Wildwood Blog

Martin Guitars

Established in 1833, C. F. Martin & Co. is the oldest surviving maker of guitars in the world. Currently the largest producer of acoustic guitars in the United States, the company is highly regarded for creating some of the finest instruments and introducing innovations that have become industry standards in the music products industry.

Taylor Guitars

Taylor Guitars is an El Cajon, California‐based luthier, specializing in acoustic guitars, as well as semi-hollow and solidbody electric guitars. It was established in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug.

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Wildwood Banjos

Wildwood Banjos are hand made from the finest figured hardwoods available. From beautiful curly maples and curly black walnuts, to exotic species such as Ebony, Bubinga and Wenge. From the traditional simplicity of the MINSTREL to the ornate design of the SOLOIST, we offer a well balanced range of banjos in styles for the traditional frailing and clawhammer style players, and classic powerful bluegrass banjos for 3-finger pickers. The blend of old world craftsmanship and modern technology helps produce banjos of unequaled quality and design.

Deering Banjo Company

Makers of Deering, Vega, Tenbrooks & Goodtime banjos.

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Songbird Dulcimers

Home of hammered dulcimer makers Chris & Melanie Foss of Muscatine, Iowa.

Masterworks

While playing around on a hammer dulcimer made from a kit belonging to his brother-in-law, Russell Cook’s imagination was stirred. One day, while driving a school bus, he spotted an old junk piano sitting under a big oak tree. With permission from the owners, Russell took what he needed to build his first dulcimer in the spring of 1979. Teaching himself to play, he participated in several dulcimer festivals and competitions with his handmade instrument. Continuing to experiment, Russell even sold some of his dulcimers enabling him to buy tools and supplies for future instruments. Entering the Southern Regional Dulcimer Competition in 1981, Russell won first place. A few months later, he became National Champion.

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Blue Lion Instruments

Builders of fine, hand-crafted, mountain dulcimers and acoustic guitars. Here’s a link to a wonderful article about Bob and Janita Baker, who make the fine dulcimers featured here at Wildwood Music.

McSpadden Dulcimers

McSpadden Dulcimers specialty is the mountain dulcimer; our five full-time craftsmen have 142 years of experience among them. The experience we have gained gives us the confidence to offer you a high-quality dulcimer at an affordable price, covered by a guarantee you can count on.

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by Don McKay

With a rich heritage that extends back over a century and a half, Martin Guitars continue, as they approach their 200th year of building, to be one of the most desired steel-stringed instruments in the world!

The founder of this great company came from a long line of European cabinet makers, and early on displayed an interest in making guitars. At age 15, Christian Frederick Martin was introduced to his father’s friend, Johann Stauffer. Stauffer, one of the premier guitar builders in Europe, came from a family of artisans, too. Johann’s father was also a guitar maker! The Stauffer and Martin families go back in history even further than Johann and Christian, so that the heredity of Martin Guitar Company dates to the intense system of early European Guilds in Medieval times! When you think about it, you begin to sense the immense and rich heritage you embrace–when you hold a Martin guitar!

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