FISHMAN SOLOAMP WINS BEST IN SHOW AT SUMMER NAMM 2008
Fishman’s new SoloAmp Performance system, a highly portable and powerful personal PA system, took Best of Show honors at the Summer NAMM show in Nashville. The SoloAmp—which was designed primarily for singer-songwriters but is suitable for pickers of every stripe—applies Fishman’s experience in developing compact amplification to ultrawide distribution line-array speaker technology. It also hints at a growing demand for smaller line-array-based PA systems, which enable a greater power-to-portability ratio and effectively work as both PA speakers and monitors. fishman.com

TALKIN’ GUITARS’ TAKES TO DVD, SEEKS NETWORK
Ax enthusiasts longing for a television show to call their own can now check out Talkin’ Guitars on DVD. The 30-minute segments, likened by creator John Southern to Speed Channel’s American Muscle Car or PBS’s Antiques Roadshow, features a one-on-one interview with guitar legends, vintage guitar experts, and lessons from top-notch players. The first show, which was taped at the Arlington (Texas) Guitar Show, features the Hellecasters’ Will Ray and Vintage Guitar Price Guide authors Alan Greenwood and Gil Hembree. Other segments will feature C.F. Martin & Co. CEO Chris Martin, Scotty Moore, and George Gruhn. Talkin’ Guitars is currently available on DVD for $18.95 per show. For more information, e-mail johnsguitarshop@aol.com.

A CHAT WITH ROD SCHENK
The work of Washington state-based luthier Rod Schenk is championed by players including Vince Gill, Michael Chapdelaine, and Franco Morone. His guitars represent a unique marriage of modern engineering techniques like CAD (computer aided design) and time-tested lutherie methods. We discussed some of Schenk’s guitar-building philosophy as well as his new, more affordable Players Series.

You’ve successfully demonstrated that modern engineering techniques have a place in the world of smaller-volume lutherie. Are you still using these techniques to update your designs?
SCHENK I think modern engineering techniques and manufacturing processes shine in their full glory in the small shop. Larger factories use this equipment and technology to make guitars faster to increase their profit margin. Smaller builders, like me, have the luxury of using this technology to make products that are superior in quality.

It is not in my nature to be complacent in design. I am constantly seeking new knowledge from players to keep my guitars on the cutting edge and provide the best playability and sound. I have been fortunate to have several of Nashville’s finest session players want to play my instruments and in return they have given me a wealth of insight into what the discriminating guitarist is looking for. Insight from the worlds finest players coupled with state-of-the-art technology is a combination that’s hard to beat! [more]

SOLD AT BONHAMS, LONDON - JUNE 24, 2008
Circa 1860 Martin Style 2 - $3,600
1843 Louis Panormo Spanish - $7,200
1976 José Ramírez III Classical - $3,840
bonhams.com

HUSS AND DALTON FS
A beautifully crafted fusion of body styles results in a fingerstyle guitar with uncommon dynamic range and responsiveness. With video. [more]

KIPP KRUSA GUITARS
Luthier Kipp Krusa combines respect for traditional woodworking with innovative flattop and Weissenborn-inspired guitar designs. [more]

July 26–27
BAY AREA WORLD GUITAR SHOW
San Rafael, California
txshows.com

August 2–3
LOS ANGELES WORLD GUITAR SHOW
Pomona, California
txshows.com

August 5–10
GUITAR FOUNDATION OF AMERICA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION AND COMPETITION
San Francisco, California
guitarfoundation.org/drupal/convention

September 5–7
CLASSICAL GUITAR WEEKEND
Cleveland, Ohio
http://guitarsint.com/concert_series.cfm

September 29–October 5
IBMA WORLD OF BLUEGRASS 2008
Nashville, Tennessee
ibma.org

September 20–October 20
LA CHITARRA, FOUR CENTURIES OF MASTERPIECES
Alessandria, Italy
http://sinierderidder.free.fr/gb/maingb.html

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