January 2019 – Fender (FMIC) announces the acquisition of the Bigsby brand and its assets from Fred Gretsch Enterprises. The Gretsch family and FMIC have a longstanding relationship and have partnered to ensure that the transition of the business is a smooth one.

Bigsby vibrato tailpieces have a long history that dates back to the earliest days of the modern electric guitar. Wildly popular with guitarists as an aftermarket product, the vibratos are featured on a wide range of instruments as original equipment offered by dozens of guitar manufacturers around the world.

Bigsby will continue to run as a standalone business under Fender’s Specialty Brands.

December 2018 – Taylor Guitars agree, for 2018 when it came to weighing up this category, there was only one winner. Projection, clarity, tremendous and haunting sustain, vibrant and complex harmonics… all of these characteristics are the hallmarks of the world’s finest acoustic instruments, but the Taylor V-Class also brings a level of tuning and intonation accuracy that unlocks a world of possibilities for recording.

November 2018 –  Guitar isn’t dead – musicians are playing guitar now more than ever, but in new, innovative ways in today’s diverse, popular music landscape.