Acoustic Guitar magazine, Jan. 2012

Acoustic Guitar magazine #229 (Jan. 2012; at present in the shops) has several features of interest to bluegrass/old-time fans: the continuation of Kathy Barwick's instructional series on crosspicking; reviews of two CDs, Kenny Smith's Return and Noam Pikelny's Beat the devil and carry a rail; Jody Stecher's arrangement of 'Fair and tender ladies'; and an article on the Carolina Chocolate Drops in their recent four-piece lineup. The 'current' issue, #230 (Feb. 2012) has Gillian Welch & David Rawlings on the cover and Hank Williams's 'I'm so lonesome I could cry' as one of the featured songs.

Meanwhile, in Acoustic magazine (no relation), Leon Hunt assesses two intermediate-range 5-string banjos now marketed under the 'Vintage' name. And - a completely unconnected but serendipitous find - you might also look up the Findajo Vintage Banjos website; though the catalogue consists mainly of 4-string instruments, there are some remarkable 5-strings, including what is said to be the second Gibson Mastertone RB-4 ever made.