The First Quality Music Blog

Everyone knows banjos just sound better when they have a tone ring installed.  The only drawback is the weight, right at three pounds.  First Quality is proud to introduce a direct replacement flathead tone ring made entirely from wood.  These tone rings are made on the same machines as the regular rings and they are have all the same features.  You can get a ring with a long or short skirt and with or without 20 holes.  The one pictured was custom ordered out of  factory floor maple and a Brazilian rosewood top.  Call for more information. 800.635.2021

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.

Hey folks! Just wanted to drop by with a quick update on several happenings here at First Quality Music. We’ve had a lot going on the past few days, some of it pretty significant!

1) Twitter!
First Quality Music is now on Twitter! Check us out at http://www.twitter.com/1stqualitymusic – we’ll post things that don’t quite merit a full blog post, but are interesting nonetheless! We’re also looking at other endeavors into Social Media – feel free to give me an email at travis@fqms.com if you have any comments or ideas. Stay tuned!

2) The Laser
We’ve purchased a laser engraving system from Universal Laser Systems. As you can see, many of us are taking a little break to watch this thing in action. There are a ton of implications for us here, from engraving instrument parts (Truss Rod covers, Banjo name blocks, etc…) to creating wooden or glass plaques. From what we’ve seen today, we’ll be able to make a huge assortment of new, customized products for our customers. We’ll keep you posted on our progress as we learn how to use this thing, so stay posted!

3) Custom Color Matching
Also thought that we would share with you some of the custom work being done in our shop. Today when I went back to see what was going on, Tim was working on a fairly interesting banjo neck. A customer sent us an imported resonator and asked that we create a banjo around it. Check out what Tim has done so far, having matched the colors and the shade of the pearl inlay.

4) The Banjo Room
Friends of First Quality Music know that we were originally founded as a banjo supply company, and create the Sullivan Banjo line here at our retail showroom. So, what happens when you combine First Quality Music with an empty room in our building? Something amazing. We’ve collected many amazing banjos and artifacts through the years(Such as our sizable collected of pre-war banjo necks), and have decided to create a haven for the many banjo players who visit us every day. Again, stay posted for more updates on this project!

5) And of course, the same ol’ thing.
So much more to mention, a pre-war tone ring project, our old-growth mandolin, the new Sullivan Banjo site… the list goes on! But, we’re keeping ourselves busy with our true passion: serving our customers. I managed to catch a spy shot of Murrell tuning a guitar while speaking with some customers today – stop by and see us!

Eric and I were proud to present Harold Priddy of Louisville, Ky with the very first “Old Growth” Mandolin prototype today.  Harold was very excited to be the first one to own this wonderful mandolin.  This original prototype was built by master luthier Dave Harvey ( Gibson Original Instruments ) in Nashville, TN and was put into service on Oct 9th, 2008.  Serial #  81009010. Since that time it has been loaned out to many mandolin players to give it a test drive,  one of our favorite’s was Doyle Lawson of Quick Silver,  Doyle played it for about 4 weeks and even played a show or two with it.  One of Doyle’s comments was it sounded like a cross between one of his original 1926 and 1929 Ferns.  It just sounds old. Harold is anxious to get it out and break it in with his current band Fresh Cut Grass. Harold is a very respected mandolin player here in Louisville and has been playing 30 plus years. We look forward to hearing the mandoin on his new CD, he’s going into the studio on May 8th.  Stay Tuned!  First Quality is working on the 2nd and 3rd prototype currently and welcome anyone who wants to hear an “Old Growth” mandolin. Come on by the shop and give it a test drive.

Just wanted to let everyone know that Corey and I will be traveling to MerleFest again this year. Our booth in the Sponsor’s tent will be open during all show hours on Thursday April 23rd through Saturday April 25th.  As in years past, we’ll be working with some great folks from Martin Guitars, Gibson Acoustic Guitars, D’Addario Strings, Fishman Acoustic Amplification, TKL/Cedar Creek Cases, GHS Strings, and Eastman Mandolins.  We’ll have incredible deals you won’t want to miss!

At the show, we are unveiling a new line of affordable, Kentucky-made Sullivan banjos that you will definitely want to check out.  Our one-of-a-kind “Old Growth” Gibson mandolin will also be in the booth and available for your inspection.

Stop by and get a First Quality catalog, pick a tune or two or just say Hello!