Way Beyond Reverse Headstocks

by Willie G. Moseley

“Texas tone” is not only a proprietary term, it’s pretty much an exclusive idiom as well, i.e., it would be difficult for guitar enthusiasts to name another state associated with a particular sonic attribute that they’re seeking to emulate on their instruments.

What’s more, many guitar slingers in the Lone Star State would probably also identify with another familiar phrase, “Everything’s Bigger in Texas,” to describe their respective quests for perfection, being as how that state’s polyglot musical culture covers a lot of territory—music, real estate, and otherwise.

However, the chronicle of designing and building guitars in Texas is surprisingly brief. One major contributor to such history was the original Robin company, founded in 1982 by David Wintz and Bart Wittrock as an offshoot of the legendary Rockin’ Robin Guitars & Music store in downtown Houston. The innovative approach to the design of Robin instruments began right at the outset, but it was more than just the against-the-grain cosmetics of reverse headstocks (and for that matter, there was a practical reason for the reverse headstock design as well).

Robin also went against the grain regarding guitar production as well—the company had begun with imported products, then switched to making domestic instruments. At the time, most U.S. companies were shutting down American facilities and switching to overseas production. Custom-made instruments—including unique shapes and finishes—made up a notable percentage of the company’s creations.

Robin Guitars went dormant in late 2010, while Rio Grande Pickups continued to be produced. The future seemed gloomy for a number of years. Company co-founder Dave Wintz crossed the way in June of 2022. 

Robin “True Believers” were excited to learn in 2023 that the brand was being revitalized by Houston entrepreneur Jack Brandt and amplifier builder Jake Rynearson. The facility on T.C. Jester Boulevard is once again active as the company endeavors to re-enter the market place after a hiatus of about a decade and a half.

All of the popular and innovative Robin models of yore are slated to be made—Rangers, Medleys, Avalons, Machetes—even the elusive Artisan model. Rio Grande pickups will continue to be marketed, and this time around, there’s an amplifier series involved (Rynearson’s Steamboat brand).

Messrs. Brandt and Rynearson are determined to return Robin to its glory days. Their laudable initiative should be interesting to monitor.

WILLIE G. MOSELEY is the Senior Writer for Vintage Guitar Magazine and the author of 18 books, including THUNDER OUT OF TEXAS: The Illustrated History of Robin Guitars