (the same year they acquired Levin) and lasted until 1996. Most of the acoustic guitars during this perion (1954-1973) were handmade in Sweden by the Levin company (I believe the possible exceptions were the G-50 models made in the USA based on descriptions in some of my Goya catalogs). (both of Chanute, Kansas) in late 1972 as best I can tell. The distribution for Goya guitars went from Hershman to Kustom Electronics Inc. The 'Goya' name comes from Francisco Jose de Goya, the famous 18th century Spanish painter known as the father of modern art (Francisco drew a lot of Spanish guitar players too). The Goya brand name was initially used by the Hershman Musical Instrument Company of New York (Goya Guitars Inc.). NOTE: As best I can tell, 'Goya' brand guitars were made starting in 1954 and ending in 1996. The Goya brand name was initially used by Hershman Musical InstrumentĬompany of New York City, New York, in mid 1950's for acoustic guitars made in Swedenīy Levin, particularly known for its classical guitars. String acoustic and acoustic/electric guitars, hollow body electric guitars, solidbodyĮlectric guitars and basses, thinline electric archtops guitars, banjos, mandolins andĪmplifiers. The guitar brand name 'Goya' existed from the mid 1950's to 1996. If you have any additional information about Goya guitars or the companies that

At the bottom of this page is the list of some of To provide enlightenment to the history of the Goya guitar. Sources (and individuals via email) and will sometimes conflict. The Goya guitar information spotlighted on this page comes from different

Goya classical guitar models