Editorial Team 
Seagull has long been known for unconventional designs, and their S8 mandolin is no different. With a fresh look that nods to tradition without being bound by it, it’s certainly a mando that will get a lot of attention. But does it sound as good as it looks? Read our review of the Seagull S8 … Read more
Tony Dixon has been making whistles and flutes for over 20 years, and has established a great reputation. His polymer high D whistle is one of his most popular models, and for good reason. As you’ll read below, it’s a great whistle for beginners and experts alike. One thing to keep in mind is that … Read more
Unless you’re in Mongolia, you won’t find a morin khuur for sale in your local shop! The traditional “horsehead fiddle” might be popular on the Mongolian steppe, but it’s not well-known in most other places. In order to buy a morin khuur, you’ll have to dig a little deeper. Luckily, there are plenty of places … Read more
The low D whistle has a wonderfully evocative sound, perfect for haunting melodies. It’s one of the most popular instruments in Irish music, and has made its way out of Ireland onto many world music and folk recordings. The best low D whistles can bring tears to even the toughest of eyes. While you can … Read more
The bodhran is one of the best instruments for a beginner to get started in Irish music. Their thumping rhythm provides a great accompaniment to jigs and reels, and they’re welcome at sessions around the world. While you can certainly spend a lot of money on a nice bodhran, you don’t need to! In fact, … Read more
There’s a certain romance to strapping a banjo on your back and hopping on the next train headed out west. Of course, for most of us, the reality of travel is more like stuffing your banjo into the overhead compartment of a plane headed to Atlanta. Wherever you’re going, though, and however you get there, … Read more
The banjo is one of the most iconic sounds in American music. From bluegrass to old-time to folk, the banjo can brighten up just about any song. Old-timers used to send away for a cheap banjo from a mail-order catalogs. The times may have changed, but one thing hasn’t: there are a ton of great … Read more
Just because you can spend a lot of money on a mandolin doesn’t mean you have to. In fact, finding a great cheap mandolin is easier than ever. No matter how small your budget, you can find a mandolin that will get you playing your favorite bluegrass licks or Irish jigs in no time. From … Read more
The Chieftain Thunderbird is one of the more popular low D whistle models around. It’s designed and built by Phil Hardy, who learned to make low whistles from the inventor of the instrument, Bernard Overton. Hardy has created a fairly loud low D whistle with a fat, reedy tone, hence the “Thunderbird” name. I had … Read more
Sometimes, you need a loud tin whistle. Whether it’s a big, noisy session, an outdoor gig, or a busking session, sometimes the volume of a normal tin whistle just doesn’t cut it. That’s where these whistles come in. They’ve been designed to give you some extra oomph and help you cut through the noise. You’ll … Read more
