Our journey beyond feedback to authentic tone
Born from frustration, refined through expertise, we conquered feedback to enable pure acoustic expression.
Our Story
Reinventing acoustic amplification so every guitarist can perform free from feedback and full of authentic tone.
In the world of music, where each note carries the potential to inspire, master guitar maker Paul McGill encountered a frustrating dilemma. For over 40 years, he crafted exquisite guitars for icons like Earl Klugh and Chet Atkins, yet amplification technology often failed them, riddling performances with feedback and robbing them of authentic tone. Determined to solve this, Paul joined forces with Ben Shaw, a modern and vintage pro audio electronics expert, to create a solution by merging instrument-making mastery with innovative electronic design. That collaboration led to Go Acoustic Audio, founded in 2019, and its first revolutionary product soon followed.
Their patented transducer design wasn’t just an enhancement; it reshaped acoustic amplification. By 2020, the duo perfected the Saddle-Pickup transducer, drastically reducing feedback while preserving the natural tone every guitarist craves. Freed from the constraints of traditional systems, musicians could finally express themselves without fear of feedback. Word spread quickly, and within a couple of years, Go Acoustic Audio’s products were embraced by touring artists and high-end guitar builders worldwide, cementing the company as a leader in acoustic pickups.
The real proof of their success shines through customers’ stories. Many discovered a newfound freedom on stage, hearing their instruments come alive in ways they’d only imagined. Repeat customers and brand advocates soon followed, celebrating how these pickups transformed their live sound.
With a continued commitment to excellence and innovation, Go Acoustic Audio now pioneers solutions for a range of instruments, including ukuleles. Their focus on solving real-world challenges faced by dedicated musicians sets them apart. Choosing Go Acoustic Audio means investing in a future of unparalleled, authentic acoustic performance—one where artists can finally play and connect with audiences the way they’ve always intended.
Go Acoustic Audio exists to transform live guitar performance, freeing players from feedback and granting authentic tone so they can focus on their music and captivate every audience.
Everything we create begins with a musician’s perspective, forging authentic, no-gimmick solutions that truly resonate onstage and beyond.
Whatever it takes – We relentlessly innovate, rethinking every aspect of acoustic amplification to shatter limitations and give musicians uncompromised, performance-ready solutions
Our Founders
Paul McGill
As a child of the ’60s, music was a constant draw for me, inspiring my early attempts at guitar building. In 1976, I hitchhiked from Georgia to Vermont to study under Charles Fox at the Earthworks School of Guitar Research and Design, where I completed my first instrument. After years spent building and repairing guitars in Wisconsin, I joined Gruhn Guitars in Nashville. There, I immersed myself in American guitar heritage, dismantling and restoring instruments by makers like Gibson and Martin. By 1988, I’d established my own full-time shop; soon after, 13-time GRAMMY nominee Earl Klugh used two of my guitars to record Solo Guitar.
In 1989, after making many classical guitars for Earl, he asked me to build a Del Vecchio-style resophonic guitar. He went on to order several more, and passed one along to Chet Atkins—one of three I made for Chet. I later shifted focus toward acoustic-electric stage guitars, attracting artists such as Peter White and Marc Antoine. Today, I’m proud to be part of Go Acoustic Audio, culminating my decades of dedication to achieving authentic, amplified acoustic sound.
Ben Shaw
Music has been my lifelong passion, from strumming the guitar as a kid to listening to a all kinds of music. In high school, I discovered live sound and took on equipment maintenance and installation at local venues. Seeking to further my knowledge, I studied audio engineering at Belmont University, where I quickly became intrigued by recording equipment and taught myself electronics.
My real-world education came from working in Belmont’s student studios and eventually joining Sal Greco’s team, overseeing gear at Historic RCA Studio B, Quonset Hut, Ocean Way Nashville, and Columbia Studio A. There, I learned pro audio electronics inside and out, hot-rodding vintage consoles and diving into computational room acoustics research.
Afterward, I launched a freelance career repairing gear, designing custom equipment, and consulting on studio design. Through one of my clients, I connected with Paul McGill. Our shared drive to push sonic boundaries led us to collaborate on our first design, ultimately laying the groundwork for Go Acoustic Audio.
Our Values
Mission Statement: Go Acoustic Audio exists to transform live guitar performance, freeing players from feedback and granting authentic tone so they can focus on their music and captivate every audience.
Musicians First
Everything we create begins with a musician’s perspective, forging authentic, no-gimmick solutions that truly resonate onstage and beyond.
Whatever it takes
We relentlessly innovate, rethinking every aspect of acoustic amplification to shatter limitations and give musicians uncompromised, performance-ready solutions
Partner With Us
MUSIC STORES, GUITAR MAKERS, PLAYERS…
Go Acoustic Audio is revolutionizing the sound of acoustic guitar and our work towards creating the best sound possible is always evolving through new products, features, and compatibility. If you’re a guitar player, a luthier, or a supplier, we invite you to follow us on our journey. Thank you.
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