Zemaitis

Zemaitis

34

Also known as: Zemaitis Guitars, Zemaitis Guitar Company

Unclaimed

Founded by Lithuanian-British luthier Tony Zemaitis in 1955, Zemaitis is a guitar brand celebrated for its distinctive engraved metal-top, pearl-front, and disc-front electric guitars. Tony Zemaitis began his career as a cabinetmaker before building his first classical guitar, and by the 1960s he was crafting custom instruments for some of the biggest names in rock and folk music, including Ron...

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Founded by Lithuanian-British luthier Tony Zemaitis in 1955, Zemaitis is a guitar brand celebrated for its distinctive engraved metal-top, pearl-front, and disc-front electric guitars. Tony Zemaitis began his career as a cabinetmaker before building his first classical guitar, and by the 1960s he was crafting custom instruments for some of the biggest names in rock and folk music, including Ronnie Wood, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, Marc Bolan, and David Gilmour. The brand's signature metal-front design — originally conceived to shield pickups from electrical interference — was elevated into an art form by engraver Danny O'Brien, whose ornate metalwork became synonymous with the Zemaitis aesthetic.

After Tony Zemaitis's death in 2002, the brand was acquired in 2010 by Japan's Kanda Shokai Corporation, which produces guitars in Tokyo based on Tony's original designs. The lineup spans the Metal Front, Pearl Front, and Disc Front series alongside acoustic models, the Superior Series, and the more accessible Z Series. Zemaitis guitars are distributed in the United States from Paso Robles, California. The instruments remain prized by collectors and working musicians alike for their blend of bold visual design, hand-engraved craftsmanship, and a tonal character rooted in Tony Zemaitis's original construction philosophy.

Zemaitis has 57 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars, Electric Basses, and Steel-string Acoustic Guitars. Their gear is featured by 53 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Metal. Notable users include Miku Kobato, Joe Louis Walker, and Ronnie Wood.

Artists Who Use Zemaitis

Miku Kobato uses 11 Zemaitis products

Miku Kobato

Singer, Guitarist · Band-Maid

Joe Louis Walker uses 4 Zemaitis products

Joe Louis Walker

Guitarist, Music Producer · Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

Ronnie Wood uses 3 Zemaitis products

Ronnie Wood

Guitarist · The Rolling Stones

Rich Robinson uses 3 Zemaitis products

Rich Robinson

Guitarist · The Black Crowes

George Harrison uses 2 Zemaitis products

George Harrison

Ukulele Player, Guitarist · The Beatles

Joe Trohman uses 2 Zemaitis products

Joe Trohman

Guitarist · Fall Out Boy

James Honeyman-Scott uses 2 Zemaitis products

James Honeyman-Scott

Guitarist · Pretenders

Bob Daisley uses 2 Zemaitis products

Bob Daisley

Bassist · Black Sabbath

Christian Martucci uses 2 Zemaitis products

Christian Martucci

Guitarist · Stone Sour

Clay Cook uses 2 Zemaitis products

Clay Cook

Guitarist, Keyboardist · Zac Brown Band

Kazuki Takemura uses 2 Zemaitis products

Kazuki Takemura

Guitarist · Crossfaith

James Hetfield uses 1 Zemaitis product

James Hetfield

Guitarist, Singer · Metallica

Kirk Hammett uses 1 Zemaitis product

Kirk Hammett

Guitarist · Metallica

Paul McCartney uses 1 Zemaitis product

Paul McCartney

Singer, Bassist · The Beatles

Frank Iero uses 1 Zemaitis product

Frank Iero

Guitarist, Bassist · My Chemical Romance

Jimi Hendrix uses 1 Zemaitis product

Jimi Hendrix

Guitarist · The Isley Brothers

Keith Richards uses 1 Zemaitis product

Keith Richards

Singer, Guitarist · The Rolling Stones

Eric Clapton uses 1 Zemaitis product

Eric Clapton

Guitarist · Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

Joe Perry uses 1 Zemaitis product

Joe Perry

Guitarist · Hollywood Vampires

Greg Lake uses 1 Zemaitis product

Greg Lake

Singer, Guitarist · King Crimson

Community setups featuring Zemaitis

Show yours
lyric_kayden

lyric_kayden

GearIQ 1112

edgedancer

edgedancer

GearIQ 26293

edgedancer

edgedancer

GearIQ 26293

C

caradoc_elmet

GearIQ 60

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