Hi all,

I have to first say thanks to all of you that spend your time visiting the Pickin Parlor.  It's been a pleasure getting to know so many of you and I REALLY appreciate all the great contributions from all over the world.  It's still amazing to me to be regularly talking with and getting to know so many of you from so many places around the globe, just an unexpected treat for me.  I'm glad you enjoy it and want to really encourage you to keep it up, the videos have been fantastic. 

Well, as I type this, I'm VERY excited to share with you the next chapter of our business growth model.  If you've been around, you've probably read that we were the largest seller of National Reso-Phonic guitars in the world this past year.  We've also expanded into selling both the Republic resonators and the Huss and Dalton acoustic guitars.  I have great respect for the owners of both those companies and they've been a joy to work with.  I hope to continue the positive relationship with all these great companies going forward as we continue to grow. 

Today I am finally able to make a groundbreaking announcement that's been in the works for many months.  As of today, we are now officially offering our own line of guitars made to our personal specifications.  The brand name is HOT ROD STEEL GUITARS.  We will be offering limited quantites of resonator guitars in 12 and 14 fret single cones,  a tricone, and a UKE model.  We will also have shortly a steel body version of each that will be painted in SATIN BLACK.  I'll wait till we get these next models in to discuss them, but let me discuss our business model first.

We've been working with a group that has not before this time exported any guitars into the US, so this is new ground for them also.  I've been personally directing their craftsman on how to build the guitars so I would be satisfied staking my reputation on their tone and playability.  To this end, I've engaged the services of one Marc Schoenberger to personally do all final setup work and completion of each guitar.  In fact, they are being imported essentially unfinished so Marc can do all the final work to make these guitars sound and play fantastic.  He will be shaping every bone nut and handcrafting and installing hard rock maple saddles for each guitar.  He will also be doing all final fret leveling and seating.  As owner of NATIONAL GUITAR REPAIR, Marc has over 30 years experience as a luthier and for the last 20 has worked specifically on National Resonator guitars.  His reputation precedes him, but he is without a doubt one of the top handful of National resonator luthiers in the world.  The vast majority of my Vintage National guitars I've sold thru Vintage Nationals were restored by Marc, and the feedback I've gotten from selling literally hundreds of Vintage and rare National guitars has been fantastic.

On top of getting a great sounding and playing HOT ROD STEEL guitar, I will give 100% of price paid credit towards any National Reso-Phonic guitar for the first year you own it.  That's not a typo!  Play your HOT ROD for a year, and if you want the newest and coolest (or any other new model) NRP, I'll give you 100% credit towards that purchase with your trade in!

The initial promotional price will be $795, the subsequent pricing is still up in the air, but it'll be close to that.  I'm committed to trying to appeal to a younger generation of guitar players and turning them on to resonator guitars.  It's unfortunate I sell very few guitars to those under 40 nowadays, and I hope to change that.  Our marketing for this new product will reflect this goal. I'm going to try and make this fun, and the HOT ROD logo and image will be reflected in our model names and marketing.

I feel these guitar will be a great addition to our offerings, and you can buy knowing that you'll be getting a guitar set up to it's maximum potential by one of the great luthiers out there specializing in such guitars.  Marc himself is very excited after reviewing our first shipment, and feels very confident that these guitars will be very well received. 

Today is the first day that I am disclosing this and making them available.  That said, I sold two today already just mentioning them on the phone to people.  Thanks again to James in Santa Cruz for becoming our very first customer!  These will be shipping by weeks end, so if you're excited, I'd grab one fast.  We do have a second shipment coming in two weeks, but I don't expect this group to last thru friday.  I'll have much more to say about this venture very soon, and plan to have a video documentary about the entire experience that I'll share starting tomorrow here on the Pickin Parlor.  Let me finish by saying I have no intention to compare my guitars to any others out there.  I feel they will stand on their own.  Many of you might remember  Brother DEGE from here on the parlor.  He is going to be my first demo guy as I'm shipping him one to use on his tour.  He's as excited as I am to get one.  I think these guitars will knock your socks off.  Watch as we rev up our marketing for this cool new line.  Already have a 31 Ford being made available as our backdrop for our first photo shoot.  Fun stuff, can't say how excited I am.  Thanks again for all your support here on the Parlor and in general, I really appreciate it. 

Cheers, Lenny G.