Acoustic Guitar

Washburn Guitars will be adding five new models to its extensive line of finely crafted acoustic guitars. These new additions to the product line made their debut at the Winter NAMM 2008 Show in Anaheim, CA in January and will be available this summer.

The Thinline brings the Halfling series one giant step over into the land of the Jazz/Blues guitar, not only allowing it to perform like an electric L5 but by now allowing it to perform like the dynamic L5-CTs as well as the ES175 and ES335 style guitars. The option of having a single top mounted neck position humbucker opens up a great many new dimensions in sound for the Halfling. This coupled with it's significant level of feedback suppression allows the Thinline to bridge the gap between jazz and blues like no other archtop ever before.

Martin has released three limited edition Elvis acoustic guitars: the D-28 Elvis Presley, the D-28 Elvis Presley CVR and the D-28M Elvis Presley. A combined value of over 26 grand.

Czech Republic-based Amistar introduced their latest edition, the Randy Kohrs metal resophonic guitar (AKA Resonator Guitar), this past weekend at NAMM. Kohrs was on hand the whole time to showcase his latest endorsement and according to the Nashville session musician and artist, it received quite a bit of attention.

The Cure will auction a custom designed Schecter RS-1000 acoustic guitar in order to raise funds for the defense fund of imprisoned Arkansas men Damien Echols (who is on death row), Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley, Jr. The three men, most commonly referred to as the West Memphis Three (www.wm3.org), were convicted for murdering three elementary school children in 1994.

Jeffrey Yong has released his JJ 2008 Edition acoustic, a classy number inspired by his fellow artisans Charles Fox, Kevin Ryan and Harry Fleishman.

Jeff Tweedy came across his Breedlove Revival 000 acoustic purely by chancea and it soon become a stage and studio favorite. Now, a year on, Tweedy has teamed up with Breedlove to create a Limited Edition Revival 000 model.

A left-handed model of Optek Music System's 'interactive acoustic/electric guitar,' the Fretlight FG-405, is now available. For those not familiar with the Fretlight series, they are real six-string guitars with an added interactive light system that allows you to learn guitar and see what you need to play right under your fingers.

Wendler Instruments has announced the new KW model electroCoustic guitar. This instrument is aimed specifically at the country roadhouse guitarist. The addition of the most traditional single coil pickup design to the resonant and highly responsive red cedar body, allows the widest range of clean spanky tones imaginable. From "Chickin Pickin" through "Western Swing" and "Tennesee Flattop Box" through shifting gears in your KW over-the-road hauler. This lightweight, resonant guitar will fill the dance floor.

Washburn Guitars has announced the addition of the Baby Jumbo series to their stellar line of acoustic guitars. The Baby Jumbo is ideal for musicians who enjoy the sound of a jumbo-body guitar, but prefer a compact-sized instrument that is player- and stage-friendly.

Epiphone want to take you on a little trip back in time with their Vintage Collection website. Back in March of 2007 Epiphone acquired the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of pre-1957 Epiphone instruments. Now they will periodically feature a different instrument from this incredible collection at www.epiphone.com/thevintagecollection in an effort to chronicle the rich heritage of these instruments.

It's all about free love over at Martin I reckon and this guitar proves it: The new Martin 000X Hippie. The Hippie features a very colorful design from Don Oriolo, the man behind the Martin FeLiX The Cat guitars and son of FeLiX co-originator, Joe Oriolo.

Oscar Schmidt by Washburn has introduced six new ukuleles, continuing its tradition of innovation through the introduction of these models. "The OU250BELL is a reissue of a vintage Washburn "bell" shape ukulele popular in the 1920's" according to Oscar Schmidt PR. "It features a solid Trembesi top, back and sides with ivory body binding, abalone logo, rosette and fret dot inlays. The ukulele has deluxe Grover GH305 tuners with ebony buttons, bone nut and saddle and GHS strings. Deluxe hard shell case included. Retail $389.90."

Gibson Guitar recently announced its acquisition of Garrison Guitars, a company based in St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada. The acquisition will further Gibson’s expansion in the acoustic guitar market, offering a new series of Gibson brand acoustic guitars aimed at the median price point to be introduced at the Summer NAMM convention in Austin, Texas.

Gibson has announced a global relationship with Live Earth in the campaign to combat global warming. Gibson Acoustic Guitar has produced 25 exclusive, environmentally-friendly custom guitars with the Live Earth logo emblazoned on the front. These limited-edition acoustic guitars are to be signed by artists performing at the eight official concerts across the globe on July 7, 2007, and ultimately auctioned off to benefit the Live Earth concerts and Alliance for Climate Protection. Numerous artists are also scheduled to perform using the Gibson acoustic Live Earth guitars.

Epiphone, makers of the Emily the Strange electric guitar, is designing a new Emily the Strange acoustic guitar and they want you to choose your favorite design.

Pantheon Guitars announces the addition of the Bourgeois Short Scale Slope D. This is the first guitar from Pantheon to feature the popular shorter scale fretboard.

Martin always release or announce a bunch of new models at NAMM in January. Still, I never find out half the details about them until 5 months later. Anyway... here is the FeLiX III, which I think is easily the most extravagant of the Martin FeLiX series. List price is $649.00.

Michael Kelly Guitar Company announced today that they would be producing a new series of limited production mandolins. Ranging from new models to reissues of old favorites, these special mandolins will be available in very limited numbers and released incrementally this year from June through December.

Recording King has introduced three guitar series inspired by the craftsmanship and designs of the pre-war era. Classic, Contemporary and Historic Series models feature solid tops, all-solid body options, pre-war-style features, and beautiful designs.

Americana and Grammy-nominated artist, Buddy Miller, teamed up with Fender to create a signature acoustic that blends traditional acoustic tones with modern electric playability.

The Fender Electracoustic Series guitars have been redesigned and upgraded to provide a superior blend of electric playability and acoustic tonality, all while retaining the familiar Fender vibe.

Eil.com, one of the leaders in rare music and music memorabilia, has discovered yet another piece of musical history. The item is Freddie Mercury's very own Hofner acoustic guitar. Famous for his generosity, Freddie autographed and presented it as a gift to his close friend Kenny Everett, who later donated it as a competition prize.

Godin recently introduced the new A6 Ultra semi-acoustic model. The A6 Ultra continues with the innovative concepts found in all Godin A-series guitars, such as combining amazing plugged-in acoustic sound with the feel of an electric neck, along with a chambered body design that virtually eliminates feedback in live & loud settings.