The first Doc Watson model was built in 1974 after doc had been playing a G-50 for six years.  J.W. and Don met Doc and Merle at the union Grove Fiddler Convention in 1968.  When J.W. and Don were choosing guitars to take, they had only one mahogany guitar that was finished.  There was a problem though.  When Don had built the body, it cracked in the process along the side of the body.  The crack had been repaired and J.W. didn’t want to sell the guitar because of the blemish, but since it was the only mahogany guitar they had, they decided to take it for display only. 

J.W. went up to Merle and Doc as they were picking under shade tree.  Doc invited J.W. and Don back to his house to check out the guitars. J.W. had brought a G-70(which at the time was the top of the Gallagher line) and the G-50 for Doc to try out. Doc really liked the sound of the G-50, but J.W. didn’t want to let go of that specific one because of the crack. Doc told J.W. and Don that he didn’t care about the crack-it was the sound that he loved! J.W. made a deal with him that he could use that guitar for as long as he wanted, with no strings attached “except the ones on the guitar,” as long as when Doc was through playing it, he would send it back, because J.W. didn’t want a blemished guitar out.  

After playing the G-50 for six years, Doc decided he was ready for another guitar. Doc had learned how to play fiddle tunes on a Les Paul guitar, and Merle Watson brought a Leas Paul neck to the shop and asked if Gallagher could make a special neck.  This is why the Doc Watson has a 1 ¾” neck with jumbo frets.  All Doc Watson models have mahogany back and sides and Sitka spruce top with voiced bracing.  The Doc Watson models all have herringbone purfling and rosette.  The Doc Watson Signature cam about in the mid 90’s at of the Gallagher Guitar reunion/festivals.  A customer asked for a guitar with Doc’s Signature on it.   So Richard (Doc’s Grandson) held Doc’s hand and wrote Doc’s signature on a piece of paper.  Gallagher copied that image and inlayed it on the 12thfret.   Gallagher added diamonds and square inlays and wrapped the whole guitar with maple binding.  This is how the Doc Watson Signature was born.