The goal of Balaguer Guitars team is to build instruments that translate a musician’s creativity in the truest way. In 2009, when the founder - Joe Balaguer - graduated, he focused on improving the guitar designs he was always fond of as much as on coming up with the new, original ones willing to put vintage into today’s perception of efficiency by optimizing the classics. The guitars within the Production Series are designed and engineered in Pennsylvania, USA while 15 professional highly experienced luthiers in South Korea help the brand grow by manufacturing the details. The craftsmanship of this South Korean shop is mesmerizing – if Balaguer was of a different opinion they wouldn’t have produced so many units together. The guitars within the Semi-Custom Series are assembled by 4 most trusted luthiers. The company succeeds in finding solutions to keeping prices low and rendering the best quality they can achive so far. They also offer limited USA Custom models which are machined, painted, and put together in the United States. The brand is absolutely sure that the quality comes not from a specific country but from a special team of professionals. Balaguer Guitars’ partners in South Korea share their vision on quality, design, and progression in the industry. The approach to design is transparent – classics comes first, then it’s all about some clever creative upgrading – tone and construction often need to be rethought. The guitar makers assure us that the tradition is what in their hearts, though they have to be careful in order not to leave too much retro. If you buy a Balaguer’s guitar you’ll see a deep treble horn inner carve, or a more sleek heel joint versus a block plate, and chambering where you might not see in other “big brand” guitars.
Most prominent products:
1 The Archetype Traditional. “The vintage-inspired brother of The Archetype Modern” – same approach, though ergonomics and usability became the main focus. Why “Traditional”? 22 fret neck instead of 24, a pickguard, and 12″ fingerboard radius, a hardtail bridge/vintage style tremolo, Ebb Single Coils voiced for blues/rock, Evergreen Humbucker in the bridge position is a medium output pickup.
2 The Enigma translates vintage 1970's aesthetics into modern playability features.
3 Balaguer claims The Growler to be the ultimate Indie/Alternative Rock guitar. It has its own charm and feel though it seems so familiar when you experience it.
4 The Hyperion Standard is part of the new Artist Standard Series. Whatever you play – rock/metal/country - this guitar will deliver juicy but fine wave with every chord played or note picked. Get back to rock n' roll epoch.
5 The Thicket series is about classics more than anyone else. Not a genre oriented instrument, pick it up and see it’s made for your music.