Old 36 Guitar Works

About Old 36 Guitarworks

Our flagship guitars are the Heritage Collection made up by the Rebelcaster and Unioncaster guitars.

Old 36 takes its name from 1836 - the year Texas quit asking permission and became a republic of its own. It was a year of hard men, harder choices, and a kind of stubborn independence that still echoes across the vast area known as the State of Texas. That spirit - bold, weathered, unshakable - is the backbone of evey guitar that leaves my shop.

I chose the name Old 36 as a reminder of where grit comes from. Of the men who stood their ground at Goliad and the Alamo, the riders who carried word across wild country, the settlers who carved out a life with their hands and their hope. That same fire is what drives me to build guitars the way they used to be built — slow, honest, and with a whole lot of pride.

About the Guitars

With every guitar I build, I build charactr. The kind you can feel in the grain, hear in the first chord, and see in the scars the wood carries from its former life. Every guitar is custom built. Every body is shaped by eye and touch. Every finish is rubbed in until it feels like something that’s been around longer than I have.

These guitars fall into collections that carry the weight of the stories behind them. The Heritage Collection honors the divided roads that shaped this country — the Rebelcaster, the Unioncaster — instruments built with the dust of history still clinging to them. The Frontier Collection rides a different trail. The Trail Boss and the Quanahcaster live here, built for the kind of man who leads from the saddle, keeps his word, and doesn’t flinch when the sky turns mean.

No two Old 36 guitars are exactly alike. They’re not meant to be. They’re built for players who want something real — something with a pulse, something that feels like it’s been waiting for them and no one else. Tools for working musicians. Companions for long nights. Heirlooms in the making.

Serial numbers are on the back of each guitar's headstock and also laser engraved inside the neck pocket in each guitar.

Each model of our guitars has a distinctive, custom‑designed, laser‑engraved neck plate. From left to right are the plates for The Trail Boss, The Quanahcaster, The Rebelcaster, The Unioncaster and The Roadcaster. All plates are chrome except for The Rebelcaster, which features a black plate to match its black hardware. These plates aren’t just decorative — they add to the provenance and authenticity of every Old 36 guitar. Each instrument carries a serial number on the back of the headstock, sealed under clearcoat, and a matching laser‑engraved serial number hidden inside the neck pocket. Together, the neck plate design and the dual‑location serial numbers create a documented identity for every guitar, confirming authenticity and permanently matching each neck and body.

The Trail Boss guitar is built to honor those hard men who drove cattle across Texas in the late 19th century to get them to market. Offered in a glossy black finish, all chrome hardware, Texas flag pickguard and more!

Another hallmark of Old 36 Guitar Works is our custom‑designed, UV‑printed pickguards. Each design is created specifically for the guitar it belongs to, then UV‑cured for exceptional durability. These guards are tough, scratch‑resistant, and built to hold their color and detail through years of real playing. They don’t just protect the guitar — they complete its identity, standing as works of art in their own right.

Authenticity & Provenance

Each guitar model in the Old 36 lineup carries its own custom laser‑engraved neck plate, unique to that model. Every Trail Boss shares the Trail Boss plate, every Rebelcaster carries the Rebelcaster plate, every Unioncaster its own, and so on — giving each design a consistent identity across the entire run. These model‑specific plates also contribute to the authenticity and provenance of each instrument, serving as a visual identifier that ties every guitar back to its place in the Old 36 family.

Serial numbers are applied twice for authenticity and accuracy: a serial number is printed on the back of the headstock and sealed under clearcoat, and a matching laser‑engraved serial inside the neck pocket, ensuring each neck and body are permanently matched. This system gives every Old 36 guitar a documented identity, with every part matched and verified, and each model maintaining its own clear lineage.

The Heritage Collection set — the Rebelcaster and Unioncaster pair — features special serial numbers that identify them as part of a matched set with traceable significance, while individually sold Rebelcasters and Unioncasters receive their own unique serial numbers, shown on the headstock and engraved in the neck pocket.

Each guitar also includes a certificate of authenticity to document its origin and confirm its place in the Old 36 lineup.

Take a Look at the Guitars

Where American history meets hand-built craftsmanship. The Heritage Collection is home to the Rebelcaster and Unioncaster — two guitars that honor the grit, sacrifice, and human stories of the Civil War era.

The Rebelcaster stands as a tribute to the Southern soldiers and everyday men who carried their own grit, hardship, and hope into a divided nation. Inspired by the raw, improvised gear of the Confederate ranks, this instrument reflects a legacy of resilience, struggle, and the human stories woven through the Southern side of the American Civil War.

The Unioncaster honors the Northern soldiers who fought with discipline, determination, and a belief in preserving a nation under one flag. Shaped by the spirit of better‑equipped, battle‑tested ranks, this instrument carries forward a legacy of resolve, unity, and the steadfast strength that defined the Union cause.

Built for the men who rode ahead of the herd and carved their names into the wide-open West. The Frontier Collection begins with the Trail Boss — a guitar shaped by grit, discipline, and the quiet authority of the ones who led the drive.

The QuanahCaster joins the Frontier Collection as a respectful homage to the Comanche and the Native nations who fought to preserve their homeland and identity. Inspired by their mastery of the plains and their struggle for survival, this instrument carries forward a legacy of strength, endurance, and cultural pride.

Old 36 Guitar Works Limited Warranty and Terms

Applies to:
All Old 36 Guitar Works branded guitars purchased new with proof of purchase.

Coverage:
Lifetime warranty for defects in materials and workmanship on the instrument itself (for the original owner only).

Electronics, hardware, tuners, plated parts, cases and gig bags: covered for 1 year from date of purchase.

Strings, batteries and normal wear items:
Not covered.

Exclusions:
Damage from misuse, accidents, improper maintenance or unauthoried repairs.

Finish checking, normal wear of the finish, humidity or temperature damage or tone/playability changes.

Claim process:
Must provide proof of purchase from Old 36 Guitar Works or an authorized dealer.

Old 36 Guitar Works will, at its discretion, repair or replace the instrument. Shipping costs are usually the owner's responsibility.

All guitars are individually handcrafted. Because each instrument is built to order, delivery typically requires six to nine months from the time your order is received.

If you’re looking for a guitar with a little dust on its soul and a whole lot of truth in its voice, welcome to Old 36. Settle in. You’re among your own.

1624 Mistflower Ln., Winter Garden, Florida (407) 970-9559 jaynikon@yahoo.com