In 1963 the company changed its name to the Goya Musical Instrument Corporation. In the late 1950's, solidbody electric guitars and basses built by Hagstrom (also a Swedish company) were rebranded Goya and distributed in the U.S. went back to Sweden and formed the Levin Guitar company (Goya in the US). So did his son just before World War I (as he told me himself). Levin was from Sweden and as I was told worked in the United States as a trainee at the Martin Guitar Company. As a side note - Anders Was n of Gothenburg, Sweden (where Levin/Goya was made) provides this additional information: H.C. 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 mandolins. The Goya trademark was originally used by the Hershman Musical Instrument Company of New York City, New York in the 1950's on models built by Sweden's Levin Company (similiar models were sold in Europe under the company's Levin trademark). Later Goya instruments were built in Korea from the early 1970's to 1996, and were distributed by the Martin Guitar Company, located in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. Distributed by Hershman Musical Instruments Company of New York. Goya instruments were originally produced in Sweden by the Levin Company that has been making guitars since the 1900's. Brand name was then used on high-quality Korean-made acoustic and acoustic/electric guitars, banjos and mandolins. Probably some 1970's guitars were made in Japan.īrand name purchased by C.F.Martin in late '70s with Japanese-made acoustic guitars, solidbody electric guitars, basses, banjos and mandolins imported in around 1978 and continuing through the 1980's. Goya purchased by Avnet, Inc., prior to 1966, when Avnet purchased Guild Guitars. These are relatively rare.īy 1963 company had become Goya Musical Instrument Corporation, marketing primarily Goya acoustic guitars. Sparkle plastic covered Model 80 (ESP24 Standard) and Model 90 (EDP46) hollowbody electric "Les Pauls" (with replaceable pickup assemblies) - made by Hagstrom - introduced mid 1959.
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 Instrument Company of New York City, New York, in mid 1950's for acoustic guitars made in Sweden by Levin, particularly known for its classical guitars. Nylon and steel string acoustic and acoustic/electric guitars, hollow body electric guitars, solidbody electric guitars and basses, thinline electric archtops guitars, banjos, mandolins and amplifiers. The guitar brand name "Goya" existed from the mid 1950's to 1996.
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