String manufacturer D'Addario has teamed up with Aquila to produce a new line of Ukulele strings they're calling "Nyltech." (Yes, we agree, not the most imaginative name.) They've just announced these new strings--and as luck would have it, we're among the first to get them in stock. Tonally, these strings are warm but still punchy. And thanks to D'Addario's involvement, they'll be consistent in quality as well as reasonably priced. We have them in stock for Soprano Ukulele, Concert, Tenor and Baritone Uke.

Finally, another batch of Diamond Bottlenecks has arrived from England. These handblown leaded glass bottlenecks are fun to look at and sweet to play. Diamond calls these their Ultimates. We also have a good supply of Diamond Redhouse bottlenecks and "Blue Diamonds," both made from authentic bottlenecks but meticulously polished.

We couldn't resist bringing in these limited production all mahogany Larrivee parlor models. They're among the last of the Larrivee parlors to be built, and this model is a bit different than most. Here's a larger photo.

It's here: Fishman's most recent amp, the Fishman Loudbox Artist. It's a feature-packed and powerful 120 watt package in a still-manageable 25-1/2 pound size.

Also regularly in stock, our most popular Fishman amp, the Loudbox Mini, a 60 watt, 2-channel amplifier that weighs less than 20 pounds but still packs the expected Fishman punch.

We got to visit with Donna LoPrinzi last month and see quite a few examples of their ukuleles. Here's one that caught our attention, with a solid cedar top and solid mahogany back and sides, bound in multiple cream and black. Here's a larger photo.

Spruce Tree opened in December, 1980. We've weathered all sorts of storms: economic, political, and the scourge of pointy electric guitars. We've endured by sticking with what we know and love. We also have our loyal customers to thank, of course. Thank you, all.

To help celebrate, we have a new poster from Hatch Show Print, a Nashville company that's been designing and hand-printing posters since 1879. The new posters measure 22-1/2 x 13 inches, are 3-color, printed on smooth cardstock, and are $5.95.

This is the third poster done for us by Hatch Show Print. Here are the eariler posters.

We're happy to be offering two additional lines of high grade ukuleles. LoPrinzi ukuleles are handmade in Florida, built by father-daughter team Augustino and Donna Loprinzi, experienced builders of classical and steel-string guitars. Kiwaya ukes have been built in Japan since 1955. Both companies offer instruments that are extremely sweet and responsive, classically Hawaiian-sounding.

We have quite a few Nationals in the shop right now, encompassing vintage, new and almost new. Among the vintage models, a c.1932 National Duolian with a gray crystalline "Duco" finish, as well as a c.1941 National Style O 14-fret guitar.

National Resophonic's "Replicon" models are in the "almost new" category. They start out as new Nationals, and then they're finished off to look like they're vintage. We have a couple of Replicons that are almost new. Which means that they've been "distressed" at National, and then pre-owned by someone else for a brief time. (Confused yet?)

Here are complete details and full photos of the used and vintage Nationals in stock.

Hard to imagine getting excited about strap locks--that is, until your strap suddenly slips off of your strap button. Here's a new strap lock design that has managed to catch our attention. It offers a simple one-handed quick release, but is quite secure while in use.

Here's more info--and even a video link.

Deering has developed a new "Twenty-Ten" tone ring design that they've incorporated into their new model, the Eagle II. Round out the construction with dark-stained maple neck, rim and resonator, ebony fingerboard, Planetary tuners and a gloss finish. The net result is a fine instrument, sweet sounding but with plenty of power and depth as well. The best part is the mid-category pricing (list price $2399).

Among the recent arrivals are Larrivee L-03 guitars made with walnut backs and sides. Walnut is often overlooked in instrument building, but it's a lovely wood, tonally somewhere between mahogany and rosewood. Here's a larger view.

The folks at National Resophonic have been busy lately. The Triolian Polychrome is a new model, a very cool and accurately rendered reintroduction of an original National. Construction details include a steel body, single cone, slotted peghead and maple neck. It's painted finish features a traditional Hawaiian scene. It's the perfect antidote to winter, not just in looks but in sound. And yes, it's in stock.

Another new National just announced: The M1 Tricone, National's (almost) first wood-body tricone. (The original National company made a handful of wood body tricones at the beginning of WWII.) These instruments will are being built with laminated mahogany with a wood soundwell and handpainted steel coverplate. The sweet ring of a tricone combined with the tonal warmth of a wood body. Can't wait to hear it--due later this winter.

Chris Wagoner keeps busy, what with all those gigs, studio sessions and lessons to give. A while back, music publisher Hal Leonard asked Chris to write a fiddle instruction book, and we're happy to annouce that's just come out. "Hal Leonard Fiddle Method" is a fine introduction to fiddle techniques for folks with a bit of experience playing violin. Chris has packed a lot of information into a modestly-sized book (and remarkably priced at $9.99 including the companion CD).

Also arriving recently, several vintage Gibsons: An A-1, another A-4, an A-3 (yes, the one with the white finish!), and an F-4. Full details are listed at Used & Vintage Mandolins. (Sorry, the F-4 and the Leland Piccolo mandolin are already gone.)