GEWA music GmbH
Booth number: 9715/2
www.gewamusic.com
About us
About GEWA music
A Place for Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
The Vogtland region in Saxony, known as the "music area of Germany," has a rich history of musical instrument manufacturing spanning over 300 years. By the 1800s, Vogtland had become the European center for producing stringed instruments, zithers, woodwind and brass instruments, and later harmonicas and accordions. Generations of knowledge and craftsmanship in the region have created some of the industry’s most renowned brands.
Today, Vogtland is also part of Europe's leading cluster for micro- and nanoelectronics, information and communication technology, and software development. In the 1950s and 1960s, regional companies were instrumental in helping the Soviet Union develop technologies needed to launch the first satellite into orbit. After German reunification, these companies reoriented themselves, benefiting from a deep pool of top-tier specialists. With state-of-the-art research and production technologies, “Silicon Saxony” has become home to nearly 100,000 workers and continues to drive innovation into the future.
An Eventful History
GEWA music was founded in 1925 by Georg Walther in Adorf, a town in the Vogtland region of Saxony. Following the region's tradition, a small team of violin makers initially focused on crafting and selling handcrafted instruments and soon expanded to manufacturing matching cases. Georg Walther distributed his products directly to music retailers, building connections that also allowed him to secure distribution rights from various manufacturers.
After World War II, the occupation of the Vogtland region forced the company to adapt. Georg Walther quickly relocated 20 of his top employees to Mittenwald in Bavaria, where GEWA already had an operating branch. Known for its own instrument-making tradition, the area provided an ideal environment to revive GEWA's business model and economic success.
In 1990, the reunification of Germany and the potential for a centrally managed European warehouse brought GEWA back to Adorf. This return also opened the door to hiring highly skilled guitar makers from Musima, a former GDR state-owned company, and acquiring one of its buildings. By 2008, GEWA Music had fully returned to Adorf, consolidating production, development, product management, purchasing, sales, marketing, and administration at its headquarters.
In 2007-2008, GEWA Music also restructured by dividing its offerings into five specialized divisions, allowing a deeper focus on each product group.
Tradition and Innovation: Engineering Music Since 1925
Today, teams of instrument makers, technicians, engineers, and musicians at GEWA music work together in a holistic process to develop ideas and concepts, which are then implemented across various divisions at the company headquarters in Adorf.
GEWA music continues to operate its own violin-making workshop in Adorf, where experienced artisans devote themselves to the fine craft of hand-making violins, cellos, and basses. The Adorf workshop also develops and produces award-winning instrument cases, distinguished by their innovative materials, timeless design, and functional, patented features.
The product range at GEWA music now includes over 42,000 mechanical-acoustic and electronic instruments and accessories. Quality, advanced manufacturing techniques, and the tradition of passing down knowledge through generations have been central to GEWA music, engineering music since 1925.
Address
Oelsnitzer Str. 58
08626 Adorf
Germany
Phone: +49 3742 3778100
1010 Rockville Pike, Ste 400
20852, MD Rockville
United States
Phone: +1 800 9301955
Contact person:
Anne Baumgärtel
Sales Director - GEWA String Instruments, Cases & Accessories
E-mail: Anne.Baumgaertel@gewamusic.com
Products & Services
As a leader in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of musical instruments and accessories across Europe, Asia, and North America, GEWA music serves as a key partner to the specialized musical instrument trade through its extensive brand portfolio. Since 1925, motivation, quality, and a commitment to continuous improvement have been the foundation of the company's success. Ongoing quality assurance in both production and administration ensures reliability and strong, collaborative partnerships.
Alongside mechanical-acoustic instruments, GEWA music also develops and manufactures digitally sound-generated instruments at its Adorf/Vogtland headquarters. Motivated and dynamic teams of experienced development, marketing, and sales specialists work within each of GEWA’s five divisions—Strings, Guitars, Winds, Keys, and Drums—to secure the company’s long-term vision and continued growth.
The Strings division, GEWA’s oldest, honors the Vogtland region's rich tradition of instrument making. All concepts and designs are developed and produced either on-site in Adorf (GEWA Made in Germany) or at GEWA's own factory in Asia (GEWA German Engineered), adhering to the highest standards and advanced production methods.
Today, GEWA music continues to operate a violin-making workshop at its Adorf headquarters, where many developers and product managers are trained or master violin makers. The dedicated GEWA luthiers specialize in the fine craft of hand-making violins, cellos, and basses. GEWA music also produces high-quality instrument cases in Adorf, which are a top choice for reliable instrument storage for artists worldwide.
Brand overview GEWA Strings
GEWA Made in Germany
GEWA German Engineered
Wittner
Product overview GEWA Strings
Stringed Instruments:
Violins
Violas
Cellos
Double Basses
E-Instruments
Violin
Cello
Bags & Cases:
For Violins
For Violas
For Cellos
For Double Basses
For Bows
Bows:
For Violins
For Violas
For Cellos
For Double Basses
Strings:
For Violins
For Violas
For Cellos
For Double Basses
Accessories:
Chinrests
Cleaning and Care Products
Colophons
Humidifier
Learning Aids and Literature
Mute and Wolf-Killer
Floor Protectors
Pendant Strings
Shoulder Pads
Shoulder Rests
Spikes
Stands
Tailpieces
Violin making:
Bass Bars and Soundposts
Bass Machine Heads
Bow Components and Accessories
Bridges
Fingerboards
Fittings
Pegs and End Knobs
Pickups
Tools and Abrasives
Varnishes and Adhesives
As early as the 1930s, Georg Walter began manufacturing a line of guitars under the GEWA brand in Vogtland, recognizing the growing importance of these instruments to the company’s portfolio. However, World War II and the subsequent occupation of the Vogtland region forced GEWA to relocate to Mittenwald, temporarily halting activities in classical instrument production. Following German reunification, GEWA music was able to recruit highly skilled guitar makers from Musima (Musikinstrumentenbau Markneukirchen), a former state-owned GDR company, enabling the development and production of guitars under the GEWA Guitars division. Today, popular models in this line include the Pro Arte, Pro Natura, and Student series under the GEWA German Engineered brand.
In 2020, GEWA music and the U.S. company Drum Workshop Inc. completed the acquisition of the Ovation Guitars brand, which is now part of GEWA Guitars' own portfolio. Product development occurs in collaboration between Ovation's U.S. production site in New Hartford, Connecticut, and GEWA’s guitar development team in Adorf. Ovation's premium Adamas instruments are crafted at GEWA music's New Hartford factory. Since 2021, Manuel Rodríguez Guitarras has also joined the GEWA Guitars portfolio, with instruments designed in close collaboration with Manuel Rodríguez III (the founder’s grandson) and the Adorf development team and manufactured in Europe.
Brand overview GEWA Guitars
Adamas
Ovation Guitars
Applause
Manuel Rodríguez Guitarras
Caballero by Manuel Rodríguez
GEWA Made in Germany
GEWA German Engineered
GEWA
Adamas Strings
Hannabach
Product overview GEWA Guitars
Instruments
Acoustic Guitars
Classical Guitars
Folk Instruments
Ukuleles
Bags & Cases:
For Acoustic Guitars
For Classical Guitars
For Basses
For Electric Guitars
Strings:
For Acoustic Guitars
For Classical Guitars
For Electric Guitars
For Jazz Guitars
For Acoustic Basses
For Electric basses
Accessories:
Accessories for Traditional Plucked Instruments
Amplifiers
Bottlenecks and Slides
Capos
Care Products
Effect devices and Pedals
Footrests
General Accessories
Guitar Rests
Merch
Picks and Finger Rings
Stands and Holders
Straps
String Winders
Tools
Tuners
In addition to its legacy of violin and guitar making, the Vogtland region has a centuries-old tradition in wind instrument manufacturing. This heritage has enabled GEWA music to offer a wide range of Vogtland-made wind instruments across Europe through its own sales network. In the early 1990s, GEWA music expanded into developing instruments manufactured in Asia. GEWA instrument makers from Adorf, in collaboration with European musicians specializing in wind instruments, created the renowned Roy Benson line, which caters to the needs of players from beginner to advanced levels. Today, Roy Benson instruments are used worldwide, especially in music schools and by amateur musicians.
Building on the success of this brand, GEWA music has earned a strong reputation among leading manufacturers in the USA and Japan, securing European distribution rights for prestigious global brands. Through partnerships with Yanagisawa, for instance, GEWA Winds offers high-end professional wind instruments. Additionally, GEWA Music is proud to have the European distribution rights for Lee Oskar's acclaimed Richter harmonicas, produced by a notable American-Japanese brand.
Brand overview GEWA Winds
Roy Benson
GEWA Made in Germany
GEWA GERMANY
Product overview GEWA Winds
Wind Instruments
Brass Instruments
Woodwind Instruments
Tongue Instruments
Bags & Cases:
For Brass Instruments
For Woodwind Instruments
For Accordions
Accessories:
Care Products
Carrying Straps
General Accessories
Hand Guards and Posture Assistance
Instrument Stands
Mouthpieces
Mutes
Reed Screws/Capsules
Reeds
S-Bows
The credo “No sockets” has long defined GEWA music's approach, concentrating on the development, production, and sale of acoustic instruments and accessories made in-house in Adorf, leveraging the region’s exceptional materials. However, partnerships with a European digital sound development company eventually enabled GEWA music to venture into digital sound, leveraging a team of expert engineers to design specialized circuits and microchips.
Once again, the Vogtland region’s unique position as a hub for micro- and nanoelectronics, information and communication technology, and software development, along with its internationally recognized research institutions, facilitated GEWA’s entry into digital sound production. This collaboration across departments allowed for sustainable, innovative growth in digital sound technology.
As a result, GEWA music recently introduced a new product line: the first GEWA Portable Piano developed in Germany. Innovative features, like control via smartphone or tablet app, allow users seamless access to updates, new functions, and direct interaction with the instrument. This series draws inspiration from the sound quality and playability of GEWA Digital Pianos, enhancing the digital music experience.
Brand overview GEWA Keys
GEWA German Engineered
Product overview GEWA Keys
Instruments
Digital Pianos
Portable Pianos
Benches & Stools:
Accessories
Keyboard Benches and Stools
Piano Benches
Piano Chairs
Accessories:
Bags and Covers
General Accessories
Piano Accessories
Piano Lights
Stands
In the early days of GEWA music, while Georg Walther and his team of regional violin makers focused on crafting handmade string instruments and cases, his brother Rudolph dedicated himself to producing percussion instruments, such as marching drums, which Georg then distributed. This established percussion instruments as an integral part of GEWA music’s corporate DNA.
In the late 1980s, GEWA music founded its first joint venture for percussion manufacturing in China—the company Basix. Around the same time, GEWA secured the European distribution rights for several prominent drum brands, successfully managing their sales, logistics, and marketing throughout Europe.
A milestone event occurred for GEWA music at the turn of 2023/24 with the acquisition of worldwide licensing rights for Gretsch Drums. This historic brand, with a legacy spanning 140 years, will continue under GEWA Music’s stewardship. Recognizing the responsibility toward this heritage, GEWA plans to gradually modernize the Ridgeland, South Carolina production site, preserving Gretsch’s rich legacy. Production will be overseen by GEWA music USA, working closely with the development team based in Adorf.
While focusing on the Gretsch brand in acoustic drums, GEWA music also continues advancing digital drum technology at its Adorf headquarters. Following the successful launch of the G9, G5, and G3 series, GEWA’s team, led by Chief Product Officer Dennis Pelz, is developing additional products slated for public release in 2025. This innovation is driven by the development potential of the Vogtland region, which, combined with production capabilities in Asia, enables revolutionary advancements in digital drums.
Brand overview GEWA Drums
Gretsch
GEWA German Engineered
Product overview GEWA Drums
Acoustic Drums:
Cymbals and Gongs
Drumheads
Drums:
Hardware
Marching
Percussion
Digital Drums:
Accessories
Cymbals
Drum Kits
Mesh Heads
Modules
Pads
Shells
Bags & Cases:
Backpack
For Bass Drums
For Cymbals
For Dum Sets
For Hardware
For Percussions
For Snares
For Sticks and Mallets
For Toms
Accessories:
Apparel and Lifestyle
Care Products
General Accessories
Practice Pads
Sticks and Mallets
GEWA AIR Series
The GEWA AIR series incorporates the best ideas, developments, and innovations from decades of GEWA music case production. Each case is both a masterpiece of engineering and an elegant design object.
GEWA AIR cases are manufactured using proprietary GEWA Air Shell Technology, which guarantees an exceptionally high breaking strength. Impacts are absorbed through slight deformation, similar to bumper technology used in automobiles. In addition to this stability, the special manufacturing process provides highly effective insulation against temperature fluctuations and weather conditions. Thanks to the materials used, the cases are extremely lightweight despite their durability.
In detail: The outer skin and inner shell of the GEWA AIR cases are molded independently of each other, allowing for numerous possibilities in surface design and interior fittings during production. The two shells are then bonded together under pressure using 2K foam in a special process. This separation ensures that neither mechanical stress nor temperature fluctuations will affect the valuable contents of the case, while still allowing the outer shell to flex and absorb shocks.
Crafted in Adorf/Vogtland, all models in the GEWA AIR series showcase exceptional quality and are available in a diverse range of styles, shapes, colors, and designs.
GEWA Space Bag Violin
Comfortable, safe, and now even more stylish—the GEWA Space Bag Violin is now available in silver, red, blue, and green!
The lightweight GEWA Space Bags can be comfortably carried as a backpack, making them ideal travel companions. With their progressive, modern design, they also serve as stylish yet understated accessories for daily life.
On the road, robust polycarbonate lids and instrument beds made of high-density polyurethane foam ensure stability and safety for the instruments being transported.
An ergonomically shaped back, padded backpack straps, and a practical Subway handle provide comfortable and relaxed travel at all times—whether on foot, by bike, motorcycle, or when using public transport.
Numerous accessory compartments offer ample space for sheet music and tablets, while travel documents can be safely stowed in the rear pocket.
Handmade Masterpiece: The GEWA Made in Germany Meister Rubner Double Bass Model No. 68 – Stadlmann
The GEWA Made in Germany Meister Rubner Double Bass Model No. 68 S – Stadlmann is an outstanding instrument in the tradition of low string instruments, such as the cello and double bass. These instruments have always impressed with their full, rich sound and expansive physical presence, captivating both musicians and audiences alike.
All instruments in the Meister Rubner series belong to the upper tier of the GEWA Made in Germany line and are crafted in the master workshops in Adorf/Vogtland. Only the finest materials are used, processed by experienced master craftsmen with the utmost care and attention to detail. Each cello and double bass in this series is a unique creation, showcasing artisan craftsmanship and excellent sound. GEWA music is proud to say that these instruments will continue to inspire and delight musicians worldwide for generations to come.
The Meister Rubner Model No. 68 S – Stadlmann, in gamba shape, is made from the highest quality, hand-picked woods. Its top is crafted from finely-grained spruce, while the arched back is made of solid, flamed maple. The inserted purfling and the exquisite, hand-applied dark red antique varnish lend the instrument classic elegance and further enhance the sound. The high-quality single tuner machines, sourced from the renowned Rubner company, are made of engraved brass. The finest ebony is used for the fingerboard, providing the player with a first-class feel and control. It is fitted with the tried-and-tested Thomastik Infeld Belcanto strings, ensuring optimum playability and tone development.
The GEWA Made in Germany Meister Rubner Double Bass Model No. 68 S – Stadlmann is much more than just a musical instrument; it is a work of art that will captivate generations of musicians and listeners alike.
Milo Stamm – Exceptional Quality in Bridges
Milo Stamm is globally recognized for its craftsmanship in producing bridges for string instruments, including violins, violas, cellos, and gambas. Over the past three decades, this small Serbian business has built an outstanding reputation in the musical instrument industry with its entirely handcrafted products.
The exceptional quality of Milo Stamm bridges begins with the meticulous selection of maple wood. Founder Milo Stamm has an innate understanding of which trees are best suited for string instrument bridges, possessing deep knowledge of the ideal growing conditions for maple trees to ensure only the finest wood is chosen.
Great care is also taken in the wood-cutting process. Production adheres to the highest quality standards, with each piece of wood undergoing multiple inspections for appearance, resonance, and density before being graded. Only the top-rated wood continues into production, while any wood below these strict standards is discarded.
Since September 2024, GEWA Music has proudly held the exclusive worldwide distribution rights for the esteemed Milo Stamm brand.
Wittner – Setting the Standard in Precision for 130 Years
Since its founding as a precision engineering company specializing in metronomes by Gustav Wittner in 1895, Wittner has grown into a globally recognized leader. Over multiple generations, the company, headquartered in Isny, in the German Allgäu region, has established itself as a renowned mid-sized industrial business known for its high-quality products.
Wittner revolutionized the industry with its Maelzel metronomes, particularly those produced under the Taktell trademark. Today, these metronomes are synonymous with precision and reliability.
Yet Wittner’s commitment to innovation extends well beyond metronomes. The company has firmly established itself as a world leader in string instrument accessories. Wittner’s tailpieces, chinrests, shoulder rests, and fine-tuning pegs are celebrated for their superior quality and craftsmanship, making them the top choice for professional musicians, educators, and students alike. Many of these accessories are protected by international patents, showcasing their uniqueness and exceptional functionality.
Wittner’s global reputation for innovation and quality solidifies its position as the premier supplier of string instrument accessories, consistently meeting the highest standards in the world of music.
