Timeline of Jolana Guitars
Timeline of Jolana Guitars
The history of electric guitars in Czechoslovakia is closely linked with the story of Jolana. From the first experiments with electromagnetic sound to guitars that found recognition abroad, Hořovice has always been at the center of this journey. Jolana was born here in the 1960s and quickly became the country’s most famous guitar brand. Through decades of political change, shifting economies, and global collaborations, the tradition of guitar-making in Hořovice has endured. This timeline highlights the key moments in both Czech guitar history and the story of Jolana itself.
The First Steps in Electromagnetic Sound
Engineer Ferdinand Machálek develops the first pickup for piano. The patent is purchased by inventor and entrepreneur Ladislav Kořán, who begins producing electro-acoustic instruments at Resonet in Blatná—laying the foundation for Czechoslovak electric guitars.
The First Czechoslovak Electric Guitar
Resonet introduces the Grazioso, the country’s first electric guitar and an early milestone that paved the way for Jolana.
International Recognition
Resonet instruments—the Grazioso guitar, Arioso Hawaiian guitar, and Arco contrabass—win a gold medal at EXPO 58 in Brussels, bringing Czechoslovakia’s technical and artistic excellence to the world stage.
The Neoton Electric Guitars
Electric guitars under the Neoton name begin production in Hradec Králové, expanding the country’s young guitar-making industry.
The Birth of Jolana
The Jolana brand is introduced, marking the beginning of an era for Czechoslovak electric guitars.
The Tornado Project
Jolana develops the Tornado electro-acoustic model. From 1968, it begins serial production at the Harmonika factory in Hořovice, establishing the town as the centre of Jolana manufacturing.
The Jolana Diamant
Inspired by the iconic Les Paul, the Diamant becomes one of Jolana’s most recognizable models.
The Final Communist-Era Years
Jolana continues producing popular models such as the Diamant in Hořovice, though guitar making is shaped by the limits of the centrally planned economy.
From Jolana’s Decline to Industry Transformation
After the fall of the Iron Curtain, production under the Jolana name ceases by the early 1990s.
In 1993, the Hořovice factory is taken over by Bohemia Musico, which shifts to building guitars for global brands like Epiphone, Hohner, Spector, and MTD.
By 2001, the company goes bankrupt, nearly ending Czech electric guitar making—until former employee Petr Vykydal founds NBE Corp. and starts again in nearby Drozdov.
Jolana Guitars Today
In the late 2000s, NBE Corp. revives the Jolana brand. Today, Jolana guitars are once again crafted in Hořovice, blending Czech tradition with modern technology.
Classic models such as the Tornado, Diamant, Grazioso, Star X and others are being produced again—this time with a level of quality that stands proudly alongside the world’s leading guitar brands.
