Who is Maude Moore?

The Legacy of Maudie E. Moore: Engraving Mastery at Gibson Guitars

In the world of guitar craftsmanship, Maudie E. Moore (1940–2021) stands as a towering figure, her name etched into the history of Gibson Guitar Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Known for her unparalleled skill in engraving and inlay work, Maudie’s contributions to iconic instruments have left a lasting legacy revered by luthiers, musicians, and collectors alike.

From Kentucky to Kalamazoo

Born on October 6, 1940, in Kentucky, Maudie graduated from Wolfe County High School in 1959 and moved to Kalamazoo that same year with her husband. She began her career at the Shakespeare Company, assembling parts for airplanes, cars, and Whirlpool washing machines. After five years, a friend’s tip about better pay at Gibson led her to apply in 1964. Hired for the night shift, Maudie started in the mill room, cutting fret wires and working routers and buffers—versatile skills that showcased her mechanical aptitude.

Mastering the Art of Engraving

By 1969, Maudie’s admiration for the intricate templates used by Gibson’s engravers, particularly the iconic dove design, drew her to the engraving department. Her big break came with the arrival of a pantograph machine, a tool unfamiliar to the factory. When the installer admitted he could only show her how to turn it on, Maudie took it upon herself to master it. As she recalled in a 2012 oral history interview, “The rest is up to you… this machine was never designed to do that type of work.” Undeterred, she adapted her engraving expertise to cut precise inlays, transforming the pantograph into a cornerstone of her craft.

Maudie’s work adorned guitars for legends like Elton John, Peter Frampton, B.B. King (notably his “Lucille” signature models), Earl Scruggs, and Les Paul for Gibson’s anniversary series. Her intricate inlays, often featuring the flowerpot motif on Gibson L-5 mandolins or the diagonal “The Gibson” logo, elevated instruments to works of art. She also repurposed scraps of rosewood and abalone into jewelry, showcasing her resourcefulness.

A New Chapter and Moore’s Inlay

When Gibson began relocating to Nashville in 1980, Maudie was among the employees laid off. Unfazed, she continued contract work for Gibson from her Kalamazoo garage, where she set up her own shop, Moore’s Inlay, founded in 1972. She also worked with Heritage Guitar Company, formed in 1985 by former Gibson employees who stayed in Kalamazoo, and collaborated with C.F. Martin & Co.. Balancing her craft with education, Maudie earned an associate’s degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the mid-1970s, all while working full-time and running her business.

Her garage became a hub of creativity, stocked with etching plates and exotic woods. A notable artifact, an etching plate with the flowerpot design, was discovered at her estate sale and is now preserved by the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, symbolizing her meticulous artistry.

Maudie’s Enduring Impact

Maudie Moore’s career spanned over four decades until her passing on September 19, 2021. Her work on Gibson, Heritage, and Martin guitars remains a testament to her skill and passion. Instruments from her era, like those featured in the Kalamazoo Valley Museum’s collection, are prized by collectors, with some fetching upwards of $18,500.

At Escher Guitars, we celebrate Maudie’s legacy. An acoustic Guitar Body (no neck, finish or purfling/binding) was purchased from her estate in the summer of 2023. A "collaboration" of sorts took place when Justin Escher took the J-45 shaped body and fashioned missing pieces to ultimately produce a beautiful guitar. We refer to it fondly as the "Maudie Moore" Wayland Dreadnought. Recently, bluegrass guitarist Jeremiah Wenger tested this guitar, praising its projection and scooped midrange—qualities that echo the craftsmanship Maudie championed. Watch his performance here.

Learn more about Maudie’s story through the Kalamazoo Valley Museum (kalamazoomuseum.org), her 2012 oral history with NAMM, or the Every Guitar Has A Story feature (everyguitarhasastory.com). Join us at the Fretboard Summit 2025 (August 21–23, Chicago) to dive deeper into guitar history!

You can watch a short video about Maudie here.

—Justin, Escher Guitars