Product Announcements

The Loar has introduced a new hand-carved, solid wood mandolin. It's an A-model designated as the LM-300-VS, their first x-braced A style. The LM-300 is designed with fewer visual appointments, allowing them to offer it for sale at $374.99. The binding

Guardian debuted their new Professional Fiberglass mandolin case (CG-065) at the Summer NAMM show in Nashville last month. They had previously introduced fiberglass cases for banjo, guitar and cello. Like all the Guardian products, this case is designed to offer the

The Kel Kroydon Banjo Company is set to introduce a new, more-affordable banjo line in late September. Dubbed the "Affordable Banjo," two models will be introduced at the Fall 2010 Banjo Camp North, just near Boston (9/24-26). Tom Mirisola, President of

Guardian has a new model to add to their extensive line of instrument cases. The Value Hardshell Cases are designed to offer a 3-ply, cross-grained wooden case for a much lower price than have been the norm for plywood cases. These

Rob Iery has been a devoted bluegrass fan for nearly 40 years, but with his career as a middle school teacher consuming his time, he had to content himself as a part-time picker and avid consumer. Now that he has

Gibson Guitars has released a free iPhone app that, while visually targeted at electric guitarists, contains a number of valuable features for any six stringer. Called appropriately enough, The Gibson Guitar App, it features a number of different tuners. There is

Recording King has announced a new addition to their bluegrass banjo line. The Madison RK-R35 is offered as a low cost student adaptation of the classic Mastertone-style banjo design. It utilizes a steam-bent 3 ply rim, bell-brass tone ring, one piece

The Deering Banjo Company has introduced acoustic/electric versions for two of their most popular models. Both their wildly successful beginner banjo, the Goodtime, and the Sierra, their lowest cost pro model, are now available outfitted with a Kavanjo banjo pickup installed.

Kel Audio has made a number of converts in the bluegrass world this past few years. Founder Kelly Dueck never set out to build a "bluegrass microphone," but he has found them embraced by such stellar grassers as Mike Auldridge,

Andy Hall, resophone with The Infamous Stringdusters, is starting the New Year with a bang. He has released a new EP, Aquifer, and has just announced the debut of a signature model resophonic guitar built by Tooter Meredith. The setting for