Airline was a store brand of consumer electronics and musical instruments originally marketed and sold by American retailer Montgomery Ward through their catalog and retail stores. Products included radios, televisions, record players, guitars, and amplifiers. In the early 2000s, Eastwood Guitars acquired the rights to the "Airline" brand name. In 2024, Airline Guitars was acquired by a family-owned business based in Chicago, Illinois.
 | |
| Company type | Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Musical instruments |
| Founded | 1926  |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Website | Airline Guitars Official Website |
Musical equipment
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The Airline brand was used by Montgomery Ward on a range of electric and acoustic guitars from 1958 to 1968. These were made in Chicago, Illinois, by the Valco Manufacturing Co., Kay Musical Instrument Company, and Harmony Company.[2] Airline-branded amplifiers were manufactured by Valco and Danelectro.
Valco Airline guitars have been played by a wide array of bands and artists, including: Jack White,[3][1] J. B. Hutto,[1] David Bowie, The Cure, PJ Harvey, Calexico, and Wooden Shjips.
Eastwood Guitars reissue
editAfter Eastwood Guitars purchased rights to the "Airline" trade name in the early 2000s, they reissued the early 1960s "JB Hutto" Airline shape as the "Airline DLX." The new version set aside the defining hollow fiberglass body of the Valco-made original[4] in favor of the simpler and less-costly chambered mahogany body, giving it a more traditional electric guitar feel and tone, rather than the unique playing feel and response of the original.[5][6]
Eastwood Guitars later released the "Airline '59 Custom" in two- and three-pickup models in December 2008, which come with striped pickguards and rubber-bound bodies, in the spirit of the originals.
Airline Guitars returns to Chicago
editIn October 2024, the "Airline" trade name was acquired by a family-owned business based in Chicago, Illinois. Specializing in retro-styled electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects pedals, and accessories, the new owners are committed to honoring the brand's legacy while introducing innovations that blend classic American design with modern functionality. With this transition, Airline Guitars returns to its Chicago roots, now operating independently from the Eastwood brand family.
References
edit- ^ a b c Dave Hunter (2013). "1964 Airline Res-O-Glas". 365 Guitars, Amps & Effects You Must Play - The Most Sublime, Bizarre and Outrageous Gear Ever. Voyageur Press. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-61058-794-5.
Prior to the late 1990s, this guitar might have been known—to the relatively few players who took a real interest—as the "J. B. Hutto model" after the Chicago bluesman who made one his main squeeze for many years. One glance at that synthetic red beauty today, though, and you're likely to declare, "Hey, that's Jack White's guitar!" Although White has played other electrics, the Airline Res-O-Glas is the one with which White Stripes fans most closely associate him. And it makes sense: this oddly shaped, molded fiberglass creation (also dubbed the "Jetsons model," understandably) is perfect representation of the White Stripes' music and garage rock in general ... We're not sure quite what the actual sales figures were, but wouldn't you love to know just how many kids in the early 1960s flipped through that Montgomery Ward Catalog (where these guitars were originally retailed), pointed to the space-aged red beauty on the page, and said, "I'm having that for Christmas!"
- ^ Electric Guitars: the Illustrated Encyclopedia Edited by Tony Bacon. San Diego: Thunder Bay, 2000. Pp. 18 & 242.
- ^ Robinson, Mike (April 14, 2014). MyRareGuitars.com. Retrieved October 7, 2014
- ^ Electric Guitars: the Illustrated Encyclopedia Edited by Tony Bacon. San Diego: Thunder Bay, 2000. Pp. 18 & 243.
- ^ "White Heat: the White Stripes' 21st Century Blues" by Darrin Fox. Guitar Player Magazine, edited by Michael Molenda, June 2003, Pp.72.
- ^ "The House That Jack Built" by Christopher Scapelliti. Guitar World Magazine, edited by Brad Tolinski, May 2004, Pp.150.
External links
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Media related to Airline Guitars at Wikimedia Commons
- "Airline Guitars". — home of Airline Guitars today.
- "Eastwood Guitars". — home of reissued Airline guitars.
- "Guitar Kits USA". — home of Res-O-Glas guitar kits.