GEWA music
Known as the “Music Corner of Germany,” the Vogtland region looks back on several centuries of musical instrument-making history. As early as around 1800, the region emerged as the center of European instrument manufacturing, producing zithers, string, plucked, woodwind, and brass instruments, and later also harmonicas and accordions.
For a century now, GEWA music has contributed to the preservation of regional craftsmanship, quality, and the transmission of tradition-conscious knowledge in the Vogtland.
Founded in 1925 by Georg Walther, who originated from the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge), the company (initially “Georg Walther Musical Instruments, Case and Bag Factory”) has been characterized by craftsmanship from its inception and has remained closely linked to the traditions of the Vogtland. A small workforce initially focused on the construction and sale of handcrafted instruments, as well as on the production of matching cases and bags, which quickly gained recognition and enabled solid growth for the company.
However, the occupation of the Vogtland following World War II necessitated a significant restructuring of the business: following the unavoidable relocation to Mittenwald in Bavaria in 1949, GEWA was able to continuously expand its activities. In addition to manufacturing instrument cases and bags, wholesale trade in musical instruments and accessories increasingly gained importance over the following decades, while product expertise was systematically developed.
With German reunification in the 1990s, the opportunity finally arose to return to the company’s historical origins. In Adorf, a production facility for string instruments, bows, instrument cases, and bags, as well as a European central warehouse, were established as part of the restitution of formerly expropriated property. The return marked a strategic turning point, refocusing attention on manufacturing and on the aspiration to unite traditional craftsmanship with modern production processes. The incorporation of highly qualified instrument makers from the former GDR state-owned enterprise Musima (Musikinstrumentenbau Markneukirchen) also proved to be a fortuitous development. From 2008 onwards, the new (yet historic) GEWA music headquarters in Adorf consolidated development, product management, purchasing, production, logistics, sales, marketing, and administration.
From the late 1990s, GEWA also deliberately cultivated partnerships for manufacturing its own products in collaboration with partners in Asia. Long-term joint ventures created production structures that enabled close integration of development, quality management, and manufacturing. These partnerships proved decisive for the years and decades that followed: they formed the foundation for a global production strategy that combines international competitiveness with clearly defined quality standards and strengthens independence.
As a result, GEWA’s role as a manufacturing company was further solidified, and proprietary brands and in-house developments came to define GEWA music’s profile in the international market. This is reflected in targeted strategic expansions of the brand portfolio, including the acquisition of the guitar brand Ovation Guitars in 2020 and, in 2024, the acquisition of the exclusive worldwide licensing rights for GRETSCH DRUMS as well as the acquisition of the traditional brand Wittner. At the same time, the international infrastructure was consistently expanded, and in 2024 the GEWA US central warehouse in New Hartford, Connecticut, was also brought into operation.
Today, GEWA music is a globally operating and manufacturing enterprise with a strong international distribution network. At the same time, the still family-owned company remains rooted in the Vogtland. In addition to combining a century of tradition with practiced craftsmanship in instrument making, the Adorf location also represents modern industrial competence. With its own brands GEWA (Made in Germany, GEWA – Germany, German Engineered, and PURE GEWA), Ovation Guitars, Guitarras Manuel Rodríguez, GRETSCH DRUMS, and Wittner, GEWA music combines historically accumulated experience with contemporary advancement: quality, craftsmanship, and durability meet progressive design, digital technologies, and innovative manufacturing methods across German, European, and Asian production sites.
On the occasion of its 100th anniversary, GEWA music regards itself as a company that values its origins as a fundamental foundation. On that basis, it acts in a sustainable, future-oriented manner, with an unwavering passion for music.
We engineer music since 1925.
Known as the “Music Corner of Germany,” the Vogtland region looks back on several centuries of musical instrument-making history. As early as around 1800, the region emerged as the center of European instrument manufacturing, producing zithers, string, plucked, woodwind, and brass instruments, and later also harmonicas and accordions.
For a century now, GEWA music has contributed to the preservation of regional craftsmanship, quality, and the transmission of tradition-conscious knowledge in the Vogtland.
Founded in 1925 by Georg Walther, who originated from the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge), the company (initially “Georg Walther Musical Instruments, Case and Bag Factory”) has been characterized by craftsmanship from its inception and has remained closely linked to the traditions of the Vogtland. A small workforce initially focused on the construction and sale of handcrafted instruments, as well as on the production of matching cases and bags, which quickly gained recognition and enabled solid growth for the company.
However, the occupation of the Vogtland following World War II necessitated a significant restructuring of the business: following the unavoidable relocation to Mittenwald in Bavaria in 1949, GEWA was able to continuously expand its activities. In addition to manufacturing instrument cases and bags, wholesale trade in musical instruments and accessories increasingly gained importance over the following decades, while product expertise was systematically developed.
With German reunification in the 1990s, the opportunity finally arose to return to the company’s historical origins. In Adorf, a production facility for string instruments, bows, instrument cases, and bags, as well as a European central warehouse, were established as part of the restitution of formerly expropriated property. The return marked a strategic turning point, refocusing attention on manufacturing and on the aspiration to unite traditional craftsmanship with modern production processes. The incorporation of highly qualified instrument makers from the former GDR state-owned enterprise Musima (Musikinstrumentenbau Markneukirchen) also proved to be a fortuitous development. From 2008 onwards, the new (yet historic) GEWA music headquarters in Adorf consolidated development, product management, purchasing, production, logistics, sales, marketing, and administration.
From the late 1990s, GEWA also deliberately cultivated partnerships for manufacturing its own products in collaboration with partners in Asia. Long-term joint ventures created production structures that enabled close integration of development, quality management, and manufacturing. These partnerships proved decisive for the years and decades that followed: they formed the foundation for a global production strategy that combines international competitiveness with clearly defined quality standards and strengthens independence.
As a result, GEWA’s role as a manufacturing company was further solidified, and proprietary brands and in-house developments came to define GEWA music’s profile in the international market. This is reflected in targeted strategic expansions of the brand portfolio, including the acquisition of the guitar brand Ovation Guitars in 2020 and, in 2024, the acquisition of the exclusive worldwide licensing rights for GRETSCH DRUMS as well as the acquisition of the traditional brand Wittner. At the same time, the international infrastructure was consistently expanded, and in 2024 the GEWA US central warehouse in New Hartford, Connecticut, was also brought into operation.
Today, GEWA music is a globally operating and manufacturing enterprise with a strong international distribution network. At the same time, the still family-owned company remains rooted in the Vogtland. In addition to combining a century of tradition with practiced craftsmanship in instrument making, the Adorf location also represents modern industrial competence. With its own brands GEWA (Made in Germany, GEWA – Germany, German Engineered, and PURE GEWA), Ovation Guitars, Guitarras Manuel Rodríguez, GRETSCH DRUMS, and Wittner, GEWA music combines historically accumulated experience with contemporary advancement: quality, craftsmanship, and durability meet progressive design, digital technologies, and innovative manufacturing methods across German, European, and Asian production sites.
On the occasion of its 100th anniversary, GEWA music regards itself as a company that values its origins as a fundamental foundation. On that basis, it acts in a sustainable, future-oriented manner, with an unwavering passion for music.
We engineer music since 1925.
Founding of GEWA “Musical Instruments, Cases and Bags factory” by Georg Walther.
The newly constructed company headquarters at Flossbach 5 in Adorf become the heart of the young GEWA, creating its first dedicated production and administrative spaces.
By taking over renowned businesses such as JAEGER & Sohn, Kraemer & Herrmann, A. Scholz and C.H. Böhm, GEWA expands its expertise and enlarges its portfolio of cases, bags and musical instruments.
The construction of a modern administrative building supports the growing wholesale business and strengthens GEWA’s position as a significant supplier in the musical instrument sector.
Mittenwald is being established as a GEWA branch. While overall corporate responsibility continues to lie with company founder Georg Walther, authorized signatory Walter Kühnert takes primary responsibility for developing the site and securing the continued supply of the markets, following the transfer of the Adorf facility to state ownership in 1950.
GEWA moves into the newly constructed company building at Isarauenstrasse 17 in Mittenwald, creating the foundation for a modern production structure.
Establishment of the first subsidiary, GEWA France, in Monthou-sur-Cher, France, taking into account the specific characteristics of the French market and laying the foundation for today’s subsidiary, GEWA France.
With the appointment of Dieter Walther as Managing Partner, a phase of intense professionalisation and strategic development begins. (FLTR: authorized signatory Gräfe, Dieter Walther, authorized signatory Kühnert)
The GEWA product range includes cases and bags for almost all instruments, numerous small parts, as well as a comprehensive assortment for string and plucked instrument making. Over 2,000 customers worldwide – especially in Europe, Japan and the USA – rely on GEWA’s expertise.
Married couple Else and Georg Walther on the occasion of GEWA’s 50th anniversary. While Georg Walther represents the company externally, Else manages purchasing, warehousing and shipping with great commercial skill, ensuring the company’s stability during key periods.
Establishment of the second subsidiary, “Wieser GmbH,” in Scharnitz, Austria, through which the Austrian and Swiss markets are served. The company was named after the former shareholder Johann Wieser, as legal restrictions at the time prohibited the establishment of a company with a foreign name. Wieser GmbH forms the foundation of today’s subsidiary, GEWA Austria.
Due to the involvement of Hans-Peter Messner, a new chapter of entrepreneurial development and future orientation begins.
After the German reunification, GEWA returns to its origins and opens a new production facility in Adorf. Under the leadership of the plant manager at that time, Kurt Fiedel, a new site for string instruments, bows, cases, and bags is established.
With the acquisition of guitar makers and a building of the former GDR company Musima, today’s GEWA “Plant I” is established in Adorf.
With the construction of the European central warehouse in Adorf, the founding of GEWA Switzerland, the Basix joint venture in China, the full takeover of the company by Hans-Peter Messner, and the establishment of the HanBin, HanJia and Singer joint ventures, GEWA strengthens its international production and distribution structure. The founding of the subsidiaries GEWA Benelux and GEWA Med further expands the company’s European market presence.
The new headquarters at Oelsnitzer Strasse 58 in Adorf unite development, product management, purchasing, production, logistics, sales, marketing and administration under one roof.
Between 2007 and 2021, numerous subsidiaries are established in Poland, Argentina (2007 – 2020), Spain, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In 2012, the brand ‘GEWA German Engineered’ is launched. In 2018, GEWA enters the U.S. market with GEWA music USA Inc., followed by an investment by Thomann GmbH in 2019 and the establishment of the modern production site GEWA Hengshui in 2021. In the same year, Marcel Messner is appointed as Managing Partner.
With the acquisition of the Ovation brand, GEWA strengthens its presence in the market for high-quality acoustic and electric guitars.
The acquisition of exclusive licensing rights for Guitarras Manuel Rodríguez expands GEWA’s expertise in the field of traditional Spanish guitars.
With the acquisition of the Wittner brand from Isny in the Allgäu region, GEWA expands its range with high-quality precision products for musicians.
With the worldwide exclusive licensing rights for GRETSCH Drums, GEWA assumes responsibility for one of the most iconic brands in the drum sector.
A new GEWA USA central warehouse for string instruments, guitars, accessories and GRETSCH Drums is established in New Hartford, Connecticut.
Hans-Peter Messner and son Marcel Messner. For 100 years, GEWA music has shaped musical instrument making with innovation, craftsmanship and international vision.
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