The First Quality Music Blog

That’s right!  The Planet Waves Trio Capo for banjo and mandolin is now available at First Quality Music.   This capo is made of ultra-light aluminum so it adds virtually no weight to your instrument and the one-hand operation is smooth and easy to use.  Check it out today!

We’re proud to welcome another owner to the Sullivan Banjo family! Chris Hogue of Bargersville, IN picked up his Sullivan Vintage-35 banjo today in our retail showroom. This particular V-35 is a Mahogany model and is one of the first in the series we’ve produced.

To learn more about the Sullivan Vintage-35 Banjo, give us a call at (800) 635-2021 and be sure to check out the Sullivan Vintage-35 Story here.

Welcome back to another Vault Friday! Each Friday I’ll venture into the Vault with one of our instrument specialists to showcase some of the cool stuff we’ve got hidden away in there.

Inspired by Dave Matthews’ 914ce, the Dave Matthews Signature Model is an Indian rosewood/Sitka spruce Grand Auditorium. A custom fretboard inlay blends elements of the popular “Cindy” inlay, which graces Matthews’ 914ce, with a design that pays tribute to the band’s longtime sax player, LeRoi Moore, who passed away in 2008. Based on a sketch that Matthews provided, a crown inlay between the 11th and 12th frets honors Moore, incorporating ball-tipped points with one ball partially missing in his memory. A nickname of Moore’s within the band, “Grux,” is inlaid between the 13th and 18th frets. The headstock inlay also was developed from a sketch by Matthews. The guitar top was shaded with an aged toner to approximate the patina Matthews has on his older 914ce.

Each Dave Matthews Signature Model acoustic guitar comes with a custom guitar label and a certificate of authenticity, both personally signed by Matthews.

You can learn more about the Taylor 914ce Dave Matthews Signature Model by clicking here or by giving Corey a call at (800) 635-2021.

Welcome back to another Vault Friday! Each Friday I’ll venture into the Vault with one of our instrument specialists to showcase some of the cool stuff we’ve got hidden away in there.

The Gibson John Hiatt J45 features the sweet tone of the best pre-War Gibson flat-tops but is a top-flight performance machine for today’s professional singer-songwriter. Featuring Hiatt’s own specifications of solid Sitka spruce top with the lines of the J45 round-shouldered, the John Hiatt J45 has excellent projection and is comfortable to play. Additional features are solid mahogany back and sides, one-piece mahogany neck with modified V profile and 24 3/4 inch scale Madagascar rosewood fingerboard.

Upgraded details such as advanced, scalloped X bracing, the unparalleled Fishman Ellipse matrix blend and preamp system, a bone nut and Tusq saddle all work to ensure rich, resonant tones, either unplugged or fully amplified, while a hand-sprayed nitrocellulose Triple-Burst finish, multi-ply top binding, double-ring rosette, fire-stripe pickguard, mother-of-pearl dot inlays, and John Hiatt signature engraved truss-rod cover all declare that this is a rare and exclusive instrument.

Only 100 John Hiatt Model guitars will be produced by Gibson, and each one comes with a formfitting hardshell case with plush blue lining, an owner’s manual, and Gibson’s Gold Warranty.

You can learn more about the Gibson John Hiatt Signature J45 Acoustic Guitar by giving JC a call at (800) 635-2021 Ext. 7124

Love the tone and sound of D’Addario’s famous XL Electric Guitar strings, but wish they would last longer? At Winter NAMM, D’Addario offered an answer: the new EXP 110, 115, 120, 125 and 140 strings. D’Addario is so confident in the lasting ability of these strings that they are including a free extra 1st string – the string most susceptible to breakage. No need to replace the entire set should you break a string!

D’Addario EXPs deliver the most natural-sounding, longest-lasting coated strings available. Through our advanced EXP Coated Technology, we have perfected the art and science of coated string-making to deliver extended play strings that sound identical to our world famous XLs. Plus, we’ve dramatically improved the corrosion resistance, longevity and durability of plain steel strings through an exclusive compound tin-plating process. Finally…coated electric strings that deliver longer life, completely natural tone and the feel of uncoated strings. You won’t believe they are coated!

You can learn more about the D’Addario at http://daddario.com, and be sure to check out our entire selection of D’Addario EXP strings!

Welcome back to another Vault Friday! Each Friday I’ll venture into the Vault with one of our instrument specialists to showcase some of the cool stuff we’ve got hidden away in there.

We’re showcasing another one of the Taylor 35th Anniversary guitars today, the Baritone. Befitting its name, this guitar  features a longer scale length (27 inches), allowing the guitar to be played in a lower register without sacrificing string tension. The Baritone is tuned in B and features Indian Rosewood back and sides with a Sitka Spruce top. Singer-songwriters who prefer the lower registers and guitarists who favor a deep, gritty sound will really love this guitar.

Give JC a call at (800) 635-2021 Ext. 7124, or click here for more information!

First Quality Music and Paige Capos are proud to announce that the wait is over – the Clik Capo will be available at First Quality Music this Wednesday, October 7th. We’ll have models for Acoustic and Electric guitar immediately, with Banjo and Mandolin capos in the following weeks. The Clik is a great addition to the Paige line, favorite among many artists. Just push the center button until it touches the neck and give it a quick twist – you’re ready to play! To release, just push the center button again and you’re good to go.

We’ll be offering the Paige Clik for $19.99, but to celebrate it’s launch we’ll be offering it at a very special price as our DEALIA of the week! We can’t publish the special price beforehand, but check out http://bit.ly/dealia next Wednesday, October 7th to get our special offer!

First Quality Music has started a new division within our company called Derby City Game Calls. We have a lot of friends in the hunting industry that have encouraged us to make game calls with our instrument grade wood. With the technology to make instruments it just made sence to give it a try. After months of research and development and working right along with some top notch hunters we have developed a line of game calls that just sound wonderful and we believe will do the job. Kentucky’s own Tim Farmer who host the ever popular TV show Kentucky Afield got wind that a Kentucky company that has made banjos for 38 years is now also making game calls, so needless to say he had to check us out. We welcomed Tim in to First Quality Music and before we got started talking turkey calls we got him to play a little Bluegrass Music with the guys here at First Quality. Murrell Thixton, JC Gay and one of our very good friends Cody Pearman play along side Tim Farmer on Upright Bass playing the song Cumberland Gap.

We also Got Tim during his visit to sign our Wall of Fame.

During his visit here at First Quality Music we showed him around and when the Music Store closed we began to show him how we make Turkey Calls. Jim Dawson of Derby City Game Calls spoke with Tim as we filmed a segment for the upcoming episode on Kentucky Afield.

As we finished up our segent for Kentucky Afield, Brent Stoner of Derby City Game Calls talks with Tim going over different options and the basics of how we use our instrument building technology to produce wonderful sounding Turkey Calls.

Make sure to check us out on Saturday September the 19th at 8:30 pm Eastern time on KET Channel 13 on Insight Cable.

The much anticipated Eric Clapton Limited Edition 00028 Madagascar Martin Guitars arrived at First Quality Music yesterday.  This edition size of 461 total pieces was an instant sell out at the 2009 Winter Namm show. Each guitar’s label was personally signed by Eric Clapton himself.  Part of our allotment of these fine guitars were pre sold but the final two, (one Natural and one Sunburst) hit our showroom today.  Please visit the First Quality Music Website for detail information and specs.   For those who wish to watch a video, First Quality’s very own Murrell Thixton does a brief demo for you to enjoy.  For additional information feel free to call First Quality Music at 800.635.2021 and ask for Murrell, JC or Jeff.

First Quality Music was proud to be selected as one of a few select Dealers to receive the 35th Anniversary Collection from Taylor.  Our very first guitar just came in today and it is Stunning!  The “35th Anniversary SolidBody Feathered Koa“.  Actual photographs are listed on the First Quality Music web site.  Stay tuned for other 35th Anniversary Collection models as they will be arriving over the next few weeks.  We will only be getting one of each, presale orders are welcome.  For more details also check out the Taylor Website or call Jeff or JC at 800.635.2021.