The First Quality Music Blog

When I was walking through the shop this morning, I saw something new laid out on the workbench. It was an open back banjo with ‘Sullivan’ in the peghead. This got me curious so I set out to find Allen (our Shop Manager) to find out about it.

Turns out it’s a prototype for a new model that Allen and Eric are working on. It will be an open back banjo with a 1/4″ brass ring (very affordable!) that is upgradeable at a later date to include a tone ring, flange and resonator (very adaptable!). What a cool concept!

There are a few minor tweaks that need to be made, but it should be in full production in a week or so. Each one will come standard with a Sullivan Old Growth Bridge. And, are you ready for the best part? The price is going to be less than $750!

If you’ve ever called First Quality on the phone, chances are that you talked to Jim. He was the long-time Customer Service phone anchor and he took care of the eMails sent to Info@fqms.com. We’ll miss him here, but we wish him well in his retirement!

The 2009 Gibson Acoustic guitars are starting to arrive. In the last couple of days we’ve gotten the SJ-200 Studio and the Songwriter Deluxe Standard. Nice guitars to say the least, but JC is absolutely crazy about the new 2009 Songwriter Deluxe Standard. He loves the new inlays and the flamed maple body binding. And the sound – WOW! It was amazing straight out of the box!

I just read on the Gibson website that they’ve added a ‘new compound radius fingerboard for electric guitar-like playing.’ That’s the best of both worlds – the easy play of an electric with the incredible sound from the Fishman Aura system and the classic beauty of a Gibson acoustic guitar.

And did I mention the way this guitar sounds? Gibson went ‘old-school’ and used hide glue to install the red spruce tone bars and it completely paid off! You won’t believe how great it sounds.

Both of these guitars will be on the First Quality website soon. Call JC if you have any questions about the new Gibson Acoustics. (800) 635-2021 extn 7124

Our intent at First Quality has always been to make everyone feel like part of the family and it’s important that families stay in touch. Since everyone can’t come to Louisville to visit with us, this blog will bring the news and happenings from the shop and showroom to you.

You never know what the day around here will bring – maybe something brand new in the Sullivan Banjo line (Hint! Hint!), a hot new Gibson Les Paul or Fender Stratocaster, or a drop-in from one of our more famous family members!

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