Swope GTO

I've known Chris Swope for quite a few years - from back when he was working for Roger Sadowsky. There are few places that are better training grounds for builders than Roger's shop. He has a clientele of the most demanding and discerning pro players, and working for Roger is a master class on learning the differences between a good and a great guitar. Following his time with Roger, Chris went on to join the Gibson Custom Shop.

Chris, like all of my builders, goes to great lengths to make an instrument that is well thought out, skillfully built, with a laser focus on the end user. That's why I’m so pleased to welcome him as a new builder for me to represent at CR guitars.

His GTO platform is steeped in the Fullerton tradition, but is far more dynamic than you might expect from a bolt on model. Chris crafts his own pickups, and the pickups on this particular model are inspired by old lap steels. They're superb; fat, rich and clear.  In addition, the GTO comes equipped with a push pull pot that engages them both - in effect creating a warm, rich humbucker sound. The note definition from the highs to the lows are spot on. The totality is a guitar that's a very versatile - and totally engaging  - marriage between a Tele, a Jazzmaster, and an LP Junior.

I love the neck. Drawing on his years of working with professional players, Chris has delivered a medium/full neck profile that'll feel sweet in your hand.

In short, the Swope GTO is a superb addition to the world of bolt-on beauties, with awesome playabiilty and its own expanded tonal palette. It's no wonder it's a Guitar Player editor's pick - I agree completely with Dave Hunter's review here: https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/review-swope-gto

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT SWOPE GUITARS
Chris Swope's guitar building career path has taken him through several years as an apprentice at Mass Street Music in Lawrence Kansas, several years as production manager at Sadowsky Guitars in the heart of Manhattan's Time Square, several years in the Pro Shop and engineering departments at the Gibson Custom Shop and several years as guitar advisor for Private Reserve Guitars. His education in all aspects of guitar building, repair, design and engineering simply couldn't be more in-depth, having worked under some of the best luthiers, with some of the most incredible guitars (pre-war Martins, vintage Fenders, Gibsons, Gretsches, Rickenbackers, even D’Angelicos) and with some of the most demanding and star-studded clients. All this lead Chris to finally stike out on his own and Swope Guitars was born.