Manufacturers' websites

Guitars

C. F. Martin Guitars One of the oldest makers of fine guitars in the USA. Martins are the classic standard by which all guitars are judged. How can you tell an 000-1 from a D2? Find out on this website. There's also a handy page where you can type in your serial number and find out what year your Martin was made.

Taylor Guitars Those magicians in San Diego. Combining the best of traditional craftsmanship with the most modern manufacturing methods, the name Taylor has come to mean excellence and innovation in fine guitar building. On their website, you'll find a wonderful discussion of the properties of the different woods used in guitar building.

Collings Guitars Guitarists everywhere are delighted that Bill Collings lost interest in medical school and became a luthier. From his company in Austin, Texas come some of the finest guitars being made today. His instruments are noted for their incredibly balanced sound and beautiful, understated elegance.

Rainsong Guitars These are the guitars you might take on the Space Shuttle. Formed from graphite, they provide a rich and powerful tone that baffles traditionalists and delights their owners. Their construction materials also make them virtually indestructable. This website tells the whole crazy story of this space age guitar that, like the Model T Ford, comes in any color, as long as it's black.

National Guitars Famous for their resophonic guitars, this is the company that invented the "guitar with the hubcap on the top". The first resophonic guitars were made in the 1920's in an attempt to get a louder instrument. (This was before amplification, kiddies). Get the entire history on this site.

Dobro A part of the Gibson family since 1993, Dobro was what John Dopyera called his new invention when he left the National Guitar Company in 1928. The history of these two companies is long and convoluted. But the result today is that we have two fantastic resophonic guitar makers to choose from.

Mandolins

Gibson and Flatiron This company dates back to the days in the 1800's when there were entire mandolin orchestras! Imagine that. The company has had its adventures along the way but has managed to periodically produce legendary instruments. Gibson mandolins are bluegrass standards.

Weber Most of the Weber folks worked for Flatiron in Montana before it was acquired by Gibson. In 1996, when Gibson moved to Nashville, the Flatiron people didn't want to leave Montana and Flatiron General Manager and head luthier, Bruce Weber founded Sound to Earth and began making Weber mandos.

Breedlove These guys, located in the high desert of central Oregon, produce some of the most original mandolins around. They are a very environmentally conscious firm and they delight in innovative designs using a wide variety of non traditional woods. Their mandos are a delight to look at as well as to play.

Kentucky These mandolins are some of the best deals around. Another rather convoluted history. Originally made by the Saga Music Company in Korea, manufacturing is now shifting to China. The older ones are more desireable but the new ones still represent an incredible value for the beginner or intermediate player. Their website is rather mundane with no pictures currently available of their products. Best to come into the store and play one for yourself. You might just be amazed.

Mid-Missouri This website is straightforward and no nonsense, just like the mandolins of the same name. There's nothing fancy about Mid-Missouris but boy, do they sound good. A wonderful example of skilled craftsmanship combined with great woods. These babies will surprise you.

Banjos

Gibson The banjos Earl Scruggs made famous. The famous cornerstone of bluegrass music. The gibson 5-String. Check out the whole line and drool. These guys still are capable of major magic.

Stelling Nothing else sounds like a Stelling. Comparing a Stelling to a Gibson is like comparing a banana to an orange. They are both wonderful. It just depends on what you prefer. The website is a fascinating history of a fascinating instrument.

Deering John Hartford's banjo and certainly a contender for one of the all time greats.

Gold Tone The Gold Tone company is full of surprises, offering excellent instruments at a fraction of the price of other manufacturers. Check out this site for complete descriptions.