That's Angela from Collings Guitars in Austin, holding the City Limits Deluxe, just one of the guitars we picked up from the Collings booth at NAMM. Matt, Derek, Brian, and Alex all roamed the cavernous halls of the big music industry trade show in Anaheim, searching for new and/or improved gear for you!

Richard tagged along, of course, and spent much of his time reconnecting with friends he only sees once a year, such as Chuck Ogsbury and his daughter Tanya from Ome banjos (shown below holding a model similar to the one we ordered). Chuck is celebrating his 50th year building banjos, and he's still smiling.

We brought back instruments from Collings, Martin, and Santa Cruz, and of course ordered many more from other suppliers such as Bourgeois, Huss & Dalton, Magic Fluke (ukes), Taylor, Vox (amps), and others too numerous to mention. If you want the full story, complete with dozens of photos, we'll be sending out our NAMM show e-Gazette before the end of January. If you're not on our e-Gazette list, look for the sign-up box in the right hand column of this page.
Read more...

For years some folk have considered Hartke to be a one-trick pony. Recently they have applied new technology to their product line to become the "best of both worlds." Read what Brian has to say about it...
Read more...

The new model classical guitars have updated features that have been lacking in the past. Adjustable truss rods, shortened scale lengths and narrower nut widths along with woods other than Indian rosewood for the sides and back.
Read more...

We hope you were there, because if you missed it these photos will set you seething with envy. "I missed a party like THAT just to play golf?" Or, "Maybe having Aunt Martha drop me from her will for missing her birthday would have been worth it to see Kathy & Carol up close." The folks who did show up were treated to a steady stream of great live music, boosted just enough by an excellent sound system (thanks to Brian for running the board).
Read more...