Blackstar and Gordon Smith/Auden announce plans to “demerge”

Blackstar Amplification and Gordon Smith/Auden have "demerged" their businesses
(Image credit: Blackstar Amplification)

Blackstar Amplification and Gordon Smith/Auden (GSA) have "demerged" their respective businesses, according to the Music Industry Association.

The two British companies have been working together since 2017, and remain committed to collaborating in the future as independent entities.

Said Blackstar Managing Director Ian Robinson, “Since we got together in 2017, it has been a pleasure to work with Doug [Sparkes, Managing Director of GSA] and the team at GSA. 

"Having achieved many of our original goals, it now feels like the right time for the companies to go our own ways. This will allow maximum focus in our respective core businesses.”

Added Sparkes, “It’s been an positive journey working with the team at Blackstar.  I feel that we now have the right set up in place to continue to develop our electric and acoustic guitar offerings and take our UK-based guitar workshop to the next level.”

Auden acquired Gordon Smith Guitars in 2015, while Blackstar has recently unveiled a host of intriguing products, including the ultra-lightweight Unity Elite Bass Series amps and its Debut combo beginner amps.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**

Join now for unlimited access

US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year

UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year 

Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Prices from £2.99/$3.99/€3.49

Richard Bienstock

Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. He is also a recording and performing musician, and a former editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name.