New Lessons in the String School for January
By: Dan Gabel
January 10, 2021
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
John Reischman, Scott Nygaard, Sharon Gilchrist, Joe K. Walsh: “The Eighth of January”
By: Dan Gabel
January 8, 2021
A three-mandolin, one-guitar version of the popular fiddle tune, played by the instructors at the first Peghead Nation Mandolin Camp.
Inside the Huss and Dalton Shop | Huss and Dalton Guitars
By: Huss and Dalton
January 7, 2021
A video tour of the guitar and banjo maker's Staunton, Virginia, shop.
Tony Rice Lessons
By: Scott Nygaard
January 6, 2021
What I learned during nearly 50 years of listening to, watching, trying not to be influenced by, and studying the music of the great Tony Rice.
Tim O’Brien: “Grandma’s Hands” | Northfield Mandolins
December 23, 2020
The songwriter and multi-instrumentalist plays an original song live at the Marshall Mandolin Summit.
Bruce Molsky Live | Elderly Instruments
December 23, 2020
Peghead Nation instructor and multi-instrumentalist performs for Elderly's Living Room Sessions.
Stevie Coyle: “Walking in the Air”
By: Dan Gabel
December 22, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Fingerstyle Guitar instructor plays his arrangement of the holiday favorite from the 1982 film “The Snowman.”
Tags: Fingerstyle, Guitar
Mike Compton and Scott Nygaard: “Bluegrass Special”
By: Dan Gabel
December 22, 2020
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play classic Bill Monroe boogie-woogie tune.
Welcome, Peghead Nation Subscribers, to Your New Website!
By: Dan Gabel
December 1, 2020
Watch a walk-through video with information about how to log in, navigate through your courses, use the new features, and more.
Join Richard Hoover and Eric Skye of Santa Cruz Guitars on Facebook Live, Friday, December 11
By: Scott Nygaard
November 30, 2020
Peghead Nation hosts the Santa Cruz Guitars founder and one of their signature artists live on Facebook, Friday, December 11 at 3 PM Pacific Time, for a special conversation.
Watch Zoe Guigueno’s Concert and Songwriting Discussion
By: Scott Nygaard
November 19, 2020
Our Bass instructor celebrated her recent album “Secret Admirer” with a live concert and a look at how she wrote several of the songs.
Kenny and Amanda Smith | Collings Guitars
By: Collings Guitars
November 13, 2020
A duo performance of Gillian Welch's "Winter's Come and Gone"
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Molly Tuttle’s Signature Sinker Dreadnought | Preston Thompson Guitars
November 3, 2020
The guitarist, singer, and songwriter plays and talks about her beautiful new signature model guitar.
Tags: Guitar, Thompson Guitars
Doc Oliver: “Couldn’t Wait” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
October 22, 2020
Navy veteran and singer-songwriter performs an original song in the LR Baggs video studio.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Steve McCreary | Collings Guitars
By: Collings Guitars
October 22, 2020
Collings Guitars' general manager discusses the company's instruments and his own background on the Fretboard Journal podcast.
Flynn Cohen and Marla Fibish: “The Famous Ballymote” and “The Morning Star”
By: Dan Gabel
October 15, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Irish Backup Guitar instructor flatpicks a set of reels with our Irish Mandolin instructor.
Martin Guitar Museum Tour with Chris Martin | Part 3
By: Martin Guitar
October 13, 2020
The Martin Guitar CEO talks about the development of the dovetail neck joint, the switch from fan-bracing to X-bracing, and more.
Huss & Dalton Statesboro SC Classic
By: Huss and Dalton
October 13, 2020
Jeff Huss and Mark Dalton discuss their company's new electric guitar
Tags: Guitar, Huss and Dalton
Joe K. Walsh, Jake Howard, Ethan Setiawan, Grant Gordy, and Darol Anger: “Ricochet”
By: Dan Gabel
October 12, 2020
Joe K. Walsh gathered mandolin compatriots together with his Mr Sun bandmates for a fun take on David Grisman’s tune “Ricochet” at the Great Lakes Music Camp this fall.
Eric Skye “Chinquapin Hunting” | Santa Cruz Guitars
October 7, 2020
Eric Skye flatpicks the well-known fiddle tune on his Santa Cruz signature model.
Tags: Guitar, Santa Cruz Guitars
Preston Thompson D-EIA
By: Teja Gerken
October 7, 2020
A great rosewood dreadnought with a few custom touches.
New Tunes, Techniques, and Lessons Added for October
By: Dan Gabel
October 1, 2020
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Jerry Douglas’ Stage Setup | Fishman
By: Fishman
September 30, 2020
Dobro star Jerry Douglas demonstrates how he uses his signature model Aura pedal and Fishman's TONEDEQ as part of his amplification rig.
Bonnie Susie Cleland | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
September 22, 2020
Zak Hobbs teaches his arrangement of "Bonnie Susie Cleland" for Lowden's Lockdown Lessons.
Bourgeois Guitars | Legacy Series 00/C Soloist
September 21, 2020
Guitarist Aaron Lefebvre demonstrates a 00/C Soloist built with Italian spruce and Brazilian rosewood.
James Nash: “Jack-A-Roe” | Doc Watson Tribute | Santa Cruz Guitars
September 17, 2020
The guitarist, singer, songwriter, and founding member of the Waybacks pays homage to Doc Watson with a medley of "Bright Sunny South" and “Jack-A-Roe,” a traditional song that became a mainstay of the Greatful Dead.
Tags: Guitar, Santa Cruz Guitars
The Updated Martin Guitar X Series
By: Martin Guitar
September 16, 2020
Durable and affordable without sacrificing tone, Martin’s X Series offers the legendary Martin tone, travel-friendly design, a comfortable feel, and great value.
Tags: Guitar, Martin Guitar
LR Baggs Voiceprint DI | Element VTC Demo
By: LR Baggs
September 16, 2020
LR Baggs‘ new Voiceprint DI pairs with their Acoustic Live smartphone app to capture your guitar’s one-of-a-kind voice.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Alice Howe | The Shubb Partial Capo as a Songwriter’s Tool
By: Shubb Capos
September 16, 2020
The songwriter talks about using a partial capo to open up new songwriting ideas.
Derk’s Discoveries: David Broza Celebrates the Spanish Guitar
By: Derk Richardson
September 12, 2020
The Israeli singer-songwriter makes a powerful statement--without words.
Tags: Guitar
Watch Matt Munisteri’s Jazz Guitar Workshop
By: Dan Gabel
September 11, 2020
Our Roots of Jazz Guitar instructor held a live workshop recently, answering questions from his students and giving a wide range of insightful tips. Watch the video here.
Mike Witcher: “Shenandoah”
By: Dan Gabel
September 3, 2020
Peghead Nation’s dobro instructor plays a beautiful version of the traditional folk favorite.
Thompson Masterpiece Series | Thompson Guitars
September 2, 2020
A look at a koi fish-themed Thompson Masterpiece guitar.
New Tunes, Techniques, and Lessons Added for September
By: Dan Gabel
September 2, 2020
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Teja Gerken, Doug Young, Marla Fibish, and Bruce Victor: “Here Comes the Sun”
By: Dan Gabel
August 25, 2020
An acoustic quartet arrangement of the Beatles classic.
Martin Guitar Museum Tour with Chris Martin | Part 2
By: Martin Guitar
August 25, 2020
The Martin Guitar CEO talks about his family's settlement in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and early Martin guitar designs.
Black Mountain Rag | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
August 20, 2020
Zak Hobbs teaches his arrangement of "Black Mountain Rag" for Lowden's Lockdown Lessons.
Using EQ | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
August 17, 2020
How to use EQ to enhance your amplified sound.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Charlie Rauh and Mark Goldenberg | Collings Guitars
By: Collings Guitars
August 14, 2020
Fingerstyle jazz guitarist Charlie Rauh performs an improvisation with Peghead Nation instructor Mark Goldenberg.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Trifolium: “Sanctuary” | Muleskinner Instruments
By: Froggy Bottom
August 13, 2020
Froggy Bottom luthier and Muleskinner Instruments founder Andy Mueller plays a Muleskinner octave mandolin with his trio.
Steve Baughman: “Falls of Richmond”
By: Dan Gabel
August 11, 2020
Peghead Nation clawhammer guitar instructor plays an old-time fiddle tune.
Froggy Bottom Guitars | 5A Koa Model M
By: Froggy Bottom
August 10, 2020
Scott Ainslie plays "Coleman's March" in Open C tuning on a beautiful Froggy Bottom.
Eric Skye and Jamie Stillway | Santa Cruz Guitars
August 10, 2020
Eric Skye and Jamie Stillway play Skye's original "Kathryn By the Delaware"
Tags: Guitar, Santa Cruz Guitars
John Cruz Live Performance | Thompson Guitars
August 4, 2020
Slack-key guitarist plays "Missing You" on his Thompson Size 2.
New Tunes, Techniques, and Lessons Added for August
By: Dan Gabel
August 3, 2020
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Open String Scales for Acoustic Guitar | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
July 31, 2020
Zak Hobbs teaches simple open-string scales for Lowden's Lockdown Lessons.
Bourgeois Guitars Behind the Scenes | Soundhole Sizes
July 30, 2020
Bourgeois Guitar's James Cook discusses the company's OM Large Soundhole.
Martin Guitar Museum Tour with Chris Martin | Part 1
By: Martin Guitar
July 29, 2020
The Martin Guitar CEO talks about the earliest days of the company and his family’s settling in the United States.
Watch Our Soloing and Improvising Workshop | Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard
By: Dan Gabel
July 23, 2020
Our mandolin and guitar instructors talk about their unique approaches to improvising and field questions from their students in this 90-minute workshop.
Chad Manning and Scott Nygaard: “Whiskey Before Breakfast”
By: Dan Gabel
July 22, 2020
Peghead Nation instructors play a mandolin and guitar version of the jam-session favorite.
Sierra Hull: “Everybody’s Talking” | Bourgeois Guitars
July 16, 2020
The two-time IBMA mandolin player of the year performs an original song on her Bourgeois L-DBO guitar.
Laurie Lewis Live Performance | Thompson Guitars
July 15, 2020
The songwriter, singer, and guitarist took over the Thompson Guitars Facebook page to play a few songs on her Thompson OM-28.
Fishman ToneDEQ | How to Add Tremolo
By: Fishman
July 14, 2020
A look at the analog tremolo feature on Fishman’s powerful preamp EQ.
John Reischman, Sharon Gilchrist, and Scott Nygaard: “Midnight on the Water”
By: Dan Gabel
July 9, 2020
A beautiful performance of the bluegrass classic from the string trio, Harmonic Tone Revealers.
Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “Dawg’s Waltz”
By: Dan Gabel
July 2, 2020
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play a David Grisman and Jerry Garcia tune.
New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation for July
By: Dan Gabel
July 1, 2020
Our instructors have released great new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Amythyst Kiah: “Firewater” | Martin Museum Sessions
By: Martin Guitar
July 1, 2020
The songwriter and multi-instrumentalist performs an original song live in the Martin Museum, on a 1942 Martin D-45.
The Cactus Blossoms: “Downtown” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
June 30, 2020
Brothers Page Burkum and Jack Torrey play one of their original songs live in the LR Baggs studio.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Trey Hensley Live Performance | Thompson Guitars
June 30, 2020
The flatpicking master recently took over the Thompson Guitars Facebook page to play a song and talk about his Thompson dreadnought.
Lindsay Lou: Preston Thompson Guitars Facebook Live
June 18, 2020
The songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist plays a live set from her home in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jonathan McReynolds: “People” | Martin Museum Sessions
By: Martin Guitar
June 17, 2020
The songwriter plays his original song, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Music chart.
Richard Thompson: “Walking the Long Miles Home” | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
June 15, 2020
The master guitarist and songwriter performs a solo version of one of his songs, live at Ulster Hall in Belfast, Ireland.
American Aquarium: “Starts With You” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
June 14, 2020
The Americana band’s founder, BJ Barham, plays one of his original songs, accompanied on dobro by Neil Jones.
New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation for June
By: Dan Gabel
June 5, 2020
Kick-off your summer with new lessons, tunes, and techniques in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Amythyst Kiah: “Black Myself” | Martin Museum Sessions
By: Martin Guitar
June 5, 2020
The songwriter and multi-instrumentalist performs her Grammy-nominated song live in the Martin Museum, on a 1942 Martin D-45.
Tré Burt: “The Real You” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
June 4, 2020
The guitarist and songwriter plays one of his original songs live at the LR Baggs studio.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
John Fullbright: “When You’re Here” | Collings D1 ATS
By: Collings Guitars
June 3, 2020
The songwriter plays one of his original compositions at the Collings Guitar and Mandolin shop.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Orville Johnson: “Salty Dog Blues”
By: Scott Nygaard
June 3, 2020
Peghead Nation’s fingerstyle blues instructor plays a Mississippi John Hurt–inspired version of the traditional song.
Allen Shadd and Glen Alexander: Preston Thompson Guitars Facebook Live
June 2, 2020
The 2019 Winfield Flatpicking champion plays his Thompson guitar with his friend and owner of The Violin Shoppe in Charlotte, North Carolina.
California Banjo Extravaganza: “Chinquapin Hunting”
By: Dan Gabel
May 30, 2020
A performance from a Peghead-packed band of Bill Evans, Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally.
Small Town Therapy: “Ramona’s Waltz”
By: Dan Gabel
May 21, 2020
Adam Roszkiewicz and Leif Karlstrom play one of their original compositions from their first album.
Chris Luquette: “Red Haired Boy” | Preston Thompson Guitars
May 21, 2020
The guitarist plays one a traditional favorite with Maddie Whitler and Max Johnson, live in the Peghead Nation studio.
Kruger Brothers: “Beautiful Nothing”| Collings D1 T
By: Collings Guitars
May 19, 2020
The roots trio plays a one of their original compositions at the Collings Guitar and Mandolin shop.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Lowden Guitars Presents “Stay at Home, Play at Home”
By: Lowden Guitars
May 6, 2020
The Northern Irish guitar maker launches a program of interactive lessons and performances, with a chance to win Lowden gift cards.
Tags: Guitar, Lowden Guitars
New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation for May
By: Dan Gabel
May 6, 2020
New lessons to keep your momentum going! Check out the lessons, tunes, and techniques to learn in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
John Reischman and Scott Nygaard: “In the Pines”
By: Dan Gabel
April 29, 2020
Two revealers of harmonic tone play a bluegrass classic.
George Lowden on Brazilian Rosewood
By: Lowden Guitars
April 28, 2020
The founder of Lowden Guitars talks about the beauty of the rare and regulated species.
Watch Stevie Coyle’s Fingerstyle Facebook Live Workshop
By: Dan Gabel
April 28, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Fingerstyle Guitar instructor spent an hour on our Facebook page recently, talking about all aspects of fingerstyle guitar. Watch the whole workshop here.
Molly Tuttle Debuts Her Signature Model Preston Thompson Guitar
April 27, 2020
Molly and her band play an original song featuring her powerful clawhammer guitar technique, live at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
Matt Harlan: “What We Saw” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
April 16, 2020
The guitarist and songwriter plays one of his original songs live at the LR Baggs studio.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Martin Guitar | The SC-13 Origin Story
By: Martin Guitar
April 16, 2020
The designers of Martin’s innovative new acoustic-electric guitar talk about how the new concept, body shape, and neck joint came to fruition.
Chris Luquette: “Home to You” | Preston Thompson Guitars
April 16, 2020
The guitarist plays one of his original songs from his debut solo album, “The Way I View the World,” live at the Peghead Nation studio.
Richard Thompson: “One Door Opens” | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
April 14, 2020
The master guitarist and songwriter performs a solo version of one of his songs, live at Ulster Hall in Belfast, Ireland.
Marcy Marxer: “Autumn Leaves”
By: Dan Gabel
April 14, 2020
Peghead Nation’s ukulele instructor plays a beautiful arrangement of the popular jazz standard.
Tags: Guitar
Mike Witcher and Scott Nygaard: “Little Rabbit”
By: Dan Gabel
April 1, 2020
Peghead Nation’s dobro instructor plays an old-time favorite with our co-founder and guitar instructor.
Molly Tuttle: “Take The Journey” | Preston Thompson Guitars
March 28, 2020
Molly and her band play an original song featuring her powerful clawhammer guitar technique, live at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
Benjamin Scheuer | “Weather the Storm” | Froggy Bottom Guitars
By: Froggy Bottom
March 27, 2020
Songwriter Benjamin Scheuer plays an original song from his award-winning one-man, six-guitar show, THE LION.
“Wichita Lineman” | Lowden Guitars | Tasmanian Blackwood Series
By: Lowden Guitars
March 26, 2020
Pete Wallace and Colm McClean cover Glen Campbell’s Wichita Lineman, both playing new Lowden guitars.
LR Baggs Anthem
By: LR Baggs
March 20, 2020
The Award-winning Anthem series features the patented TRU•MIC technology and delivers the warmth and fidelity of a studio-mic’d guitar anywhere you perform.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Preston Thompson Guitars | Short Film from One Sky Films
March 20, 2020
Members of the Thompson Guitar crew talk about the heart and passion that goes into the instruments they make.
Chris “Critter” Eldridge: “Fair to Partly Cloudy” | Collings D2H A T S
By: Collings Guitars
March 14, 2020
The flatpicking master plays an original composition on a new Traditional series dreadnought.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Derk’s Discoveries: Brothers from Another Planet
By: Derk Richardson
March 14, 2020
Guitarists Jim McAuley and Scot Ray inhabit a Second Earth. You should too.
Tags: Guitar
Billy Strings Gifts Signature Model Guitar to His Dad | Preston Thompson Guitars
March 9, 2020
The guitarist and songwriter surprises his father with the first Billy Strings signature model Thompson DBS-EIA.
New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation
By: Dan Gabel
March 5, 2020
What to do with all of that time? Check out the lessons, tunes, and techniques to learn in our guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass courses.
Join Flynn Cohen’s Facebook Live Event on St. Patrick’s Day
By: Dan Gabel
March 1, 2020
Our Irish Backup Guitar instructor is taking questions and talking about playing Irish music live on Facebook, Tuesday, March 17 at 6pm Eastern Time. Join us!
Bourgeois Guitars | Luthier’s Choice Custom “Jade Rabbit”
February 27, 2020
A striking L-DBO with bear claw Italian spruce, curly figured maple, and mother-of-pearl fingerboard.
Preston Thompson D-GA
By: Teja Gerken
February 24, 2020
An understated dreadnought built with granadillo and Adirondack spruce.
Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “Watson’s Blues”
By: Dan Gabel
February 13, 2020
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play a tune that Bill Monroe wrote and named after one of his favorite guitarists, Doc Watson.
Ethan Setiawan: “Josie-O” | Win a Muleskinner Mandolin
By: Froggy Bottom
February 13, 2020
The mandolinist from the band Corner House plays a beautiful Muleskinner Instruments A-style mandolin, which you can win in a raffle for the Chandler Center for the Arts.
Bourgeois Guitars | Legacy Series DS Custom | Andy Falco
February 12, 2020
The guitarist for the Infamous Stringdusters plays a beautiful 12-Fret dreadnought with a sinker redwood top and figured Cuban mahogany back and sides.
Doyle Dykes | Shubb Capos
By: Shubb Capos
February 10, 2020
The fingerstyle guitarist talks about Shubb Capos and shows his capo-drop move.
New Album from Marla Fibish
By: Dan Gabel
February 2, 2020
Peghead Nation’s Irish Mandolin instructor releases “The Bright Hollow Fog,” an album of beautiful solo and duo performances on mandolin and mandola.
Andrew Marlin with Eli West, Christian Sedelmyer, Clint Mullican: “Wooden Spoon Over by the Sink”
By: Dan Gabel
February 2, 2020
Andrew Marlin and his band plays an original tune from his instrumental album, “Buried in a Cape,” backstage at Terrapin Crossroads.
Derk’s Discoveries: Stunning Formations
By: Derk Richardson
January 31, 2020
The string quartet Hawktail soars above the New Acoustic Music plain.
Fishman PowerTap Infinity
By: Fishman
January 27, 2020
A look at the new Fishman pickup that combines the superior performance and tone of the Matrix Infinity undersaddle pickup system with a new soundboard body sensor.
LR Baggs Soundscape with Voiceprint Technology
By: LR Baggs
January 26, 2020
Soundscape measures the acoustic response of your guitar and leverages the processing power of your smartphone to accurately capture your guitar’s one-of-a-kind voice.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Hawktail: “Annbjørg”
By: Dan Gabel
January 10, 2020
Peghead Nation fiddle instructor Brittany Haas and her progressive acoustic band play an original tune from their new album, “Formations.”
Hours of New Lessons Just Added to Peghead Nation
By: Dan Gabel
January 8, 2020
The new year brings new tunes and techniques to learn on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, dobro, ukulele, and bass.
“Scatter the Mud” and “The Mist on the Mountain” | Sean Og Graham & Niamh Dunne | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
January 6, 2020
The duo from the Irish folk band Beoga perform two Irish tunes with the Lowden O-25 45th Anniversary Limited Edition.
Tré Burt, “Franklin’s Tunnel” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
January 6, 2020
The guitarist and songwriter plays one of his original songs live at the LR Baggs studio.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Joe K. Walsh with Brittany Haas, Darol Anger, Missy Raines, and Grant Gordy: “Fiddler of Dooney”
By: Dan Gabel
January 2, 2020
Joe K. Walsh set a William Butler Yeats poem to music and plays it here with an all-star band, live at the Great Lakes Music Camp last fall.
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry: “Last Chance”
By: Dan Gabel
December 24, 2019
Peghead Nation’s Monroe-Style Mandolin instructor and his duo partner play a classic banjo tune from Virginia old-time musician Hobart Smith.
Bourgeois Guitars | Trey Hensley
December 20, 2019
The guitarist performs on his new Bourgeois Slope D 35, with Rob Ickes.
Martin Guitar | Nick Offerman: “My Martin Story”
By: Martin Guitar
December 20, 2019
The guitarist known for his portrayal of Ron Swanson on “Parks and Recreation” talks about his love of Martin Guitars and his struggle with the B chord.
Derk’s Discoveries: Bruce Cockburn Is Speechless Again
By: Derk Richardson
December 20, 2019
On his new all-instrumental album, the 2017 Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee lets his guitars do the talking.
Tags: Fingerstyle, Guitar
Preston Thompson Guitars | Presented by One Sky Films
December 19, 2019
One Sky Films visited the Preston Thompson Guitars shop to film an upcoming video, and here is a taste of what they filmed, with music by Peter Rowan.
Chris Luquette: “Union Valley” | Preston Thompson Guitars
December 9, 2019
The guitarist plays an extended version of an original tune from his debut solo album, with mandolinist Maddie Witler and bassist Max Johnson.
Marcus King, “Remember” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
December 8, 2019
The guitarist and songwriter plays one of his original songs live at the LR Baggs studio.
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Bourgeois Guitars | OMSC Fingerstyle Custom Redwood and Brazilian Rosewood
December 3, 2019
Guitarist Aaron Lefebvre demonstrates a beautiful new Bourgeois decked out with Brazilian rosewood, a beveled armrest, and a soundport.
Martin Guitar | Zandy Fitzgerald: “What Makes the World”
By: Martin Guitar
November 29, 2019
The guitarist for the pop/rock/soul band The New Respects plays a solo version of an original song live at Martin HQ.
Derk’s Discoveries: Que paso? “El Paso”—again.
By: Derk Richardson
November 27, 2019
The Carolyn Sills Combo revisits and reinvents the Marty Robbins classic.
Tags: Guitar, Songwriting
Lillie Mae, “Whole Blue Heart” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
November 21, 2019
The songwriter and her band play one of her originals from her latest album, “Other Girls.”
Tags: Guitar, L.R. Baggs
Brittany Haas with Joe K. Walsh, Darol Anger, Missy Raines, Grant Gordy, and Ethan Setiawan: “Dry and Dusty”
By: Dan Gabel
November 21, 2019
Brittany Haas and an all-star band play a beautiful version of the popular Texas fiddle tune, live at the Great Lakes Music Camp this fall.
Billy Strings and Leftover Salmon: “Aquatic Hitchhiker” | Preston Thompson Guitars
November 14, 2019
An extended jam on the Americana band’s tune, live at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival.
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry: “Singing As We Rise”
By: Dan Gabel
November 13, 2019
The old-time duo plays the Joe Newberry original that won IBMA’s Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year for 2012, live in the Peghead Nation studio.
Shawn Colvin: “Trouble”| Collings C100 Custom
By: Collings Guitars
November 11, 2019
The songwriter performs one of her originals on her new custom Collings guitar.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Joe K. Walsh, Jake Howard, Ethan Setiawan, Grant Gordy, and Darol Anger: “E.M.D.”
By: Dan Gabel
November 9, 2019
A smoking triple-mandolin version of David Grisman’s tune “E.M.D.,” recorded at the Great Lakes Music Camp 2019.
Martin Guitar | Repairing John Mayer’s OM28JM
By: Martin Guitar
November 7, 2019
Watch this mesmerizing video of John Mayer’s signature guitar getting an overhaul at the Martin factory.
Molly Tuttle and Billy Strings: “Sittin’ On Top of the World” | Preston Thompson Guitars
October 29, 2019
The two powerhouses play The Mississippi Sheiks song live at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival.
John Reischman with Joe K. Walsh, Darol Anger, Missy Raines, and Hayes Griffin: “Salt Spring”
By: Dan Gabel
October 29, 2019
John Reischman plays one of his popular original tunes with an all-star band at the Great Lakes Music Camp this fall.
Kruger Brothers: “People Get Ready”| Collings D1 T
By: Collings Guitars
October 24, 2019
The roots trio plays a joyful version of the Curtis Mayfield classic live at the Collings Guitar and Mandolin shop.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Preston Thompson 0000-SBA
By: Teja Gerken
October 21, 2019
A custom guitar built with “shipwreck” Brazilian rosewood.
Tags: Guitar, Preston Thompson
Bill and the Belles at IBMA | Fishman
By: Fishman
October 14, 2019
The country/Americana group plays a Jimmie Rodgers classic live in the Fishman and D’Addario showcase room at IBMA 2019.
Carolyn Sills Combo, “Feleena” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
October 11, 2019
The Western Swing group plays a song from their forthcoming album “Return to El Paso,” a celebration of the Marty Robbins hit song from 1959.
“Mary and the Soldier” | Sean Og Graham & Niamh Dunne | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
October 10, 2019
The duo from the Irish folk band Beoga perform a Paul Brady classic with the Lowden O-25 45th Anniversary Limited Edition.
Shubb Capos | Roger Tallroth | “The Pearl Polska”
By: Shubb Capos
October 1, 2019
Väsen guitarist Roger Tallroth plays a solo version of a haunting polska on an octave mandolin.
Thompson Guitars | Peter Rowan at RockyGrass 2019
September 19, 2019
A few minutes from the roots music icon’s set at the venerable festival.
Bourgeois Guitars | From the Breakroom
September 19, 2019
Watch a quick lunchtime jam from Steve and Rob, who work in the Bourgeois binding department!
Martin Guitar X Bracing
By: Martin Guitar
September 17, 2019
Chris Martin and others talk about the creation of the X-braced guitar and the structural and tonal benefits of the historic bracing pattern.
Gangstagrass, “Nickel and Dime Blues” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
September 3, 2019
The bluegrass/hip-hop band plays an original song live in the LR Baggs studio.
New Martin Modern Deluxe Series
By: Martin Guitar
September 3, 2019
Martin Guitar’s Fred Greene discusses the features and appointments on the new series that includes the D18, D28, OM28, and 00028.
Tags: Guitar, Martin Guitar
Joy Kills Sorrow: “Such Great Heights”
By: Dan Gabel
August 29, 2019
Peghead Nation welcomes our two newest instructors, Zoe Guigueno and Wes Corbett, who played together in the influential stringband Joy Kills Sorrow.
Thompson Guitars | Luke Lovejoy, RockyGrass 2019 Flatpick Champion
August 28, 2019
The winner of the prestigious guitar contest tries out his grand prize guitar, a Thompson D-MA dreadnought.
ToneWoodAmp | Andy McKee and Trevor Gordon Hall Hotel Duet
By: ToneWoodAmp
August 27, 2019
The two fingerstylists share a beautiful tune played with two ToneWoodAmps and captured on an iPhone.
Rodney Crowell: “Flatland Hillbillies” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
August 13, 2019
The songwriter plays an original from his new album “Texas,” live in the LR Baggs studio in Nashville.
ToneWoodAmp Review | Cooper Carter
By: ToneWoodAmp
August 12, 2019
The guitarist behind the SoloAWeek YouTube series demonstrates the features of the ToneWoodAmp.
Preston Thompson D-EIA
By: Teja Gerken
August 5, 2019
A great style-28 dreadnought made with Indian rosewood and Adirondack spruce.
Tags: Guitar, Preston Thompson
Molly Tuttle: “Rain and Snow” | Preston Thompson Guitars
August 5, 2019
Watch Molly and her band play the old-time ballad backstage at the Grand Ole Opry.
Jerry Douglas & Tommy Emmanuel: “Halfway Home” | Ear Trumpet Labs
By: Ear Trumpet Labs
July 30, 2019
The dobro master and fingerstyle powerhouse play Tommy’s original tune in the Ear Trumpet Labs workshop.
Shubb Capos | Roger Tallroth and Olov Johansson | “Bison Polska”
By: Shubb Capos
July 30, 2019
Members of Väsen play an octave mandolin and nyckelharpa version of an original polska.
Bruce Molsky: “Red Rocking Chair”
By: Dan Gabel
July 29, 2019
Peghead Nation Old-Time Fiddle instructor plays and sings a traditional favorite.
Bourgeois Guitars | OMSC Fingerstyle Custom Demo
July 29, 2019
Aaron Lefebvre demonstrates the innovative new guitar from Bourgeois, built with an soundport, an arm bevel, Italian spruce top and master grade Brazilian rosewood back and sides.
Mike Dawes and Cenk Erdogan | ToneWoodAmp
By: ToneWoodAmp
July 25, 2019
The English fingerstylist and Turkish fretless guitar master play an original piece together, both using effects from the ToneWoodAmp.
Derk’s Discoveries: Three of a Kind
By: Derk Richardson
July 24, 2019
On its riveting Rule of 3, Väsen brings seamless virtuosity and emotional depth to its original take on Swedish folk traditions.
Bourgeois Guitars | The “Coupe” 00 Model
July 17, 2019
Brad Hendrickson demonstrates a brand new small-body model from Bourgeois, this one with koa back and sides and a white spruce top.
Peter Rowan Remembers Preston Thompson
By: Dan Gabel
July 11, 2019
The songwriter and roots music icon talks about buying the second guitar Preston Thompson built, and plays a few songs on that 000-42 style instrument.
Tags: Guitar, Thompson Guitars
Martin Vega® Banjo Strings
By: Martin Guitar
July 11, 2019
Martin’s new banjo strings use a long lasting nickel/steel alloy for its tonal qualities and smooth consistency, great for all styles of banjo playing.
The Devil Makes Three: “Paint My Face” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
July 10, 2019
The Americana ensemble plays a song from their latest album live in the LR Baggs studio in Nashville.
Calum Graham: “Farewell” | ToneWoodAmp
By: ToneWoodAmp
July 9, 2019
The Canadian fingerstylist plays a beautiful original tune on the shoreline of Maui, Hawaii, with the ToneWoodAmp.
Shubb Capos | John Jorgenson Quintet: “Ghost Dance”
By: Shubb Capos
July 2, 2019
Watch a smokin’ live performance of John Jorgenson’s original tune, with his stellar gypsy jazz band.
Backstage with Jesse Cook | ToneWoodAmp
By: ToneWoodAmp
June 28, 2019
The flamenco- and jazz-influenced virtuoso plays his nylon-string guitar through a ToneWoodAmp.
Jon Gomm: “High and Dry” | Lowden Guitars
By: Lowden Guitars
June 27, 2019
The fingerstyle guitar master plays a Radiohead hit live in the Lowden workshop.
Billy Strings at 4 Peaks Music Festival | Preston Thompson Guitars
June 27, 2019
The guitarist and songwriter talks about his Thompson D-BA at the 4 Peaks Music Festival in Bend, Oregon.
Tim Hicks: “That’s What a Song Should Do” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
June 21, 2019
Country artist Tim Hicks plays one of his original songs live in the LR Baggs studio.
Andrea Mele: “Rose”| Collings OM2H
By: Collings Guitars
June 17, 2019
The Italian fingerstyle guitarist plays an original composition from his latest album, “Dream,” on a Collings OM2H.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Joe K. Walsh and Grant Gordy: “Daphne”
By: Dan Gabel
June 17, 2019
Peghead Nation’s mandolin instructor plays a Django Reinhardt tune with his bandmate and frequent duo partner.
Martin Guitar | Still Handmade by Donna and Cowboy
By: Martin Guitar
June 5, 2019
Meet some of the artisans who are part of the 180-year history of building iconic American guitars by hand.
Tags: Guitar, Martin Guitar
ToneWoodAmp | Connor Thomas: “What a Wonderful World“
By: ToneWoodAmp
June 5, 2019
The English fingerstyle phenom plays the Louis Armstrong classic using a ToneWoodamp.
SUSTO: “Homeboy” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
June 5, 2019
Songwriter Justin Osborne plays an original song from his album “Ever Since I Lost My Mind.”
Irish Backup Guitar with Flynn Cohen Now Available!
By: Dan Gabel
May 30, 2019
Learn to accompany jigs and reels and other traditional Irish dance tunes in the style pioneered by Irish guitar greats. Enroll now!
Tags: Guitar
Huss & Dalton Jefferson Edition OO-SP Guitar
By: Huss and Dalton
May 29, 2019
A short film about the creation of a meticulously crafted commemorative guitar, made with wood from a tulip poplar that stood on Thomas Jefferson’s estate at Monticello since 1808.
Tags: Guitar, Huss and Dalton
Billy Strings: “Dust in a Baggie” | Preston Thompson Guitars
May 23, 2019
The songwriter and guitarist plays an original song during his debut on the Grand Ole Opry.
Fishman Loudbox Artist with Bluetooth
By: Fishman
May 22, 2019
Songwriter Danielle Miraglia plays through Fishman’s popular acoustic amplifier, which now has wireless connectivity.
Bourgeois Guitars: Employee Spotlight Series 2
May 15, 2019
Greg from the Bourgeois finish department tries out the brand new OMSC featuring an arm bevel and sound port.
Molly Tuttle: “Take The Journey” | Preston Thompson Guitars
May 15, 2019
Watch the official video for this original song from Molly’s latest album “When You’re Ready,” featuring her powerful clawhammer guitar technique.
ToneWoodAmp User Review | Morf Music
By: ToneWoodAmp
May 9, 2019
Morf is a talented guitarist, singer, composer, and street performer, and in this video, he demonstrates the ToneWoodAmp and its wide range of acoustic guitar effects.
ToneWoodAmp Unplugged | Mike Dawes and Jake Allen
By: ToneWoodAmp
May 6, 2019
The fingerstylists play a beautiful acoustic version of John Mayer's “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” with the ToneWoodAmp.
Adam Miller: “Parker”
By: Teja Gerken
May 1, 2019
Advanced Fingerstyle Workshop instructor plays his original composition on a Ken Parker archtop.
Tags: Fingerstyle, Guitar
Lula Wiles: “Nashville Man” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
May 1, 2019
The folk trio plays an original song from their latest album live in the LR Baggs Nashville studio.
Bourgeois Guitars: Employee Spotlight Series 1
April 30, 2019
Andrew Olson, Process Engineer and Artist Relations Manager at Bourgeois steps away from the CNC for a few minutes to pick a tune on our new D/C Generation.
Derk’s Discoveries: Michael Chapman’s Beautiful Melancholy
By: Derk Richardson
April 29, 2019
Youth may be wasted on the young, but age becomes the English acoustic guitar icon.
Tags: Guitar, Songwriting
Martin Guitar | Still Handmade. Still the Standard.
By: Martin Guitar
April 22, 2019
Meet some of the artisans who are part of the 180-year history of building iconic American guitars by hand.
Tags: Guitar, Martin Guitar
Robert Earl Keen: “The Unknown Fighter” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
April 22, 2019
The master songwriter plays an unreleased song live at Soundcheck in Nashville.
Froggy Bottom Guitars | Model G Jumbo
By: Froggy Bottom
April 10, 2019
Scott Ainslie plays a Lonnie Johnson tune on a beautiful maple jumbo guitar from Froggy Bottom.
Matt Munisteri: “April Kisses”
By: Dan Gabel
April 2, 2019
Peghead Nation’s Roots of Jazz Guitar instructor plays a solo version of the great Eddie Lang showpiece.
Join Matt Munisteri at Red Hot Strings Workshop | Port Townsend, Washington, May 15–19
By: Dan Gabel
April 1, 2019
Peghead Nation’s jazz guitar instructor hosts a workshop and celebration of hot jazz, 1930s swing, Western and Hawaiian swing, and much more.
Billy Strings and Peter Rowan | Wintergrass Hotel Sessions | Thompson Guitars
April 1, 2019
Watch an informal picking session with two of the most influential pickers of their respective generations, live at Wintergrass 2019.
The Mastersons: “Truck Stop Sushi” | D’Addario Raw Talent
By: DAddario
April 1, 2019
The husband-and-wife duo writes a song on the spot, given nothing but the title as a starting place.
Diego Garcia: “El Camino” | Collings
By: Collings Guitars
March 28, 2019
The Spanish guitarist known as “El Twanguero” plays an original composition on a Collings OM1.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
Devil Makes Three: “Native Son” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
March 25, 2019
The Americana trio plays an original song in the LR Baggs studio.
Shubb Capos | Väsen, Mike Marshall, and Darol Anger | “Flippen”
By: Shubb Capos
March 22, 2019
A powerhouse collaboration on stage at Wintergrass 2018, playing the Väsen tune “Flippen” with a fun interlude of “Squirrel Hunters.”
Molsky’s Mountain Drifters: “Grey Eagle”
By: Dan Gabel
March 22, 2019
Bruce Molsky, Stash Wyslouch and Allison de Groot play a traditional fiddle tune live at the Peghead Nation table at Wintergrass.
How It Began | Sheeran By Lowden
By: Lowden Guitars
March 19, 2019
George Lowden and Ed Sheeran on the friendship and collaboration that has resulted in a brand new line of guitars for aspiring musicians.
Steve Baughman: “Home Sweet Home”
By: Dan Gabel
March 14, 2019
Peghead Nation clawhammer guitar instructor plays an American folk classic.
Chris Luquette and Trey Hensley: “Big Sciota” | Thompson Guitars
March 12, 2019
Flatpickers take two Thompson guitars for a fun spin during the Sisters Folk Festival Concert.
Micro Headstock Tuner | D’Addario
By: DAddario
March 11, 2019
D’Addario’s popular, discreet headstock tuner is redesigned for even more versatility and visibility.
Derk’s Discoveries: When Picking Is Your Passion
By: Derk Richardson
March 6, 2019
Tyler Grant and Robin Kessinger infuse their acoustic guitar flatpicking duets with unbridled joy.
Molsky’s Mountain Drifters: “The Little Carpenter”
By: Dan Gabel
March 1, 2019
Peghead Nation fiddle and banjo instructor plays and sings a great traditional song with Stash Wyslouch and Allison de Groot, live at Wintergrass.
Thompson Guitars Tasting Workshop at Wintergrass
March 1, 2019
Guitarists Steve Blanchard, Don Share, Tim Stafford, Dale Adkins, Billy Strings, and Josh Rinkel talk about and play their Preston Thompson guitars for a live audience at Wintergrass 2019.
Froggy Bottom Guitars | 2019 Brazilian Featured Model K
By: Froggy Bottom
February 26, 2019
Scott Ainslie plays a beautiful Froggy Bottom Model K built with Brazilian rosewood and Adirondack spruce.
Courtney Hartman: “Low Power Mode” | D’Addario Raw Talent
By: DAddario
February 19, 2019
The guitarist and songwriter writes a song on the spot, given nothing but the title as a starting place.
Martin Authentic Acoustic Strings Lineup
By: Martin Guitar
February 14, 2019
A look at the design of the new Martin guitar strings and comparison to Martin’s previous string models.
Tags: Guitar, Martin Guitar
Ryosuke Yufu: “D N A” | The Izu Sessions 2 | Taylor Guitars Japan
By: Taylor Guitars
February 14, 2019
Guitar virtuoso Ryosuke Yufu plays an original tune on his Taylor 514ce at Kitty Izu Studio in Japan.
Darrell Scott: “Full Light” | Collings
By: Collings Guitars
February 12, 2019
The multi-instrumentalist and songwriter plays an original song on his Collings C100 at the Collings shop in Austin, Texas.
Tags: Collings Guitars, Guitar
John R. Miller: “Red Eyes” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
February 11, 2019
The songwriter and band leader of The Engine Lights plays an original song in the LR Baggs studio.
Joe K. Walsh and Scott Nygaard: “Goodbye Liza Jane”
By: Dan Gabel
February 4, 2019
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play an old-time favorite.
Billy Strings: “Me and My Uncle” | Preston Thompson Guitars
January 30, 2019
The songwriter and guitarist plays a Grateful Dead favorite with his band at YarmonyGrass.
Tony McManus and Julia Toaspern: “Moustambeiko”
By: Dan Gabel
January 29, 2019
Peghead Nation Celtic Guitar instructor plays a traditional Greek tune with guitarist Julia Toaspern.
Mike Compton and Scott Nygaard: “Bring Your Clothes Back Home”
By: Dan Gabel
January 22, 2019
Peghead Nation mandolin and guitar instructors play John Hartford’s humorous blues song.
Lula Wiles: “Leave Me Now” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
January 20, 2019
The folk trio plays an original song from their new album live in the LR Baggs Nashville studio.
Martin Museum Sessions | Brian Fallon: “Smoke”
By: Martin Guitar
January 17, 2019
The songwriter and former frontman for Gaslight Anthem sings an original song in the Martin Guitar Museum.
Eric Bibb | Preston Thompson 12-Fret 000
January 15, 2019
The blues guitarist and songwriter discusses and plays his Preston Thompson during a stop in Seattle, Washington.
Dom Flemons Live at Elderly Instruments
January 8, 2019
The American Songster plays three songs from his new album, “Dom Flemons Presents Black Cowboys,” live at Elderly Instruments.
Ryan Montbleau: “Looking Glass” | Fishman Rare Earth
By: Fishman
January 5, 2019
The songwriter plays an original song that he recently recorded for his new live album, “Woodstock Sessions.”
Tony McManus and Julia Toaspern: “Bonnie Jean”
By: Dan Gabel
January 3, 2019
Peghead Nation Celtic Guitar instructor sings and plays a Robert Burns song with fiddler Julia Toaspern.
Lowden F-50 Tiger Myrtle | Winter Limited Edition
By: Lowden Guitars
January 2, 2019
Introducing a limited edition of 25 guitars made with beautiful Tiger Myrtle back and sides.
“Saint” Nick D’Addario Takes London
By: DAddario
December 20, 2018
In the spirit of the season, "Saint" Nick D'Addario hits the streets of London to give back to those who give us the gift of music.
Ned Luberecki: “Take Five” | California Banjo Extravaganza
By: Dan Gabel
December 19, 2018
A performance of the jazz classic by the 2018 IBMA Banjo Player of Year, with Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally.
Molly Tuttle: “Good Enough” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
December 10, 2018
The award-winning guitarist and songwriter plays an original song live in the LR Baggs Nashville studio.
Chance McCoy: “Lizard In the Spring” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
December 4, 2018
The multi-instrumentalist and songwriter plays a twin fiddle version of the song “Lizard In the Spring,” live in the LR Baggs Nashville studio.
Laurie Lewis: “Sailing Boat” | Preston Thompson Guitars
November 27, 2018
The Grammy Award winning songwriter plays an original song with Tom Rozum and Nina Gerber, live at the Preston Thompson shop.
Lera Lynn: “What is Love” | LR Baggs
By: LR Baggs
November 18, 2018
The singer-songwriter plays an original song from her recent album of duets live in the LR Baggs Nashville studio.
Martin Guitar | Restringing Your Acoustic Guitar
By: Martin Guitar
November 18, 2018
A helpful tutorial on how to easily change the strings on your acoustic guitar.
John Oates: “Squeaky Wheel” | D’Addario Raw Talent
By: DAddario
November 18, 2018
John Oates writes a song on the spot, given nothing but the title as a starting place.
California Banjo Extravaganza: “Angeline the Baker”
By: Dan Gabel
November 14, 2018
A performance from Bill Evans, Chris Coole, and Ned Luberecki, with a Peghead-packed band of Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally.
Derk’s Discoveries: UK Primitive
By: Derk Richardson
November 12, 2018
Welsh-born Gwenifer Raymond: a new force in fingerstyle guitar
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