Kiesel Guitars
electric bass guitars | |
Number of employees | 50+ |
---|---|
Website | www |
Kiesel Guitars is an American manufacturer of custom
History
Lowell Kiesel founded the L. C. Kiesel Company in
In 2015, Carvin Corporation split its business units, and Kiesel Guitars was founded to take over the guitar and bass manufacturing, as a wholly separate company. The original Kiesel name and logo was chosen to honor founder Lowell Kiesel. The new company continues to build electric, acoustic electric, MIDI, synth, semi hollow, chambered, headless guitars and basses along with necks, bodies, kits and a full parts department under the Carvin Guitars name as well as new Kiesel name. Kiesel Guitars opened up sales globally following the name change. The company employed over 50 people and produced almost 4,000 custom made instruments per year. It is run by President Mark Kiesel (Lowell Kiesel's middle son) and Vice President Jeff Kiesel (Mark's son). Jeff Kiesel's two children also work for the company when not attending school full-time.[7]
In January 2015, Kiesel Guitars won Revolver's Best of Show award at the winter NAMM Show, for their headless guitar model, the Vader.[8] At the 2016 Winter NAMM, Super NAMM Awards were won from Guitar Aficionado for their 70th anniversary K-series model, and from Guitar World for their 24-fret bolt-on Aries model.[9][10]
Notable artists
Jason Becker has been a long time endorser of Carvin Guitars, and Kiesel offers tribute models in his honor. The JB200C was based on the original DC200 models that Jason played, while the newer JB24 "Numbers" guitar was based on Jason's original Peavey custom model with the numbered fretboard markers.[11]
Allan Holdsworth was an endorser, and Kiesel has had several models based on Holdsworth's designs, including headless and MIDI synth variants.[citation needed] Frank Gambale has a semi-hollow carved top, available with MIDI synth.[citation needed] Greg Howe's has 24-fret bolt-on signature models.[citation needed] Neil Zaza's signature is based on the Carved Top model line, featuring his preferred control layout.[citation needed] Craig Chaquico has a signature thinline acoustic/electric model. Lee McKinney of Born of Osiris has signature six and seven string models, based on the DC600 model line.[citation needed] Bassist Brian Bromberg has a series of basses based on a body of his design, while Roy Vogt has a signature 6-string model based on the Vanquish model.[citation needed] Chris Letchford of Scale the Summit has a headless multiscale signature series, with a "set through neck".[citation needed] Other endorsers include Anna Sentina, Johnny Hiland, Mark Okubo of Veil of Maya and Michael Hermes.[12]
References
- ^ "Kiesel Guitars New Location in Escondido". Facebook. Kiesel Guitars.
- ^ Varga, George (January 20, 2015). "Carvin splits in two to launch Kiesel Guitars". Retrieved March 5, 2016.
- ^ "Carvin Announces the Launch of Kiesel Guitars". January 24, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
- ^ a b Mobley, Max (August 9, 2011). "Builder Profile: Carvin". Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
- ^ Moseley, Willie G. (June 2009). "The Carvin DN440T". Vintage Guitar. p. 64.
- ^ "Carvin's New Company, Kiesel Guitars, to Handle Guitar and Bass Manufacturing". January 20, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
- ^ "Carvin Launches Kiesel Guitars". January 20, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
- ^ "Revolver Best of Show 2015 NAMM Winner". January 29, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
- ^ "Guitar Aficionado Announces the Super NAMM Award Winners". March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
- ^ "Guitar World Congratulates Super NAMM Award Winners". March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
- ^ Fanelli, Damian (March 5, 2015). "The Making of Carvin Guitars' Jason Becker JB24 Numbers Tribute Guitar — Video". Retrieved March 7, 2016.
- ^ Fanelli, Damian. "Guitarist Michael Hermes, 14, Demos Kiesel/Carvin Guitars' Jason Becker "Numbers" Tribute Model — Video". Guitar World. Retrieved February 16, 2017.