* This is now a tribute page to Belman Guitars. Belman stopped manufacturing guitars in 2007. To the best of my knowledge, you may still get Belman's in some stores around Australia. This is purely a page for people who love the guitars. I can't help locate parts or guitars I'm afraid. Cheers - RossBelman guitars celebrated their 10th anniversary in 2004, but for the complete history of Belman Guitars you'll need to go way back to 1980, when a young Anthony Bell was given a guitar by his cousin Richard Pascale. Anthony's curiosity and desire to understand the workings of the guitar was ignited.
The first incarnation of Belman Guitars was actually formed in the class room of a Secondary Technical School in 1982, where Anthony decided to build his first electric guitar. Craig Manger also in the same class having already completed his project asked Anthony if he would like some help to finish the project. Thus the seeds were sewn for what would eventually become Belman Guitars. The project was a major success for their grades and confidence. With the help and support of Mr Hogg (woodworking teacher), and working after normal school hours they proceeded to build their first bass.
The major turning point for the young guitar builders was the realisation they did not posses any of the necessary equipment to continue building guitars from home. The bass went up for sale in a local music store. To their delight the bass sold in little over a month, they had now sold their first instrument (circa 1984) and also possessed the funds to buy tools and machinery that allowed them to continue building guitars.
The early years were spent working long hours in Anthonys mothers tiny garage, both men maintained full time employment and would perform all manner of guitar repairs long into the night. Within this small garage was crammed everything that was needed to build guitars, except for the space to stretch your arms. In these confined conditions the pair were able to perform some amazing repairs and produce incredible custom instruments. These hard years honed the skills of both Anthony and Craig into becoming one of the most sort after repairers in Melbourne.
Finally realizing that they had to make the decision to go full time or scale back the work load, they officially formed Belman Guitars in 1994. The name coming from the abbreviating and joining of the two sir-names Bell and Manger, Bel-Man, Belman.
From this point forward they dedicated every spare minute into understanding all the workings of electric guitars and basses. What timbers to use to achieve certain tones, what colour effects could be obtained from different staining methods. From re-winding pickups, to actually creating their own personal pickup models. Putting their instruments into the hands of as many professional players as possible, and more importantly listening to the feedback given by these players to help them achieve better results with the next instrument.
As the workload grew they new it was time to relocate to a factory. Enter Tino Maiorana, having known the guys for a number of years and spent many hours in the garage, initially to have work done and later helping out and performing repairs. Belman Guitars relocated to their first factory in Thomastown, Victoria.
Belman guitars have gone from strength to strength since the move. Belman guitars can now boast sales of their instruments all over Australia and overseas. From the early days of the factory when the range offered 4 models, up to the current range of over 18 different variations of models for the player to choose from (including bass instruments). Many top studio players use and rely on Belman instruments everyday to make their living. Belman guitars are also used by some of Australias biggest bands.
Through all of this it has always been the goal to build the best instrument possible, a finely crafted instrument in every sense of the word. From Anthony to the partnership with Craig and Tino, to the current small team of dedicated luthiers, belman guitars have never lost their focus or passion for trying to create the ultimate blend of tone, function, performance and value.
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